Seeds of Prevention

About Us

Alliance for Prevention and Wellness is the Regional Behavioral Health Action Organization (RBHAO) serving the South-Central region of Connecticut. We deliver our services utilizing the Strategic Prevention Framework, which is a data-driven evidence based prevention model developed by SAMHSA, for substance abuse, suicide and problem gambling prevention and promotion of mental health.

Our role as a regional entity is to:

  • Assess the behavioral health needs of the across the lifespan in the region and develop regional strategic plan to include priority recommendations for prevention, treatment and recovery services.

  • Administer the Local Prevention Council (LPC) and other grants to local coalitions to build capacity, raise awareness and provide the development and implementation of prevention efforts for substance abuse, problem gambling, and mental health promotion.

  • Raise awareness and provide advocacy to the general public and stakeholders related to mental health promotion and substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery.

  • Provide training and technical assistance to the towns and communities in DMHAS region 2.

Our Team

Pam Mautte MS, MCHES,
CPS-R, Director

Pamela Mautte has more than 20 years of experience in the prevention field. She holds an MS degree in School Health Education, a BS degree in Public Health, and is a certified Prevention Specialist with Reciprocity (CPP-R), a Master Certified Health Educator Specialist (MCHES) and Certified in Foundations of Dialogue Education.

Taylor Gainey MS, Regional Suicide Advisory Board Coordinator

Taylor Gainey has more than 6 years of experience in the behavioral health field of treatment and recovery. She holds a MS degree in Healthcare Administration, and a BS degree in Public Health.

Lorrie McFarland MS, MCHES, CPS-R, Prevention Coordinator

Lorrie McFarland has more than 18 years of experience in the field of prevention. She holds an MS degree in School Health Education, a BS degree in Public Health, and is a Certified Prevention Specialist with reciprocity (CPP-R). and Master Certified Health Educator Specialist (MCHES).

Andrew Penna BA, Overdose Response Coordinator

Andrew Penna is in graduate school pursuing his MSW (master’s in social work). He holds a BA in Social Sciences and has a background in business.

Nicole Mason LMSW, Prevention Specialist

Nicole Mason has more than 5 years of experience in the behavioral health field of Social Work research, prevention, treatment, and recovery. She is a Licensed Master’s level Social Worker and holds a BA in Psychology.

Linda Milardo, Administrative & Social Media Assistant

Linda Milardo has been with APW since 2018. Her diverse background working for a group of 40 non-profits (Valley Council for Health and Human Services) is some of the experience she brought with her. Linda is trained in QPR Suicide Prevention, Mental Health First Aid, and assists the team in coordinating MHFA classes for instructors and students.