Dare Coalition Against Substance Abuse transitioned from being the Substance Abuse Task Force of the Healthy Carolinians of the Outer Banks after incorporating in May 2005 and becoming a 501(c)3 non-profit in August 2005. The coalition, currently a volunteer-driven organization, is a member of CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America), the North Carolina Center for Non-Profits, and the NC Task Force on Prevention of Underage Drinking.

Our Vision

Systematically altering the impact of substance abuse in Dare County, one person at a time.

Our Mission Statement

Dare Coalition Against Substance Abuse is a non-profit organization representing diverse community interests, working collaboratively to take a systematic, action-oriented approach to positively alter substance abuse in Dare County. We seek to change awareness, attitudes, and behaviors through ensuring access for youths and adults, to a comprehensive array of education, prevention, treatment, aftercare, and recovery resources.

Goals

In keeping with the Coalition's mission, the Coalition will address goals that include both internal (Coalition) and external (community) goals.

External goals of the Coalition include:
• Decreasing substance abuse and the effects of substance abuse in the community
• Increasing community recognition and willingness to deal with the dynamics of the substance abuse problems

Internal goals of the Coalition include:
• Facilitating and sustaining a healthy, diverse collaboration among agencies and organizations to address substance abuse issues
• Increasing and maintaining diversity among Coalition members.
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Objectives

The Coalition has identified the following objectives:
• Decrease underage drinking, including age of onset, frequency of use, and perception of use by peers
• Decrease illegal and other drug use among community members
• Create a sustainability plan for the Dare CASA organization
• Enhance and sustain a collaboration to accomplish the above mentioned objectives.

Strategies

Dare CASA will consistently employ the following strategies, which include the six Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) strategies, to accomplish its objectives and goals:
• Information dissemination; information and referrals
• Prevention education
• Alternative activities
• Community-based processes & Environmental approaches
• Actively participate in collaborations/committees designed to decrease consumption of alcoholic beverages and illegal and other drug use
• Hold fundraising events; develop and maintain an endowment with the Community Foundation to aid in education for youth prevention
• Write grants for programs that support the mission of Dare CASA
• Hold the following meetings: town hall meetings to address local problems associated with substance abuse, Coalition meetings and Executive Committee meetings
• Support and promote substance abuse focused awareness campaigns, such as Substance Abuse Awareness Month, Substance Abuse Recovery Month, and Alcohol Awareness Month
• Support and promote trainings and programs sponsored by member agencies

2005-2006 Accomplishments – Highlights

(1)    Operations: Established a 2006 Board of Directors and nine core committees

• Held seven open-to-the public monthly meetings to raise public awareness, expand our membership and volunteer base, and to make critical decisions about CASA’s goals, plans, and on-going activities.
• Established collaborative advisory relationships with ECU’s Regional Training Center, Families in Action/NC Parent Network in Wilson, NC. Both support/advise substance abuse coalition start ups in Eastern NC.
• Established informal mentoring relationship with Historic Triangle Substance Abuse Coalition, Williamsburg, VA

(2)    Public Policy: Supported the enactment of the North Carolina Controlled Substances Reporting System Act and publicly acknowledged Sheriff Midgett and others for their involvement in getting the bill passed for an effective date of 1/1/06.

• Joined other Substance Abuse Coalitions throughout NC to actively support the passing of House Bill 1048 (The Governor’s DWI Bill).

(3)    Communications and public awareness:  Launched website through sponsorship from two local businesses (www.darecasa.org); obtained phone message line (252-449-2272 CASA); developed a CASA brochure.

(4)    Sustainability: Applied for and obtained the following grants:

• OBCF grant for Project Awareness (March, 2006):  $5,000
• NC Preventing Underage Drinking Grant (March 2006-May 2007): $28,000 specifically earmarked for Alcohol Purchase Surveys, Town Hall Meetings and media advocacy projects
• James Millis Jr. Donor Advised Fund Grants and donations specifically directed for software, promotional activities, start up operational expenses, and Mile 22 sponsorship for the OBX Marathon Total:  $27,500
• Outer Banks Hospital Community Development Council Grant (October 2006-September 2007): $25,000 specifically earmarked for a needs assessment and development of a Drug Free Workplace Awareness and Educational Program to assist the local business community in developing employee substance abuse policies and procedures.

