VMAC Mission

To provide information on alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse prevention, as well as healthy lifestyle choices to all members of the Verona community.

These programs address the following areas (click on the links on the left to see a description of each program).

VMAC welcomes new members and suggestions from the community.

Community Environment

· Family Education VMAC sponsors programs on topics of interest to families in the community. They may be on issues of family management, parenting or school-based issues.

· Community Outreach VMAC will continue to participate in and sponsor programs through the Community Center and Recreation Department. VMAC has participated in Fair in the Square since its inception.Our grant has provided Halloween safety bags for children and Coach certification training.

· Family Night Two nights each year (one in the spring and one in the fall) are designated for the suspension of all meetings and activities so that families will not be interrupted in quality family time activities. Local restaurants will offer special family discounts for these night.

· Seniors Programs In conjunction with Verona Senior Citizens, VMAC has sponsored Senior exercise and other health related programs of interest to our Seniors.

· Community Publicity As information becomes available the Committee will inform the public of the issues that pertain to drug and/or alcohol use and abuse. The local newspapers and VTV are partners in this effort.

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Family Environment

· Family Assistance Counselor VMAC will provide an initial intervention service to any resident that has been charged with a drug or alcohol related incident. This service is confidential with referral through the Verona Police Department, in accordance with the Verona School Board Policy and local statute.

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School Environment

· Peacepals This program is approved by the Verona Board of Education as the districts Character Education program. VMAC sponsored the costs of the training of the teachers and the related materials. The four elementary staffs and students will participate in this program.

· Dream Team (Daring to Reach out to Each other And Make a Difference) HB Whitehorne Middle School students learn and practice leadership skills under the leadership of advisors paid by VMAC. The students plan and participate in community service projects as well as serve as positive role models for the school community.

· Peer Leadership These high school students are trained to work with incoming 9th graders at Verona High School to ease the social and academic transition from middle school. This program takes place during physical education classes and is Board of Education Approved.

· School Prevention Programs VMAC provides funding for assemblies district wide. These programs have dealt with issues affecting all students. Programs have been planned with the principals to include bullying, personal choices, and internet safety..

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Individual / Peer Behaviors

· DARE VMAC provides funding for the materials used in the school wide DARE programs. DARE teaches self-esteem and refusal skills as well as drug information to the school children of Verona.

· STARS Verona High School students can participate in training and programs based on alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention, education to build leadership skills.

· Project Vista is unique to Verona and was designed to enhance prevention efforts and to create a healthier community. Project VISTA offers customized Adventure Based Education to high school students. Its programs are also available to civic and business groups. A separate brochure is available for this program. A Ropes Course is available to groups for team training programs.

· Pre-Project Graduation VMAC sponsors the refreshments for graduates and their guests after the graduation ceremony.

· Project Graduation VMAC makes a yearly donation towards the costs of the drug free party provided to graduating class so that their celebration is alcohol and drug free, safe and fun.

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