Becca Mull (UPMC WBH at Twin Lakes) and Paige Hetrick ( SCA) passed out candy  at Rockwood Trunk or Treat. 

Case manager Paige Hetrick present awards to recipient winner at the 2024 Red Ribbon Rally. 

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Pictured- Case manager Paige Hetrick and Ariel B.

Each year Somerset County DFC with the Somerset SCA provide summer camp scholarships to youth in the county. Winners are selected from essays that were submitted and recognized during our monthly meeting. Pictured Ivy Swinger, Ruby Swinger, Nora Swinger, Jaxson Pizer, Aubrey Baer, Cambryn Ambrocik, Preston Merberger, and Raiden Merberger (not present.)

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Drug Free Communities
Mission: To promote healthy drug free living for all Somerset County Residents.
Vision: All youth becoming healthy, productive citizens in the community.

How To Get Involved: Monthly Board meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Somerset County Vo Tech Center.  For more information on how you can become involved contact the Prevention Department at 814-443-3639 or check out FACEBOOK.

The SCA participated in the Treats on the Trail hosted by Kiwanis Club and Somerset Trust Company. This year's theme was Be like Poppy and Branch. Stay Substance Free

Pictured-Case Manager Paige H.

Shanksville SADD/TRU students held their annual health fair for students in PK-8th grade. Students were educated in health and wellness to promote a healthy lifestyle. 

SCA staff along with Twin Lakes Center's prevention staff has the elementary students play a " Why Animals Don't smoke" game and received a coloring book. MS/HS students played a Jeopardy game to test their drug and alcohol knowledge. It was a great day! 

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Pictured is Dusti McClemens, SCA Case Manager/ SAP Liaison, with Fruit Loop the bunny.

From left to right: Tina Heinrich, Ed.S.-HealthChoices Clinical Director-Behavioral Health Services of Somerset and Bedford Counties; Erin Howsare-Director-Somerset SCA for Drug & Alcohol; Jessica Meyers, MSEd-Senior Advisor, Implementation-UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care 

Erin, Tina, and Jessica presented a Beehive Station on Enhancing Substance Use Disorder Outcomes in Rural Communities at the Camden Coalition's Conference, Putting Care at the Center 2024, on October 16, 2024, at the Pittsburgh Wyndham Grand. 

A Community Awareness Forum was held at Uptown Works in Somerset on 2/22/24. There were two presenters, Becca Mull Program Supervisor – Prevention/Education Services, UPMC WBH at Twin Lakes and Jen Boburchock Case Management Supervisor, Somerset SCA. The panel included Jason Beener from Somerset Ambulance Association, Tom Bender DBHS – Crisis, Craig Hollis-Nicholson and Angela Emerick both from 911.

Becca and Jen provided a short presentation talking about signs and symptoms of substance use and how to handle situations with someone under the influence or deal with a mental health issue. Highlighting that business owners or community members do not need to be focused on the substance that’s being used, but rather that they can provide help. Narcan was discussed and available for distribution along with Deterra drug deactivation bags. De-escalation techniques were shared on how to create a safe environment for yourself and the person struggling with substance use, mental health issue, or a combination of the two.

The Somerset SCA volunteered to ring the bell this year as all proceeds benefit local families through the Salvation Army. 

Photo features Jen Boburchock, Erin Howsare, Taryn Miller