Prevention/Wellness Manager Vicky Ward recently received a Community Health in Action Award for substance-abuse prevention efforts by Tri-County Mental Health Services. Gary E. Zaborac, director of public health at the Clay County Public Health Center, presented the award.
The fourth annual Clay County Community Health In Action (CHIA) awards honored the Tri-County Mental Health Services Prevention Department during the annual event Oct. 25 at Liberty Hospital.
The award praised Tri-County’s comprehensive and effective efforts to prevent substance abuse throughout Northland communities. Led by Prevention/Wellness Manager Vicky Ward, Tri-County’s prevention team has worked on initiatives such as supporting local advocacy groups aimed at prevention, passing smoking ordinances and countering pro-marijuana groups and campaigns.
A coalition of Clay County healthcare organizations created the CHIA Awards in 2014 to recognize groups and individuals who work to improve the health of their communities. Sponsors of this year’s event were North Kansas City Hospital, Excelsior Springs Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital – Smithville, Tri-County Mental Health, Liberty Hospital and the Clay County Public Health Center. Honors were awarded in six categories that also included health care access, wellness initiatives and behavioral health and chronic disease.
Tri-County Mental Health Services, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit community mental health agency delivering behavioral healthcare to individuals and families residing in Clay, Platte and Ray counties. Each year, Tri-County programs assist more than 8,000 area residents, while providing prevention services to over 40,000 individuals in concert with some 500 community volunteers.
