Here's a quick update from us.

February 2024

AC4C Monthly Roundtable

AC4C was chosen for the National Alcohol Policy Academy!

AC4C was one of 14 Coalitions across the nation chosen in November to be in the first cohort of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD) Alcohol Policy Academy. Kris Rankin and Jennifer have been attending monthly webinars and coaching sessions. Joy Gonnerman and Penny McCaslin have attended a couple webinars when Jennifer or Kris could not. There is homework in between each webinar that Kris and Jennifer have worked on together and also involved our Alcohol Action Team and Policy Workgroup for input.

AC4C decided to work on the Minimum Unit Pricing strategy for spirits/hard liquor, as alcohol is still the number one substance most used by youth in Iowa. The increase in adult alcohol involved deaths, the increase in hard liquor sales, and the increase in places to purchase spirits are more reasons why this policy strategy was chosen. The Academy is teaching us an evidence-based way to step by step be most effective in policy work. We will share this approach with our members as we learn it. We are learning a lot and the process is very thorough. Our coach for this process has been so helpful. So stay tuned to hear more about our efforts in the near future!

AC4C Legislative Learning Event!

Legislative Dining Room at the Capitol - Room G15

Tuesday, March 26

7:15 a.m.: Breakfast sandwiches and coffee will be served.

7:30-8:15 a.m.: Dr. Paul Gilbert and Dr. Shawn Dorius presenting!

The learning event will be about Alcohol-related illness and deaths in Iowa, as well as policies to reduce them! Please invite your legislators!

For help quitting tobacco call Quitline Iowa at 800-Quit-Now

Upcoming Events:

2024 Youth Substance Use Prevention Day on the Hill:

-Thursday, February 15, starting at 10 a.m. at the State Historical Building

2024 Legislative Learning Event on Alcohol

-Tuesday, March 26, breakfast starting at 7:15 a.m. at the Capitol G15

Spring Work Retreat -

(Two separate days in March)

Day 1- Wednesday, March 6, 8:30-3:45 (Virtual Only) Elections for AC4C Board. Let us know if you are interested!

Day 2- Tuesday, March 26, 10:00-1:45, after the Legislative Learning Event above, but at MCTC with virtual option. Register HERE

Limited lodging may be available for the night of March 25, for those coming in person to to the Legislative Learning Event and retreat following. Please contact Jennifer if needed.

Please register for Day 1 and Day 2 separately! Agendas are available on the MCTC Registration links.

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

AC4C Youth Substance Use Prevention

Day on the Hill

"Putting Youth First: Challenging

Addiction-for-Profit"

Thursday, February 15

It's not too late to join us for our AC4C Day on the Hill!

We will be having the youth training and lunch at the Iowa State Historical Building, eating lunch, and then walking up the Capitol.

Everyone will get an AC4C refillable water bottle with our youth and AC4C logos and the Day on the Hill theme (see above)!

Agenda for the Day:

10:00 – Arrive at Iowa Historical Society building

10:15-11:00 – Youth training

11:00-11:30-- Lunch

11:30-11:45 – Go to the Capitol, go through security, and be ready for the press conference.

11:45-Noon – Meet in the 1^st Floor Rotunda – East/North Wing

Noon-12:30 – Press Conference- Invite your legislators!

12:30 -? - Meet with your legislators and experience the Capitol (have a tour with your legislator if you can) until you need to head home.

(Inclement weather date is set for February 29 in the Historical Building auditorium)

VISION Statement:

To be the leading, statewide coalition and community based resource promoting the health of Iowans.

MISSION Statement:

Unifying Iowans to address substance use and mental health issues across the lifespan on a state

and community level.

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- March 4 @ 9:30

Marijuana Action Team

Next meetings- February 12 and March 11 @ 9:30

Nicotine Action Team

Next meetings- February 19 and March 18 @ 9:30

Alcohol Action Team

Next meetings- February 26 and March 25 @ 9:30

_______________________________

Policy Work Group

Chair:

Jennifer Husmann

Co-Chair:

Maggie Ballard

4th Wednesday at 2:00 pm

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:

Jackie Preston

New Co-Chair:

Chris Courtney

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.