The Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation is soliciting grant applications for its second round of grant making from The Sandy Hook School Support Fund. Deadline for project applications is December 19.

According to Executive Director Jennifer D. Barahona, LCSW, funding is available for specific events or activities that support recovery and resiliency as described in the focus area for funding below. To qualify for funding, all applicants or their fiscal sponsors must have current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status through the Internal Revenue Service.

It is anticipated that a total of $100,000 will be available for this grant cycle and that grants to individual organizations will range between $5,000 and $20,000. Grant awards may vary depending on the scope and type of project.

The Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation, Inc devotes itself to furthering and supporting operations and activities that address the short- and long-term unmet needs of individuals and the Newtown community arising from the tragic events of 12/14. For information about the foundation, the fund, or the process for determining community needs, visit nshcf.org.

Ms Barahona told The Bee that in most cases, individual therapeutic interventions are not enough to overcome the scope and magnitude of the trauma faced by the Newtown community and those most impacted by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

She said long before her tenure with the local foundation, she was reviewing research on resilience and recovery from trauma emphasizing the need for strong, supportive relationships that connect people to one another.

While individual treatment may be one important component, “the most traumatic aspects of all disasters involve the shattering of human connections,” according to Dr Bruce Perry, a leading expert on brain development and children.

Growth, improved functioning, and healing cannot occur in isolation and strong, supportive social networks have proven to act as a buffer to the negative effects of trauma, Ms Barahona said. As a result, the foundation is interested in helping support and cultivate initiatives that work to build and strengthen interpersonal connections with children, youth, and adults throughout the community.

Research also shows that relief from trauma symptoms is often experienced when individuals become part of something bigger than themselves. Getting involved in an effort that in some way gives back to the community has proven to be incredibly healing.

Ms Barahona said it restores a sense of control and connects individuals to a larger mission, so applications are also encouraged from groups that incorporate this work into their missions.

Recognizing that resources to support recovery are finite, it is increasingly important that grants are focused on services and programs that are able to demonstrate sustainability over time, according to the release.

Applicants must clearly articulate, through supportive research, how proposed programs and/or interventions contribute to the short- and long-term recovery needs of the community and how they are to be maintained over time.

This is a competitive grant process. During the review process, staff or committee members may initiate contact with an organization if additional information is needed or if a site visit is requested.

After careful review, members of the Distribution Committee of the fund will make recommendations to the foundation’s board of directors for final approval. It is expected that all applicants will be notified by e-mail or mail no later than the third week in February 2015 regarding funding decisions.

For questions about this grant opportunity contact Ms Barahona at jbarahona@nshcf.org or 203-460-0687.

Proposals must be submitted by the deadline of 5 pm on December 19. Submissions may be sent electronically to jbarahona@nshcf.org.

For information about the foundation, the fund, or the process for determining community needs, visit nshcf.org.