AC4C Quarterly Fall

Work Retreat

September 22-23, 2026

Thanks to the Mid-America PTTC for arranging Albert Gay (pictured above) to lead us in a virtual training and thanks to Albert for giving his time. The training on Wednesday morning will provide some of you who are getting newly certified in prevention with 1.5 Hours of needed specific Racial/Ethnic IBC CEUs, while helping all of us be better at prevention in our communities.

We will have State Partner sharing on Tuesday morning, shortly after an Orientation for newer members. We love having all members join to share insights.

AC4C's two-day retreat will be both in-person at MCTC at Camp Dodge and virtually through Zoom. If you haven't already, please REGISTER.)

The agenda:

Tuesday, September 22

Day 1: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Hybrid: In-person at Camp Dodge or via Zoom

8:30-9:00 a.m. – Orientation for new and current members

9:00-9:25 a.m. – Introductions

9:25-9:30 a.m. – Approval of the June Retreat Minutes

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

10:30-10:45 a.m. - Break

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

12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. – Lunch Break

1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. – Action Team Sharing

2:30-2:45 p.m. – Break

2:45-3:15 p.m. – Summer Conferences highlights to share

3:15-3:30 p.m. – Wrap up

 Wednesday, September 23

Day 2: 9:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Hybrid: In-person at Camp Dodge or via Zoom

9:15-9:30 a.m. – Introductions for new participants

9:30-11:00 a.m. – Albert Gay- Using Cultural Humility to Stand Up in Your Prevention Coalition -1.5 IBC requested

11:00-11:15 a.m. – Break

11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Grant & Workgroup Updates

12:00-1:30 p.m. – Lunch Break

1:30-2:45 p.m. – Coalition Sharing

2:45-3:00 p.m. – Highlights of the Day/Retreat and Upcoming Events

AC4C

Prevention Conference Agenda

Kriya Lendzion,

LCMHC, LCAS, CPS

Opening Keynote

For more than 30 years, Kriya has worked with teens, families, educators, and communities in the areas of prevention, mental health, and addiction. Known as a “Teen Whisperer,” she has a unique ability to understand what teens are communicating through challenging behaviors and connect with them in authentic, meaningful ways.

As a licensed addictions clinician and prevention specialist, Kriya combines extensive clinical experience with her own journey of recovery to bring empathy, authenticity, and real-world understanding to her work. She has provided drug and alcohol education to thousands of students, trained tens of thousands of educators internationally, led parenting workshops around the world, and partnered with schools to help young people build resilience and avoid addiction.

Kriya’s passion is simple: to help young people feel understood, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Agenda for the day:

7:45-8:25 - Registration in Rec Hall- World Café Resource Fair- Light Breakfast

8:30-8:45 - Opening Remarks

8:45-10:15 - Opening- Kriya Lendzion- Addiction Proofing Students in an Addictive World

10:15-10:30 - Early Break

10:30-Noon - Breakout/Workshops:

A1. AI for Prevention- Intermediate Level- Nick Swope, Backyard AI

A2. Current Emerging Substances in the United States- Omotoyosi (Toyo) Adeyanju & Caleigh Grote, ISU PhD Students

A3. DeMISTifying Vaping: Preventing and Intervening in Student THC and Nicotine Use- Kriya Lendzion

Noon - 1:00 p.m.- Lunch - Rec Hall

1:00- 1:45- Breakouts/Workshops:

B1. Ethics of AI- Christina Boyd

B2. Gaming/Gambling: Both Can Be Addictive, By Design- Cheryl Buntsma, Rosecrance Jackson Center

B3. Using Bystander Intervention Techniques in Substance Abuse Prevention Programming- Alysa Mozak, Patricia A Tomson Center for Violence Prevention, UNI 

Break- 1:45-2:00- Break to move to next workshop

2:00-2:45- Breakouts/Workshops

C1. Building Recovery-Friendly Workplaces: Bridging Gaps and Strengthening Iowa Communities - Dr. Diane Rohlman, Healthier Workforce Center

C2. Using Measures of Brain Activity to Understand Risk for Problem Drinking in Adolescents and Young Adults- Dr. Bruce Bartholow, University of Iowa Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences

C3. The Power of Peers: Connecting Prevention Research to Youth-Led Action- Andrew Goetsch and Chloe Lee, High School Students

2:45-3:00- Snack Break

3:00-4:00 Closing- Jim Jilensky- Humor as a Bridge: The ultimate tool for helping professions “You Can’t Be Serious!!”

4:00-4:05- Drawing for World Café Resource Fair- $100 gift card winner!



AC4C Annual Prevention Conference

Prevention in a Rapidly Changing World

Wednesday, November 4 at MCTC/Camp Dodge in Johnston

Registration is now OPEN!

5.5 CEUs approved by IBC.

Register HERE

See the whole Conference agenda in this newsletter.

This conference is In-Person Only.

Limited free lodging on campus will be available the night of November 3. Indicate if you need lodging when registering for the Conference.

Choose the lunch options when registering and finish your registration by emailing jhusmann@asac.us.

Register by October 15. The cost is $20 to cover food/waters for the conference day and should be paid before the conference by check to AC4C, 110 S. Williams St., Anamosa, IA 52205 or by Venmo @ACforC-Iowa (specify for who) Invoices and/or receipts can be provided.

Something new this year: Two free pre-conference opportunities will be held simultaneously at MCTC, November 3, 1-4:10 pm:

• How to Leverage AI in Prevention Work- Register HERE

OR

• Ethics Recertification for Prevention Professionals- Register HERE

Both Pre-conference classes have been approved for 3.0 CEUs by IBC.

*************

Day on the Hill 2027 -February 24

2026-2027 Quarterly Work Retreat Dates: (Tentative)

-December 3-4, 2026

-March 23-24, 2027

(Legislative Learning Event is confirmed for March 24, 2027, during the spring retreat.)

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

Free virtual

EARLY INTERVENTION

for Iowa youth grades 6-12 from YSS

Did you know you can now utilize Your Life Iowa to find the Tobacco Prevention & Control and Alcohol Prevention social media and other resources such as the My Life, My Quit images and posts? Check these and others out at YOUR LIFE IOWA.

We can help you get your life back by helping you quit vaping and other tobacco products. It’s free, confidential and only takes a few minutes to join. Start here: ia.mylifemyquit.org

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 5 @ 9:30 a.m.

Marijuana Action Team

Next meeting- October 12 @ 9:30 a.m.

Nicotine Action Team 

Next meetings: September 21 and October 19 @ 10:30 a.m.

Alcohol Action Team

Next meetings- September 28 and October 26 @ 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. 

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

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

We are in need co-chairs for this group. Please let us know if you would like this leadership opportunity.

3rd Monday at 2:00 pm (Every other month now- next meeting scheduled is September 21.)

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.