The Norwalk Partnership: 2023/24 Highlights & Recognitions
Thanks to the many teens, community members, and 50+ local agencies for your involvement in TNP's work this year! Check out our highlights, awardees, and a few videos in this blog post.
At our annual meeting on June 5th, TNP was proud to present awards recognizing the following coalition partners:
Lamond Daniels, 2024 TNP Advocacy Award
Norwalk Police Department, 2024 TNP Sector Award
Family & Children's Agency, 2024 TNP Community Partner Award
Dyan Sommerville, Jake Tejada, and Anthony Certo, 2024 TNP Youth Leader Awards
Click images on right to see them all!
Below are highlights of our work this past year. We invite our TNP members to provide feedback here!
Data-Based Planning
Continued use of 2022 youth survey for planning & grant writing, new infographics
Deep dive into Norwalk residents' hospital ED visits for mental health or substance reasons presented by Norwalk Health Dept
Logic model & strategic planning by Grants Committee
Drug-Free Communities follow-on grant submitted
Education
Future Prevention Leaders Conference for youth
8th grade assembly created & presented at Ponus by teens from our Norwalk Strong clubs (Click video on right; password is nps2023! )
My Ascension film shown to students at NHS/PTECH
Screenagers Under the Influence film shown to students in both high schools
MADD's Promposal video translated and shown at both high school buildings with students signing pledge for safe prom
Parent presentations in English & Spanish (Courageous Parenting 101 at NPS with the Courage to Speak Foundation; ASPIRE)
Virtual parenting conversation with Family & Children's Agency
QPR suicide prevention training for students, NCC, NPS nursing, NHA staff, and others - Also offered monthly online; sign up here
Overdose awareness / Narcan training for NCC, Twilight & Virtual Academy, HSC, SBHC & others
Community trainings on cannabis, teen stress provided at Norwalk Public Library
Opioid talk for nonprofits
Awareness & Resources
3rd annual NorWALK for Mental Health: Walk + Wellness Fair - 50 community partners, 260+ visitors
NHS Wellness Fair - 21 tables
Screenagers film with wellness fair at Ponus Middle School
Fresh Check Day at NCC
School fairs (open choice, college fair)
If They Had Known video provided for families online and shown in health classes - still available through the end of June! Click here
Teen-led awareness tables in both HS buildings throughout the year: vaping, self-care, cannabis, sleep, etc.
“No Vape November” poster campaign by HS students
Suicide and cannabis posters provided to City Hall and Health Dept
Cannabis awareness posters and flyers provided at Fine Fettle and to 1000 doctors’ offices
Opioid postcards to pharmacies to accompany Narcan supplies
Regional opioids campaign
New vaping and cannabis videos
Supports
Monthly Teen Nights Out (skating, bowling, mini-golf, etc.)
Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor in the high schools
Updated resource videos by students and coalition
Updated resource guides
Access
Drop-in Narcan distribution for SoNo businesses (with Eco Evolution and CT Counseling)
Distributed lock boxes for medication / cannabis
Distributed Liquor Stickers for alcohol
Policy environment
Cannabis forum at City Hall
Legislative forum & work with stakeholders
Smoke shop panel discussion at annual meeting
WINS: Regulations of THC drinks & cannabis advertising; vaping retailers must complete online prevention education