April 2025

GCPC News and Updates

VISION: Genesee County Prevention Coalition (GCPC) envisions a healthy and thriving community.


MISSION: Genesee County Prevention Coalition (GCPC) executes innovative strategies and unites communities in preventing substance misuse and promoting mental wellness throughout Genesee County.


The Genesee County Prevention Coalition maintains regular office hours Monday through Thursday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. If you need assistance outside of these hours, please call 810-285-9047 to make arrangements. Our primary goal is to maintain access to prevention services and resources for our community through the Prevention Portal. Please reach out to us if we can be of assistance in providing information and support for addressing substance misuse and mental health concerns.

APRIL HIGHLIGHTS

Community Partner Monthly Meeting

Upcoming Meetings

DEA Drug Take Back Day

Join Us for Canvas of Change in Goodrich

Alcohol Awareness Month

Farewell, Anthony Nicholas

Partners in Prevention Portal (PiPP)

GCPC Youth Connections Magazine

SMART Recovery Family & Friends

GHS Parent 2 Parent Support Group

Substance Use Impact Conference

Prevention Competencies Training: Telling Your Story with Data

Prevention Ethics Trainings

2025 Michigan ACE Initiative Conference

Michigan SUD Prevention Coalitions Conference

GCPC Community Partner Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

COMMUNITY PARTNER PRESENTATION

Felicia Eshragh

Flint Registry Director

Dr. Nicole Jones

Epidemiologist & Principal Investigator

Dr. Kenyetta Dotson

Director of Community Engagement and Implementation

Flint Registry

A Public Health Registry and What We’ve Learned About Lead Exposed Youth

Email: FlintRegistry@hc.msu.edu

Phone: 833-463-5468

Website: FlintRegistry.org

Zoom Meeting Registration Link

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Community Partner Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, April 8th, 8:30am - 10:00am

Prescription Drug/Overdose Prevention Workgroup

Tuesday, April 15th, 9:00am - 10:30am

Youth Engagement Strategies Planning Committee

Thursday, April 17th, 11:00am-12:00pm

Marijuana, Tobacco, Vaping Prevention Workgroup

Tuesday, April 22nd, 9:00am - 10:30am

Trauma-Informed Community Change Team

Tuesday, April 22nd, 11:00am-12:00pm

Underage Drinking Awareness Workgroup

Tuesday, May 6th, 9:00am - 10:30am

Meetings are held on Zoom except when noted in-person.

Meeting links and agendas are emailed to group members a day prior to each meeting.

To join a workgroup, contact Andrea Keller, Office Manager

AKeller@theGCPC.org or call 810-285-9047

Partners in Prevention

DEA Drug Take Back Day

Come out to the Metro Police Authority on Saturday, April 26th, 10am-2pm, for DEA Drug Take Back Day to dispose of old and unwanted medications. GCPC staff and community partners will join with Metro Police taking pills, liquids, needles, and patches. While there you can get free Naloxone with training for opioid overdose response. There will be Safer Lock prescriptions bottle storage containers available as well as Fentanyl Test Strips.

Join Us!

Canvas of Change

River Church Goodrich on May 15th at 5pm

Community Art Showcase & Important Conversations

on Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention!

All residents of Atlas, Burton, Davison, Grand Blanc, Goodrich, and surrounding areas are invited to this special event!


 What to Expect:


🎨 Student Art Showcase & Community Voting – Celebrate creativity as local students display their artwork promoting positive messages. Vote for your favorite to be featured in public spaces!


🎭 Interactive Community Art – Get creative with hands-on art activities led by the Flint Institute of Arts!


🍽️ Community Vendors – Explore local resources that support mental health and wellness.


🎤 Powerful Panel Discussions – Hear from local youth, community leaders, health professionals, and law enforcement as they share insights on substance use prevention and mental health. Your voice matters—join the conversation!


Don't miss this inspiring evening!


If you are interested in participating or have questions, reach out to Brigitte Baranek at bbaranek@thegcpc.org

Together, we can reduce stigma, promote well-being, and build a stronger, more connected community. 


