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Our Futures - About Us
Funded by Licking Memorial Health Systems (LMHS), Our Futures in Licking County is a county-wide plan to create a healthier Licking County by
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CONTACT:
Linda Meyer, Ph.D.
Mental Health and Recovery for Licking & Knox Counties
1435-B West Main Street
Newark, OH 43055
(740) 522-1232
lmeyer@mhrlk.org
 
improving the educational, social, safety and economic environments.  Our Futures in Licking County is working to improve the development of healthy and productive youth while reducing risk factors associated with substance abuse, crime, violence and school dropout rates.

Our Futures in Licking County is a coalition of diverse backgrounds that have the common belief that our community’s youth are our future.  Key community sectors involved include: youth, parents, businesses, media, schools, youth-led groups, law enforcement, religious or fraternal organizations, civic and volunteer groups, healthcare professionals, substance abuse agencies and other agencies involved in reducing substance abuse.  These groups are working together to implement research-tested strategies for Licking County and its youth.
 
Research reveals that simple actions – done individually and in groups – can have a positive impact on a community.  Our Futures has adopted the Simple Gifts Initiative, championed by Dr. Dennis Embry of the Paxis Institute.  Simple Gifts (aka: KERNELS) are scientifically proven methods to influence behavior.  These kernels are the foundation of the Coalition’s strategies to achieve success.
 
OUR MISSION:
To improve the educational, social, safety and economic environments of Licking County by reducing the use/abuse of marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) by youth and adults.
 
OUR VISION:
  • We will commit to uniting key groups, organizations and individuals in identifying and reducing risk factors associated with youth substance abuse, crime, violence and school dropouts.
  • We will increase protective factors that promote student safety, academic achievement and other conditions that contribute to the development of healthy and productive youth.
  • We will, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.
  • Achieving our mission and vision will lead to a highly qualified, talented and skilled workforce, and a healthier and safer community in which to live, work, invest and prosper.
Governance
Our Futures in Licking County is the largest drug-free community coalition in Licking County and is comprised of 43 member organizations, businesses, educational institutions and non-profit agencies.  The structure and governance of the coalition is broken into three primary entities: an Education Committee, Leadership Board and Superintentent Advisory Board.

The Leadership Board consists of multiple community leaders who meet quarterly to assist with the development of the Coalition’s mission, vision and goals and support the direction of the Coalition’s involvement in the greater Licking County community.  The Leadership Board advises and evaluates Our Futures activities and supports the advancement of the Coalition.

LEADERSHIP BOARD:
Our Futures in Licking County’s Leadership Board of Directors is comprised of community leaders who volunteer their time to improving the lives of the county’s youth.  Members include:
 
Ed Bohren: Licking County Family YMCA
Donna Carpenter: United Way of Licking County (Retired)
Chief Barry Connell: Newark Division of Police
Eschol Curl: State Farm Insurance (Retired)
Dan DeLawder: Park National Corporation
Deb Dingus: United Way of Licking County
Marcia Downes: The Works
Joe Ebel: Licking County Health Department
Ben Englefield: Englefield Oil
John Fisher: Licking County Job & Family Services
Kurt J. Hardin: MedBen
Marc Hawk: RevLocal
Roger Kessler: Kessler Sign Company
Susan Krieger: State Farm Insurance
Steve Layman: Anderson Layman Company
Dale Lewellen: Licking County Educational Services Center

William L. MacDonald, Ph.D.: The Ohio State University at Newark
Rob Montagnese: Licking Memorial Health Systems
Janine Mortellaro: Mortellaro McDonald’s
Rev. Michael A. Noble, D.Min.: Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church
Veronica K. Patton: Licking Memorial Health Systems

J. Park Shai: Shai Commercial Real Estate
Kay Spergel: Mental Health and Recovery for Licking & Knox Counties
Doug Ute: Newark City Schools
Bart Weiler: Weiler Financial Group
Adam Weinberg, Ph.D.: Denison University
Jay Young: TrueCore Federal Credit Union
 

The Education Committee, comprised of community educators, serves the role of conduit between local schools and Our Futures in achieving the Coalition's mission.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE:
Matt Durst: Granville Exempted Village Schools (chair)
Brian Blum: Northridge Local Schools
Paula Brunton: Southwest Licking Local Schools

Christi EyermanJohnstown-Monroe Local School District
Michelle Gorius: North Fork Local Schools
Jason Hankinson: Licking County Educational Services Center
Andra Kisner: Heath City Schools
Willie Ho: The Ohio State University at Newark
Tonya Moore: Southwest Licking Local Schools

Linda Myer, Ph.D.: Triple P Program
Cheryl R. Hoshor, R.A., LSW, LCDC III, BPS: Pathways of Central Ohio
Patti Pickering: Lakewood Local Schools
Jennifer Rehm: Career & Technology Education Center
Kay Spergel: Mental Health and Recovery for Licking & Knox Counties
Mitch Tom: Licking Heights Local Schools

Gemma Zimmerman: Newark City Schools


The Superintendent Advisory Board, comprised of school superintendents from Licking County, serves the role of assisting in identifying and recommending effective initiatives/programs to reduce child abuse and the underage use/abuse of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

SUPERINTENTENT ADVISORY BOARD:
Mary Kay Andrews: Lakewood Local Schools
Jeff Brown: Granville Exempted Village Schools
Dale Dickson: Johnstown-Monroe School District
Robert Jennell: Southwest Licking Local Schools
Dale Lewellen: Licking County Educational Services Center

Trevor Thomas, Ed.D.: Heath City Schools
Doug Ute: Newark City Schools
Philip Wagner, Ph.D: Licking Heights Local Schools


COALITION STAFF: 
Lewis R. Mollica, Ph.D.: Coalition Director
Linda Myer, Ph.D.: Triple P Program Coordinator
Sewall Phelps, Ed.D.: Program Evaluator
 
Multimedia Resources & Brochures
Our Futures is graciously supported by the Licking County community.  The following are links to testimonials to Our Futures in Licking County and its initiatives (strategies).

Leadership Committee Members: Dan Delawder, Chairman & CEO of Park National Bank; Doug Ute, Superintendent of Newark City Schools; Joe Ebel, Licking County Health Commissioner; and Rob Montagnese, President & CEO of Licking Memorial Hospital discuss their reasons for being involved in Our Futures in Licking County
Pax It Notes – Matt Durst, Our Futures Education Committee Chair and Principal at Granville High School talks about Pax-It notes at the 2012 Our Futures Annaul Breakfast.


Our Futures Brochure