Friday, October 29, 2010

Van Buren County SAFE Coalition WINS GOT OUTCOMES! COALITION OF THE YEAR AWARD FROM COMMUNITY ANTI-DRUG COALITIONS OF AMERICA

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition has been named a “Coalition of Excellence” in the Coalition of the Year Category by Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA). The Got Outcomes! Coalition of The Year Award is given annually to coalitions that have successfully implemented a comprehensive plan to reduce substance abuse and related problems at the community level.

CADCA’s Got Outcomes! Coalition of Excellence Awards recognizes grassroots organizations that used innovative strategies to prevent youth drug and alcohol use. Applicants nominate themselves for one of three award categories based on the substance abuse outcomes achieved. In order to win the award, applicants must demonstrate their ability to use local data to drive their community planning process and implementation of evidence-based program, practice and policy changes. Applicants complete a rigorous two-phase application process requiring them to clearly communicate their story and contribution to community outcomes. Winners are determined by a panel of experts at the federal, state and local levels.

The SAFE Coalition aims to make Van Buren County a SAFE Place to live. The coalition was selected for their work addressing alcohol and tobacco issues related to youth. After gathering and analyzing key local assessment data, the coalition prioritized their focus on alcohol and tobacco availability and acceptability. They implemented a variety of strategic, data-driven community-level strategies including supporting compliance check operations, drafting and enhancing school and community policies, disseminating information and increasing awareness of the problems.

CADCA Chairman & CEO General Arthur T. Dean noted: Van Buren County SAFE Coalition exemplifies the excellent work that coalitions are doing around the country to prevent and reduce drug use in their communities,” he said. “By using sound and strategic data-driven practices, the SAFE Coalition achieved measurable decreases in substance abuse in their community.”

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition will receive their award at CADCA’s 21st Annual National Leadership Forum. CADCA’s National Leadership Forum is the nation’s largest training event for community coalition advocates and substance abuse professionals, featuring more than 100 workshops on some of most pressing issues facing substance abuse prevention and treatment professionals. Learn more about the CADCA Forum and register online at www.cadca.org. More information on the Got Outcomes! Awards is available at http://www.cadca.org/about/programs_campaigns/got-outcomes.

ABOUT CADCA

CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) is the national membership organization representing coalitions working to make America’s communities safe, healthy and drug-free. CADCA's mission is to build and strengthen the capacity of community coalitions by providing technical assistance and training, public policy advocacy, media strategies and marketing programs, conferences, and special events. For more information about CADCA, visit www.cadca.org.

ABOUT Van Buren County SAFE Coalition

Van Buren County SAFE Coalition is committed to making Van Buren County A SAFE Place to live.

The coalition is comprised of community members who volunteer their time to address issues

related to drugs, alcohol and tobacco use by youth. The coalition seeks to stimulate community

involvement to promote responsible behaviors, among youth and adults, leading to SAFE, healthy

communities. For more information about the coalition you may visit their website at:

www.vbsafecoalition.com or their blog at: http://vbsafecoalition.blogspot.com/.

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