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Representatives from Windham County’s community coalitions traveled to Washington, D.C. the first week of February to collaborate with 3,000 substance abuse prevention specialists and advocates throughout the country for the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) 30th Annual National Leadership Forum. The Windham County coalitions making the journey were The Collaborative, Deerfield Valley Community Partnership, Greater Falls Connections, and West River Valley Thrives. Representatives from the Turning Point of Windham County and of Springfield, Greater Falls Community Justice Center and the Vermont Department of Health also attended. This is the first time Recovery colleagues joined prevention staff at the forum.

The coalitions heard from several national prevention leaders, including Boston, Massachusetts Mayor Martin Walsh and Dr. Nora Volkow from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The Vermont contingent, totaling a record breaking 63 people, had meetings with staff from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Patrick Leahy offices, and met face-to-face with Congressman Welch during the “Capitol Hill Day” event on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Topics discussed with Vermont’s national representatives included the impact of opioids, marijuana, underage alcohol, and tobacco and vape use.

“The best part of the forum for me is always Capitol Hill Day, when we are given the opportunity to meet with members of both the House and the Senate. During these meetings, we are able to convey the importance of funding for prevention, and inform our legislators about specific successes and concerns in our communities.” says Cindy Hayford, Deerfield Valley Community Partnership Director. “This year, the highlight of these meetings was having 35 Vermont youth attend the meetings with the Vermont group and having their informed, articulate voices be heard.”

JR Layne, Certified Recovery Coach and Family Restorative Justice Coordinator, agreed. “The way the youth eloquently advocated for themselves concerning underage tobacco use and vaping, as well as underage drinking and drug consumption, was inspiring. They really renewed my hope in our society, particularly the future of the country in overcoming this epidemic and stopping the cycle among our next generation of citizens.”

The CADCA Forum covered a wide range of topics – from how to prevent prescription drug abuse and the use of marijuana to how to deal with the recent vaping epidemic and develop policies to reduce underage drinking. The local coalitions in Windham County have launched programs to address some of these topics such as  the “I Will Be A Parent” campaign, Sticker Shock, and participating in National prescription drug Take-Back Days.

CADCA’s National Leadership Forum is the nation’s largest training conference for community prevention.

A screening of Van Jones’ newest CNN original Series, The Redemption Project, will be shown at the Rockingham Free Public Library on November 20th from 6-8:30 PM. The event will include an appearance by #cut50 National Organizer, Louis L. Reed, who is traveling to over 10 states on a year long Empathy Tour to learn about the needs of those impacted by mass incarceration. The event is free and open to the public.

The CNN series exposes the process of reconciliation and restorative justice and highlights its potential to heal communities and brings forward the best in humanity.  Jones, a #cut50 co-founder, creates space for in-depth discussions between offenders and those directly impacted by their violent crimes as part of the restorative justice process.

#cut50 is a national initiative of the Dream Corps that works to reduce the prison population while aiming to make communities safer. The campaigns are led by people who have been directly impacted by the justice system and want to create change. #cut50 has lead successful days of advocacy and change with the National Day of Empathy to highlight the reforms needed in the criminal justice system.

JR Layne, a Recovery Coach with the Turning Point Recovery Center of Springfield, Citizen Advisory Board member of Greater Falls Community Justice Center, and person with lived experience, spoke about the importance of this event within the community. Layne said, “The #cut50 initiative continues a conversation that is crucial in Vermont, as well as the nation. It is a community discussion where everyone has a voice and leads to a radical overhaul of our penal system, including our family and criminal courts.”

Layne added, “Our present system unfortunately contributes to recidivism, Substance Use Disorders and the degradation of our family structure and values. This must be changed. This is our responsibility, as a community.”

After the screening of an episode of The Redemption Project, a multi-member panel will moderate a conversation around criminal justice reform in Vermont. The panel will include members from the Turning Point Recovery Center of Springfield, Greater Falls Community Justice Center, the ACLU of Vermont and those with lived experience.

The night will also include information on the recent publication of the “Blueprint for Smart Justice,” which can be found on the ACLU of Vermont website.  The blueprint outlines various policy options around reform efforts within the state. The document includes recommendations around drug decriminalization, alternatives to incarceration, investments for mental health and substance-use conditions, as well as reform around the bail, sentencing, and parole systems.

This event is hosted by Greater Falls Community Justice Center, Greater Falls Connections, and Turning Point Recovery Center of Springfield in partnership with the ACLU of Vermont. The Rockingham Free Public Library is located at 65 Westminster St, Bellows Falls, VT. Free parking can be found at the municipal lot located at 2 Church Street, Bellows Falls.

Greater Falls Connections and Turning Point Recovery Center of Springfield will be co-hosting a series of events to celebrate National Recovery Month during the month of September. The events support people in recovery and draw attention to critical prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. Recovery Month celebrates the benefits of recovery from both mental and substance use disorders.

