County approves suicide prevention, blight mitigation grants
Butler County commissioners approved two grant applications, including ratification of a $150,000 application for a firearm suicide prevention program, at a meeting Wednesday, Sept. 10.
The application to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency is for federal Bryne State Crisis Intervention Program Firearm Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Post-intervention Initiative funding to bring awareness and education about firearm suicide prevention.
In 2023, the county had a firearm suicide rate of 12.1%, which was higher than the state average of 8.3%, said Amanda Feltenberger, Human Service director.
The application was presented to the commissioners before Wednesday’s meeting because it was due Sept. 9.
According to commission on crime and delinquency, $1 million in Byrne funding to the state is available and four to six grants are expected to be awarded.
The other application is for $100,000 in state Act 152 Blight Mitigation Initiative funding for the Butler County Housing and Redevelopment Authority’s blight mitigation program. The program addresses blight through prevention, education, enforcement, acquisition, housing rehabilitation and demolition.
