CADCA National Forum - February 3-6, 2025

CADCA National Forum - February 3-6, 2025

One Voice staff attended the annual SAMHSA Prevention Day and CADCA National Forum during the first week of February and was honored to be recognized as a CADCA Blue-Ribbon Coalition and the recipient of the COALITION IN FOCUS Award. Peggy Dowd, Chief Development Director, presented the outcomes achieved in Hunterdon County, highlighting the reduction in homes that contain unsecured, unused or expired medicines. Thanks to all of our partners in prevention for helping to achieve these goals. 

Lesley Gabel, Executive Director of One Voice, taught a session entitled: Unlocking Local Impact: How to Assess and Address Community Needs, a comprehensive presentation designed to equip participants with the tools and knowledge to conduct effective community assessments. The session guided attendees through the process of gathering, analyzing, and utilizing data to identify the unique needs of their community. Participants learned how to engage stakeholders, understand community dynamics, and translate assessment findings into actionable programs that drive meaningful change. 

Capitol Hill Day: One Voice Board Chair Kim Blanda, Executive Director Lesley Gabel, and Youth Outreach Coordinator Amy Torres met with Congressman Kean’s office to advocate for continued support of grants that fund community coalition efforts. The discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration in ensuring strong support for youth. Additionally, they highlighted the outstanding achievement of the award-winning coalitions in his district—the highest number in the country.