May 15, 2025

5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

River Church Goodrich

9430 Perry Road, Goodrich, MI 48438

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

An important opportunity to highlight the positive impact of the effectiveness of underage drinking prevention. Get the latest research and resources to support underage drinking prevention and related issues at

samhsa.gov/substance-use/prevention/communities-talk

Let’s raise awareness about the dangers of underage drinking and provide support to those who need it. If you or someone you know is struggling, resources and help are just a click away.

Impaired driving is a serious danger, especially with underage drinking. Talk openly with your child about the risks and set clear expectations. Let’s work together to keep our kids safe.

Get the conversation started with SAMHSA's “Talk. They Hear You.”

samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you

To help raise awareness about alcohol-related harms and the importance of strong alcohol policies you can use the great toolkit provided by the Northwest PTTC. To save lives, communities can use effective strategies like regulating the number of stores that sell alcohol, updating alcohol taxes, and limiting the number of hours alcohol is sold. To help spread awareness on your social media check out the toolkit here: https://pttcnetwork.org/alcohol-awareness-toolkit/.

Farewell, Anthony Nicholas


On behalf of the Genesee County Prevention Coalition Staff and Board Members I would like to thank Anthony for his exceptional service and dedication to the vision and mission of the GCPC. We wish you well in your new position.

-Lisa Fockler, Executive Director 


Dear GCPC Partners, 


I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to share that I will be resigning from my position as Prevention Manager at the Genesee County Prevention Coalition (GCPC), with my last day being Friday, April 4th, 2025.


This decision was not an easy one, as working alongside such dedicated and passionate individuals has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Over the years, I have had the privilege of facilitating workgroups, collaborating on impactful initiatives, and witnessing the strength of our coalition in action. The collective effort, commitment, and shared vision within GCPC have been truly inspiring, and I am deeply grateful to have been part of this mission-driven work. 


I want to extend my sincere appreciation to each of you for your support, partnership, and unwavering dedication to prevention efforts in Genesee County. It has been an honor to work with such a committed network of professionals and community advocates who continuously strive to make a meaningful difference. Our collaborative efforts have reinforced my belief in the power of partnership, and I will always value the relationships and lessons I’ve gained from this experience. 


Though I am stepping away from my role, I remain excited about the future of GCPC and the continued impact you all will make in our community. I look forward to seeing the coalition grow and thrive, and I will always be an advocate for the important work you do.


In the coming weeks, I will do my best to ensure a smooth transition. Please do not hesitate to reach out if there’s anything I can do to support during this time. In my absence, please defer all questions and concerns to our thoughtful leader, Lisa Fockler lfockler@thegcpc.org.

  

Thank you again for everything. It has been a privilege to work alongside you, and I hope our paths cross again in the future. 


With gratitude, 

 

Anthony Nicholas 

Prevention Manager 

Partners in Prevention Portal (PiPP)


The Partners in Prevention Portal is an online portal, within the GCPC web-site, designed to connect Genesee County youth and their caregivers to preventative services in the community. By registering your program or service in the portal, the end user will receive direct access to your organization and services.


Use the link in the portal or call us at 810-285-9047 for more information.

GCPC Youth Connections Magazine


The Genesee County Prevention Coalition is planning the Spring 2025 issue of the GCPC Youth Connections Magazine. This magazine is a resource relevant to current family issues, with a goal of enhancing social, emotional, and mental health support for Genesee County’s youth. Please check out the first ten issues on the GCPC website resource page. Advertisements in the magazine are a great way for local programs interested in positive youth development to communicate their services to the community. The magazine is published twice a year in the Spring and Fall. Would you like to place an advertisement in the magazine or help distribute copies? Contact Andrea Keller at 810-285-9047 and AKeller@theGCPC.org.

Family Support Groups

SMART Recovery Family & Friends

Finding Hope and Support for Loved Ones Struggling with Addiction

Thursdays 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Job Corps, 2400 Saginaw St, Flint

Hosted by Tia

See the flyer for details on parking and building entry.


Fridays 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Serenity House, 1019 Church St, Flint

Hosted by Sheila

Same time as SMART Recovery for people with substance dependencies or problem behaviors.


Saturdays 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

The Bridge Church, G-3326 Corunna Rd, Flint

Hosted by Sheila

See the flyer for details on parking and building entry.


