UMADAOP Magazine

“When they’re incarcerated, they have to find someone to leave their children with so they can serve time,” Diaz says. “Sometimes there are complications, because their children are taken away.” Diaz leaves her business card with the inmates. After being released from jail, Diaz says she encourages women to stop by her office if they need assistance. For example, in the past, one woman was working to get custody of her children. The woman requested Diaz write her a letter of support, saying the woman had been attending the group Diaz hosts. Diaz says some might be surprised to notice the age range of the inmates. “You’d think these are older ladies, but they are beautiful young girls that are serving time,” Diaz says. “The majority of times the problem they have is connected with alcohol and drugs.” Hispanic UMADAOP receives funding through the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County and the Ohio Mental Health Addiction Services (OMHAS). “I thought it was always something I’d like to do.” -Prevention Education Specialist Roberto Colón

Prevention works Diaz teaches in each class one day per week; in total, she sees approximately 580 middle and high school students. Sometimes this involves going to two schools per day. In addition, Colón provides prevention education to about 500 elementary school students. “I’m also in the after school program,” Diaz says. The Hispanic UMADAOP is specifically valuable for the Spanish-speaking population in schools. Classes with younger students often give out bilingual permission slips to better communicate with parents at home. Colón says one portion of his job involves adapt ing to different classrooms, as each can be slight ly different. “Some kids are mischievous, some are nice, some are controlled,” Colón says. “You just have to figure out in what way you can adapt to them.” Colón says if he works in a classroom with talkative kids, he might build in more elements of participation. If children are quiet, he might try other approaches that increase the students’ enthusiasm for learning. Colón says one of the most impactful parts of his job is seeing how the children digest the information. “They tell me stories about how they go and talk to their parents about how smoking is bad for you,” Colón says. Within four walls Diaz has also worked in a program for incarcerated women for the past 20 years. UMADAOP offers services for children and families. Diaz says ladies are often interested to hear more about the services UMADAOP offers.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

UMADAOP Proactively Helps Kids To Steer Clear Of Drugs And Alcohol

Prevention Education Specialist Nereida Diaz has been working at the Hispanic UMADAOP for 21 years. A typical day involves travelling to one of her six assigned schools, and talking with students about drug and alcohol prevention. Her colleague, Prevention Education Specialist Roberto Colón does much the same work. How ever, their first meeting was not in the workplace, rather, it was when Roberto was young and still in school.

“I remember when I was in school, Nereida would give me classes,” Colón says. “I always thought it was something I’d like to do.” In reflecting back to fifth grade, when Colón listened to Diaz’s presentation, he says the passion Diaz brought in sharing prevention information with the class is what sparked his interest in the field.

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