Levittown, NY - Between January 28th and February 1st, representatives from Levittown Community Action Coalition (LCAC) and Levittown Young Organizers United to Help (LY.O.U.T.H.) joined over 4,300 professionals working to prevent substance misuse and youth use at CADCA’s (Community-based, Advocacy-focused, Data-driven, Coalition-building Association) 34th Annual National Leadership Forum in National Harbor, MD. This year’s conference was the most attended Leadership Forum since its inception.
Every year, CADCA’s National Leadership Forum brings together professionals from all backgrounds – including educators, law enforcement, individuals in recovery, parents, mental health professionals, public health professionals, treatment providers, and youth and coalition leaders – to mobilize the country’s prevention champions. Top experts in the prevention field provided engaging workshops for Forum participants on the latest science, news, and trends in substance misuse, as well as on new tools and strategies to tackle the issue of substance misuse in local communities. Over the course of four days, 180 workshops were offered to attendees.
Attendees included LCAC Co-Chair Larry Lamendola, PACT Prevention Worker Valeria Rosales, PACT and HAP Program Coordinator Rachael Neglia, HCC Chief Executive Officer Claudia Boyle, HCC Associate Director Clara Rodis, Levittown School District Social Worker JoAnn Medina, and two LYOUTH students from MacArthur and Island Trees High Schools. One student was chosen among hundreds of applicants to receive a full scholarship to attend the event. At Forum, the students attended specialized youth leadership trainings and collaborated with youth from across the nation and abroad to brainstorm new and innovative ways to combat substance use among their peers.
Capitol Hill Day, which occurs on the 3rd day of the annual Forum, provided an opportunity for both adults and youth to meet with elected officials and advocate for positive changes in prevention policy. On this day, LCAC Co-Chair, Larry Lamendola presented about the loss of his daughter, Lisa, to a fentanyl poisoning in 2019, how he’s utilized his grief to make positive change in the community, and the importance of supporting legislative action to keep our communities safe from fentanyl. At only 17 years old, one LY.O.U.T.H. student followed Larry’s lead to present about the power of youth coalitions to make a difference. LCAC partner, Rachael Neglia, also took center stage to present about the significance of funding and utilizing programs dedicated to the prevention of substance misuse in front of approximately 50 other New York State organizations. LCAC thanks Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Senator Chuck Schumer for their time and attention.
The information and tools provided at CADCA’s National Leadership Forum are invaluable to the success of community organizations like LCAC and LY.O.U.T.H. in addressing substance misuse and bringing about long-lasting change.
About CADCA
The mission of CADCA is to strengthen the capacity of community coalitions to create and maintain safe, healthy and drug-free communities globally. This is accomplished by providing technical assistance and training, public policy advocacy, media strategies and marketing programs, training and special events.