Why is Capacity

important for AC4C?

Like all of AC4C's local coalitions, one of the most important components of statewide coalition work is having representation from all across the state, all of the sectors, as well as having as much diversity as possible across all of the demographic factors representing our population. Even having a mixture of faces who have been around the table and faces who are new to the table helps a coalition stay vibrant and ready to address new challenges.

AC4C is in need of some representation from south central Iowa and west central Iowa. Those are a couple areas of the state that do not have as many people participating in our statewide efforts. If you are from those areas, or know someone who is, please invite them. Just this past month, a prevention representative from southwest Iowa has started to attend action teams. AC4C is so thrilled to have their agency back around the table.

AC4C is also in need of more sector representatives particularly youth, parents, business community, civic/volunteer groups, law enforcement agencies, media, and religious/fraternal organizations. AC4C has at least one from each of those sectors, but is rather lopsided with most of the representation coming from the other 5 of the 12 sectors. Please invite these specific sectors to join AC4C for whatever level of involvement they can. Their areas of expertise can help with sustaining AC4C's mission, unifying Iowans to address substance use and mental health issues across the lifespan.

Diversity in all areas of demographics is also so important to gain as many perspectives on how to address the issues related to AC4C's mission and hands to accomplish the work.

Besides the areas of the state and the various sectors needing more representation, frankly, AC4C members, and prevention workers in general, have long been lopsided with the majority being adult white women. We are asking for your help in inviting others of various demographics who may have interest in our issues to join the next retreat, action team, workgroup, or activity. AC4C is and wants to keep improving as a welcoming group for all. Thank you for helping AC4C be that!!

AC4C was awarded the STOP Act grant!

AC4C is so excited to announce that they received the STOP Act grant through SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). STOP stands for "Sober Truth On Preventing" Underage Drinking. Only current or former Drug Free Community (DFC) grantees were eligible to apply. The Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy is AC4C's grantee/fiscal for this grant. The Wellness Coalition of Rural Linn County also received the award this year. There were 50 awards given out in the nation. The grant is for $60,000/year for four years. This is great timing as AC4C will be starting Year 10 of the DFC grant in October of this year.

The project's work will focus on three areas of the state for much of the approved action plan. The areas include Waterloo, Council Bluffs, and Sioux City. The first year will begin with assessment, including a contract with the ISU Public Science Collaborative to conduct alcohol outlet density harms assessments and share the results of those with the communities. AC4C will support building capacity in the communities to act upon any findings of the assessments. Other work within the action plan includes implementing related prevention media campaigns for those communities and across the state. This project starts September 30.

Upcoming Events and Retreat:

Next Quarterly Work retreat:

-September 27 & 28

Register HERE! See agenda below.

AC4C Prevention Conference:

-November 8 (Confirmed!)

Register HERE! See flyer below.

2024 Day on the Hill:

-February 15

2024 Legislative Learning Event

-March 26, 7 a.m.

Resources to Share and Links to check out... 

Members, keep up with the latest in the news

AC4C on Facebook

AC4C Youth on Instagram

Looking for a training

Iowa Board of Certification

Iowa ODCP

Iowa State Patrol

Iowa Health and Human Services & Your Life Iowa

Partnership for A Healthy Iowa

Do you know about RALI Iowa?

Check out this organization and information about their virtual trailer HERE

More resources...

Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau

Drive Smart Iowa

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Traffic Safety Marketing

Stop Drugged Driving

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

What are your favorite helpful websites for prevention work?

The AC4C Board was asked this question and here were some that were shared:

Katya Boltanova shared:

www.blueprintsprograms.org

for looking up evidence-based programs. 

Coalition and SPF toolkits: 

https://ctb.ku.edu/en/toolkits

Julie Furne shared:

www.cadca.org

www.samhsa.gov

Cheryl Buntsma shared:

www.countyhealthrankings.org www.cdc.gov/brfss/index.html. These two websites are very helpful in developing the Community Action Plans and Strategic Plans for each county.

Kris Rankin shared:

https://learnaboutsam.org/

She also shared the CADCA site that Julie did above.

