GET INVOLVED WITH THE MONROE COALITION

Creating a drug-free Monroe County takes all of us — parents, educators, youth, faith leaders, businesses, and neighbors working together to make our community a healthier, safer place to live.

Whether you have a few hours to volunteer, want to learn more, or simply care about the wellbeing of local youth, your involvement matters. Every action — big or small — helps move us closer to a community free from substance abuse.

Be Part of the Change

Ways You Can Make a Difference

Attend a Forum or Meeting

Join the conversation! Our community forums and monthly Coalition meetings are open to everyone. Hear from local experts, share your ideas, and learn how MCCDFC is tackling substance use prevention right here in Monroe County.

Together, we plan, learn, and take action.

Encourage Youth to Get Involved

Empower the next generation of leaders by encouraging your child or teen to take part in Coalition programs such as Operation Snowball and Cebrin Goodman Teen Institute. These programs build confidence, leadership skills, and resilience — helping young people make positive choices and inspire their peers.

Educate and Advocate

Knowledge is powerful. Talk openly with family, friends, and neighbors about the risks of substance use and the importance of prevention. Share what you learn from Coalition events, and help spread a message of hope, health, and community awareness.

Properly Dispose of Unused Meds

Unused or expired medications in your home can pose a risk to others. Participate in Drug Take Back Days, held twice a year with local law enforcement, or use a community drop box to safely dispose of unwanted prescriptions. It’s a simple act that can save lives.

Stay Connected

Stay informed about local events, prevention tips, and success stories by following the Coalition on social media. Every share, comment, and post helps amplify our message and grow community awareness.

Find us on Facebook and Instagram — and join the movement for a drug-free Monroe County.

Your Voice Matters

When community members get involved, prevention becomes powerful. You don’t have to be an expert — just someone who cares. Join us in building a future where every Monroe County resident has the support, resources, and opportunity to live a healthy, drug-free life.

Together, we can make a difference.

Working Together for a Healthier Monroe County

The Monroe County Coalition for Drug-Free Communities (MCCDFC) believes that meaningful progress happens through collaboration.

Our mission to reduce youth substance use and strengthen community wellness is supported by a powerful network of partners — schools, law enforcement, health organizations, and local professionals — all working together toward a shared goal:

A safer, healthier Monroe County for all.

Every partnership — from schools to law enforcement, from public health to communications — plays an essential role in the coalition’s success. By combining expertise, resources, and compassion, we’re creating a Monroe County where youth feel supported, families are informed, and prevention is part of everyday life.

Together, we are building a community where mental health is prioritized, prevention is proactive, and every resident has the tools to live well.

A Community United for Prevention

Partnerships That Strengthen Prevention

Monroe County Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Task Force

This task force shares members in common with MCCDFC and plays a vital role in addressing the mental health needs of youth — challenges that often overlap with, or precede, substance use. Together, we’re building the foundation for prevention efforts that look beyond symptoms and address root causes.

Regional Office of Education & School Districts

Collaboration with the Regional Office of Education and the superintendents of Monroe County’s three school districts — Waterloo, Valmeyer, and Columbia — allows MCCDFC to share prevention programming, resources, and training directly with students, teachers, and administrators.

Caritas Family Solutions

One of MCCDFC’s greatest assets is its partnership with Human Support Services (HSS), now Caritas Family Solutions. This partnership helps:

  • Deliver Mental Health Awareness Training to more than 1,100 residents

  • Offer Youth Mental Health First Aid training to empower adults and peers to recognize signs of distress and connect youth to help

  • Provide Narcan (naloxone) trainings to equip community members to respond effectively to opioid overdoses

Illinois Association for Behavioral Health (IABH)

As the owner of Operation Snowball and the Cebrin Goodman Teen Institute, IABH provides free access to evidence-based prevention programs for coalition partners. Through Human Support Services (HSS), now Caritas Family Solutions, our fiscal agent and an IABH member, MCCDFC can continue offering these powerful, youth-led programs in local schools.

Law Enforcement Partnerships

The police departments of Columbia, Waterloo, and Valmeyer, along with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, are essential partners in our prevention work. Together, we are:

  • Enhancing the D.A.R.E. program for local schools

  • Promoting social hosting awareness to prevent underage drinking

  • Supporting substance lock-up campaigns to reduce youth access to drugs and alcohol