May 2023
AC4C Monthly Roundtable
Welcome to our new AC4C Board members, Peg Ragner and
Teresa King!

Margaret (Peg) Ragner

I respect AC4C’s reputation for excellence and commitment to community prevention coalitions. I believe this is a stimulating supportive learning environment and a place where I can connect with several like-minded professionals. What first interested me in AC4C was the incredible group of talent and resources in one place. I believe right now is a critical time to be part of this board as we look at the next 12 months. With my passion for learning and my professional history, I am hoping to be an asset to your board.

Working at YSS over the last 27 years, my experience has been in the addiction and treatment of both youth and adults. I served as a board member for the Iowa Board of Certification (IBC) for a number of years. I felt ready to take the next step in my career and began my work as the Community Prevention Manager in July of 2022. Prevention appears to me to be the logical choice to address the community’s needs as it relates to substance abuse, mental health, and support of a healthy community. I am excited to be part of this group both to learn skills in the field and be an asset to this board.
Peg Ragner
Teresa King

Hello, my name is Teresa King, Prevention Co-supervisor with Pathways Behavior Services, serving Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, and Grundy Counties. I started my career in Substance Use and Problem Gambling Prevention during a period when even the most seasoned preventionists were learning and adapting to what was being termed “our new normal” or what we all know as COVID. New ideas and approaches were vital to the role of prevention in the communities we serve. 

Fortunately, in the fall of 2021 I was introduced to AC4C. The knowledge, ideas, and connections gained through the Annual Prevention Conference, Quarterly Work Retreats, and Action Team Meetings have been invaluable to me as a Prevention Specialist and my professional goals. I am incredibly fortunate to have been elected to the AC4C Executive Board and eager for all the great collaborations ahead!
Teresa King
AC4C members, state partners and others, if you have teens in your coalitions, schools, family, or other areas of your life who might be interested in being a part of AC4C Youth, their next meeting is May 10 at 6 p.m.
They, or you, can send an email to: ac4cyouth@gmail.com
Upcoming Events and Retreats:
 

Dates for 2023 Quarterly Work retreats:

-June 7 & 8 (More details will be coming out very soon by email, as well as the registration link. Youth are invited for Day 1 in-person for the leadership team-building ropes course and other activities!)

-September 27 & 28

Resources to Share and Links to check out... 

Members, keep up with the latest in the news


Looking for a training

 
 
 

Do you know about RALI Iowa?
Check out this organization and information about their virtual trailer HERE

More resources...

 
 
 

For help quitting tobacco call Quitline Iowa at 800-Quit-Now

May is Mental Health
Awareness Month

Access free Make It OK resources HERE.
AC4C President, Lorelle Mueting, introducing Dale Quigley at the AC4C
Legislative Learning Event March 30.

Teresa King, leading part of the Drug Endangered Children training at the most recent AC4C Quarterly Work Retreat. Jennifer Sleiter and Kris Rankin both led parts of the training for members as well.
Dr. Paul Gilbert (and Yajaira Bolanos-Flores, virtually) shared the results of the Citizen-Science Project: Assessing Expanded Alcohol Access in Iowa, during the AC4C Retreat.

Dr. Gilbert also recently recorded a video with helpful information for communities working to pass Social Host ordinances. HERE is a link to that recording.
Stories from
AC4C Day on the Hill Speakers

The AC4C Day on the Hill had to be canceled due to inclement weather this legislative session, but we found a way to have their stories be heard by even more people. The Partnership for a Healthy Iowa hosts the Surviving Bad Show with Peter Komendowski that is played throughout the state on the Mediacom channel. Peter interviewed Jackson County Sheriff Brent Kilburg, youth Hannah Barker from Hancock County, and Julie Doeppke from Clayton County, who lost her brother due to an intoxicated driver. They give their messages and told their stories.

Hear what it is like to be a youth watching substance use with adults and peers and trying to help. Sheriff Kilburg shares about what marijuana legalization in some states has done to increase the dangers of cartels and what it has done for parents, even law enforcement parents, who are trying to lead their children in a healthy path. At the end of the show, each of the speakers give a message to the legislators. This LINK has been shared with all of the legislators.

VISION Statement:

To be the leading, statewide coalition and community based resource promoting the health of Iowans.  


 MISSION Statement:

Unifying Iowans to address substance use and mental health issues across the lifespan on a state
and community level.
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- May 1 and June 5 @ 9:30

Marijuana Action Team (one new co-chair needed)
Next meeting- May 8 @ 9:30

Nicotine Action Team 
Next meeting- May 15 @ 9:30

Alcohol Action Team
Next meetings- May 22 @ 9:30
_______________________________

Policy Work Group
 
Chair:  
Co-Chair: 

4th Wednesday at 2:00 pm

Meeting information can be found here
Click here for meeting minutes

Purpose: To collaborate with the community and statewide entities to advocate and educate on substance abuse legislation, policies, and related issues.
_________________________________

Capacity/Marketing Work Group

Chair:

3rd Monday at 2:00 pm

Click here for meeting minutes

Purpose: Create a network of professionals that have a diverse knowledge, experience and interest and to build skills and provide resources to members of AC4C.

2023 AC4C Board
Connected Communities.

Effective Coalitions.

Healthy Iowans.