LYME/OLD LYME — On Monday, Jan. 31, the Lyme-Old Lyme Prevention Coalition (LOLPC) was one of 178 community coalitions honored during a graduation ceremony at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)’s 32nd Annual National Leadership Forum. The event was held just outside Washington, D.C.
The coalitions received a graduation certificate for completing CADCA’s National Coalition Academy, a rigorous training program designed to increase the effectiveness of community substance use and misuse prevention leaders.
“I was so inspired by all of the Prevention Coalition Leaders I graduated with and look forward to continued collaboration to increase capacity in Lyme-Old Lyme. The LOLPC has been a strong force in our community and will continue working together to offer best practice prevention strategies in Lyme and Old Lyme,” commented Lyme’s Youth Service Bureau’s Prevention Coordinator, Alli Behnke.
The LOLPC recently worked on an education/awareness series, “Raising a Resilient Child”. This strengths-based program was designed and implemented to address the unique needs and strengths of Lyme-Old Lyme families.
The LOLPC is committed to prevention strategies that emphasize empowerment and support to families of all ages- recognizing that all families aim to raise resilient children with a happy outlook on life.
The final workshop in this series – “How to Feed your Child’s Grit and Resilience While Parenting Around Substance Use/Misuse”- promises to be a great opportunity to hear from Dr. Alicia Farrell. Register for the Feb. 15 Zoom event, which will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at www.lysb.org
CADCA’s National Coalition Academy (NCA) is a comprehensive, year-long training program developed by CADCA’s National Coalition Institute. The NCA incorporates three, week-long classroom sessions, a web-based distance learning component, an online workstation where participants network and share planning products and free ongoing coalition development technical assistance.
To graduate, coalitions must complete a rigorous curriculum. They must participate in all components of the NCA and complete five essential planning products that serve as the foundation of their comprehensive plan for community change.
CADCA’s National Leadership Forum is a four-day event filled with opportunities to learn the latest strategies to address substance use and misuse. Attendees have the opportunity to hear and learn from nationally-recognized prevention experts, federal administrators and concerned policymakers.
The Forum brings together approximately 2,500 attendees representing coalitions from all regions of the country and internationally, government leaders, youth, prevention specialists, addiction treatment professionals, addiction recovery advocates, researchers, educators, law enforcement professionals and faith-based leaders. It is the largest training event for the prevention field.
Editor’s Note: The Lyme-Old Lyme Prevention Coalition is a group of dedicated individuals who come together to implement prevention efforts in our community. Their mission is to prevent and reduce alcohol and other drug use among youth by collaborating with the community to raise awareness, modify social norms, educate youth and adults, initiate policy change, and promote healthy activities.
For more information about the LOLPC and to join their e-mail list for meeting and program updates, email Alli Behnke- [email protected]