The local events that will support the national effort include:

• Raising Kids & Recovery Kick-Off: Check out our new peer-based, trauma-informed program that supports people raising kids while in recovery. This is a new dynamic two-generation model designed to break the cycle of addiction. Wednesdays from 1-2:30 starting September 12th at Parks Place, 44 School St. Bellows Falls.
• Families in Recovery (Italian Feast): We invite families affected by substance use disorders to join us for an evening of family fun & games.  Friday, September 13th from 6-8 PM at Parks Place, 44 School St. Bellows Falls.
• Songs & Stories of Hope: Drop by the Flat Iron Cafe to listen to performers Jenny Burtis, Julie Cermola, Neil Blanchette, and Charles Collins (AKA “Bruno’s Human”.) The performances will be followed by a candlelight vigil.  Friday, September 20th 5:30-7:30 PM at the Flat Iron Cafe 51 Square, Bellow Falls.
• Free Car Wash- Meet & Greet: Come by O’Reilly Auto Parts to meet local Recovery Coaches who are making a huge difference in our community (Donations are welcome.) Sunday, September 22nd 2-4 PM at the O’Reilly Parking Lot, 102 Westminster St., Bellows Falls.

Recovery Month is a national observance sponsored by SAMHSA, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The observance raises awareness of mental and substance use disorders, celebrates individuals in long-term recovery, and acknowledges the work of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services.

All of the National Recovery Month events in the area are free and open to the public. Come and hear about how recovery is transforming lives.

Come see a sneak peek of “Uprooting Addiction,” a documentary film and discussion which explores the connection between childhood trauma and addiction through personal stories and interviews with experts in the fields of trauma and addiction. This community event will be held at the Rockingham Free Public Library on Thursday September 5th from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. FREE DINNER INCLUDED!

Daryl McGraw, a person in recovery, who stars in the documentary, will discuss adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the risks and vulnerability for addiction, followed by a Q&A. Information and connections to local resources will be shared as well.

This event is hosted by Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center in partnership with Springfield Turning Point Recovery Center and Greater Falls Connections. Contact Laura@greaterfallsconnections.org or 802-463-9927 ext. 209 for more information

Daryl McGraw has been substance free since 2007, his personal experience overcoming the battles of addiction and incarceration has allowed him to serve as a longtime advocate for persons in recovery experiencing incarceration and reentry. With over 10 years of professional experience in trauma, addiction recovery and community reintegration, Mr. McGraw is viewed as an expert in the field.

Latest Bess O’Brien Film to Be Shown on February 21 at Rockingham Free Public Library:

‘Coming Home’ documentary discusses the transition from prison to community

Greater Falls Community Justice Center and Greater Falls Connections have teamed up to put on a showing of the latest Bess O’Brien documentary, titled Coming Home. The event will take place on Thursday, February 21^st at 6:30pm at the Rockingham Free Public Library. The showing is free and open to the public.

Coming Home is a documentary film that looks at five people returning back to their Vermont communities from prison. The film focuses on the innovative COSA program (Circle of Support and Accountability) that helps reintegrate folks back into their daily lives. The COSA program is run through Vermont’s Community Justice Centers and is part of the restorative justice model. The film first premiered in the fall of 2018, and this showing is part of a tour Vermont.

Mike Malick of the Greater Falls Community Justice Center has been the lead facilitator for COSA groups in our area. According to Malick, “We work with people who were formerly incarcerated, because they are here in our community. We are all worthy of attention, and we all have needs.”

Malick added, “Vermont uses this program more than any other state in the country. Part of the population thinks that it is weak to treat our previously incarcerated clients fairly. But this work is rewarding. We do this work, because after people have been incarcerated, they often don’t have anything. The clients are in need and are often starting out with nothing when they return to the community.”

COSA’s are made up of community volunteers who meet once a week with offenders returning back to their towns and cities. The idea of the COSA model is to “walk with a core member as he or she transitions from prison to community.” Folks coming out of prison meet once a week for a year with their volunteer group, enabling them to create strong bonds of support, friendship, and accountability as they work to become healthy members of society. Prisoners who are placed in COSA’s often include sex offenders, those convicted of drug-related crimes, and felons. The rate of recidivism drops when folks are involved with a COSA team.

According to Deb Witkus, Outreach Coordinator with Greater Falls Connections, “We know that COSAs help families to heal and can help to break the generational cycle of addiction. Our partnership with the Greater Falls Community Justice Center is essential to the work we do to create the change we all want to see.”

Coming Home is a film that takes an intimate and powerful look at this COSA process, the struggles and challenges of folks coming out of prison and the successes of the restorative justice model. Following the showing, Bess O’Brien and Susie Belleci, Director of the Greater Falls Restorative Justice Center, will lead a discussion on the impact of COSA and how the model is being utilized in the Greater Falls area. O’Brien is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and theatre producer. According to her website, Bess O’Brien co-founded Kingdom County Productions with her husband Jay Craven in 1991. She made the documentary The Hungry Heart, about the prescription drug crisis in Vermont and the compassionate work of Dr. Fred Holmes. The film has been widely used to start community discussions on the topic of opiate addiction across the state.

