Numerous staff from SPIFFY and other Western Mass. prevention coalitions attended the SAMHSA Prevention Day and CADCA National Leadership Forum at the end of January/early February in Maryland. They participated in trainings regarding cannabis science, youth engagement, strategic planning and other topics, networked with colleagues and met with their federal legislators to discuss their priorities. The Belchertown BOAT coalition also received a Blue Ribbon Award for their work to reduce youth access to vapes/nicotine products from local tobacco retailers.
The Belchertown Public Schools DFC, the prevention arm of Belchertown Overcoming Addiction Together (BOAT), achieved the Blue Ribbon Coalition credential from The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), the nation’s leading substance use and misuse prevention organization. Presently, there are over 5000 coalitions nationwide and internationally. The DFC Program Director, Kris Hoag, spearheaded the strategies to reduce youth access to vapes/nicotine products from local tobacco retailers, earning The Blue Ribbon Coalition credential. This credential is part of a program that recognizes high performing coalitions that do an exceptional job creating a foundation for their work by updating and utilizing their coalition products.