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Summer Training Institute Recap
 On August 5, 2014, the Community Alliance for Youth kicked off the 5th Annual Summer Training Institute with three days of professional development training. Over 160 youth workers from organizations across Clark County attended the conference. The Summer Institute offered 25.5 hours of CEU approved workshops in Education, Nursing, Counseling, Social Work, and Step-Up to Quality. CAY is very pleased with the overall results and the feedback from the participants and trainers. On a scale of 5.0, on average, the 2014 Summer Training Institute scored 4.73 for trainers/presenters satisfaction, 4.69 for workshop satisfaction, and 4.76 for overall satisfaction with the entire conference. Thank you to all the presenters who dedicated their time to making this a success!
The 2014 Summer Training Institute had many firsts. Mental Health and Recovery Board sponsored a full day of training, Creating Nurturing Environments, led by Dr. Jason Fruth from Wright State University. This year Shelley Lopez from Nehemiah Foundation presented a workshop on non-profit leadership, and Amanda Cole from Wright LEAD led a workshop on building youth leaders. The sessions were so successful the Alliance is planning to host an entire non-profit leadership track next summer. Also for the first time this year, we received requests to provide CEUs for school prevention specialists. The Community Alliance for Youth hopes to continue providing professional development to youth providers across Clark County and host an even better Summer Training Institute in 2015!
Program Spotlight: Cole's Warriors Afterschool Program
It’s been a busy year for Cole’s Warriors Director, Danielle Smoot. This past year she’s been working hand in hand with the Attorney General’s Office as a Community Outreach Specialist, helping communities form their own groups to address the drug issues specific to that particular area. After the untimely death of her son Cole in 2011, Danielle has worked tirelessly to prevent another death from prescription drug abuse. She, along with Cole’s Warriors, a division of Family and Youth Initiatives, and the Cole’s Warriors Task Force have implemented voluntary drug testing in local high schools and have also been instrumental in advocating for drug drop-off boxes.
This year Cole’s Warriors and Family and Youth Initiatives are piloting a new after school program set to begin later this fall at Tecumseh Middle and High Schools. The program, named DEFY (Drug Education for Youth), will train high school students to be mentors.  Lead by a mentor coordinator, these mentors will meet once a week after school with 6-8th graders and teach the students about drug abuse, addiction, and also help the students make healthy life choices while utilizing character building exercises and small group discussion. “It is our goal with DEFY to create a safe, supportive learning environment where students can ask tough questions, build relationships with their peers, and empower them with important prevention tools such as: refusal skills, character building, and goal setting,” states coordinator Leslie Nurton. “Drug use is not just about using substances, but also what led them to make that decision. If we can build skills in those areas that help prevent drug use then hopefully when they are presented with the opportunity to use they will make the right choice.”
For more information regarding Cole’s Warriors, Family and Youth Initiatives, or the DEFY program, please contact Leslie Nurton at 937-845-0403, or leslie@familyandyouthinitiatives.org. Visit the Cole's Warriors website at www.coleswarriors.org.
*Photo provided by Dayton Daily News: Danielle Smoot, center, of New Carlisle, stands with Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, right, after receiving the inaugural Distinguished Civilian Leadership Award this past October. Fayette County Sheriff Vernon Stanforth, who is the president of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, is on the left.
Trish Garrison Retires
 The Hagen Center sent Trish away in style on August 20, 2014 with a party in the Shouvlin Center. Many of her colleagues from campus and the community were there to wish her well with the next phase of her life. She said, “I consider myself to be the midwife of the Community Alliance for Youth and feel reluctant to leave my baby after five years.” She will continue to volunteer her time to help raise funds to sustain the Alliance. Dave Speas, Chair, has invited her back to the September 23rd Advisory Council meeting to present her recommendations.
Wine and travel both interest Trish so these were the twin party themes. Participants were able to write messages to her on paper bottles and maps and put them in a wine bucket. Trish and her husband Terry will be spending October in Portugal which includes a cruise on the “River of Gold” where the world’s port wines are made. Trish has also moved up on the babysitting list for her grandchildren Jake (2 yrs) and Faith (8yrs). She has a son Nate in Marysville, and two children, Emily & Seth, in Dallas. Trish will be staying busy!
| Upcoming Events |
At a Glance |
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August 29: Domino's Family Fun Night with National Trails
August 30: Dog Days-Ice Cream Social with National Trails
September 5: Cincinnati Reds Bus Trip with National Trails
September 13: 5th Annual PromiseFest @ Lincoln Elementary School
September 13: Family Movie Night with National Trails
Vist CAY Events page for more information!
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