Jennifer D. Barahona, LCSW, executive director of the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation, Inc, is encouraging all local residents to access and complete the foundation's third-round survey, while sending out an important reminder to any qualified family or individual looking for some assistance covering the costs of mental health or posttraumatic support.surveymonkey.com/r/NSHCF2016) so their voices can be heard and committee members can get an accurate picture of the needs and feelings in the community.The Newtown Bee this week that past surveys indicated financial support for mental health treatment has continued to be the biggest concern and priority for respondents.lconnell@nshcf.org.nshcf.org, which also includes details on foundation funding to date.

According to a release from the foundation, its Distribution Committee - Dr Robert Bazuro, Jennifer Clark, Kevin Cragin, Cindy Mattioli, the Reverend Rob Morris, Anka Roberto, Bob Schmidt, and Joeline Wruck - is continuing to solicit input as to the ongoing needs of all who have been impacted by 14 in order to make well informed funding recommendations.

"We have conducted similar surveys in the past and the results of those were used by our committee to fund several initiatives," the release states.

The purpose of the survey is to understand ongoing needs or gaps as related to 12/14 to prioritize resources and support those who have been most impacted. The committee volunteers are asking that residents take ten minutes before May 31 to fill out the survey (

The survey is completely voluntary and anonymous.

Paper copies are available at The Newtown Center for Support and Wellness at 28 Trades Lane for anyone who would prefer that method. The foundation volunteers are also counting on residents who read their message about the survey to encourage friends and neighbors to fill it out as well.

This round, the survey asks about whether respondents have participated in community events related to the Sandy Hook tragedy, and if not, why? The survey also wants to know if respondents would attend regular community meetings to discuss post-12/14 recovery and concerns that may be stemming from the tragedy itself.

It also attempts to discern whether there is any personal or family impact as a result of 12/14, including anxiety, anger, a decrease in school or work performance, or other signs.

At the same time, Ms Barahona is concerned that qualified residents seeking assistance covering costs related to recovery care are not going directly to the source at the foundation to apply. She told

She said the foundation is eager to make individuals who are eligible for continued funds for mental health support aware that all processing of claims is now done directly through the foundation.

"We are grateful for the Newtown Recovery & Resiliency Team [NRRT] who assisted us in processing claims for payment through our fund up until their work concluded on March 31," said Ms Barahona. "The foundation has hired a part-time staff member to handle those claims in-house."

All invoices and other documentation for eligible individuals should be sent to the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation at 19 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, faxed to 203-403-9491, or e-mailed to

E-mail is the preferred method for the quickest response.

For questions or assistance with this process contact fund support specialist Lucie Connell at 203-461-2233. An updated FAQ about the fund, eligibility, and the process can also be found at

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