Courtesy Lincoln County Record
By Jessica Hernandez
Members of the Lincoln County Coalition gathered in the Panaca Town Center on Sept. 27. The regular monthly meeting consisted of organization updates and planning for fall events.
Mental health counselor Janie Rippetoe of Rural Clinics – Lincoln presented a SWOT analysis on behalf of the Coalition’s Behavioral Health Subcommittee. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Meeting attendees heard internal and external factors that might affect local suicide prevention efforts. Rippetoe mentioned a lack of transportation and sober living facilities as specific weaknesses. Having one mental health provider in the community was listed as both a strength and a weakness. Rippetoe noted the need for local youth services and additional adult support. Listed opportunities for improvement included a peer support initiative, media outreach specific to vets and those in recovery as well as research related to available grants. SWOT findings will be addressed and further analyzed during upcoming subcommittee meetings.
Site coordinator Travis Constantine announced that bounce houses are being provided at local community events by the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows Servicing Lincoln County. Club staff will be hosting a fun zone featuring the inflatables during the upcoming homecoming football game and Panaca Elementary School’s fall festival. Attendance at the Boys and Girls Club in Panaca continues to grow. Constantine also announced that over 80 members attended the flag football program.
NyE Communities Coalition reminded meeting attendees that a drug prevention trailer will be visiting for the Grover C. Dils Lincoln County Community Health Fair. Car seats will be available for families in need. The event will take place Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Caliente Fire Station.
Coalition staff members Hayley Gloeckner, Amber Pike and Crystal Dineley provided a recap of recent community involvement. Pike shared that the 9/11 Fun Run events held on Sept. 9 and 16 were successful. A large amount of donations were collected as entry fees for each fun run.
“We think that over time the events will just continue to grow,” said Pike. Nonperishable canned goods, personal hygiene products, clothing and household items collected at the events were passed on to local organizations. Deliveries were made to the Alamo Senior Center, the Caliente Methodist Church and the Human Services Food Bank.
Coalition staff are moving closer to implementing several youth substance abuse prevention programs within Lincoln County schools. LCHS senior and student body President Nathan Truman joined the coalition meeting to provide a youth perspective. Additional student leaders are being invited to join meetings during the new 1:30 p.m. time slot. Coalition meetings continue to be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Email contact@lccoalition.org for information regarding online attendance, meeting minutes and agendas.