Step Up Anderson Township
Our Mission
Step Up is dedicated to the prevention of substance misuse through education and awareness as well as promoting a healthy and safe community. We are a not-for-profit, 501(c) (3) corporation with the State of Ohio and are registered with the Ohio Attorney General. We are a volunteer only organization, supported by donations and small grants. We are focusing these efforts to initiate conversations between parents and students.
Our goal is for the community to reinforce this message through whatever means they have available. Churches, businesses, community organizations, schools, and concerned parents/ caregivers will Step Up and spread the message that substance abuse is a serious concern and that our children who experiment at an early age are most at risk for adult problems.
This coalition will impact the lives of the community by bringing awareness, providing services, and directing to other agencies when help is needed. To ensure sustainability we will need to plan, re-plan and change with the threats. Coalition building doesn’t happen overnight but is an ongoing effort to bring all the aspects of the community together for one single purpose and with one single message. Together we can change the narrative.
Our Vision
We want Anderson Township to be a place where:
- Everyone in our community – parents, youth, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, schools, churches, businesses and community leaders – is committed to stepping up for the health, safety and well-being of our young people.
- All in the Anderson Community are working together to help our young people become responsible, productive and passionate adults.
- Preventing substance abuse is our # 1 priority!
- Help and support are readily available.
WHY WAS Step UP Anderson Township FORMED?
Substance misuse is, unfortunately, impacting communities across the United States and particularly Ohio which is ranked #2 in the nation. It is unrealistic to think that our beautiful Anderson Township would be immune to it. This coalition was formed to provide a healthy, safe and drug-free community. We know that addiction is preventable and treatable. The urgency to address this issue prompted a group of community leaders to act. This coalition was formed to impact the lives of the whole community by bringing awareness, providing services and directing to other agencies when help is needed.
What We Have Done
Presentations
Right Under Your Nose
Our first presentation featuring Loveland’s drug prevention coalition and showing a teen’s room where things could be easily hidden.
Think Before You Drink
Dr. Ty Brumback, Ph.D from Northern Kentucky University discussed the effects of underage drinking on brain function and behavior. Brad Fritz will tell his story of underage drinking and driving that never fails to impact the young and old.
Navigating the Teenage Brain
Dr. Larry Graham MD, a psychiatry specialist in Cincinnati, spoke about current trends seen in teen substance abuse and how to avoid serious pitfalls. Amy Ledyard MSW, LISW of Solutions Community Counseling and Recovery Centers will discuss the adolescent mindset and how to understand and ultimately find help! Constance M. Harrison BA, MA Senior Parent Educator with Beech Acres Parenting Center’s Child Development spoke about the Parent Coaching Program that empowers parents/caregivers to navigate the teenage years.
Operation Street Smart
Terminology, paraphernalia and current trends are discussed to enable everyone to identify warning signs of drug use, dependency, and addiction. Presented by ocers from the DEA and Franklin County Police Force.
RALI Ohio
The RX Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) partnered with Code 3 to bring the RALI Cares educational program to Anderson Township. Former law enforcement officers from Code 3 discussed the red flags of substance misuse and how to determine if someone in your home may be struggling with addiction.
Sex Trafficking
The dangers to our children today are more hidden than they were decades ago. Working together, we can make an impact to bring awareness education to our community, protect our children and stop those who would harm them. By simply being trained in the signs of tracking, then- Sergeant John Chapman was able to help rescue Brianna, the young woman whose story is featured in the film Chosen.
The Vaping Epedimic
Jessica Skelton,Tobacco Educator, Hamilton County Public Health Department. See what this looks like and understand why kids are doing it.Learn the dangers and how to get your child help!
American Heart Association
Week of anti-vaping education during Nagel lunch including taking anti-vape pledges!
Boy's Basketball Game
With anti vape t-shirts and halftime performance.
Coaches Presentation
”What Every Parent and Coach Needs to know!” at the Anderson Center for coaches in the community.
Southwest Lacrosse Organization Presentation
City wide coaches meeting in West Chester at Voice of America.
Teacher in Service (FHSD Back to School)
Johnny's ambassadors "The Risk of High Potency Marijuana on a developing brain."
Chamber of Commerce
Step Up did a presentation for business members of the Anderson Chamber of Commerce on the “Harms of High Potency Marijuana on the Workforce.”
Harms of Marijuana and the Developing Teenage Brain
Presented to the Forest Hills school nurses during a Professional Development Day
Community Partners
Anderson Mental Health Collaborative
We became part of the Collaborative in 2019 and continue to work with them to do presentations and provide mental health information on Facebook and in the community at events.
5K Walk for Forest Hills Foundation for Education
We have been a supporter of this effort since 2019 and continue to provide educational information at a booth each year.
Anderson Township Independence Day Parade
“Minions of Reason to Stay Drug Free” - dressed as minions and sporting large balloons and signs we participated in the Anderson Township parade spreading candy and anti-drug messaging.
Drug Take Back Days
In partnership with Hamilton County Tobacco Specialist Nicole Key, we took in drugs and vaping materials. We also provided educational information.
Deterra Bags
We handed out thousands of Deterra bags at numerous community events including sporting events, YMCA, Anderson Days, 5K walk and school events.
Anderson Days
We handed out educational information on vaping and marijuana as well as building blocks to help parents positively impact their children’s decision making process to stay drug free!
