Upcoming Events
Jan 10th to Feb 28th
Racine County Alcohol Retail Survey
Join us in shaping a healthier future! The Collaborative for Mental Health is hosting a survey event focused on retail alcohol, and we want to hear from you. Your insights are invaluable in helping understand community needs and improve mental health resources. Participate and make your voice count—together, we can create meaningful change!
Past Events
The Racine County Drug-Free Communities Coalition, a partnership between Focus and the Racine Collaborative for Children’s Mental Health, launched a peer-led Lunch ‘n’ Learn events at Case High School, Horlick High School, Park High School, and Walden School. Events included educational materials and trivia games around the topics of the effects of drugs and alcohol on the body and mind, the prevalence of substance use among young people, and strategies for prevention and intervention. The HOSA Future Health Professional Students staffed these tables, and prizes and giveaways were donated from various community partners, including Life Stance Health, Rogers Behavioral Health, Aurora Healthcare, and Ascension.
April 13th 2024
RUSD Family Empowerment Day
Drug-Free Communities had a table at Family Empowerment Day on Saturday April 13th
We distributed:
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40 Medicine Lock Boxes with 8 other families interested
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37 Deterra Medicine Disposal Bags.
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Vaping cessation resources
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Feelings cards
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Toolkits on discussing drugs and alcohol with children
May 16th
Mental Health Action Day
To honor Mental Health Action Day, Focus on Community’s Teen Peer’s conducted peer interviews on Mental Health. They asked their fellow classmates five questions:
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What does mental health mean to you?
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How do you prioritize self care?
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How can you support your peers' mental health?
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How can others support your mental health?
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What is one thing you can do for your mental health today?
The Prom/Graduation Underage Drinking Prevention Campaign was conducted in two waves to address key celebratory periods. The first wave targeted prom season, while the second focused on graduation, both aiming to raise awareness and promote safe, alcohol-free celebrations for students
Prom:
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Teen photoshoot
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RUSD letter to parents
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Bottle tagging
Graduation:​​
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Social media advocacy
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Safe hosting guide for parents
July 14-18th
CADCA Mid-Year Conference in Chicago
The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's (CADCA) 23rd Annual Mid-Year Training Institute (MYTI) was held at the Hilton Chicago from July 14–18, 2024:
The MYTI is a four-day event that brings together community coalition leaders and staff to share solutions and learn about the latest trends and science in substance misuse. The event includes:
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Training sessions: Interactive sessions on topics like coalition building, strategic planning, evaluation, and research
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National Youth Leadership Initiative activities: Two levels of training: Key Essentials and Advanced
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Networking: Opportunities to connect with prevention advocates
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Keynote speeches: Speeches from experts in the field
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Information and tools: Access to information, tools, and strategies to improve prevention work
Focus on Community was able to send 6 youths to attend this conference with grant funding from the United Way of Racine County Equity Innovation Fund. These youths are using this learning to create policy change in our Racine Community for Underage Drinking.
August 8th
Racine Unified School District Back to School Event at Park High School
Our Coalition Event Planning Committee created a Hidden in Plain Sight exhibit during the Back to School Event on August 8th at Park High School. Parents walked through a mock teen bedroom and identified various items that may be connected to substance use. We also handed out lockboxes and medicine disposal devices. Photos--in Hidden in Plain Sight Folder
October 10th
Mental Health Action Day on World Mental Health Day
MTV Mental Health Action Day Grant was able to fund RUSD middle and high school students to attend a one-day training on mental health promotion on September 24th. These youth then led a Lunch ‘n Learn Program on World Mental Health Day on October 10th to educate their peers about mental health