AC4C Prevention Conference Highlights

There were so many good comments in the evaluation surveys for this year's conference that was held last month, but here are a couple that sum up the majority of the positive comments:

"Both of the keynote speakers were fun and engaging while also providing great informational content. It was also nice having options of different breakout sessions we could attend that were relevant to our work."

"Drug Trends is always a good topic to hear about each year. The lunch line seemed to run smoothly and quicker this year allowing more time to network. I liked the longer sessions this year. I also appreciated slightly different tracks for those in leadership or with several years experience and those that may be new to prevention work."

In case you are not on our AC4C Member Facebook page and haven't seen some of the pictures posted there, here are several. (By the way, please request to be added to the member page as we share different articles and items there that are not shared to our email lists.)

The morning keynote, Matt Bennett, presenting to all on "Frontiers of Resilience"

Dr. Mark Vander Weg presenting on policies to address cancer risks from alcohol and tobacco

Katya Boltanova and Cheryl Buntsma presenting on classroom management

Michelle Cook from GTSB at her booth during the Resource Fair

Attendees gathering information and

talking to vendors

Greg Pliler and Sarah Wright presenting on the Resilience Zone Initiative

Upcoming Events:

Next AC4C Quarterly Work Retreat: Thursday and Friday, December 11 and 12

See the full agenda below in the newsletter. Day 1 will be hybrid (in-person at Camp Dodge or virtual) with state partner sharing that morning. Day 2 will be virtual only and ending by early afternoon. 1.5 IBC approved CEUs were paid for by AC4C and free to those who attend the UNI training on Friday morning. Please register if you are coming to any or all of the retreat HERE. There is still one (or two) room(s) available for lodging on campus the night of December 10.

AC4C Youth Substance Prevention Day on the Hill: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (And hope for good weather this year!) Packets with all the needed information will be coming out around the holidays.

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

Happy Holidays! For help quitting tobacco call Quitline Iowa 800-QUIT-NOW

December 11-12

Quarterly Work Retreat Agenda

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Day 1: 8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Hybrid: In-Person at Camp Dodge – MCTC

or Online via Zoom

8:45-9:15 a.m. – Introductions

9:15-10:15 a.m. – State Partner Sharing

10:15-10:30 a.m. – Break

10:30-11:45 a.m. – State Partner Sharing

11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. – Lunch Break – Time for Networking

1:15-2:00 p.m. – State Partner Sharing

2:00-2:15 p.m. - Break

2:15-3:15 p.m. – Presentation by Iowa Primary Care Association

3:15-3:45 p.m. – Workgroup Sharing

·      Policy

·      Capacity & Sustainability

3:45-4:00 p.m. – Wrap-up, Highlights of the Day, and Preview of Tomorrow

Friday, December 12, 2025

Day 2: 8:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Virtual Only via Zoom

8:45-9:00 a.m. – Introductions 

9:00-10:30 a.m. – Presentation by Alysa Mozak, UNI Center for Violence Prevention, on Bystander Intervention and Substance Misuse

Goals:

• learn about the bystander intervention approach and its connections to substance abuse prevention efforts
• apply the bystander approach to substance abuse prevention programming

10:30-10:45 a.m. – Break

10:45-11:15 a.m. – Action Team Sharing

·      Marijuana

·      Nicotine

11:15-11:45 a.m. – Action Team Sharing

·      Alcohol

o  STOP Act Grant Update

o  Minimum Unit Price Update

·      Other Substances

11:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Break

12:00-1:00 p.m. – Coalition Sharing (successes and any help needed)

1:00-1:15 p.m. – Upcoming Events, Wrap-up, and Highlights for the Day

·      AC4C Day on the Hill

·      CADCA Forum

·      AC4C Legislative Learning Event

For the AC4C Fundraiser: We have 5 hooded sweatshirts and 3 long sleeve t-shirts left if you would like to purchase one. For sweatshirts, we have 2 Mediums, 1 Large, and 2 Extra Larges left. They are $40. For Long Sleeve t-shirts, we have 2 Mediums and 1 Large left. They are $28. You can either pick up one at the AC4C Work Retreat, we can send it to you with the cost of postage, or we can bring it to the Day on the Hill Feb. 17. Just contact Jennifer Husmann and work out the Venmo, check or cash payment.

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- January 5 @ 9:30 a.m.

Marijuana Action Team

Next meeting- December 8 and January 12 @ 9:30 a.m.

Nicotine Action Team 

Next meetings- December 15 @ 10:30 a.m. (Please notice is later for this team.)

Alcohol Action Team

Next meetings- December 22 @ 9:30 a.m.

_______________________________

Policy Work Group

Co-Chair:  

Jennifer Husmann

Co-Chair: 

Maggie Ballard



4th Wednesday at 2:00 pm (Next meeting moved up a week, December 17, due to the holiday)

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

Debra Franz volunteered to help lead this group! Thanks, Deb!

3rd Monday at 2:00 pm (Every other month now- next meeting December 15)

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. 

If you haven't already, it's time to get your membership dues in. They are due 1/1/26. Thank you so much for supporting the work of AC4C in this way! We hope you find AC4C a benefit to you worth investing in! Contact Jennifer if you have not received the membership dues invoice and suggested amount due for agencies, individuals, and coalitions.