ACTion News Header
  JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010
VOLUME 1 NUMBER 1  
IN THIS ISSUE

ACT News
From the Director!

Mini Grant Awards
Fiscal Year 2010


Coalition Spotlight:
Drug Free Wednesdays
Begin in Ellington

Gerrit DenHartog's Farewell



MRN News

MRN Reflects on the Past and Charts a Path for the Future


MYAA News

MYAA Year of Prevention Calendars Now Available!


Quick Links


ACT Missouri Staff

Chuck Daugherty
Executive Director

Jamie Scott
Director, Compliance & Contracts

Katrina Wieberg
Director, Finance & Operations

Brenda Schell
Project Director, Missouri Recovery Network

Alicia Ozenberger
Project Director, Missouri's Youth/Adult Alliance

Sara Swank
Project Associate, Missouri's Youth/Adult Alliance
ACTion News Header From the Director!
Happy 2010!

2010 is already looking like a very busy and productive year for those of us in Prevention.  I suspect that each of us will often utter "Where has this year gone?"  It is just the middle of January and so much has already happened. 

Keep in mind that the ACT Missouri, MYAA Red Ribbon Calendars have been printed and are waiting to be hung on walls across Missouri.  The 12 month calendars are illustrated with the winning Red Ribbon Poster Contest entry from the 2009 MYAA Red Ribbon Campaign.  The Calendars are inexpensive and can be used as a fund raising project for schools or to just help you keep control of 2010.  For more calendar information contact [email protected].

In January, the Missouri Substance Abuse Prevention Network convened for the first time in 2010.  The Network is working on establishing a statewide prevention message and social marketing campaign addressing the availability of alcohol for underage drinkers.  The campaign is supported by all regions of the state and promotes a single state wide prevention message to help educate all Missouri citizens about underage alcohol use.  You can expect to see the message and marketing campaign toward the middle of the year. 

The Missouri Recovery Network and the Missouri Youth / Adult Alliance are finalizing plans for Advocacy Day and the annual Speak Hard youth event.   This year MRN and MYAA are combining their efforts and sponsoring an advocacy event on March 17.  The event will feature separate presentations for youth and adult audiences; and, for the first time ever, Missouri youth will present original workshops to their peers.  Over 200 attendees are expected to participate in this day-long event.

continued. . .
 
ACTion News Header MRN Reflects on the Past and Charts the Path for the Future
By Brenda Schell, MRN Project Director

The Year 2009 has been great for the Missouri Recovery Network (MRN).  Our membership grew 200+ members, with 140 of those individuals joining during our target month of September, National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.  During the month of September, MRN members participated in six recovery events and we reached approximately 2,000 people statewide, delivering education on substance abuse prevention, addiction and recovery and spreading the message that recovery is probably, possible, and REAL! 

During 2009, MRN engaged and mobilized the recovery community to assist us in our advocacy efforts in helping shape public attitudes, policies and opportunities for those in recovery and seeking recovery from alcohol and/or other drug addictions.  We engaged the recovery community in getting more actively involved at the local, state, and national levels, participating in our efforts to change policy by providing public testimony at both the House and Senate Appropriation Committee hearings, and taking an active part in participating in various statewide committees. 

In March, MRN hosted an Advocacy Day at the Capitol. This was an opportunity for MRN members, recovery allies and advocates to speak with their elected officials about key recovery issues.  Talking points were distributed along with educational material to share with their Representatives and Senators.  Our message was delivered to over 60 elected officials that day as we Spoke Up and Spoke Out! This year the MRN Advocacy Day has been set for Wednesday, March 17.  We will be hosting it at the state Capitol in Jefferson City in conjunction with MYAA's Speak Hard Event.  Come join us as we help shape the future.

continued. . .
 
ACTion News Header MYAA Year of Prevention Calendars Now Available!
In December, Sara Swank, Project Associate of Missouri's Youth/Adult Alliance (MYAA), Alicia Ozenberger, Project Director of MYAA, Theresa Rice, Project Director of the Ray County Coalition, and Representative Bob Nance presented senior Rebecca Heckert of Lawson High School with a new computer for being chosen as the Grand Prize Winner of MYAA's Red Ribbon calendar art contest.  Also in attendance was Lynn Knoch, Lawson High School Counselor.  This is the second year that MYAA held the contest.  MYAA Calendar Photo

MYAA's 2010 Year of Prevention Calendars will be available by early January. They feature the work of 12 young artists from across the state whose winning entries can help Missouri kids make healthy choices about drugs and alcohol.  The calendars are full of prevention tips, event dates, resources, and Missouri alcohol and drug abuse prevention contact information.  Don't miss out!  Quantities are limited, so place your order immediately. Please e-mail [email protected] or call the ACT Missouri offices at 573-635-6669 with your order.

 
Upcoming Event Calendar

January 22 - MRN Statewide Council Meeting, ACT Missouri office, Jefferson City, Missouri
 
January 27 - Alliance for Justice Training at ACT Missouri, call 573-635-6669 for more information
 
February 3 - SAC meeting (conference call)
 
February 8-11 - CADCA's 20th Annual National Leadership Forum in National Harbor, MD
 
February 19 - MRN Statewide Council Meeting (conference call)
 
March 17 - MRN/MYAA Advocacy Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City call 573-635-6669 for more information
 
March 24-26 - State Drug Court Conference, Tan-Tar-A

ACT Missouri
428 E. Capitol Avenue, 2nd Floor / Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
573-635-6669 / 877-669-2280
www.actmissouri.org