McK-UDOS January Newsletter

COVID-19

Happy New Year! The continuous spreading of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been a situation impacting the world and our community. We want to advocate the precautionary measures and guidance to help the spread of COVID-19 of proper hand washing, social distancing, respiratory etiquette and cleaning and disinfecting regularly. We are currently fully reopened with all programs and services available for in-person and virtual access. 

The McKinley Park Underage Drinking & Other Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (McK-UDOS) works to reduce levels of underage drinking and marijuana use amongst youth in McKinley Park. The coalition has just hosted its bimonthly coalition meeting and released its January newsletter, posted below.
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McK-UDOS Coalition Meeting Minutes

Date: Thursday, January 13, 2022

Time: 11:30 am- 1:00 pm via Zoom


 1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS!

Attendees: 15 people

Sara Reschly (BPNC), Tanya Bibbs-Smith (TASC), Cecily Smith (Project Vision), Justin Kerr (McKinley Park News), Martha Pazdro (H.A.S), Karina Cordova (St. Anthony Hospital), Arista Wang (MAHA), Miriam Serrano (H.A.S), Yesenia Alarcon (Heartland Alliance), Joe Mele (Drug Enforcement Administration), Jessica Casiano (Chicago HIDTA), Dion McGill (Lurie Children’s Hospital), Abigail Torres (MAHA), Andrew Piotrowski (MAHA), Lina Xie (MAHA)

 2. PROGRAM UPDATES

• MAHA virtual fundraiser recap
  • Andrew Piotrowski described the outline of the event, shared successful donations
  • Link to Fundraiser video on YouTube: 
• CADCA NCA
  • Coalition completed comprehensive training program and will be receiving certification for completion
• New MAHA satellite offices
  • Aurora Location: 4360 E New York St, Aurora, IL 60564
    • Service offered: health insurance navigator, immunizations, gambling screening and outreach, and community health screenings
  • Bridgeport Location: 3500 S. Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60609
    • Services offered: health insurance navigation, immunizations, and community health screenings
  • Lina encouraged members to share information about new satellite office locations with their networks

 3. PARTNER SHARING UPDATES

• Joe Mele – Drug Enforcement Administration
  • Offer assistance in community outreach, also asked for any information regarding new drug pricing, sales, etc. to please contact him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Tanya Bibbs-Smith - TASC
  • TASC will be tabling at resource fairs on college campus in the month of February for substance use and gambling disorder services
  • TASC is also working with National Council on Problem Gambling on services for veterans on issues of substance use or problem gambling behavior

 4. PARTNER PRESENTATION

• Karina Cordova at Saint Anthony Hospital Community Wellness Program
  • Family Support Service- Promotes strong, healthy parent-child relationships
    • Child, Adolescent, and family therapy
      • Free of charge, but there is a waitlist
      • If someone who has health insurance applies, they may be referred to another agency that can provide immediate support
    • Developmental Support
      • Provides education for parents of children up to 8 years of age
      • Also provides training and tech assistance for pediatricians and family practice physicians
    • ACT- Adults and Children Together against Violence
      • Educational series for parents of children under 10
    • APE- Adolescent and Parent Education
      • A series of 9-10 sessions with parents and their teenagers attending together
  • Mental Health Services- Goal is to provide culturally responsive counseling services and emotional support to adults who have limited/no access to health insurance
    • 3 basic services:
      1. Individual therapy
      2. Couples therapy
      3. Group therapy
  • Case Management
    • Housing assistance
    • Crisis intervention
    • Economic/Employment Assistance
    • Education Support
    • Employment Assistance
    • Legal support
      • Assistance with court accompaniment (they do NOT retain lawyers)
      • Restraining order assistance
      • Child support assistance
  • Health care access
    • Medicaid
    • SNAP
    • Health insurance for pregnant women and CHIP
  • Locations
    • Little Village
    • North Lawndale
    • Brighton Park
    • Back of the Yards

 5. GROUP ACTIVITY

• Lina provided a brief explanation of how to use Jamboard
• Brainstorming prompt – “what are some projects for the coalition to work on in the new year”
• Visit link:  jamboard.google.com/d/1_bjAsGANUKQCcswVU...NCU/edit?usp=sharing

 6. UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 

• Joe Mele – DEA
  • National Drug Takeback event – Saturday, April 30th from 10am-2pm
    • You can also drop off unused prescriptions or OTC drugs at your local police station
    • Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info
    • Lina noted that we have collaborated on the National Drug Takeback Day events in years past and aim to promote the upcoming event
• Lina Xie – MAHA
  • Provided flyers on Back of the Yards COVID-19 event hosted by Plant Chicago
    • Saturday, January 15th, Plant Chicago will host vaccines & boosters & covid testing for anyone over 12 years old. There will also be selling local food boxes and products from Firehouse Market (produce, honey, kombucha). For questions, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Back of the Yards Library is in need of KN95 masks, especially in kid sizes
    • If you have any information on where to obtain, please contact Corina Pedraza (Back of the Yards Library)- cpedraza@chipublib.org

 7. NEXT MEETING

• Thursday, March 10th from 11:30am – 1:00pm via Zoom
• Request for information and others, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.