SAFE Newsletter: October 21st, 2020
Welcome to our local prevention newsletter!
Here you will find information related to substance use prevention and mental health in our region. Please share with all who may be interested in this information! If you would like to join us for the next SAFE meeting on Thursday, November 5th from 11:30-1:00 (via Zoom),
contact Julia Mees, Program Director, at safedfc@gmail.com.
What is SAFE?
SAFE stands for Substance-Abuse Free Environments.
We are a community coalition made up of people who live in or work in Excelsior Springs, MO. Our primary goal is to prevent youth substance use. We do this through education, advocacy, prevention messaging
campaigns, and environmental change.

Our Mission is: Through community involvement, leadership, and the sharing of resources, Excelsior Springs SAFE works to reduce underage drinking, nicotine and other drug use, violence and other negative behaviors and improve the lives of all Excelsior Springs citizens.
Suicide Prevention Signs
SAFE delivered 130 Suicide Prevention Signs in and around Excelsior. Keep an eye out for these important messages. Thank you to our community partners for helping get the word out about the Crisis Textline and Suicide Prevention Hotline.
Take-Back Day!
The next National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is this Saturday, October 24th! The April Take-Back Day was canceled, so this is an important time to dispose of extra prescription medications. Take a minute to clean out your medicine cabinets and dispose of medications at the drop-box at the ES Police Station. The drop-box is open every day of the year.
State Prevention Conference
The State Prevention Conference is virtual this year and will be held November 16th-17th. This is always a great conference filled with a variety of prevention-related information. We have 9 SAFE members registered so far. If you would like to attend, please email Julia. SAFE will get you registered and cover costs. Also, CEUs are provided by the conference for those who are interested.
Parent Up Website Updated!
The Parent Up website has relaunched! 
It has a new look, better functionality, and includes more resources to help parents prevent teen alcohol and drug use. 
Check out the new website at ParentUpKC.com! Parent Up is a collaborative campaign between SAFE and other regional prevention coalitions.
This is a great resource to share with parents if they have prevention-related questions. Follow Parent Up on FB.
Pandemic-Related Mental Health Help
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Mental Health was awarded a Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) grant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Show Me Hope CCP funding will provide behavioral health services to Missourians who are emotionally troubled by the pandemic. Tri-County Mental Health Services will be delivering stress management resources and resource referrals to citizens feeling the stress and emotional strain caused by COVID-19. The Show Me Hope team will assist Missourians in building hope and resiliency for the future.
Community Champion Award
Congratulations to Roberta Hammer, art teacher at Good Samaritan Center, for winning last month's Community Champion Award. The Asset of the Month was "Creative Activities". This month's Asset of the Month is "Integrity". The Community Champion Award is based on the 40 Developmental Assets that help youth to be successful.