Marion Area Coalition for Healthy Communities

Community-Focused Activities

Partners/Roles:

Family resource center staff and Medical College of Wisconsin staff are engaged to accomplish these activities.  They will be working with many sectors of the community (e.g., law enforcement, local government, and business) as the strategies are further developed.

Community-Focused activities:

• Implement host law efforts-This is a 2007-2008 initiative that aims to increase community understanding of the risks and consequences of parents and adults hosting parties that involve underage drinking.  It builds on the success of the Parent Network Directory (See "Family-Focused Resources")
• Implement diversion program-This is a 2007-2008 initiative that will involve the court system and the utilization of best practice programs for addressing youth who offend with alcohol, drug, and related crimes.
• Host Family and Community Town Suppers-Family and Community Town Suppers offer the opportunity for community members to come together to discuss common topics of interest while sharing a meal and having conversation.
• Create and distribute newsletters-A Marion Area Family Resource Center newsletter is distributed quarterly to all parents, business, and others in the community.
• The business collaborations-A new strategy that focuses on better understanding area businesses' needs and priorities around substance abuse, health, and wellness.
• Develop and distribute prevention packet-Based on feedback from Sprint 2006 community forum, the Resource Center will be developing prevention packets for local businesses to distribute to their employees based on lifecycle status.
• Participate in health fair-The Resource Center participates in the local health fair, which draws hundreds of people.
• Partner with local health care organizations-The New London Family Medical Center and ThedaCare-New London are working with the Marion Area Family Resource Center to sponsor regular community presentations that focus on health issues important to the community.

Goal of the Activities:

• Expand community understanding of and action around risks and consequences of substance abuse

Accomplishments:

• Since 1998, 10 Family and Community Town Suppers have been held, with over 500 participants (duplicated count).
• Two local ordinances were implemented for a community-wide event; the ordinances aimed at keeping the events safer.
• A number of local businesses recently became engaged in discussions with the Resource Center regarding substance abuse and health implications for their employees.

Funding Source:

• Drug-Free Communities Support Program grant, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Local government, business, and other individuals contribution of time