Brandon Community Coalition Launched to Prevent Substance Abuse in Youth
(Lara Mossa, Jan. 19, 2022)
ORTONVILLE – A new group has formed to stem the tide of substance abuse in the communities of Brandon Township and surrounding areas.
Courtney McClerren, president of the Ortonville Downtown Development Authority, has been chosen to lead the charge as the Executive Director of the Brandon Prevention Coalition.
“The Brandon Prevention Coalition will provide critical prevention programming to the Brandon community and especially the use as well as a safe place for recovery and wellness issues,” she said. “I’ve lived in Ortonville since 1992, so I bring an in-depth knowledge of the community as well as my professional networking relationships with influential members of the community.”
Founded in September, the organization is part of the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities. Based in Oakland County, there are 27 coalitions that are part of the Oakland Community Health Network.
McClerren’s group will be involved in education and prevention initiatives for alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse, she explained. The students of Brandon Schools will be involved and will participate in the Michigan Profile for Healthy Use study, which will pinpoint what is going on in the community and what types of preventive initiatives are needed as well as the programming and initiatives to implement. The statistics will be available by the end of the school year, she said.
Right now, the coalition is working on its bylaws, board makeup and website. In addition to the school district, McClerren expects the group to work closely with the Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance program.
The Brandon Prevention Coalition will be funded by the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities through a grant from the Oakland Community Health Network. In addition, the group will be able to apply for state and federal grants.
Besides her role with the DDA, McClerren has served on the Ortonville Village Council and has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Oakland University as well as a bachelor’s degree in political since from U of M. With much experience in community event planning and organizations, previously, she worked as a stay-at-home mother.
“I’ll be able to bring the community together to really tackle the substance use and abuse issues that any community faces,” she says.
To learn more about Brandon Prevention Coalition and similar groups throughout Oakland County, visit https://achcmi.org/coalition-list/.
