Program Description:

 

The Department of Human Services' chemical dependency, prevention and community mobilization programs are operated through the Substance Abuse Task Force.  The programs offer a variety of substance abuse and violence prevention programs through partnerships with schools and community groups.

 

Mission:

The mission of the Walla Walla County Substance Abuse Task Force is to impact substance abuse in the County of Walla Walla by facilitating the coordination of chemical dependency, prevention, intervention, treatment and enforcement activities.   This community collaboration should reduce or eliminate duplication of effort, and increase communication and cooperation between these professional groups.

 

How We Can Help:

 

  • By educating the community in the general areas of prevention/intervention, treatment, aftercare and law enforcement.

 

  • By mobilizing and coordinating community resources with an emphasis on prevention/intervention and treatment.

 

  • By aligning with state and national networks concerned with substance abuse.

 

Eligibility Criteria:

 

  • Our services are open to all Walla Walla County residents.

 

Activities:

 

  • Each year, new public projects and activities are undertaken. 

 

 

Meetings Open to the Public:

 

  • The Substance Abuse Task Force meets at 11:30 a.m. the second Thursday of each month.

 

  • The Substance Abuse Task Force subcommittees meet monthly at 6 p.m. at Walla Walla General Hospital on a date determined at each meeting.

 

 

 

Special Projects:

 

  • The Substance Abuse Task Force recently completed the  Youth and Family Yellow Pages 2001/2002.  It has been distributed in the community and is available at the Department of Human Services upon request.

 

 

For More Information:

 

Contact Alex Luft, Prevention Specialist/Community Mobilization Coordinator

The Prevention Specialist/Community Mobilization Coordinator coordinates and monitors prevention programs that are available county-wide, assists in county plan development for prevention activities and serves on a variety of local committees and task forces that address substance abuse prevention.  Current prevention programs receive funds from two departments at the state level:  The Office of Community Development: Community Mobilization Against Substance Abuse (CMASA), and the Department of Social and Health Services: Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA).  Requests for Proposals are distributed annually by the Department of Human Services.  Community groups and schools are invited to request funds for substance abuse prevention projects.  In the last biennium there were 12 local contracts funded through these two state contracts.  Programs included the Fun Factory, adventure-based counseling, summer day-camp at farm labor homes,  gang prevention/intervention, skill building, drop out prevention, self-esteem and parenting programs.