CADCA Names Washington State Department of Social and Health Services its 2013 Outstanding State Member

CADCA Names Washington State Department of Social and Health Services its 2013 Outstanding State Member

Washington, D.C. – CADCA has named the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) its Outstanding State Member. This prestigious award recognizes an outstanding state program that has made significant contributions to community-based drug prevention coalitions in their state and has helped support CADCA’s mission of creating safe, healthy and drug-free communities. DBHR will accept their award during CADCA’s 23rd annual National Leadership Forum, being held Feb. 4-7 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.

DBHR has rightfully earned this esteemed honor as a result of their commitment to community substance abuse prevention coalitions and continued work and support of the Drug Free Communities program. Over the past 10 years, the Department has worked with CADCA as a partner in coalition development and training to build the capacity of Washington coalitions to successfully prevent and reduce youth substance abuse. They are also being recognized for implementing a Prevention Redesign Initiative, which identifies and funds community coalitions in 52 of the highest need small towns and urban neighborhoods in the state.

Since 2004, the Department has successfully provided technical assistance to DFC grantees throughout the state through annual training events, webinars and onsite consultations for coalitions planning to apply for DFC funding.

“We are pleased our state and agency is being recognized for making it a priority to grow and sustain drug prevention coalitions,” said Chris Imhoff, Director of the Washington State DSHS-Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. “By supporting coalitions to create long-term, healthy changes in the highest-need communities, we anticipate making greater impacts in reducing substance abuse and crime, and helping more youth stay drug and alcohol-free and succeeding in school. We appreciate CADCA’s substantial support in policy advocacy, promoting evidence-based programs, training and technical assistance that have made it possible to expand coalitions in our state.”

“We are very fortunate to have partners like DBHR who understand the importance of community-based drug prevention and support the efforts of local community anti-drug coalitions in their state,” said CADCA Chairman and CEO, Gen. Arthur Dean. “Together, we can help create safer and healthier communities for our young people.”

CADCA's National Leadership Forum is the nation's largest training for substance abuse prevention and treatment professionals and researchers, featuring more than 80 training courses to help community and state leaders prevent and reduce substance abuse and its related problems. The event offers participants an opportunity to learn effective strategies to solve their community's substance abuse and violence problems, and to hear from the country's leading experts on drug prevention, treatment and recovery. For more information about CADCA’s 23rd National Leadership Forum, visit http://forum.cadca.org.