(5)    Key Projects:

• Collaborated with Hotline to co-facilitate a breakout session focusing on the impact of substance abuse and domestic violence at the March 31, 2006 State of the Child Conference (Children and Youth Partnership)
• Organized and held two Spring parent-focused Town Hall Meetings (Hatteras and Nags Head) in May 2006 entitled: Start Talking before they Start Drinking
• Completed first of three Alcohol Purchase Surveys to assess local availability of alcohol for purchase without proper ID checks.
• Organized/hosted a community educational event featuring renown Family Addiction Treatment expert Dr. John T. Edwards, Ramada Inn (Afternoon of November 28, 2006)
• Town Hall Meeting, continuing the series in Fall: Start Talking Before They Start Drinking, Ramada Inn (Evening of November 28, 2006.
• Hotline’s Festival of Trees – tree sponsorship as CASA fundraiser (Dec. 2006)

(6)    2006 Events/Speaking Engagements/Behind or On-The-Scenes support:

• Presentations to North Banks Rotary and local Kiwanis Club (January 2006)
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 2006)
• Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce Board Presentation (April 2006)
• Nags Head Community Watch Methamphetamine Awareness night (April 2006)
• Pre-Prom assemblies at FFHS & MHS (DVDs and BATmobile to accompany car crash reenactments (April 2006)
• Land of New Beginnings Non-Profit Networking Breakfast (April 2006)
• Outer Banks Women’s Club program (May 2006)
• Participated/cooperated in research and planning for Dare County Community Substance Abuse Needs Assessment and Demonstration Plan.
• Dare Days (June 2006)
• Coalition First Birthday Community Celebration (September 2006)
• Presentation to First Flight Rotary Club (September 2006)
• Red Ribbon Week support to at least one Dare County school (October 2006)
• October Trick or Treat night at the Aquarium to promote drug and alcohol awareness for both children and parents
• Mile 22 Sponsor for the Outer Banks Marathon and Water Sponsor for Kelly Hospitality Group Fun Run (November 11 and 12, 2006)

2007 Accomplishments Highlights:

• Installed 2007 Board of Directors.
• Acquired accessible-to-the public office space: 2910 S. Croatan Highway #3, Nags Head, NC  27959.  Hosted Open House.
• Obtained mini-grant from ECU’s Regional Training Center for $2,450 for website development and PR to announce improved website and new office location.  Funding included a membership in the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and signage for office.
• Completed two additional rounds of Alcohol Purchase Surveys through funds provided by OJJDP managed by NC MHDDSAS working in cooperation with District One, Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) to help curb access to alcohol by underage youth.  Renewed funding for an additional year.
• Collaborated on safe-prom alcohol prevention events with local high schools, Dare Co. Sheriffs Dept. and District 1 Alcohol Law Enforcement.
• Conducted seven Drug Free Workplace Seminars for local business owners/managers and are conducting a series of one-on-one follow up outreaches.  Renewed funding for an additional year.
• Participated in the county’s planning committee to develop an array of local events to support September as National Recovery Month using the theme:  Joining the Voices for Recovery-Saving Lives, Saving Dollars.
• Dare CASA’s Event:  A community breakfast for local civic and business leaders and concerned citizens, which included speakers and breakout sessions.
• Obtained funding to formally conduct a coalition-specific strategic sustainability planning process developed by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (Strategic Prevention Framework) to organize and position Dare CASA.
• Hired part-time Administrative Assistant [14 hours/week] for approximately 16 weeks, to develop/formalize CASA Policies & Procedures, establish filing system, develop Volunteer Orientation Packet, and other items, as assigned. Funded through various grants
• Began “Substance Abuse Continuum” Educational series with a one-hour program at each monthly public meeting (Continuing education credits provided if applicable.)
• Developed “Tool Kits” containing an extensive collection of substance abuse prevention and education materials and resources to distribute throughout the county. Participation in Community Events:
  • February: Health and Fitness Expo (info booth)
  • March: St. Patrick’s Day Parade (entry in parade) and Land of Beginnings week-long festivities (info booth); provided substance abuse training to crisis phone line staff at Hotline
  • June: Dare Day (booth)
  • September: Dare County Recovery Month activities: Youth-oriented art festival (organized primarily by the faith-based community) Dare CASA Community Breakfast (organized and presented by Dare CASA) Skate Contest (organized primarily by Dare Dept. Parks & Rec with Yellow House Ministries)
  • October:  Red Ribbon Week (provided pencils and stickers with drug and alcohol-free message to all children at Dare County Elementary and Middle Schools and, Trick or Treat Under-the-Sea (staffed a booth distributing sweet treats and educational literature
  • November:  Outer Banks Fun Run (event water sponsor providing 2000 bottles of water labeled with Preventing Underage Drinking message, plus staffed a literature distribution booth)