Rides for Recovery FREE transportation available! Call Serenity House: 810-336-4882


For anyone facing the heart-wrenching challenge of helping a loved one battle drug addiction, alcohol abuse, or other addictive behaviors. Support is available for this struggle, and there is a powerful resource that can provide you with guidance, support, and a path toward recovery. SMART Recovery Family & Friends is a beacon of hope for those who are affected by the substance abuse or addiction of a family member or friend.


For more information contact the GCPC:

call 810-285-9047 or email info@thegcpc.org

Parent 2 Parent Support Group

Join us for support and learning, where you can share experiences, offer advice, and find comfort with others in similar challenges. These groups can focus on various topics, including parenting of children with special needs, mental health issues, or general parenting challenges.

  • The group is informal, friendly, and offers peer to peer support.
  • Pizza and beverages offered, and kid's activities provided.
  • Visit the GHS website for dates, times, and locations.
  • Save your spot today. Register at https://genhs.org/P2PSupport/


For more information email K12ParentSupport@genhs.org or call 810-496-4977.

Prevention Education

Substance Use Impact Conference

The Substance Use Impact Conference is designed to empower and engage attendees in tackling substance use issues within our communities. It offers a unique platform for employers from various industries and healthcare providers to network, share tools, and collaboratively solve problems. With two distinct learning tracks, the event caters to employers who may not be directly involved in SUD services (such as those in construction and hospitality) as well as healthcare providers who are. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain valuable resources, network, and acquire new skills in prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery efforts.


April 17, 2025, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

The Mint - Lathrup Village, MI

Virtual Option Available

Visit Event Website

Register for Conference

The breakout sessions during the conference will fall into one of two tracks. 


Track 1:   Recovery-Friendly Workplaces: A Guide for Providers, Employers and Human Resources (HR)


Track 2:   Strategies for Healthcare and Substance Use Disorder Providers


Prevention Competencies Training

Telling Your Story with Data

April 29, 2025; 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

This training equips participants to effectively use data to craft engaging narratives that inspire action. Through practical examples and interactive exercises, attendees will learn to transform raw data into compelling stories that highlight key findings. The session covers selecting relevant data, creating clear messages, and using visual aids to enhance storytelling. By the end, participants will confidently present their data-driven narratives to stakeholders, strengthening their case for programs and initiatives.

Prevention Ethics Trainings

Strengthen your ethical decision-making skills with the CAPT Prevention Ethics training. These engaging courses will teach the six principles of the Prevention Code of Ethics and ethical decision-making process.


May 7, 2025, Intro to Prevention Ethics, Frankenmuth, MI

July 22, 2025, Intro to Prevention Ethics, Virtual

Sept 10, 2025, Intro to Prevention Ethics, Traverse City, MI

Oct 22, 2025, Advanced Prevention Ethics, Charlotte, MI


Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Cost: $115 (includes training, participant materials, and lunch for in-person trainings*)

Certification Credit: Satisfy the required 6.0 hours for Prevention Ethics. *Lunch is only included for in-person trainings.

Register here: https://montagforwardsolutions.com/services/ethics/

Montag Forward Solutions LLC

www.montagforwardsolutions.com

louise@montagforwardsolutions.com

2025 Michigan ACE Initiative Conference

Brochure Link

BUILD Resilience in MI: Building Capacity, Understanding Impact, Leveraging Resources, and Developing Strengths


Register now for the 2025 Michigan Adverse Childhood Experiences Initiative (MIACE) conference as we look at leveraging the best available evidence, community strengths, diverse perspectives, and the collective expertise of our network. Learn how to use the MIACE framework to engage in the Initiative’s focus areas and BUILD resilience in Michigan.


May 8, 2025, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Lansing Center, 333 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48933

Registration Fee: $85

Registration Deadline: April 20, 2025

Michigan SUD Prevention Coalitions Conference

SAVE THE DATE!

Date: June 24, 2025

Location: Flint Area - Venue TBA

Cost: $100


2025 Theme is CHAMPS

Collaboration

Health

Advocacy

Mobilization

Perception

Sustainability


SUBMIT WORKSHOP PROPOSAL HERE


For questions email sarak@preventionnetwork.org or alexw@preventionnetwork.org

GCPC Office: 810-285-9047 open 8-4 Monday-Thursday

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube

Email  Web  Facebook  Instagram  X  YouTube