HANCOCK COMMUNITY COALITION HONORED AT CADCA’S NATIONAL LEADERSHIP FORUM

On Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020 the Hancock Community Coalition was one of 148 community coalitions honored during a graduation ceremony at CADCA’s (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) 30th Annual National Leadership Forum, just outside of Washington, D.C. The coalitions received a graduation certificate for completing CADCA’s National Coalition Academy, a rigorous training program designed to increase the effectiveness of community substance use and misuse prevention leaders.
 
The Hancock Community Coalition was represented by Rhonda Rhodes, President of Hancock Resource Center, Cathy Pitalo, Drug Free Community Project Coordinator, and Colby DiMento, Community Outreach Coordinator.
 
“It was an honor to receive this recognition and to be surrounded by so many coalition leaders from across the United States who are all working to make communities healthier and safer for our youth,” said Cathy Pitalo.
 
CADCA’s National Coalition Academy (NCA) is a comprehensive, year-long training program developed by CADCA’s National Coalition Institute. The NCA incorporates three, week-long classroom sessions, a web-based distance learning component, an online workstation where participants network and share planning products and free ongoing coalition development technical assistance. To graduate, coalitions must complete a rigorous curriculum. They must participate in all components of the NCA and complete five essential planning products that serve as the foundation of their comprehensive plan for community change.
 
CADCA’s National Leadership Forum is a four-day event packed with opportunities to learn the latest strategies to address substance use and misuse. Attendees have to opportunity to hear and learn from nationally prevention experts, federal administrators and concerned policymakers. Forum brings together approximately 3,000 attendees representing coalitions from all regions of the country and internationally, government leaders, youth, prevention specialists, addiction treatment professionals, addiction recovery advocates, researchers, educators, law enforcement professionals and faith-based leaders. It is the largest training event for the prevention field.
 
For more information about the Hancock Community Coalition and to learn how you can get involved, contact Cathy Pitalo at cpitalo@hancockhrc.org or 228-463-8887.