The Monroe Community Coalition is issuing a call-to-action to residents, asking them to provide responses to its annual Community Prevention Wellness Initiative survey.
The Monroe Community Coalition is a volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the community by reducing underage drinking and substance use. Led by Monroe School District prevention specialist Joe Neigel, the coalition uses evidence-based prevention strategies to identify risk factors conducive to alcohol and substance use, and then works preemptively to diminish those risks.
The coalition is funded through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery's (DBHR) Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (CPWI), and uses both state and federal grant money. Each year, the data-driven group decides how it will spend its money based on real-time information gleaned through research and surveys, such as the Community Prevention Wellness Initiative.
"The coalition's annual community survey of adults within the Monroe School District boundary lines assesses beliefs, knowledge and customs regarding underage substance abuse and behavioral health in our community,GÇ¥ Neigel said. "We use this survey to monitor and assess trends to develop our strategic plan, activities and initiatives in the community.GÇ¥
The Community Prevention Wellness Initiative survey is for adults 18 and over, and asks a series of questions related to things like youth substance use, marijuana, law enforcement as it relates to underage drinking and drug use and e-cigarettes, also known as vaping devices.
Per a mandate issued by the DBHR, the coalition must achieve a minimum of 215 survey responses by Dec. 31. The survey can be taken online or in writing, and takes five to 10 minutes to complete. Neigel is asking all adult members of the Monroe community consider participating in the survey, which is available in both English and Spanish.
"This is an important piece of data,GÇ¥ Neigel said. "Because it really tells us what our community thinks about youth impacts of drug and alcohol use and mental health, and points us in a direction, so that we can respond in a way that will build community capacity.GÇ¥
During last week's coalition meeting, individual members highlighted what services they provide to the community. In addition to parents and Monroe School District staff, the coalition is made up of numerous local agencies working collaboratively for the betterment of the community.
Agencies like Cocoon House, Take the Next Step, Monroe's Cold Weather Alliance, the Monroe Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA, Housing Hope and the National Alliance of Mental Illness are part of the Monroe Community Coalition.
Law enforcement is a key element to the coalition's efforts, and involvement by the Monroe Police Department has been consistent and supportive. Monroe Police Department School Resource Officer (SRO) Justin Springer presented during last week's meeting, giving coalition members a better idea of what his role is at the school.
Springer, who works primarily at Monroe High School, has served as the SRO since the 2012-13 school year.
"I'm just beginning my fourth year as school resource officer, which is pretty cool because I've been able to see the current seniors as freshman, and had a chance to watch them transform into our future,GÇ¥ Springer said.
While the majority of his time is spent at the high school, he also serves younger students. As a member of the Personal Safety Training Team (PST), Springer teaches a safety class to eighth-grade students at each middle school in the Monroe School District.
As the SRO, Springer is tasked with overseeing the safety and security of Monroe students during the school day and certain after-school activities. He serves as a link to outside services any time the need arises, and handles all his own investigations. The majority of his time is spent with kids inside the Monroe city limits, where he focuses on providing education, enforcing laws and building relationships.
"Basically, I'm a police officer that does everything at the high school,GÇ¥ Springer said. "I have my own population of roughly 2,000 people on a daily basis, and I investigate any kind of crime there, or at any other school for that matter, just as if it was reported on the street.GÇ¥
Springer has been commended for his work at the high school, earning a letter of commendation in 2014 for his skilled response in dealing with an unruly student. He frequently takes an educational approach, as both a speaker and a topical presenter, informing students on a variety of subjects relevant to law enforcement.
Springer said that he has zero tolerance for acts of violence on campus, and will not give breaks to any student. He also has zero tolerance for students who bring drugs or alcohol on school property.
"That's just a personal thing for me,GÇ¥ said the father-of-four. "I try to treat the campus as if my own kids went there.GÇ¥
Students at Monroe High School play an active role in the Monroe Community Coalition, and have formed their own youth coalition. Currently, the youth coalition is more than 20 members strong, and meets on a weekly basis. Students govern the meetings, with Monroe High School counselor Tammy Amador and Neigel serving as facilitators if necessary.
"I would say this is a group of young people that are committed to improving the lives of their peers,GÇ¥ Neigel said.
This year, Monroe's youth coalition members have chosen to focus on suicide prevention and mental health awareness, and created a short film called "You Are Not Alone,GÇ¥ which encourages young people to seek help during times of hardship. Currently, a segment of the mini-film is being shown at Galaxy Theaters. It can also be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?t=8&v=ONyOQZhS5i8.
To receive a copy of the coalition's Community Prevention Wellness Initiative survey via email, contact Neigel at neigelj@monroe.wednet.edu. The online survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/SMOON2015. The Monroe Community Coalition meets on the second Thursday of every month. For more information about the coalition, visit http://monroecommunitycoalition.com/ or www.facebook.com/monroe.cc.united/?fref=ts.Photo by Chris Hendrickson Pastor Michael Hanford gave coalition members an overview of his role in the Monroe community and talked about Monroe Police and Fire Appreciation Week.
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