6th Annual

AC4C Prevention Conference

"Empowering Prevention!"

November 7, 2024

Midwest Counterdrug Training Center, Johnston, IA

The AC4C Prevention Conference planning team is excited to have Melissa Moore as our keynote speaker this year. Melissa Moore has worked in Public Health for nearly 23 years, leading substance abuse prevention and coalition efforts in multiple diverse communities.

The day will include many other great topics and presenters for both those new and more experienced who work or volunteer in prevention and prevention coalitions. The conference has been approved by IBC for 6.0 ATOD CEUs. Register HERE by October 28. Limited free lodging is available. Indicate if needed when registering.

There is also a Youth Track for coalitions to bring their students. (See their agenda below. Youth are FREE.)

Agenda:

7:45-8:45 a.m.- Registration- Resource Fair- Light Breakfast- Rec Hall

8:45-9:00 a.m.- Opening Welcome- Theater

9:00- 10:15 a.m.- Opening Keynote address- Melissa Moore, M3 Consulting LLC- “Don’t Stop, Keep Moving”

10:15-10:30 a.m.- Early Break (Adults move to workshops; youth go to Youth Track)

10:30-11:30 a.m.- Breakouts/Workshops:

A1. Josie Wagner, Iowa DPS- “Legislative Update”

A2. Christina Skiles, ASAC, and Sergeant Dean Ottens, Clinton PD– “Demystifying SUD and Harm Reduction”

A3. Julie Furne, ASAC/CADCA Trainer- “Getting Buy-In to Get the Job Done”- Coalition Capacity Building and Coalition Member Engagement

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.- Lunch - Taco Bar

12:30- 1:30 p.m.- Breakouts/Workshops:

B1. Melissa Moore- “Handshakes, not Handouts” – Coalition Sustainability

B2. Katya Boltanova, PFS PAM Coalition Development Coordinator/CADCA International Trainer- “Cultural Competence for Community Coalitions”

B3. Todd Hospodarsky, Monticello High School Teacher and SODA group sponsor- “Building a Strong School Program” Getting schools on board and getting youth involved

Break- 1:30-1:45 p.m.

1:45-2:45 p.m. – Breakouts/Workshops:

C1. Kevin Winker and Virgil Jackson, Midwest HIDTA- “National Overdose Response Strategy”- OD Mapping

C2. Shawn Felts, Speak Out Against Suicide Director- “QPR, Question Persuade, and Refer” -a suicide prevention training

C3. Peter Komendowski, PHI Executive Director- Digital Literacy/social media and Youth

2:45-3:00 p.m.- Break

3:00-3:45 p.m.- Youth join adults, Youth share highlights of their day

3:45-4:15 p.m.- Call to Action- Closing Posters- top coalition project/youth projects (more about this soon)

4:15-4:30 p.m.- Wrap up

Youth Track Agenda after the Keynote for all:

10:15 – 10:30 Break – Youth move to their track

10:30 – 11:30 Mental Health & Wellness – Kalli-Ann Kennel and B Tyrrell

11:30 – 12:30 Lunch

12:30 – 1:30 Marijuana & Youth – Savanah Strahan

1:30 – 1:45 Break

1:45 – 2:45 Finding Your Superpower – Melissa Moore

2:45 – 3:00 Break -Youth join adults in auditorium

3:00 – 3:45 Youth share highlights

3:45-4:15 Call to Action

4:15 – 4:30 Wrap up

Upcoming Events:

The next AC4C Quarterly Work Retreat- Wednesday & Thursday, September 25 and 26 Agenda and Registration can be found HERE.

AC4C Annual Prevention Conference -

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Register HERE! (See agenda to left or above.)

December Quarterly Work Retreat- Wed. & Thurs., December 4 and 5. Register HERE.



AC4C Day on the Hill next year: Thursday, February 13, 2025

AC4C Legislative Learning Event: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 7 a.m., Legislative Dining Room G15

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

It's a great day to quit (or never start).

Coalition Youth Project Highlight:

Sioux City Mayor’s Youth Commission Launches the “Kindness Connects Us” Campaign

The Sioux City Mayor's Youth Commission is championing a new initiative called the "Kindness Connects Us Campaign," which aims to foster a more compassionate and supportive community where diversity, inclusion, and acceptance are emphasized. This campaign encourages community members in Sioux City to embrace the values of empathy, collective growth, friendliness, and honesty as they strive to make kindness a daily practice.

Through a variety of educational outreach efforts, the campaign is designed to inspire residents of all ages to be their kindest selves. The initiative focuses on raising awareness about the power of small acts of kindness and how they contribute to a more unified, caring community. Whether through school activities, social media challenges, or local events, the Sioux City Mayor's Youth Commission is actively spreading the message that kindness is not just an individual trait but a collective movement that brings people together.

The campaign highlights four core values:

• Empathy: Understanding and caring for others' feelings and experiences.
• Collective Growth: Encouraging personal development while supporting the growth of others.
• Friendliness: Promoting a welcoming and positive attitude towards everyone.
• Honesty: Fostering trust through open and truthful communication.

In addition to educational programs, the "Kindness Connects Us" campaign provides opportunities for people to get involved through volunteer activities and community-building events. The ultimate goal is to create a ripple effect of kindness that reaches all corners of Sioux City, making it a stronger and more compassionate place for everyone.

For more information or to get involved, follow @SiouxlandCARES on social media or visit their website (SiouxlandCARES.org) to learn more about upcoming activities and how you can contribute to this growing kindness movement.

Thank you to Chris Courtney, Siouxland CARES' Community Coordinator, for sharing about this amazing youth project with us. See the amazing pictures below of the project and their kids that they shared.

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- October 7 @ 9:30 a.m.

Marijuana Action Team

Next meetings- October 14 @ 9:30 a.m.



Nicotine Action Team 

Next meetings- October 21 @ 9:30 a.m.

Alcohol Action Team

Next meetings- September 23 and October 28 @ 9:30 a.m.

_______________________________

Policy Work Group

Chair:  

Jennifer Husmann

Co-Chair: 

Maggie Ballard



4th Wednesday at 2:00 pm (Not meeting in September due to the AC4C Work Retreat)

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

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:

Chris Courtney

New Co-Chair:

Kelly Hutcheson

3rd Monday at 2:00 pm

Click here for meeting minutes

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

National Recovery Month (Recovery Month), which started in 1989, is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible. To learn more about it, click HERE.