AC4C Summer Work Retreat

June 4 & 5

We had a great Spring Work Retreat and Legislative Learning Event (see more pictures below), and now it is time to register for AC4C's Summer Work Retreat held June 4 and 5! Day 1 will be all virtual. Day 2 will be our Youth Day where they will participate in the Leadership Reaction Course at Camp Dodge. Please email Jennifer if you would like to bring youth as they will need to have a parent permission form to participate. Day 2 will be hybrid and the adults will be enjoying a presentation by Jay Pedelty!

Jay Pedelty was a certified prevention specialist working for Prairie Ridge Addiction Treatment Services in Mason

City. In the 10 years he was a prevention specialist, all 6 high schools in the counties where he focused his efforts made the model prevention program Prime for Life a part of the freshman curriculum, each county had an active substance abuse prevention coalition and he provided substance abuse training for employees and supervisors at numerous North Iowa businesses.

He is a contract trainer for the Prevention Research Institute, the company that owns Iowa’s impaired driving curriculum and in the spring of 2007 he was featured in the Prevention Research Institute’s magazine “Prime Times” for his delivery of the Prime for Life program to 1,000 high school freshmen as well as his typical impaired driving audiences. The Iowa Comprehensive grant area that Jay worked in was the only catchment area in the state, at that time, where all the counties had either a social host ordinance, a minor consumption ordinance or both. He has been invited to speak at the state level to the Iowa Governor’s Conference on Substance Abuse, the Iowa Workforce summit and the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division board of commissioners and on a national level, at the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association annual meeting.

A detailed agenda will be sent out soon. There is free limited lodging available for adults on campus for the night of June 4th before the in-person/hybrid Day 2. Indicate if lodging is needed when you register HERE.

Our AC4C youth participating in the Leadership Reaction Course!

Dr. Mary Charlton speaking to legislators during the AC4C Legislative Learning Event held March 25.

Legislators discussing topics after Legislative Learning Event presentations.

Upcoming Events:

AC4C Summer Quarterly Work Retreat: Wednesday and Thursday, June 4 and 5. June 5 will be the Youth Leadership Reaction Course Day! See details in this newsletter. Adults, please register HERE.

Iowa Drug Endangered Children's (DEC) Conference: Monday, May 5. Information an Registration can be found HERE.

Resources to Share and Links to check out... 

Members, keep up with the latest in the news

AC4C on Facebook

AC4C Youth on Instagram

Looking for a training

Iowa Board of Certification

Iowa ODCP

Iowa State Patrol

Iowa Health and Human Services & Your Life Iowa

Partnership for A Healthy Iowa

Do you know about RALI Iowa?

Check out this organization and information about their virtual trailer HERE

More resources...

Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau

Drive Smart Iowa

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Traffic Safety Marketing

Stop Drugged Driving

For help quitting tobacco call Quitline Iowa 800-QUIT-NOW

May is Mental Health

Awareness Month!

Welcome back, Jen Stolka, as newly elected AC4C Board Member!

Hello! My name is Jen Stolka, and I serve as the Director of Prevention Services at Helping Services for Youth and Families in Northeast Iowa. I am an Advanced Certified Prevention Specialist (ACPS) and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), which helps to guide my efforts in delivering effective, evidence-based strategies in prevention. In this role, I oversee prevention efforts focused on substance use, mental health, and problem gambling, as well as youth mentoring programs across Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Fayette, Clayton, and Delaware Counties.

With over 16 years of experience working alongside coalitions and communities, I’ve seen firsthand the power of collaboration. Being part of AC4C allows me to stay connected with dedicated professionals across the state and contribute to impactful, statewide prevention initiatives. Having previously served on the AC4C Board, I’m excited for the opportunity to once again collaborate, share ideas, and work together to make Iowa a healthier, safer place for all.

Outside of work, you’ll often find me cheering at sporting events, binge-watching my favorite TV shows, spending time with my amazing family and friends, or leading a small youth mentoring program in my home community.

Legislative Update

on a few bills related to AC4C work

HF181 passed and was signed into law by Governor Reynolds on March 28. It is an Act prohibiting open containers of beverages containing THC in the passenger area of motor vehicles on highways, and making penalties applicable. The legislation would take effect July 1. The crime will be a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $260.

HF950 This bill did not get voted on after it was placed on the House calendar so it did not survive the second funnel. This bill would have added dried raw cannabis or vaporizable dried raw cannabis to the list of forms, which would be a first in the medical program in Iowa and is against the recommendation of the Medical CBD Board, per their Denial (again) of the Petition to add vaporizable flower (potentially combustible) as evidenced by their report submitted at the Board meeting in February of 2023.

SF475 This bill is still alive. It imposes a tax on certain products containing nicotine or non-nicotine substances. For a vapor cartridge sold at retail, this bill imposes a $1.15 tax per cartridge. For a nicotine pouch, the bill imposes a 6.8 cent tax per pouch. For a vapor product requiring the use of e-liquids, the bill imposes a tax of 15% upon the retail price. For e-liquids sold separately from the vapor cartridge, the bill imposes a tax of 15% as well. The revenue generated from this bill would be credited to the Iowa Cancer Research Fund. It was considered "funnel proof" because it is a tax bill and referred to Ways and Means Committee, therefore remains viable.

HF 830 This bill provides a minimum unit price used to calculate the price of the alcoholic liquor (spirits/hard liquor) sold by the department. The minimum unit price is an amount equal to 50 cents per 18 ml (per serving) of alcohol in the package. This bill is being studied to see how much money it would bring to the state.

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 5 @ 9:30 a.m.

Marijuana Action Team

Next meetings- May 12 @ 9:30 a.m.



Nicotine Action Team 

Next meetings- April 21 and May 19 @ 10:30 a.m. (Please notice time change.)

Alcohol Action Team

Next meetings- April 28 @ 9:30 a.m. (No May meeting due to Memorial Day.)

_______________________________

Policy Work Group

Co-Chair:  

Jennifer Husmann

Co-Chair: 

Maggie Ballard



4th Wednesday at 2:00 pm

Looking for a volunteer to replace Jennifer as a Co-chair on this work group. If you are interested in this position please contact a board member or Jennifer.  

Meeting information can be found here

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

_________________________________

Capacity/Sustainability Work Group

Seeking Co-chairs

3rd Monday at 2:00 pm

Please let Jennifer know if you would like to be sent the link for the meeting.

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