November 2026

The West Hartford Prevention Council and West Hartford Prevention Partnership promote optimal health and well-being by fostering community-wide events, activities and awareness campaigns about the importance of promoting mental health and preventing substance misuse across the lifespan.

Community Wellness Calendar

Monthly calendar featuring community prevention, health & wellness, and recovery-focused events and programs in West Hartford.

NOVEMBER CALENDAR

West Hartford Youth Leadership Academy

The West Hartford Youth Leadership Academy is a day of hands-on learning, connection and leadership taking place on Friday, November 13 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at West Hartford Town Hall. The theme of this year’s immersive experience is Learn to Lead. Be Ready to Help.

Sponsored by the West Hartford Prevention Partnership in collaboration with West Hartford Public Schools, the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District, Amplify, NAMI, Mandell JCC, Hartford Interval House, DT Cares, West Hartford Department of Emergency Management, and the West Hartford Department of Social Services, the Academy equips students with practical skills to support their peers and promote healthy school communities.

Including sessions about AI and teen mental health, teen dating violence, an overview of cannabis and vaping, and training in life saving interventions, including opioid overdose awareness and naloxone, the Academy will also feature a peer leadership presentation, sound healing and more.

Students will leave with practical skills, new connections and ideas for making a difference in our community.

Open to West Hartford high school students. Space is limited.
Registration required. REGISTER HERE.

Student Ambassadors

"Peer Power: Teens Leading Prevention" was the title of the West Hartford Prevention Partnership Student Ambassadors' presentation at the Changemaker Summit* at the Hartford Marriott on October 15. Several Student Ambassadors attended with Prevention Coordinator Gretchen Levitz, and Maeve D'Arcy, Prevention Assistant, and delivered a thoughtful, impressive, and meaningful session at this professional development event for Youth Service Bureau (YSB) professionals.

The theme of this year's conference was "Your Voice Has Value,” and we are so proud of the impact of our student voices at this event! Ana, Ceci, Manny, Sebastian and Stella worked hard to prepare for their breakout session presentation and represented West Hartford well.

The student ambassadors will continue to represent their schools and the West Hartford community at local events, creating campaigns for P.H.A.C.T.T., and helping out with Elevate WeHa events and partnership events. Look for them at the West Hartford Holiday Stroll on December 3.

*Formerly known as the CT Youth Services Association's Annual Conference

PHACTT

The most recent student-led PHACTT campaign is Stress Less, Live More. Developed by Stella and Ceci, Conard High School Class of 2028, the materials suggest ways for teens to handle stress and anxiety, providing study tips, breathing and stretching exercises and more. Take a look at their fine work HERE!

Last month, Stella and Ceci sat down with Ana for a Weha Teens Talk podcast to talk about the marketing campaign. The podcast will be available soon through West Hartford Community Interactive (WHCI).

The PHACTT (Peer/Health/Awareness/Concerns/Teens/Taskforce) program seeks to maximize the power of peer education by equipping teens with resources, skills and strategies to deliver vital and accurate health information to students in their own schools and community. For more information, visit the PHACTT page.

ELEVATE WeHa

Community Mural Dedication

The dedication of a community mural on October 24 in Blue Back Square was the satisfying finale to a months-long project for us, the Student Ambassadors and the West Hartford community. Throughout the year, students contributed and collected affirmations written on Post-it® notes from the community, and this mural, created by Julie Bergeron, an artist at RiseUP, is the cheerful and inspiring result. The ribbon cutting took place right before the start of the West Hartford Halloween Stroll - a fitting start to a vibrant day in our community. The mural was funded by the West Hartford Prevention Partnership.

Elevate WeHa is a community-based prevention and engagement program through the Prevention Partnership in collaboration with RiseUP for Arts and Youth Recovery CT, designed to strengthen protective factors, reduce risk behaviors, and promote youth wellness across West Hartford.

Recovery Friendly Community

The Wilderness School

West Hartford SMART Recovery members recently attended Wilderness School in East Hartland.

Organized by Kelly Waterhouse (LCSW Social Worker, Town of West Hartford) and Maeve D'Arcy (Prevention Assistant, West Hartford Prevention Partnership), pictured, the one-day program included activities to build self-confidence, trust, resilience and teamwork.

The Wilderness School is a a state-supported youth development program.

SMART Recovery is a skills-based program based on the science of successful behavior change. SMART Recovery is currently being offered for youth with support from Youth Recovery CT. Contact Gretchen Levitz for more information.

Mini Grants

In November 2025, West Hartford Social Services and West Hartford Prevention Partnership invited eligible organizations to apply for mini grants designed to address the opioid crisis within the West Hartford community. These grants, funded by national opioid settlement funds, aim to support community-based initiatives focused on prevention, harm reduction, treatment access, and recovery support.

Understanding Addiction: Causes, Concerns & Solutions

Sunday, November 7 from 12 to 4 p.m.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2080 Boulevard

(Postponed from an earlier date)

An eye-opening community conversation about the causes of addiction, concerns, and ideas on treating addiction. Whether you are directly affected or simply want to be informed, this event is your chance to learn, ask questions and connect with others. Registration required. REGISTER HERE.

Hosted by Westminster Presbyterian Church with funding support from the West Hartford Prevention Partnership.

Community in Motion: A Bonus Hike with Lhakpa Sherpa

A nature-based hike on Talcott Mountain Trail to Heublein Tower led by Lhakpa Sherpa took place on October 25. The Community in Motion Hiking Series was presented by Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford (JFS) and sponsored by the West Hartford Prevention Partnership.

For a list of mini grant recipients and program information, visit our Recovery Friendly Community page.

Community News

Overdose Data Dashboard

The West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District (WHBHD) now has a local Overdose Data Dashboard available to help inform our understanding of overdose trends in our communities. Local data is updated monthly. You can access the Dashboard HERE.

This dashboard was developed through a collaboration between West Hartford-Bloomfield, Hartford, Central CT, and North Central health districts/departments as part of the Local Overdose Data 2 Action (OD2A) grant-funded project.

Monthly Prevention Meetings

Student Ambassadors
(Open to Student Ambassadors only)

Monday, November 2 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Prevention Partnership

Thursday, November 12 at 4 p.m. - Room 400

Prevention Council

Thursday, November12 at 5 p.m. - Room 400

For the meeting calendar, please click here.

November is National Diabetes Month

Check out our November Community Wellness Calendar for wellness clinics and blood pressure, glucose & pulsox (blood oxygen) readings available at West Hartford locations throughout the month and a Healthy Lifestyles program focused on diabetes on November 12 at the Elmwood Senior Center. All programs provided by the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District.

Get started learning about and understanding diabetes at the American Diabetes Association.