UMADAOP of Ohio

“It’s very ful lling to come back into the community I was born and raised in and be an intricate part of the community.” — Marketa Robinson, Dayton UMADAOP executive director services

PREVENTION PRE EN

more than a passive activity for the adolescents. There are programs that are youth-led, Robinson says, so that younger generations take ownership of their individual health and the well-being of their peers and community. It allows our young modeling within the community and also breeds an established pool of peers to cultivate further prevention efforts at the state and local level. INTERVENTION SERVICES Intervention programming also accesses at-risk students through schools, youth probation and the Departments of Youth Services. Once it has been determined that a youth has tried drugs, they are referred to the program. These students are then brought to Dayton UMADAOP to work with professionals who deter them from further use, violence and other negative behaviors. ReENTRY PROGRAM The reentry program specializes in helping ex-offenders recently released from prison or county jail. Dayton UMADAOP has knit a m i Dayton UMADAOP to work with i i li i i l l i j il i people to have a voice, demonstrate positive role

close relationship with the criminal justice system as well as

encouraging positive cultural Robinson Robi s n o ob s and social values, leadership skills, appropriate communication

parole authorities and adult probation services. “We help you reintegrate back into your community, regardless of how long you have been away,” Robinson says. “People out of penal institutes are facing a stigma of being a felon. Unemployment is a barrier. They are dealing with housing issues,” Robinson notes. The program provides them with support on practical housing and employment, but also services to help reconcile the social struggles of being an offender. SENIOR PROGRAMS No matter what the age, every segment of every community needs to be informed on substances. The senior program provides education and awareness about substance abuse as well as health and wellness. The need to educate about drugs and addiction is the same for every age group or demographic. What’s different is the ways in which each group is introduced to drugs. For the elder population, Robinson says, l l i l i i i i i i i i l i il i i i li in i l l i l il i l l i , i i . i i i ll l ll . i i i every age group or de i . ’ iff i the ways in which each group is introduced to drugs. For the el l i , i , re-assimilation tasks and reintegration, like nding

Marketa

high blood pressure, diabetes, lupus and other medical issues are more prevalent. Turning to drugs as a way to relieve stress from the struggles and illnesses of old age is one way seniors are at higher risk. Another factor for seniors is the medication prescribed to help with the diseases they are more i l , i , l i l i a l . i li l ill l i i i i . i i i i i l susceptible to. With more prescriptions come more i i l . i potential for a person to grow dependent on being medicated and resorting to illicit means to maintain the high. WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY Robinson began working for UMADAOP at the Lima location in 2004, starting in the eld as a prevention educator. While there, she also worked on the treatment side, gaining experience as she worked to attain her licensures in prevention and treatment. “I enjoy doing the work that I do,” Robinson says. Her continuation in the eld has led her to the Executive Director position in Dayton, but she is not yet done exploring, learning or growing. She has decided to further her education and is on her way to achieving her doctorate in human services. i i a i illi i i i i . I THE COMMUNITY Robinson began working for i l i i , i i l i . il here, she also worked on t treatment side, gaining i r t t i li r i ion and treatment. “I j i t r t t I , inson says. Her conti ti in the l l r t t ti ir t r iti i t , ut she i t t exploring, learning or growing. She i t f rt r r ti i r t hi i r t r t i r i . i i i i l

“It’s very rewarding to be able to give back, to be part of a solution,” Dayton UMADAOP Executive Director Marketa Robinson says of her role. “It’s very ful lling to come back into the community I was born and raised in and be an intricate part of the community.” The Dayton native, a member of the Dayton UMADAOP family since 2015, is responsible for the day-to-day functions of the agency, which include, among others, reporting to a board of directors, establishing funding for program services, staff development and grant writing. The Dayton UMADAOP offers prevention, intervention and empowerment programs to adults, youth and families. They are committed to reducing the barriers which prevent early identi cation and treatment. The agency believes that early education and providing a positive community environment is evident in its prevention, intervention, education, referrals and community information dissemination services. A FULL YOUTH PREVENTION AGENCY Youth prevention programs promote resiliency for improved health and wellness as well as DAOP i i i empowerment programs to adults, ili Th i i i i l i i i li l i i i i i i i i i i i prevention, intervention, education, l i i i i i i i . I i ili i l D

skills and solid decision-making skills in the areas of teen sexuality, violence, tobacco and substance use and abuse. Programs are designed to reach students who have yet to succumb to the risks of their environment by equipping them with tools to avoid drug temptations and rebuff pressure from peers. Youth begin to develop positive lifelong habits to deter drug dependency and other negative in uences. At-risk individuals are identi ed by school staff at area schools. The program is used to prevent students who have yet to use from using or to empower those who have to turn their back on substances. “Our youth today are exposed to a high level of risk factors for violence, tobacco, alcohol and other drugs,” Robinson says. YOUTH LED PROGRAM Investing in the region’s youth is ch students who have yet t with tools to avoid drug temptations and rebuff pressure from peers. Youth begin to develop positive dependency and other negative i At-risk individuals are identi ed by school staff at area schools. The program is used to prevent students who have yet to use i their back on substances. “Our youth today are exposed to a high level of risk factors for violence, tobacco, alcohol and other drugs,” Robinson says. i i i ’ i I

“Seeing somebody overcoming obstacles and barriers holding them down has been very rewarding.” — Marketa Robinson, Dayton UMADAOP executive director

AIDING HER OWN COMMUNITY

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