Joy Gonnerman shared:

www.everybrainmatters.org

www.onechancetogrowup.org

Savanah Strahan shared:

https://digitalmedia.hhs.gov/tobacco/educator_hub

https://med.stanford.edu/cannabispreventiontoolkit.html

We'll share more from other board members next month!

AC4C Quarterly Work Retreat September 27 & 28

The fall AC4C Work Retreat will include free lodging from the Midwest Counterdrug Training Center (MCTC) at Camp Dodge in Johnston for those who need it. Just indicate if needed when registering at the link above. The following is the tentative agenda:



Wednesday, September 27

Hybrid – at Camp Dodge/MCTC with a Zoom Option

DAY 1: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

8:30-9:00 am – Registration, coffee, and networking at MCTC or on Zoom

9:00-9:30 am – Orientation

9:30-9:55 am – Introductions 

9:55-10:00 am – Approval of June AC4C retreat minutes

10:00-Noon – Methamphetamine Prevention training by Lorelle Mueting (2.75 CEUs requested)

(10:45-11:00 am– Break during training)

Noon-1:30 pm – Lunch break

1:30-2:30 pm – Part 2 of Methamphetamine Prevention training

2:30-2:45 pm – Break

2:45-3:45- Action Teams and Workgroup sharing (new flyers and new STOP Act grant action plan distributed)

3:45-4:45 pm – Viewing of “Screenagers: Under the Influence- Addressing Vaping, Drugs and Alcohol in the Digital Age” (This viewing may not work for those on-line, but will definitely be able to be viewed for those attending in-person. We will try to make it work on-line as well.)

4:45-5:00 pm – Wrap-up/debrief film, review of Day 2 schedule

Thursday, September 28

DAY 2: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

8:30-9:00 am – Registration

9:00-9:15 am – Introductions

9:15-10:30 am – State Partner sharing- Dr. Shawn Dorius leading

10:30-10:45 am – Break

10:45 am-Noon – State Partner sharing continued (see above)

Noon-1:30 pm – Lunch break

1:30-2:30 pm – Sharing from those who attended NPN, CADCA Mid-Year, or other summer conferences

2:30-3:00 pm - Break

3:00-3:45 pm – What’s one new activity in your coalition? Are any resources needed to help your coalition?

3:45-4:00 pm – Highlights of retreat & upcoming events

AC4C Annual Prevention Conference November 8

The AC4C Prevention Conference planning group is very excited to have the keynote and date secured. This year's theme is "Growing Hope with Prevention." Monte Stiles, former Assistant United States Attorney in Boise, Idaho, from the National Marijuana Initiative speakers' bureau will deliver the keynote. His presentation is titled, Rediscovering Joy! There will be a youth track for middle and high school students again this year with Monte helping lead along Lindsey and Savanah. Youth may sign up through their adult sponsors letting Savanah or Jennifer know how many are coming.

The topics included throughout the day are the following: Trauma-Informed Care, Alcohol & Cancer: Drink Less for your Breasts, Drugs of Abuse Today by the DEA, Strategic Prevention Framework for Newbies, Engaging Youth in Coalitions and Advocacy, Faith Community being Agents of Prevention, Make It OK, Opioids and Young Athletes, and the Impact of Marijuana and Secondhand Smoke/Vapes.

There will be great food and plenty of inspiration! 5.5 IBC ATOD CEUs will be requested. Lodging on campus may be provided for those in need, but that is not secured yet. Please register at the link above. The conference will be free to all, but there will be a $15 charge for a really good lunch and snacks. We'll just take cash that day, a check, or we now have Venmo! More details will be coming out by email, in next month's newsletter, and on the AC4C website.

Prevention Conference Keynote: Monte Stiles

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 meeting in September due to Labor Day.

Marijuana Action Team

Next meeting- September 11 @ 9:30



Nicotine Action Team 

Next meetings- August 21 and September 18 @ 9:30

Alcohol Action Team

Next meetings- August 28 and September 25 @ 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.

_________________________________

Capacity/Marketing Work Group

Chair:

Jackie Preston

New Co-Chair:

Rachel Lundgren

3rd Monday at 2:00 pm

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.

Did you know that

International Dog Day is August 26?

For help quitting tobacco call Quitline Iowa at 800-Quit-Now