Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Substance Abuse Prevention topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Middletown approves contract with ADAC to place prevention specialist in schools
Summary
The Middletown board approved a contract with the Alcohol, Drug and Awareness Council of Orange County to place a prevention specialist in district schools, funded largely with opioid settlement dollars; the specialist will start work on a trial basis with full-time placement anticipated in January 2025.
The Middletown City School District on Wednesday approved a contract with the Alcohol, Drug and Awareness Council of Orange County (ADAC) to embed a prevention specialist within district schools, officials said.
Board members heard a presentation from Mary Alice Kovach, ADAC's prevention director and training coordinator, who said the position is funded primarily through opioid settlement funds and will focus on universal, evidence-based prevention programs. "This position will be funded by a competitive grant that we applied for last year through the county's department of mental health from a variety of sources, but primarily from the opioid settlement funds," Kovach said.
The board packet included the contract and Kovach told the board ADAC's model centers on building capacity, coordinating community partners and implementing age-appropriate prevention curricula. She described Teen Intervene, an early-intervention, evidence-based program for teenagers, and stressed that it is not counseling: "It is that first intervention for a young person who may be struggling with mild to moderate negative consequences from substance use," she said.
District staff said the ADAC specialist will be housed in district facilities, provided with workspace and some consumable supplies by the district, and will coordinate with school social workers, counselors and community partners. ADAC representatives said they expect to begin vetting candidates immediately and anticipate having someone in place full time by January 2025 after onboarding and training.
Superintendent and board members framed the contract as a no-cost, pilot opportunity for the first year with a potential local contribution if the district chooses to continue the position. ADAC emphasized its role in prevention, school-based training for staff, and facilitating family engagement nights and community awareness campaigns.
Next steps include ADAC's candidate vetting, district participation in hiring decisions and a plan for a spring follow-up report to the board on early implementation and outcomes.
