Croix4Clerk

**Meeting Summary** The Ray County coalition meeting featured presentations on youth substance abuse prevention and mental health programming, followed by a nonpartisan candidate forum. Presenters highlighted school-based campaigns reaching 530 students, including anti-vaping and prom-season alcohol prevention initiatives. Chelsea Lane of Nurture Path described two programs funded by opioid settlement dollars through Beacon Mental Health: "Parenting Through Tough Times," a virtual class for caregivers, and "Mind Over Mood," a teen class held at Ray County Library in partnership with the juvenile office. The candidate forum included presiding commissioner, county clerk, and state representative candidates discussing budget priorities, youth mental health services, evidence-based prevention programs, and expanding youth organizations' access to schools. ===== FULL DESCRIPTION ===== **Show Notes: Ray County Coalition Meeting and Candidate Forum** **Meeting Overview** This recording captures a comprehensive meeting of the Ray County community, featuring presentations from the local youth substance abuse prevention coalition and a subsequent nonpartisan candidate forum. The primary focus of the meeting was on youth mental health, substance use prevention, family support programs, and local governance priorities. The event concluded with a Q&A session featuring candidates for local and state offices. --- ### **Part 1: Youth Prevention and Family Support Presentations** **School-Based Prevention Campaigns** The meeting opened with a review of recent youth-led prevention campaigns aimed at reducing substance use and promoting healthy decision-making. Key initiatives included: * **Richmond Middle School:** Hosted a peer-to-peer "Breathe Easier" campaign, a three-day saturation effort focused on the harmful effects of nicotine. This included posters, daily announcements, and interactive lunch events. * **Orrick School:** Held a school-wide "Change the Box" event organized by the student council, focusing on preventing substance use and building stronger school relationships. * **Prom and Graduation Initiatives:** The coalition distributed "prom boxes" containing educational cards and posters to schools. Historically, the coalition also facilitates a pledge where students commit to remaining drug and alcohol-free during prom season. Special campaigns targeting underage drinking during graduation and prom party seasons were also highlighted. * **Overall Reach:** These classroom efforts reached 530 students across 15 presentations. **Parental Resources: "Parent Up"** The coalition emphasized the importance of parental involvement in prevention. The "Parent Up" campaign was highlighted as a resource to help parents navigate difficult conversations about drugs and alcohol with their children. Presenters noted the importance of peer influence, noting that while parental guidance is foundational, peer-to-peer reinforcement at school significantly impacts youth behavior. The coalition maintains a vaping prevention campaign on Facebook to further reach parents and families. **Nurture Path Workshops** Chelsea Lane, a representative from the Nurture Path program working with the Ray County Juvenile Office, presented on two family workshops currently offered in Ray County. * **Parenting Through Tough Times:** This is a virtual, two-session class (1.5 hours each) for parents and caregivers. The class focuses on an "adult-first mindset," exploring brain wiring, how childhood experiences shape parenting styles, and identifying emotional triggers. The virtual format allows for greater accessibility and creates a safe space for participants to share without fear of judgment. Active participants receive a certificate of completion. * **Mind Over Mood:** Designed for teenagers, this in-person class is held at the Ray County Library and includes two sessions. It serves as a diversion program for youth struggling with decision-making or facing juvenile offenses. The curriculum focuses on emotional regulation, understanding how brain states dictate behavior, and building healthy communication skills. Organizers noted that while teens are sometimes reluctant to attend ("voluntold"), they often engage deeply with the material by the second session. **Funding and Personal Responsibility** Funding for the Nurture Path workshops is provided through Beacon Mental Health, which utilizes opioid settlement dollars allocated by the state of Missouri. Following Lane's presentation, a coalition leader shared a personal anecdote regarding a conversation with their children about responsible adult drinking. The speaker emphasized the importance of adults modeling responsible behavior for youth, clarifying that while adults over 21 can legally consume alcohol responsibly, the coalition's message remains focused on preventing all substance use by minors. --- ### **Part 2: Ray County Candidate Forum** Following the coalition presentations, the meeting transitioned into a nonpartisan educational forum for local candidates. The stated goal was to focus on Ray County youth, mental health, and how to make the county the best environment for children. Candidates were given one minute for introductions and three minutes to answer questions regarding youth mental health and substance use policies. **Acknowledgments** The organizers recognized outgoing Missouri State Representative Peggy McGaugh, thanking her for her service and for remaining attentive to Ray County issues during her tenure. **Presiding Commissioner Candidates** Four candidates for Presiding Commissioner participated in the discussion: * **Brianna Roth:** Citing her background in psychology and experience as an insurance agent, Roth stressed that addressing youth mental health is complex and requires a "whole village" approach. She emphasized the need for community awareness, early protective measures for children, and protecting budgetary resources for mental health services. * **Ronald White (Candidate 2):** A U.S. Army veteran and farmer, White expressed alarm at youth mental health statistics, specifically noting data that 40% of surveyed Missouri children have considered suicide. He advocated for increased communication with youth, collaboration with law enforcement, and focusing on the mental health needs of children in the agricultural community. * **Ben Aldrich:** A retiree from Murphy Tractor, Aldrich stated his motivation to run was to "give back" to the county. He suggested leveraging established agricultural youth organizations like 4-H and FFA to build character, teach resilience, and provide supportive environments for young people. * **Gary Wilhite:** Drawing on his previous eight years of experience as a commissioner, Wilhite emphasized his track record of financial management, noting he previously turned a $175,000 general revenue deficit into a $2.1 million surplus. He advised the coalition to formally request time on the county commission's agenda to secure budget support. Wilhite pledged to listen to community needs without arbitrarily cutting off public input, referencing past instances where groups were rushed during meetings. **County Clerk Candidate** * **Kurt Troy:** A software engineer and rancher, Troy campaigned on a platform of technological transparency, citing tools he has already developed, such as a budget explorer and road reporting software. Regarding youth mental health, Troy advocated for evidence-based prevention programs like "Strength in Families." He also controversially noted that he believes preaching strict abstinence can sometimes be counterproductive, suggesting that the community should keep the door open for youth who do not choose abstinence so they can still receive support and guidance. **Missouri House of Representatives Candidate (District covering Livingston, Linn, Carroll, and Ray Counties)** * **Jeremy Clevenger:** A CPA and government auditor, Clevenger focused heavily on the loss of federal COVID-19 funding and the need to sustain vital programs with tighter budgets. He identified a cultural problem regarding youth behavior and mental health, suggesting that legislative action alone is too slow to combat rapidly emerging drug trends. * **Proposed Solutions:** Clevenger advocated for engaging youth in challenging, character-building programs like Scouting, 4-H, and FFA. He cited studies showing the positive impacts of Scouting on civic engagement and well-being. * **Legislative Pledge:** He committed to introducing a bill in the Missouri House that would grant recognized professional youth organizations (like Scouting or FFA) automatic access to schools to recruit and engage students, ensuring that character-building programs reach youth where they are. --- ### **Conclusion and Key Action Items** The meeting concluded following the candidate presentations. The forum highlighted a unified consensus among local leaders and candidates regarding the critical nature of youth mental health and substance abuse prevention in Ray County. **Key Action Items Identified:** 1. **Coalition Engagement with Commissioners:** Community groups and the coalition must formally get on the County Commission agenda to discuss budget priorities and secure ongoing funding. 2. **Legislative Proposal:** Local representatives are encouraged to support potential legislation granting youth organizations easier access to school campuses. 3. **Program Continuation:** Beacon Mental Health and the Nurture Path are to continue Transcription: https://kurt-croix.github.io/podstr/transcripts/Ray_County_Coalition_Forum-1781716219.srt