Open Space Forums / Mt. Washington Cares Coalition and Area Coalitions
We met periodically with other area groups to compare notes and to do trainings.
Pharming Effects Program
Training and presentation to McNicholas students with Prevention First Trainers.
Programs
Youth Summit
In April 2022, we partnered with area churches to do a Faith based summit with teens from the youth ministry groups. We partnered with 1N5 to offer a “Sources of Strength” to help the kids learn to draw on their strengths to withstand peer pressure. We provided refreshments and swag bags for the students.
Parent Academy 2022-23
In November and January, Step Up provided presentations for Forest Hills parents on the “Harms of High Potency Marijuana on the Developing Teen Brain”. In February, 2023 Step Up in partnership with Hamilton County Tobacco Specialist Catherine Luskey and Nicole Key did a presentation on “Vaping, What Every Parent Needs to know”.
Focus Group
Step Up with the oversight of Prevention First, in 2019 did a focus group with students from three area schools to survey what their thoughts were on the vaping epidemic.
In Depth Program at Anderson High School
In June 2021, Step Up provided Debbie Nimmo, Health Teacher at Anderson High School with the funding to pilot the American Lung Association’s alternative to suspension program. This cessation program has two parts.
Health Habits Poster Contest
Contest for the 6 Forest Hills Elementary schools sixth grade. Students had the choice to participate to do posters for prizes to show healthy habits versus unhealthy habits. We did this in 2022 and 2023.
Marketing / Advertising Initiatives
Billboard
Full size billboard in November 2022 to promote Johnnys Ambassadors Marijuana Education with the message “Early teen use of marijuana can lead to psychosis.”
Screen Vision
15 second anti drug messaging before the movie at the Anderson Theater for 26 weeks, April 2023-September, 2023.
Our Website
Including Resources and Treatment Options.
Monthly News Letter
Social Media
Creation of two Facebook accounts, Twitter and Instagram with 3-4 postings per week. Social media is connected to the website allowing constant updates.
Trainings
2019
Prevention Action Alliance-Coalition Institute 10/31/2019
Prevention First Coalition Academy 9/10/2019
Prevention First Annual Spring Training 5/17/2019
Prevention First “The Importance of Youth-Led Prevention 7/24/2019
Generation Rx training 04/10/2019
Pharming Effects Training
2020
Adult Allies of SW Ohio RLC meeting 03/10/2020
Adult Allies Southwestern Regional Training 1/14/2020
Managing Your Child’s Excessive screen time during Covid 05/18/2020
Prevention First “How to use the new student drug survey” 5/22/2020
Cyber Security-Prevention First 05/15/2020
Utilizing Ohio’s Good Samaritan Opioid Laws Toolkit 03/27/2020
“Vape Pens and Trends” Tall Cop 04/16/2020
“Marijuana: Parenting for Prevention in 2020 04/27/2020
“Six Elements of Effective Coalitions” PTTC 06/18/2020
Coalition Academy “ Prevention & Resiliency PF 09/29/2020
Coalition Academy-“The Relationship between Vulnerable Populations and Sex Tracking” 09/29/2020
Coalition Academy-“Screen Time & Health Outcomes” PF 09/29/2020
Coalition Academy-“Drug Trends in the Tri-State” PF 09/29/2020
Coalition Academy-“Youth Nicotine Prevention Initiatives PF 09/30/2020
“Behavioral Health Prevention Services in School “ PF 09/18/2020
“The Power of Prevention” PF 06/15/2020
“Grant Writing for Prevention Professionals” PF 11/28/2020
“All about Grants” PF 10/28/2020
2021
“Reducing Stigma, Gaining Faith in Prevention PF 02/24/2021
Statewide Prevention Coalition 01/31/2021
“Teen Triple Threat: Top Risks for Young Drivers” Operation Parent 04/19/2021
Adult Allies of Southwest Ohio 04/20/2021
“Responsible Messaging with ATOP & Suicide Prevention” PF 05/21/2021
Coalition Academy 09/29/2021
“Becoming a Certified Johnny’s Ambassadors Trainer 11/10/2021
Coalition Academy-Fundraising & Sustainability 09/29/2021
2022
Johnny's Ambassadors Adult and Teen certification training
"Harms of High Potency Marijuana for Developing Brains"
Statewide Prevention Coalition Training 01/31/2022
“Sex Drugs and Netflix”-Operation Parent-01/25/2022
“Bridge the Gap Between Parents & Teens”-Operation Parent 04/26/2022
“Utilizing Data for Your Coalition” PF- 05/20/2022
“Beyond Adultism & Tokenism” PF-09/13/2022
“Effects of Technology on Brain Development" 09/28/2022
2023
Adult Allies of Southwest Ohio 2022-23
"Vaping & Marijuana: "What Parents Must Know" Operation Parent
"Digital Awareness "Dangers of Social Media" David Gomez
"Dangers of Sports Betting" Miami University
Ohio Coalition Academy Training 5/23
Jennifer Epstein "Song for Charlie" Fentanyl Education
Dr. Crystal Collier "Behavior Modification"
Dr. Erin Terada "Understanding How to Support a Loved One's Struggle with Body Image"
Dr Crystal Collier "Effects of Technology on Developing Brains"