Take Part in this Important Training

 

 

We invite you to participate in an important training for implementing Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (CMCA), an evidence-based model program for addressing youth alcohol use on June 27 & 28, 2013. The Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) helped design this model in cooperation with the University of Minnesota - and will deliver the first in a series of three training modules over the course of the next year. 

Why it's important 

Funding at the federal, state and local levels has become increasingly difficult to compete for and Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention have been greatly impacted. The Maryland Strategic Prevention Framework (MSPF) grant funds the Community Alcohol Coalition (CAC) for five years, of which we are currently in the third year. These grant funds have a specific requirement to support "environmental prevention strategies" and the CMCA has been identified as a primary environmental strategy going forward. For these reasons it is important to build our capacity to implement the CMCA which will ensure the sustainability of the efforts put forth by the CAC.

This training is absolutely necessary in protecting our youth - to continue and enhance our efforts.   

 

What we've already accomplished

 

The St. Mary's County CAC has been recognized at the state level and looked to as a model for other Maryland coalitions implementing the Maryland Strategic Prevention Framework (MSPF). During this year's statewide prevention conference, hosted by the Maryland Association of Prevention Professional and Advocates (MAPPA) in October, 2012, we were asked to present on the progress and success of CAC. This was fairly significant considering the esteemed audience of seasoned preventionists and coalition leaders attending the conference, who were very receptive and many inquired about using our Can You Afford It? campaign in their jurisdictions. This offers the possibility of a broadly recognized "brand" across the state, developed by your efforts in supporting the CAC, which can be used to support additional prevention efforts including prescription drug abuse, over-the-counter drug misuse, tobacco, etc. The Can You Afford It? campaign vehicle will be used within the local overdose prevention plan, which is currently being developed. Additionally, the state asked for our representation in developing an Underage Drinking video sponsored at the federal level by the administration of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services. Our media campaign provided essential elements in the development of this video, due out in April. All of these are important achievements in considering our future challenges of competing for fewer and fewer available dollars at the federal, state and local levels.

 

 

The most important thing to remember ...

 

... this training will give you the tools to effectively reduce underage drinking in St. Mary's County and ensure the sustainability of our efforts as a true community effort. People of all ages - especially the youth of our community - are invited to participate in the training. 

We seek to increase youth participation and provide tools and resources to develop youth leaders, who will continue to drive our efforts and success.

To participate, please contact:

Matthew Reisdorph
Administrative Coordinator
Department of Human Services
301-475-4200  Ext. 1684