French toast, eggs, sausage, and beverages served by celebrity cooks!

All dollars raised will go to support Double Impact events. Double Impact works to encourage youth to make good choices and consider the consequences of their decisions. Double Impact also exposes the hazards of alcohol and other drug use. Their events focus on:
   alcohol and drug use and driving
   seat belt use
   distracted and drowsy driving
   erratic and aggressive driving

Please come and support this important group as they work to keep our youth healthy and safe!

Families in which one or both parents have a serious problem with alcohol or other drugs, now have an opportunity to participate in a program aimed at helping children and adults live healthy, responsible, and addiction-free lives.

Funded by a grant from DHS-ADAD, Minnesota Recovery Connection is pleased to offer Celebrating Families!™ to the recovery community in our area at no charge. This 14-week program will meet every Monday evening at MRC from 6:00-8:30pm from January 30-April 30, 2012.     

 If you know of families who could benefit from this program, please refer them to Ken Roberts at 651-366-7730 or contact MRC at 651-233-2080. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. The deadline for registration is January 18, 2012.  

Click here to view full flyer.

The Rice County Chemical Health Coalition calls them Project Prevention Champions.  The Coalition will be honoring six individuals and one organization that have made significant contributions to the prevention, treatment and recovery from drug and alcohol abuse for residents in Rice County.

The 2011 Project Prevention Champions were nominated by their peers and chosen by a committee of individuals with close ties to local prevention efforts.  The award recipients include the following:

Paul Beaumaster, the Rice County Attorney, was nominated by a Faribault parent who appreciates his genuine desire to see our kids grow up strong and healthy.  Paul’s column in the Faribault Daily News sends a strong message about his commitment to creating an environment for youth to develop in a strong and healthy way.  In the courtroom and in the community, Paul’s commitment to substance abuse prevention is clear and firm.

Donna Crowl is a Faribault community member who is committed to providing access to activities for area youth.  She was instrumental in the development of the aquatic center, and since that time, has been active in securing scholarships for families to participate in summer activities.

Tom Graupmann, the Activities Director of Northfield High School, was nominated by local parents for his enthusiastic support of the “Pure Performance: Life of an Athlete Program,” its implementation in Northfield and his advocacy for the program throughout the state.

Ed Hoisington was nominated for his leadership with Double Impact.  Since 1996, Double Impact has been organizing mock crashes, speakers and other activities designed to help youth make positive choices.  Ed has worked with local youth and adults to provide safety related events for High School students throughout the community. 

Rhonda Mulder of District One Hospital was nominated for her work with smoking cessation classes and with the Coalition’s Provider Team to offer educational sessions for hospital staff.  In addition, she assisted in credentialing alcohol and drug counselors who serve patients at District One Hospital through providing consults, assessments and referrals.

Martha Schultz, Youth Development Coordinator at Faribault Schools, was nominated for her work “24 hours per day, 7 days per week” with youth. Among other duties, Martha works with the STOPS program supporting peer driven prevention efforts.  The STOPS group shares in this recognition.  STOPS is a student-run organization at Faribault High School, open to interested students grades 9-12. Members sign contracts pledging to be free of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. They complete 55 hours of community service each year and support activities such as the 5^th Grade Lock In, the Black Light Dance, Chemical Health Week, the Dance Your Heart Dance Marathon, the Halloween Costume Contest, Seat Belt Challenge, and many more!

The Northfield Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol and Drug Use was nominated as a group of volunteer citizens who have developed a coherent action plan that focuses on prevention, strengthening community resources, enforcement and education.  The individuals on the task force being honored include Curt Benson, Katherine Cooper, Patty Gallivan, Judi Harper-Malecha, Paul Hart Ruthenbeck, Joan Janusz, Jackie McBeain, Kristine Matson, Mark Mohlke, Mary F. Nelson, Susan Sanderson and Kris Vohs.

For more information regarding the project prevention awards or other resources offered through the Rice County Chemical Health Coalition, please visit www.ricecountychc.com.

But we also know that prevention, treatment and recovery is a difficult process that is made more likely by the efforts of dedicated and compassionate people who recognize the barriers and work tirelessly to eliminate them. Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their efforts?

We need your help to find and recognize PROJECT PREVENTION SUPPORTERS in our community.

A Project Prevention Supporter is someone who has helped provide support for a healthier life in our community…..someone who helps reduce risk factors for alcohol and drug abuse, someone who supports recovery, someone who builds assets for our youth and other community members.

They can be our friends and neighbors, our teachers, our mentors, our business partners, our police officers, our health professionals or community members. Please help us recognize and encourage these community leaders by nominating them for a Project Prevention Supporter Award. They will receive the recognition and encouragement they deserve, and others will be inspired by their story.

Nominating a Project Prevention Supporter is simple and takes just a few moments.
1. Complete the questions on the very short application, and
2. Send a copy to the address or email at the bottom of the page (ksandberg@ricecountychc.com) by September 30, 2011.

We will do the rest! Please take just a few moments to help us recognize these leaders who make our communities safer for our children. Thank you!

September has been declared National Recovery Month, a time to support and celebrate individuals in substance abuse recovery. In Rice County some efforts are underway to say that “Recovery Rocks” and so do the people who have taken this important step.

Recovery Rocks Lapel Pin Distribution, all month long  

Please contact Kathy Sandberg, ksandberg@ricecountychc.com or Zach Pruitt, zpruitt@carleton.edu, to receive a pin or help in their distribution. The pins are 1 inch, pewter color with the Recovery Rocks logo. Very stylish! Those in recovery are encouraged to wear a pin and then give a pin to someone else who has shown them support.

City and County Resolutions Declaring September as Recovery Month

Local leaders will be officially declaring September as Recovery Month. To show your support, please attend one of the following meetings:

Faribault,  August 23   7:00 p.m.   Council Chambers at City Hall

Rice County, September 6   8:30 am    Rice Co. Government Services Building, Board Room

Northfield,  September 20    7:00 p.m.   Council Chambers at City Hall

By Join Together Staff | September 6, 2011 | 

Children who live with smokers miss more school days due to illnesses including ear infections and chest colds compared with those who live in smoke-free homes, a new study suggests. Read more…

From “pharming” to pill parties, teens are abusing prescription drugs in dangerous ways, and can become addicted quickly, warns an adolescent substance abuse specialist at Children’s Hospital Boston. Read More…

Contact Kathy Sandberg for more information or to apply:

Katherine A. Sandberg
Coordinator
Rice County Family Services Collaborative
Rice County Chemical Health Coalition
1800 NE 14th Street
Faribault, MN   55021
507.210.5151
ksandberg@ricecountychc.com