This event is hosted by Greater Falls Community Justice Center, Greater Falls Connections, Rockingham Free Public Library, Turning Point Recovery Center of Springfield, and Parks Place Community Resource Center. The Rockingham Free Public Library is located at 65 Westminster St, Bellows Falls, VT. For more information, contact Deb Witkus from Greater Falls Connections at 802-463-9927 x212 or Michael Malick from Greater Falls Community Justice Center 802-463-9927.

Belleci says, “Sitting with Bellows Falls community members in a circle with someone who’s done harm and been harmed gives me such hope. We here in Bellows Falls don’t have to wait for Washington to solve our problems, or Montpelier to solve our problems. Among our neighbors and friends and coworkers here in Bellows Falls, we have the strength and resilience to be with those who’ve made some mistakes, even very serious mistakes, and hold them accountable while at the same time offering our support so it doesn’t happen again. Bellows Falls has a long, proud history of taking care of their own. It’s what I love about Bellows Falls.”

She added, “We have a phrase in our work that guides us and it is a two-part phrase that must go together: ‘No more victims, and, no one is disposable.’ We take both of those concepts completely to heart in our COSA work.”

BBQ RESCHEDULED FOR AUGUST

Join Greater Falls Connections on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at the Rockingham Rec Center for the annual Greater Falls Connections July BBQ from 5:30-7pm. This is a fun summer potluck to celebrate inspiration, community and prevention. We will be making the official announcement of this year’s ACE Award (Active Community Engagement) winner. If you would like, you can bring a dish to share. We will provide the hamburgers and hot dogs. Prevention through inspiration!

Greater Falls Connections is inviting community members to nominate an unsung hero for the annual A.C.E. (Active Community Engagement) Award. This award recognizes a local individual who is active in community engagement in the Greater Falls area.  There are members of the community who work tirelessly to make a difference. They coach teams, organize fundraisers, or volunteer at our local hospitals, schools, churches and more. Consistently, they selflessly devote their time and efforts, going above and beyond without thought of reward or recognition. For example, a hero may exceed the requirements of their job or in their role as a volunteer. They could work with community organizations such as Parks Place, the Rockingham Free Public Library, SEVCA, or Our Place, etc.

You can help Greater Falls Connections to recognize​ ​an unsung hero by filling out a nomination form. Stop by Parks Place or the Rockingham Free Public Library to pick up a paper nomination​ ​form or go to the Greater Falls Connections Facebook page at www.facebook.com/greaterfallsconnections to fill out the online form. Paper forms can be faxed to Parks Place at 1-802-463-8138. Forms should be submitted by July 15^th.

The 2018 A.C.E. Award winner will be announced during the annual Greater Falls Connections Barbecue on July 17^th at the Rockingham Recreation Center.​ Previous winners include Sam Fletcher, Sam Maskell, Christine Bullard, Barbara Ternes, Ryan Stoodley, Mike Malick, and Gina DeCampo. The 2018 winner will be determined by a group of previous winners and the Greater Falls Connections staff members. Recipients of this award are the unsung heroes within our community who foster positive change and are dedicated to creating safe, healthy and fun options for youth, families and the community at large. If you have any questions about the award, please contact the Greater Falls Connections A.C.E. Award Committee at (802) 463-9927 ext. 212 or e-mail at deb@greaterfallsconnections.org.

Our next coalition meeting will be on June 22 at 12:00pm at Parks Place. This is the annual coalition meeting, where we will vote on the slate of candidates for the Greater Falls Connections advisory board and on one proposed change to the coalition’s bylaws. There will also be a presentation by members of the Advanced Above the Influence youth group.

Bringing Hope Home: Responding, Recovering, and Restoring Communities Affected by the Opioid Crisis will be the theme of our next community meeting on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 from 6-8pm at the Rockingham Free Public Library. The meeting will look into the immediate response to opioid addiction, stories of recovery, and examples of restorative justice.

Community members who attended the National Rx & Heroin Abuse Summit in early April will present lessons learned, including the importance of sharing stories and reducing the stigma surrounding substance abuse. This will also include a discussion of the US Surgeon General’s recommendation for expanding access to Narcan, the opioid overdose reversal drug. Community organizations will share information on recovery services and workforce development.

The Advanced Above the Influence (AATI) youth group and staff from the Greater Falls Community Justice Center will share restorative justice tools for rebuilding community.  The final part of the evening will include fun, engaging activities to get everyone involved.

Anyone interested in being part of the solution to the opioid crisis is invited to participate. Dinner will be provided, and childcare is available upon request. The Greater Falls Connections coalition is organizing this event with coalition members from HCRS, Springfield Medical Care Systems, Turning Point Recovery Center of Springfield, Greater Falls Community Justice Center, and Friends for Change.