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HOW TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL DRUG COURT MONTH

Learn how Kentucky has celebrated Drug Court Month through graduations, proclamations, educational activities, and community events, and discover step-by-step instructions for planning local events and coordinating with local organizations and dignitaries.

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HOW TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL DRUG COURT MONTH

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  1. HOW TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL DRUG COURT MONTH Kentucky’s Administrative Office of the Courts Department of Statewide Services Connie M. Payne Executive Officer Tina Messer Regional Specialist

  2. HOW KENTUCKY HAS CELEBRATED DRUG COURT MONTH • Graduations • Proclamations • Educational activities • Community events • Community service projects

  3. 1st Steps… • Review the NADCP Drug Court Month kit • Boil it down even more -- make it easy: Email theme, national grad. date; time frame; email grad. roll call & photo release forms separately • Develop a committee – local or statewide

  4. 1st Steps… • For statewide activities – choose point person to coordinate; talk with local for ideas/thoughts on a project & how to get the word out to staff & teams • As time goes on, send reminder email to document & send in all newspaper articles/ photos

  5. LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps • What project/event? • what is the purpose of the project • what message do you want to get out • how will it benefit participants & community

  6. LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps • Date: • determine which dignitaries you “must” have in attendance (legislators; judges; local leaders) • check their calendars before selecting a date • local events/dates you can partner with? • local events/dates to avoid?

  7. LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps • Location: • what are the needs of the event • where will you get maximum participation/attendance • anyone who can donate or reserve the space for free?

  8. LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps • Think: • what will make the event flow smoothly, make guests feel welcome, get the message out, educate, etc. • is the event mandatory for DC participants • who is assigned what task

  9. LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps • Who can do the work: • Participants – Phase 3 or aftercare can develop plans/event from the idea through implementation • Team • Community organizations

  10. LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps • Timeline - set out a timeline or time-task plan • Invitations – reach out to members of Congress, local leaders, legislators to attend, kick off or conclude the event

  11. LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps • Alert the press: • contact newspapers, TV (including local access channels), radio, neighborhood magazines • inform media which dignitaries are attending • inform media of purpose of event • send media some basic information/ background regarding Drug Court

  12. LOCAL EVENTS: 1st steps • Documenting the event: • determine who will take photographs, copy/find links of media coverage • determine who will submit info to NADCP • Preserving the event: • create a scrapbook so all can see how much & how often DC participants give back

  13. SPECIFIC EVENTS (4-6 month planning) • Health fair: • Purpose – focus participants & families on physical health; educate the health-care community & community about DC • Attendees - invite public; AVOL; Health Dept. (immunizations/HIV tests); nutritionists; dentists; hospitals; etc.

  14. SPECIFIC EVENTS (4-6 month planning) • Resource Fair: • Purpose – One-stop shopping for participants and public. People can apply for social services such as food stamps, SSI, veterans services, housing, etc… • Attendees - invite community coalitions, social services agencies, public, DC participants

  15. SPECIFIC EVENTS (4-6 month planning) • Job Fair: • Purpose – Provide opportunities for employers to meet potential employees and vice versa • Attendees – Invite potential and current employers, career development agencies, resume writers, vocational rehabilitation, public, DC participants

  16. SPECIFIC EVENTS (less than 3 months planning) • Volunteer projects/give backs: • Purpose – give back to the community; educate the community that addicts are not bad people • Getting started – contact the County Judge Executive or Mayor to learn of volunteer projects • Examples – recycling facilities; park clean-up after ball games/events

  17. SPECIFIC EVENTS (less than 3 months planning) • Sponsor appreciation dinner: • Purpose - show appreciation for all sponsors do • Getting started - set date & location; participants take over planning and development • Participant picnic: • Purpose – sober fun event for the family • Getting started – invite leaders, team members, dignitaries, community partners

  18. SPECIFIC EVENTS (less than 3 months planning) • Recovery walks: • Purpose – educate the community about addiction and Drug Court; promote a clean, healthy lifestyle • Getting started – set date & location; invite community leaders, other groups (partner with an existing walk?) • Examples – Race for Recovery; partner with Relay for Life, Kosairs Children’s Hospital

  19. SPECIFIC EVENTS (less than 3 months planning) • Sporting events: • Purpose – demonstrate sober, healthy way to have fun • Getting started – set date & location; invite local legal community • Examples – basketball, volleyball, softball games/ tournaments

  20. INTERNAL EVENTS • Participant stories: • Purpose – help show participants where they were & where they are now • Excellent material to make into a booklet for legislators, community leaders • Artwork: • Purpose – cathartic for the participant. Showcases the recovering person’s perspective of addiction.

  21. INTERNAL EVENTS • Memory chain: • Purpose – help remind participants of why and/or how they remain in recovery • Photos attached to construction chain • Excellent visual impact – addiction is larger than just the participant • Book of letters: • Purpose – therapeutic exercise for the author. It serves as a message of hope and inspiration to others.

  22. ADDITIONAL EVENTS • Disposal of Prescription Drugs: • Coordinate with local law enforcement • Speak-Outs: • Similar to domestic violence “Take Back the Night” rallies – speaking out against drug use • Invite legislators, community groups, judges • Candlelight vigil for all who have been lost to addiction (death, jail, still using)

  23. BOTTOM LINE • Plan • Invite Congress members, legislators, community leaders • Alert the press • Document, regardless of size of the event • Preserve documentation

  24. CONTACT INFORMATION Connie M. Payne Executive Officer, Statewide Services 502-573-2350 conniepayne@kycourts.net Tina Messer Regional Specialist Statewide Services, Division of Drug Court 606-627-8236 tinamesser@kycourts.net

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