Last Updated on March 22, 2023 by Stand Up Cass County (Formerly CCSAPC)
Stand Up Cass County, working together to create a safer and healthier community by establishing and strengthening collaborations, while working together to reduce substance abuse among youth and families.
CCSAPC, a local drug-free communities coalition has announced that it has changed its name to Stand Up Cass County. The coalition felt it needed a simpler, straight forward name identifying what they are doing in the community. In March 2023 they decided to adopt the new identity. The new name reflects the collaboration efforts of many community members, including the Art, Media, and Communications Class at the Century Career Center taught by Melissa Denney. Youth in the classroom were challenged to learn more about the coalition in order to come up with name options to present to the group. They did that and presented three names to the large group for a decision. After presenting the options, a survey was sent out and this is the name the majority preferred.
The Cass County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition has been in existence since 2018. In December 2020, Youth Services Alliance, was awarded the Drug Free Communities Support Program Grant, through the ONDCP and the CDC, in order to strengthen its coalition.
“The coalition was already established and by bringing in the DFC funding we are able to strengthen that group as well as equip them with the resources needed to create change in the community. It is a great way to get involved in the community. It is truly a community coalition and anyone is welcome to become a member. It takes all sectors of the community to help with its efforts. We are excited for our new name launch.”
About Stand Up Cass County
The main purpose behind DFC funding is to strengthen collaborations among communities, public, and private agencies, nonprofit agencies, federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions and reduce substance use among youth and over time adults.
Stand Up Cass County has three Action Teams that concentrate on different topics. Training and Public Engagement plans training opportunities for the community, as well as, attend and plan different events to engage the community. The Data Collection team collects local data and works with a local evaluator in order to identify local problems and assist with coming up with local solutions. The Youth Empowerment team is a group that meets to empower the youth to get involved in their community through
coalition initiatives.
For more information or to get involved please reach out to Nikki Malott, project coordinator, at nikki@ysainc.org.