how to build a successful drug court month connie m. payne executive officer tina messer regional...
TRANSCRIPT
HOW TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL
DRUG COURT MONTH
Connie M. PayneExecutive Officer
Tina MesserRegional Specialist
Kentucky’s Administrative Office of the CourtsDepartment of Statewide Services
HOW KENTUCKY HAS CELEBRATED DRUG COURT
MONTH• Graduations
• Proclamations
• Educational activities
• Community events
• Community service projects
1st Steps…
• Review the NADCP Drug Court Month kit
• Boil it down even more -- make it easy: Email theme, national grad. date; time frame; email grad. roll call & photo release forms separately
• Develop a committee – local or statewide
1st Steps…
• For statewide activities – choose point person to coordinate; talk with local for ideas/thoughts on a project & how to get the word out to staff & teams
•As time goes on, send reminder email to document & send in all newspaper articles/ photos
LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps
What project/event?
• what is the purpose of the project• what message do you want to get out• how will it benefit participants & community
LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps
Date:• determine which dignitaries you “must” have in attendance (legislators; judges; local leaders)• check their calendars before selecting a date• local events/dates you can partner with? • local events/dates to avoid?
LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps
Location:
• what are the needs of the event• where will you get maximum participation/attendance• anyone who can donate or reserve the space for free?
LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps
Think:• what will make the event flow smoothly, make guests feel welcome, get the message out, educate, etc.• is the event mandatory for DC participants• who is assigned what task
LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps
Who can do the work:• Participants – Phase 3 or aftercare can develop plans/event from the idea through implementation• Team • Community organizations
LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps
Timeline - set out a timeline or time-task plan
Invitations – reach out to members of Congress, local leaders, legislators to attend, kick off or conclude the event
LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps
Alert the press:• contact newspapers, TV (including local access channels), radio, neighborhood magazines• inform media which dignitaries are attending• inform media of purpose of event• send media some basic information/ background regarding Drug Court
LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps
Documenting the event:• determine who will take photographs, copy/find links of media coverage• determine who will submit info to NADCP
Preserving the event:• create a scrapbook so all can see how much & how often DC participants give back
SPECIFIC EVENTS (4-6 month planning)
Health fair: • Purpose – focus participants & families on physical health; educate the health-care community & community about DC• Attendees - invite public; AVOL; Health Dept. (immunizations/HIV tests); nutritionists; dentists; hospitals; etc.
SPECIFIC EVENTS (4-6 month planning)
Resource Fair: • Purpose – One-stop shopping for participants and public. People can apply for social services such as food stamps, SSI, veterans services, housing, etc…• Attendees - invite community coalitions, social services agencies, public, DC participants
SPECIFIC EVENTS (4-6 month planning)
Job Fair: • Purpose – Provide opportunities for employers to meet potential employees and vice versa• Attendees – Invite potential and current employers, career development agencies, resume writers, vocational rehabilitation, public, DC participants
SPECIFIC EVENTS (less than 3 months planning)
Volunteer projects/give backs: • Purpose – give back to the community; educate the community that addicts are not bad people
• Getting started – contact the County Judge Executive or Mayor to learn of volunteer projects
•Examples – recycling facilities; park clean-up after ball games/events
SPECIFIC EVENTS (less than 3 months planning)
Sponsor appreciation dinner: • Purpose - show appreciation for all sponsors do• Getting started - set date & location; participants take over planning and development
Participant picnic:• Purpose – sober fun event for the family• Getting started – invite leaders, team members, dignitaries, community partners
SPECIFIC EVENTS (less than 3 months planning)
Recovery walks: • Purpose – educate the community about addiction and Drug Court; promote a clean, healthy lifestyle
• Getting started – set date & location; invite community leaders, other groups (partner with an existing walk?)
•Examples – Race for Recovery; partner with Relay for Life, Kosairs Children’s Hospital
SPECIFIC EVENTS (less than 3 months planning)
Sporting events:
• Purpose – demonstrate sober, healthy way to have fun
• Getting started – set date & location; invite local legal community
•Examples – basketball, volleyball, softball games/ tournaments
INTERNAL EVENTS
Participant stories: • Purpose – help show participants where they were & where they are now
• Excellent material to make into a booklet for legislators, community leaders
Artwork: • Purpose – cathartic for the participant. Showcases the recovering person’s perspective of addiction.
INTERNAL EVENTS
Memory chain: • Purpose – help remind participants of why and/or how they remain in recovery• Photos attached to construction chain• Excellent visual impact – addiction is larger than just the participant
Book of letters: • Purpose – therapeutic exercise for the author. It serves as a message of hope and inspiration to others.
ADDITIONAL EVENTS
Disposal of Prescription Drugs: • Coordinate with local law enforcement
Speak-Outs:• Similar to domestic violence “Take Back the Night” rallies – speaking out against drug use• Invite legislators, community groups, judges• Candlelight vigil for all who have been lost to addiction (death, jail, still using)
BOTTOM LINE
• Plan
• Invite Congress members, legislators, community leaders
• Alert the press
• Document, regardless of size of the event
• Preserve documentation
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tina MesserRegional Specialist
Statewide Services, Division of Drug Court606-627-8236
Connie M. PayneExecutive Officer, Statewide Services