Mission StatementThe mission of the Partnership for Education and Prevention of Substance Abuse (PEPSA) is to identify alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse problems in St. Joseph County and to plan, promote and coordinate community efforts and resources to reduce the abuse among youth and over time, among adults.
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LeadershipChair: Robin Vida, MPH, CHES, SJC Cares – Oaklawn
Co-Vice Chairs: John Horsley, Oaklawn, and Becky Savage, 525 Foundation Secretary: Sandi Pontius, Saint Joseph Health System Treasurer: Olivia Western, St. Joseph County VA Clinic |
History
The St. Joseph County Local Coordinating Council (LCC) began as a community committee in 1990. In 1992, the LCC joined forces with the St. Joseph County Coalition Against Drugs (SJCCAD), strengthening the overall community effort to address substance use disorders. In early 1993, the volunteer organization Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI) was created. Its vision of holistic community health led to the creation of councils to address issues of agency collaboration, healthy families, citizen governance, public health, and vibrant neighborhoods.
Recognizing the importance of collaboration, plans to merge the SJCCAD and HCI began. The merger took place in the summer of 1996 and resulted in the creation of the Drug Free Community Council (DFCC), with the SJCCAD retaining its committee structure and membership within HCI. The Drug Free Community Council of HCI was designated as the LCC for St. Joseph County and continues to serve in this role today. On May 1, 2012, the DFCC name was changed through a membership vote to the Partnership for Education and Prevention of Substance Abuse (PEPSA).
In the spring of 2014, the Healthy Communities Initiative ceased operations. The Partnership became an independent coalition and retained its designation as the LCC for St. Joseph County. At the beginning of 2020, the Partnership for a Drug-Free St. Joseph County (formerly known as the Partnership for the Education and Prevention of Substance Abuse) began rebranding and re-envisioning its potential in St. Joseph County. The Partnership strives to convene community members and stakeholders to create a comprehensive, cohesive strategy to reduce substance use and misuse in our community. The Partnership is a certified not-for-profit organization and is led by a chair, a co-chair, a treasurer, and a secretary.
Recognizing the importance of collaboration, plans to merge the SJCCAD and HCI began. The merger took place in the summer of 1996 and resulted in the creation of the Drug Free Community Council (DFCC), with the SJCCAD retaining its committee structure and membership within HCI. The Drug Free Community Council of HCI was designated as the LCC for St. Joseph County and continues to serve in this role today. On May 1, 2012, the DFCC name was changed through a membership vote to the Partnership for Education and Prevention of Substance Abuse (PEPSA).
In the spring of 2014, the Healthy Communities Initiative ceased operations. The Partnership became an independent coalition and retained its designation as the LCC for St. Joseph County. At the beginning of 2020, the Partnership for a Drug-Free St. Joseph County (formerly known as the Partnership for the Education and Prevention of Substance Abuse) began rebranding and re-envisioning its potential in St. Joseph County. The Partnership strives to convene community members and stakeholders to create a comprehensive, cohesive strategy to reduce substance use and misuse in our community. The Partnership is a certified not-for-profit organization and is led by a chair, a co-chair, a treasurer, and a secretary.
Drug free communities grantPEPSA and St. Joseph County have been awarded a Drug-Free Communities Grant from The Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). The purpose of the grant is to:
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comprehensive community planThe Comprehensive Community Plan's goal is a reduction in morbidity and mortality caused by alcohol and other drugs. Organizations and agencies in St. Joseph County who support the goals set in our Comprehensive Community Plan can apply for a grant from the Partnership. Learn more about the Community Plan to see if your organization qualifies.
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