Health and Wellness

“Together we will build a community with strong, high-quality mental, physical, and social health programs.”

  • Action Item: Continue coordination to help limit the use of controlled substances and alcohol through educating students on the dangers of substance abuse.
    • Progress:
      • Scott County Partnership implemented alcohol and drug prevention programs for middle and high school students in both school districts.
      • School resource officers are providing education to local schools regarding the dangers of substance use.
      • Centerstone created a parent support group to teach parenting skills as well as provide a substance use group at Scott County School District 1 as an alternative consequence to suspension for youth found with substances.

  • Action Item: Work with local healthcare providers to expand services offered within the community.
    • Progress:
      • Becky’s House received funding to assist with transportation costs to transport women in recovery houses to and from recovery support meetings, mental and physical health providers, etc.
      • THRIVE received funding for an overdose response team.
      • LifeSpring received funding to provide a depression and substance use curriculum in the county jail, which is designed to improve mental health outcomes and reduce recidivism.
      • Still Water Individual and Family Therapy Services, Inc. established a mental health scholarship fund to expand mental health services to those who could not otherwise afford them.
      • Scott County School District 2 is implementing Sources of Strength, a suicide prevention curriculum.
  • Action item: Construct sidewalks to connect neighborhoods, local destinations, and downtown areas to improve physical activity, emphasizing ease of access and safety.
    • Progress:
      • City of Scottsburg received a $920,000 Community Crossings grant in 2022 to replace sidewalks connecting Lake Iola to Beechwood Park.
  • Action item: Work with regional partners to identify and build trails within Scott County that connect destinations and allow for recreation.
    • Progress:
      • Align Southern Indiana, a 5-county collaborative effort serving Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott, and Washington counties, was recently awarded a $70,000 READI grant to develop a comprehensive plan. The plan will include upgrading current trails as well as developing and connecting trails in the future. The plan will include mountain bike, horse, water, and walking trails.
      • City of Austin Parks Board received notice in October 2022 of a $900,000 DNR grant which will provide a “Rebirth of Broadway Park” through a land purchase, nature trail, disc golf, tennis courts, pickleball court, add playground equipment, skate park, splash water park, open air concession and vending facility, ADA compliance, new entrance and directional signs on Main Street, alternative lighting, and the burial of electrical lines within the next three years.