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WINNEBAGO COUNTY
TASK FORCE
“There is no such thing as
a perfect parent. So just
be a real one!
-Sue Atkins
Hidden in Plain Sight at Waldorf University Waldorf University in Forest City houses many students in their residence halls and
helping to keep things smooth for those students are the resident assistant (RA)
students. The RA students help to keep students safe and provide support away
from “home”, they have many tasks to do.
Each RA has to go through training prior to
the school year. This year, Winnebago
County Task Force, Winnebago County Pub-
lic Health and Prairie Ridge took part in the
annual training. We offered Hidden In Plain
Sight to the students, showing them signs to
look for that could alert to a further substance
abuse problem. The RA’s were allowed to
walk through the mock bedroom and try to
determine substance abuse signs. After the
RA’s all participated in the mock bedroom
session the group was brought together for
further discussion and how to help students
who may be showing signs of a problem.
This was a great collaboration between many
different groups who are all trying to make it
a more safe community and county for our
youth.
Community members come together to educate, prevent and reduce youth substance use in Winnebago County.
August 2017
Youth Enjoying Night in the Park at Lake Mills
Waldorf University Resident Assistants Participating in Hidden in Plain Sight
Lake Mills National Night Out 2017 Each year Lake Mills participates in National Night Out. Families are invited to
come out to the event, which offers safety lessons for the families. Winnebago
County Task Force was invited to take part in the night. We offered educational
materials for adults that focused on marijuana and Prairie Ridge offered Hidden in
Plain Sight. While adults were learning, children we also participating in our
booth. We offered wellness activities for the youth and building of a picture frame.
We also gave each family a magnet that lists national help lines and local help
numbers. Throughout the two hour event we were able to reach 175 adults and
offer them some education. Later that evening we helped sponsor a night of
swimming at the Lake Mills Pool so that families could go and have a fun time at a
safe environment. The Lake Mills Police Department, Winnebago County Sheriff’s
Office, Lake Mills Fire Department and Lake Mills Ambulance also participated in
Underage Drinking Pre-
vention at Community
Events This summer we concentrated on
underage drinking at community
festivals. Throughout the summer
our communities held many events
that include drinking and beer gar-
dens. The Winnebago County
Task Force was available to help
these community members plan
for events and share safe practice
manuals, hang prevention posters
around venues and help to ar-
range so that those communities
wanting to use ID scanners would
have access. Each year we look
for community members to assess
events by doing a quick survey. If
you attended any local festivals
this summer please contact us and
we can email you a event scan
Forest City Farmer’s Market
During Puckerbrush Days and WIT Rally the Winnebago County Task Force,
Winnebago County Public Health and Prairie Ridge teamed up to host a booth at
the Forest City Farmer’s Market. Public Health provided information on how to
quit using tobacco products and the different help options they can provide. Prai-
rie Ridge had community members walk through a mock bedroom and participate
in Hidden in Plain Sight and Winnebago County Task Force had a booth that
shared information about drug prevention and trends around our area. Many
community members stopped by the booth to gather information and learn more
about what their youth may be hearing or seeing and how to help them make the
right decisions.
Upcoming
Events:
September 21—
Coalition Meeting
September 26—LM K9
Presentation (WCSO)
October 1—FC YMCA
Family Day
October 17-18—AC4C
October 19—Coalition
Meeting
Oct. 22-31—Red Ribbon
Week
October 28—Drug Take
Back Day
November 3—FC YMCA
Family Day
November 16—
Coalition Meeting
Our Executive Board:
President—Jason Ra-
maker (Waldorf College)
Vice President—Adam
Sauer (County Attorney)
Treasurer—Keri
Bergeson (NIHS princi-
pal)
Secretary—
Director—Libby Myer
Coordinator—Krista
Tegland
Winnebago County Task Force Seeks Help Winnebago County Task Force serves the County of Winnebago, focusing on
School Districts of Forest City, Lake Mills and North Iowa. The Coalition is made up
of volunteers from 12 different sectors in the community: Youth, Parents, Business
Community, Media, Schools, Youth Service Organizations, Local Law Enforcement,
Spiritual Organizations, Civic/Volunteer Groups, Healthcare, Local Government
Agencies and others that are concerned about our youth. The Coalition is set up for
each sector to retain their own identity but agree to work together towards a com-
mon goal of building safe, healthy and drug-free communities.
Our Coalition is set up for each sector to retain their own identity but agree to work
together towards a common goal of building safe, healthy and drug-free communi-
ties. Each coalition member decides how much time and which projects that they
would like to contribute to. There are numerous opportunities for involvement.
Please contact us today if you would like to join the coalition at: winneba-
Working Hand-in-Hand with Buffalo
Center Ministerial Association
The Winnebago County Task Force and Buffalo Center Ministerial Associa-
tion are working together to help plan an activity in the community that offers
families an environment that is safe and promotes positive decisions. On
August 13 the two groups will combine forces and offer and Families and
Friend Fun Night at Buffalo Center Heritage Town Center from 3:00-6:00.
The event will offer different games, including Bear Creek Archery Tag and
scatter dodgeball. Food will also be offered (hot dog, chips, and a bar). This
event will be free for all to attend. For those who come, register and partici-
pate we will be giving away an activity pass for the North Iowa School Dis-
trict along with other smaller prizes.
Contact Us
Please Contact us for more infor-
mation about our coalition or what
we are achieving to do.
Winnebago County Task Force
111 3rd Ave NW
Buffalo Center, IA 50424
(641) 562-2525
Visit us on the web at
www.winnebagocountytaskforce.com
Or Facebook:
Winnebago County Task Force
Summer Media Campaign
What To Do in a Crisis
Please contact us for a magnet today!
With the help of the Winnebago County Attorney, Adam Sauer the Winnebago
County Task Force developed a mailing that was sent out to all county residents.
The campaign reminded county citizens about the county ordinance on social host.
Adults should not be providing minors with alcohol and this summer we tried to re-
mind parents of all the consequences associated with providing alcohol to minors.
We believe that if all sectors of our communities work together we can help youth
stay on the right tract and out of trouble or danger. Remind others that hosting par-
ties or providing alcohol for youth is not safe and can have serious consequences.
We thank you for your help!
