Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities

and the Greater Northfield

Coalition Council (GNCC)

An Overview

The GNCC is a non-profit organization, recognized by the Internal Revenue

Service.

The GNCC is a board composed of 14-17 community members.

This board is responsible for Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities.

To promote the health of the Northfield and Roxbury community, with a special emphasis on our children and youth.

Mission of the Greater Northfield Coalition Council

Mission of the Greater Northfield Coalition Council

GNCC works to do this by: helping identify and prioritize needs

(such as the prevention of substance abuse)

coalition building providing logistical support for and

public awareness of related efforts of local community groups

seeking appropriate funding for coalition activities.

GNCC’s Major Partnership Organizations (2006-2007)

Northfield Boys & Girls Club Northfield Elementary School Northfield Middle and High School Norwich University

Admissions Office Office of Volunteer Programs Service-Learning Program

Roxbury Elementary School

BusinessesCivic/volunteer

groupsHealthcareHigher

educationMediaParents

Schools Substance abuse

treatment and recovery

Religious organizations

Youth

The GNCC is made up of representatives of different sectors of Northfield and Roxbury:

A Brief History of the GNCC

The GNCC was originally named the Greater Northfield Collaboration Council.

It was established in 1998 by concerned community members, and the name was changed in 2005 to the Greater Northfield Coalition Council.

A Brief History of the GNCC

From 1998-2000, the GNCC administered the New Directions grant (total received annually:

$99 630).

The mission of New Directions was “to create a self-sustaining program targeted at reducing substance abuse and leading to healthier lives.”

Washington South Supervisory Union served as the fiscal agent.

GNCC’s New Directions Grant

In 2000, the GNCC wrote and received a 5 year Drug-Free Communities grant (over 5 years, they received $360, 570 in grant funds). This grant focused on: Reducing substance abuse among youth

(ages 10-19) and over time, among adults Strengthening and expanding collaboration

among various sectors of Northfield and Roxbury to reduce substance abuse among youth.

GNCC’s First Drug-Free Communities Grant

From 2001-2003, GNCC was dormant. From September 2003-2005, four

people worked to rejuvenate GNCC, revising the by-laws and changing the name to the Greater Northfield Coalition Council.

The Northfield American Legion post provided funds for the GNCC to file for 501(c)3 status (federal non-profit status).

GNCC’s Rejuvenation

In 2005, the GNCC applied for and received a second 5-year Drug-Free Communities Grant, and subsequently hired a Director of Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities.

In 2006, the GNCC received federal non-profit status (501[c]3 status).

GNCC’s Second Drug-Free Communities Grant

GNCC’s New Headquarters

In March 2006, the GNCC opened the Making A Difference Resource Center on Northfield’s Common.

The Resource Center is one of many different programs offered by Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities.

Currently, the GNCC meets bi-monthly. Subcommittees have been formed to

address specific needs of the GNCC. These include:PersonnelProgramCommunity RelationsSustainabilityEvaluation

GNCC Today

Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities

An Overview

Overseen by the GNCC, Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities is a federally funded grant program, that uses several strategies to reduce and prevent substance abuse, particularly among youth.

The Making A Difference Resource Center is the center of operations for Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities and the GNCC.

The Resource Center is a confidential drop-in center, with free information on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, treatment/recovery options, parenting skills and youth empowerment. We also offer information on other helping organizations.

Resource Center

We offer free referrals to treatment/recovery centers.

In its first year, the Resource Center helped over 100 adults and youth access information and treatment.

Resource Center

Strategies of Northfield & Roxbury Drug-Free Communities

Workshops and Consulting Preventative and Educational Programs School Curriculum Volunteer Opportunities

Interactive & Professional Workshops and Consulting

Free workshops and consulting are offered to local businesses and organizations on such topics as:youth empowerment and asset

developmentaddressing alcohol, tobacco and

other drug issuesprevention tactics for employers

and/or community leaders.

Preventative and Educational Programs

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions)

This group for high school students advocates among their peers for healthy and substance-free behaviors.

In 2006-2007 SADD was run by the Northfield Middle and High School Student Assistance Program Coordinator, Annie Luke. The group had 9 students involved.

Preventative and Educational Programs

GO! (Guys Only)

In collaboration with Norwich University, we offer an empowerment group for young men (grades 7-10) that provides opportunities for positive male role modeling, and learning about healthy risk-taking.

In its first year, we had 8 participants and 7 Norwich student helpers.

Preventative and Educational Programs

Parenting Workshops

We offer free workshops based upon the nationally recognized LifeSkills Training Program. Taught by a local parent, these workshops focus on building parenting skills, such as positive communication and setting boundaries.

Preventativeand Educational Programs

Vermont Kids Against Tobacco (VKAT)

This coming fall, the first Northfield VKAT group will be created due to a grant that we wrote for the Northfield Middle School. These students (grades 6-8) will run programs to teach their peers about the dangers of tobacco and other drug use.

Preventativeand Educational Programs

Special Events

We run special event programs in collaboration with local schools and organizations focused on substance abuse issues, such as Kick Butts Day (tobacco prevention) and Targeting

Curiosity Day (Northfield Middle school students connect with health, youth leadership, law enforcement, and

treatment professionals).

School Curriculum

The LifeSkills Training Program

A nationally recognized substance abuse prevention curriculum,

currently being taught by trained teachers in grades 3-6 and grade 8.

220 students have been taught the curriculum over the past two years.

Volunteer Opportunities

We provide opportunities for community members to work with youth, participate in outreach activities, program planning and implementation.

All volunteers are trained on substance abuse issues.

Volunteers undergo background checks if they have the opportunity to work 1-on-1 with youth.

Resource Center Website

Our current website address is:www.wssu.org/drugfree.html

We offer links to a variety of resources for parents, youth and other adults.

Our website will be changing to (by Sept. 30):www.drugfreevt.org

Federally and Locally Supported

Every dollar of the Drug-Free Communities grant from the federal government is matched by local donations (either monetary or in-kind).

This is a requirement of the federal grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration.

Contact Us to Get Involved

Making A Difference Resource Center32 Depot Square, P.O. Box 88Northfield, Vermont 05663

(802) 485-8081 drugfree@trans-video.net

Music in this presentation:“Songs About Rainbows” by Sarah McLaughlin “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong“Hold On” by Sarah McLaughlin