ASHTABULA COUNTY PREVENTION COALITION
The mission of the Ashtabula County Prevention Coalition
To implement effective, evidence-based strategies to prevent and reduce high-risk behaviors and substance misuse among youth in Ashtabula County.
Membership
Membership in the Coalition is open to anyone who lives or works in Ashtabula County, age 14 or older, who supports the purpose of the Coalition.
Meetings
The Coalition meets quarterly on the first Wednesday of the month at 3:00 p.m. in January, April, July, and October at the MHRS Board Office at 4717 Main Ave. Ashtabula, OH (Lower Level). We also offer a virtual option. If you want to attend virtually and need a link, contact Christy Fisher at cfisher@ashtabulamhrs.org.
History
In May 2011, a group of concerned citizens and community leaders came together in response to an opiate-related community tragedy. The result was the first county-wide Opiate Summit in October of 2011. This event drew over 200 concerned citizens and stakeholders and grew the Coalition into a viable and productive body that was focused on the goal of substance misuse prevention targeting all sectors, especially our youth.
In 2014, the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board in collaboration with the Ashtabula County Prevention Coalition wrote and received the Drug-Free Communities Grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Drug-Free Communities awarded Ashtabula County a five-year grant to promote evidence-based prevention practices specifically focusing on the prevention of underage drinking and misuse of prescription drugs by youth.
Today, the Coalition is funded by the Ashtabula County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board which assists in providing the full continuum of care to Ashtabula County residents: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Support Services.
Prevention Initiatives
- PART Conference (Prevention, Awareness, Recovery, and Treatment): Since 2011, the Ashtabula County Prevention Coalition has hosted an annual conference, formerly known as the Ashtabula County Opiate Summit, and more recently referred to as the PART Conference. This conference is held every October as a way to educate the community on current trends and initiatives to address Prevention, Awareness, Recovery, and Treatment. The Coalition works to ensure CE’s and RCHs are available for Counselors and Social Workers.
- The PAX Good Behavior Game® is an evidence-based universal preventive intervention applied by teachers in the classroom.
- PAX Tools: extends nurturing environments beyond the classroom, empowering adults throughout the community to improve young people’s behavior and relationships with the use of evidence-based Kernels.
- Botvin LifeSkills: Coordinated with our partners at University Hospitals’ Conneaut and Geneva Outreach team. Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) is a research-validated substance abuse prevention program proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, and violence by targeting the major social and psychological factors that promote the initiation of substance use and other risky behaviors.
- Rachel’s Challenge: Rachel Scott was the first victim of the Columbine school shootings. This program teaches simple and easy ways to reach out and connect to each other emotionally to help reduce school violence and improve school connectedness.
- Deterra Medication Disposal Bags/ Medication Drop-Boxes: Deterra® deactivates prescription drugs, pills, patches, liquids, creams and films and renders them inert, unavailable for misuse, and safe for the environment.
- Naloxone Distribution: Formed under the Substance Awareness Leadership Team and the Ashtabula Co. Prevention Coalition, the Naloxone Collaborative is made up of the various organizations that aid in the distribution of Naloxone and installation/maintenance of NaloxBoxes.
For more information about the Prevention Coalition please contact Christy Fisher at cfisher@ashtabulamhrs.org.