Coalition Spotlight on...

Healthy Delaware County (previously The Delaware County Drug Abuse Coalition) was formed back in 2000 after years of key stakeholders coming together to address drug use in the county and the negative impact it was having on children and families.

Today, our coalition's mission is to promote health and well-being to the community, while addressing issues related to substance use, brain health, and other co-occurring issues with a focus on healthy choices. Having the partnerships below, with people and groups who also focus on and want healthy lifestyles, makes our coalition run successfully. Some meetings, our group might look small, but we are mighty!

The Healthy Delaware County Coalition and the Delaware County Suicide Prevention Coalition have combined, as we share similar missions while serving the county. Joining forces has allowed more attendance, which is a huge success, alongside more partnerships. The Suicide Prevention Coalition puts on a walk every year to raise awareness, and the Healthy Delaware County members are excited to help support this event.

Another successful partnership we have is with our local Sheriff's Department. We support them as they do more patrolling during high school events. These include, but are not limited to, graduation, prom, homecoming, holiday breaks, fairs, and any other youth-attended activities. So far this year, we have had 76 extra patrol hours that ended with 20 citations ranging from possession of alcohol, possession of tobacco, fake ID confiscation, OWIs, and seizure of drug paraphernalia and marijuana.

Building and maintaining strong partnerships in our community is our focus this year. After Covid, new coordinators, and now a transition in combining two coalitions, we are ready to tackle even more. We look forward to serving Delaware County with more education, events that cater to our people, and being present in our community.

Healthy Delaware County Coalition members who were in-person during a hybrid meeting.

Sam Howell, DFC Coordinator and the Healthy Delaware County Coalition facilitator. 

Thanks to the staff at the Healthy Delaware County Coalition for sharing your journey and successes with us.

Upcoming Events:

AC4C Fall Quarterly Work Retreat: Tuesday and Wednesday, September 23 and 24. The agenda will be coming out soon. You can REGISTER HERE now. (See all the details below in this newsletter.)

AC4C Annual Prevention Conference:

Wednesday, November 5 at Camp Dodge in Johnston, IA Theme: "Change: Working Together Through It All"

The cost will be $20, and there will be 6.25 CEUs applied for through IBC. More information to come.

AC4C Youth Substance Prevention Day on the Hill: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (And hope for good weather this year!)

Tentative date for AC4C Legislative Learning Event: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (with Spring retreat March 24 and 25-meeting at DPS after Learning Event at the Capitol)



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

For help quitting tobacco call Quitline Iowa 800-QUIT-NOW

AC4C Fall Quarterly Work Retreat September 23 and 24

Day 1 will be all virtual. Day 2 will be hybrid and we would love to have you come in person if you are able. Day 2 will be State Partner sharing. There is some free lodging on campus, but less than usual so please register for that right away if needed, for the night of Sept. 23 only. Register for the work retreat HERE whether coming in-person, virtually or both.

We are going to have a couple trainings on Day 1 virtually. Cheryl Buntsma is going to do a presentation for us called, "Alcohol and Cannabis Exposure in Fetus and Concerns for the Growing Child." We have requested 1.5 CEUs from IBC for this. Also, a brief MADD presentation by Allie Houston called "The Power of Parents," will be held so you can see it and maybe have them come to do this in your community.

Here is the agenda:

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Day 1: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Virtual ONLY

8:30-8:45 a.m. – Networking as Members Join the Meeting

8:45-9:15 a.m. – Orientation for New Members & AC4C Members share their why & benefits of AC4C

9:15-9:45 a.m. – Introductions – What are you looking forward to this fall?

9:45-9:50 a.m. – Approval of the June Retreat Minutes

9:50-10:00 a.m. – Break

10:00-11:30 a.m. – Cheryl Buntsma "Alcohol and Cannabis Exposure in Utero and Concerns for the Growing Child." 

11:30-11:40 a.m. – Break

11:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m. – The Power of Parents by MADD – Allie Houston

12:10-1:10 p.m. – Lunch break

1:10-1:40 p.m. – Workgroup Sharing

·      Policy

·      Capacity & Sustainability

1:40-2:10 p.m. – Action Team Sharing

·      Marijuana

·      Nicotine

2:10-2:20 p.m. – Break

2:20-2:50 p.m. – Action Team Sharing

·     Alcohol

-STOP Act Grant Update

-MUP Update

·      Other Substances

2:50-3:00 p.m. – Wrap-up, Highlights of the Day

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Day 2: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Hybrid: In-person at Camp Dodge/MCTC or Via Zoom

9:00-9:30 a.m. – Introductions & Recap from Yesterday

9:30-10:30 a.m. – State Partner Sharing

10:30-10:45 a.m. – Break

10:45-12:00 a.m. – State Partner Sharing

12:00-1:30 p.m. – Lunch Break – Time for Networking

1:30-2:15 p.m. – State Partner Sharing

2:15-3:15 p.m. – Coalition Sharing (successes and any help needed)

3:15-3:20 p.m. – Upcoming Events

·      Prevention Conference

·      Day on the Hill

·      Legislative Learning Event

3:20-3:30 p.m. – Wrap-up and Highlights of the Day

Join an Action Team or Work Group session every month!

Access the action team meetings on Mondays. Login information here

Other Substances Action Team

Next meeting- August 4 @ 9:30 a.m.

Marijuana Action Team

Next meeting- August 11 @ 9:30 a.m.

Nicotine Action Team 

Next meetings- August 18 @ 10:30 a.m. (Please notice time change.)

Alcohol Action Team

Next meetings- August 25 @ 9:30 a.m.

_______________________________

Policy Work Group

Co-Chair:  

Jennifer Husmann

Co-Chair: 

Maggie Ballard



4th Wednesday at 2:00 pm

Looking for a volunteer to replace Jennifer as a Co-chair on this work group. If you are interested in this position please contact a board member or Jennifer.  

Meeting information can be found here

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

_________________________________

Capacity/Sustainability Work Group

Seeking Co-chairs

3rd Monday at 2:00 pm

Please let Jennifer know if you would like to be sent the link for the meeting.

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

For help quitting tobacco call Quitline Iowa 800-QUIT-NOW