Penny McCaslin, new to AC4C Board!

We welcome Penny McCaslin to the AC4C Executive Board! The Board recently appointed Penny to fill one of the open positions created recently when Peg Ragner decided to retire and Heather Hotchkiss resigned. Here is a bit from Penny about who she is:



Among the many projects I’ve worked on over my 24 years at Cerro Gordo Public Health, tobacco prevention has been a central focus throughout. During that time, I’ve been instrumental in leading the local coalition from solely tobacco focused to a broader effort that now includes alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs. I’ve coordinated and coached cessation programming, led groups of youth advocates in the schools, helped develop several policies through the years, and participated in grassroot efforts towards the Iowa Smoke Free Air Act. I’m currently working with a local team that aims to reduce opioid misuse and harms beginning with a recent walk event and education campaign. I love my whole job at Public Health, but I must say my favorite part is coordinating the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.

My husband, Terry and I have seven grandchildren, who are all home schooled. We love to camp with family and friends, ride motorcycles on hot summer evenings, hit the classic car shows and cruise in our ‘70 Monte Carlo. I like to cook and am spending a bit more time on sewing as each winter comes. Hope to make quilts for all the kids someday soon.

New Resource



Members of the Marijuana Action Team created a new resource for AC4C members to use with the public. Please let Jennifer know if you need it emailed to you. You can see a thumbnail of it below and it will soon be on our website as well.

Upcoming Events and Retreat:

Next Quarterly Work retreat:

-September 27 & 28

You can now register HERE!(agenda will come out in August)

AC4C Prevention Conference:

-November 8 (not confirmed)

2024 Day on the Hill:

-February 15

AC4C members, state partners and others, if you have teens in your coalitions, schools, family, or other areas of your life who might be interested in being a part of AC4C Youth,

they, or you, can send an email to: ac4cyouth@gmail.com

AC4C Quarterly Work Retreat with Youth Leadership Reaction Course held in June

Nine youth attended a Leadership Reaction Course at Camp Dodge with MCTC (the Midwest Counterdrug Training Center) at the June AC4C Retreat. The youth were from Jackson, Jones/Linn, and Hancock counties. They started the morning by doing the ropes course. The youth did not know each other at the beginning of the day. As they progressed throughout the course, the youth did a great job working as a team and got more comfortable with each other throughout the day. The adults leading the group were very impressed with how well they worked together. The course was an awesome way for youth to work on leadership and communication skills.

The youth joined the adults in the afternoon for an ice breaker, training about vaping, and discussion on issues that are affecting them and their peers. The adults learned a lot! The youth appreciated the time with the adults and hearing the youth, as well as the excellent training by Joy Gonnerman, were highlights of the retreat.

Join an Action Team or Work Group session every month!

Access the action team meetings on Mondays. Login information here

Other Substances Action Team

No July meeting; Next meeting- August 7 @ 9:30

Marijuana Action Team

Next meeting- July 10 @ 9:30



Nicotine Action Team 

Next meeting- July 17 @ 9:30

Alcohol Action Team

Next meetings- July 24 @ 9:30

_______________________________

Policy Work Group

Chair:  

Jennifer Husmann

Co-Chair: 

Maggie Ballard



4th Wednesday at 2:00 pm

Meeting information can be found here

Click here for meeting minutes

Purpose: To collaborate with the community and statewide entities to advocate and educate on substance abuse legislation, policies, and related issues.

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Capacity/Marketing Work Group

Chair:

Jackie Preston

3rd Monday at 2:00 pm (no meeting in July)

Click here for meeting minutes

Purpose: Create a network of professionals that have a diverse knowledge, experience and interest and to build skills and provide resources to members of AC4C.