• Grant renewals and new ones obtained;

• Renewed Preventing Underage Drinking Grant (Funds provided by Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention/NCDHHS)
• Renewed sustainability funding from James Millis Jr. Family Foundation
• Renewed Drug Free Workplace Grant (Funding for this Community Benefit Grants is provided by the University Health Systems Foundation and the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust in partnership with the Outer Banks Hospital’s Development Council.)

• New sources of funding in addition to private contributions:

• Strategic Planning/Sustainability funding (provided by a local private family foundation)

2008 YTD Through 1st Quarter-Accomplishments Highlights:

• Installed 2008 Board of Directors; held first quarter Board Meeting.
• CASA office open minimum of two days per week. Staffed by the part-time Executive Assistant who reports directly to the Executive Committee (with no guarantees – job tied to available funding).
• Hired Carol Hartman on a part-time basis to manage administration and activities associated with the Preventing Underage Drinking and Drug Free Workplace Grant, plus provide guidance to the Board regarding program/financial sustainability (with no guarantees – job tied to available funding).
• Completed final draft of the coalition-specific strategic sustainability planning process developed by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (Strategic Prevention Framework).
• Progress made toward CASA being able to personally maintain/update the website to keep it current.
• Next round of Alcohol Purchase Surveys in planning process for April/May 2008.  Pre-training pilot with at least one locally-owned convenience store scheduled for late March.
• Support provided for safe-prom night activities affecting all three high schools.
• Drug Free Workplace business surveys begun using volunteers to canvas the business community; one focus group completed with the restaurant association.
• Date and location in final approval stages for 2nd Annual Community Breakfast to be held in September in conjunction with National Recovery Month’s local activities.
• Renewed commitment to participation in the county’s planning committee to develop an array of local events to support September as National Recovery Month (under the direction of Sheila Davies at DCDPH.
• Formed a series of planning/focus groups to develop the coalition-specific strategic sustainability planning process developed by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (Strategic Prevention Framework) to organize and position Dare CASA.
• Continued “Substance Abuse Continuum” Educational series with a one-hour program at each monthly public meeting (Continuing education credits provided if applicable.) and provided support for start of COA Substance Abuse education series.
• Qualified for exemption for North Carolina Charitable Solicitation License.
• Developed a bi-monthly newsletter [The CASA Connection] – 1st issue scheduled for release in April.
• Reestablished operating committees to ensure increased volunteer participation.
• Developed a formalized “Volunteer Orientation Packet”, which includes a Volunteer Profile that volunteers are asked to complete, providing CASA with pertinent information concerning their areas of interest in participating as a new volunteer.
• Activities/Events:

• March: Behind-the-scenes (event direction/financial) co-sponsor for MHS SADD club’s UTAKEITBACK Community Briefing on preventing underage drinking.
• March: Health and Fitness Expo: Info booth addressing Alcohol Energy Drinks (staffed by students from FFHS) and “What’s a Standard Drink?” Awareness (staffed by adult CASA volunteers)
• March: St. Patrick’s Day Parade (entry in parade) and Land of Beginnings week-long festivities (info booth); provided substance abuse training to crisis phone line staff at Hotline

• Program Grants in renewal progress:

• North Carolina Preventing Underage Drinking: Application due 4/7/08 (Funds provided by Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention/NCDHHS for funding period: 6/1-5/31)
• Drug Free Workplace Grant:  (Funding for this Community Benefit Grants is provided by the University Health Systems Foundation and the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust in partnership with the Outer Banks Hospital’s Development Council funding period: 10/1-9/30)

• Possible new source of funding: North Carolina Coalition Initiative (capacity building with application deadline of 4/18) or NC SPF-SIG (program tied specifically to reducing alcohol-related traffic crashes with application deadline in Summer 2008)

NOTE:  because both are state-distributed tied to federal block-grant monies, CASA cannot apply for both, but must decide which might better help the coalition pursue its prevention/education mission.