Engage Douglas County (EDC) was formed in January 2019 in response to the Douglas County Community Health Plan. The plan identified a variety of data points indicating that substance use was an issue in the community. Within the plan, prioritizing prevention emerged as a top issue. Community partners were convened to assess prevention needs in the county and build capacity to address identified challenges. Utilizing the Strategic Prevention Framework process, EDC has developed a prevention plan with diverse community partners and continues to seek new partnerships and grow youth prevention efforts.
The mission of EDC is to mobilize and empower Douglas County to reduce substance abuse and promote mental health primarily among youth through action, education, and collaboration. The primary focus of the coalition is youth under the age of 18. Our current priorities include substance use prevention, mental health promotion, and suicide prevention. Our efforts include increasing awareness and providing support on issues that affect many of our Douglas County residents and connecting partners on prevention efforts from a variety of resources and organizations within the county.
EDC currently has several initiatives underway including the Good Behavior Game, Sources of Strength, Reward and Reminder, Handle with Care, My Strength, and safe medication disposal initiatives. Additionally, the coalition supports Douglas County Youth Prevention (DCYP). This is a youth-led organization at both the county and school level with the goal to create positive change within schools and communities. DCYP provides opportunities for youth to learn more about leadership, substance misuse prevention, and mental health. DCYP has hosts trainings for parents and community members, participates in advocacy efforts, and conducts countywide wellness campaigns focused on underage drinking prevention, suicide prevention, and tobacco prevention.
Engage Douglas County is a Drug Free Communities Coalition.
