DCCCA

10/29/2026

Join us next week in Wichita for the 10th annual Kansas Opioid and Stimulant Conference. Our presenters in the Emerging Trends track will provide information about what’s new regarding opioids and stimulants.

Learn more about the conference:
https://www.dccca.org/event/2026-kansas-opioid-and-stimulant-conference/

10/28/2026

We would like to thank Pendleton's Country Market for generously donating 40 pumpkins to DCCCA First Step at Lake View in Lawrence. Thank you for helping create some Halloween magic for women in recovery and their children. We appreciate the partnership!

10/27/2026

START (Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams) is an evidence-based program that provides a collaborative intervention for families who are impacted by parental substance use. START operates on an accelerated timeline to ensure child safety and help parents on the road to sobriety and recovery.

About START: https://www.dccca.org/program/start-services/

The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) today announced a new set of Family First Prevention Services grants to expand programs that help keep Kansas children safely with their families as well as prevent them from entering the foster care system. The grants, which take effect in state fiscal year 2028, build on the success of Family First programs across Kansas, which have helped thousands of children remain safely at home while connecting families with mental health, kinship, parent skill building, substance use treatment and other supports they need to thrive.

Read the full release at: https://www.dcf.ks.gov/Newsroom/Pages/Grants-to-Help-Kansas-Families-Stay-Together.aspx.

10/27/2026

We are one week away from the 2026 Kansas Opioid and Stimulant Conference! These speakers in the Treatment and Recovery track will explore options and best practices through a trauma informed lens.

Registration is available here:
https://www.dccca.org/event/2026-kansas-opioid-and-stimulant-conference/

10/26/2026

Last month, DCCCA welcomed middle school and high school students from across the state for Kansas Youth Leadership Workshops. More than 200 youth and adult sponsors participated in engagement activities aimed to strengthen leadership skills, identified prevention-related concerns in their schools and communities, and developed action plans to create positive change. Attendees received an inspiring presentation from John Calvert, Director of Safe and Secure Schools Unit of the Kansas State Department of Education, on the importance of building positive relationships. Thanks to everyone who participated!

10/22/2026

On this week's DCCCA Good News Show, CEO Lori Alvarado talks to Jonathan Williams, a volunteer from Dads of Douglas County. The organization supports, connects, and encourages fathers by hosting workshops and community gatherings for dads, as well as activities for families. Next, Lori visits with Jessica Dameron, the program coordinator of Infant Toddler Services of Douglas County, which provides free developmental screenings and services for qualifying children from birth to age three. Listen to the DCCCA Good News Show at 7 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday on FM 101.7 and AM 1320 KLWN.

Dads of Douglas County
Infant Toddler Services of Douglas County
KLWN

10/21/2026

We are grateful for this partnership with Anchored Collective Inc and appreciate this collection drive to provide smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors for DCCCA foster homes. Thank you for your support of DCCCA!

Here's how you can help: https://anchoredcollective.net/donate

Two years ago we hosted our very first Special Community Project by collecting smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to support foster care families. To celebrate two years of impactful service to the community--and because the need is still real--we are doing it again!

When a child comes into foster care, the first goal is to place them with family (kinship placement) or a close contact (NRKin) which could be a neighbor, friend, teacher etc. When a child is familiar with the people/person in the home they are placed with, it allows them to feel the most comfortable and safe while they go through a really hard time.

Kinship and NRKin homes step up at a moment’s notice to provide a safe placement for the child and often never intended to be a licensed foster home. For them to be a compliant and licensed foster home in Kansas, it is required that each bedroom have a smoke detector in it, and each home must have a carbon monoxide detector located on each level. The goal is to provide these to as many Kinship and NRKin homes as possible so they can easily license and begin caring for children as quickly with as little out of pocket cost to them as possible.

In partnership with DCCCA, Anchored Collective is hosting a "Detector Drive" to collect as many smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, combination units, and 9V batteries as we can so we can get these homes ready to serve kids in Douglas County. Can you help us out? The most efficient way to help is to make a donation through our website, by utilizing the link below.

https://anchoredcollective.net/donate

Between now and the end of October, every single dollar donated through our website will be utilized to purchase items for this detector drive. In addition, Anchored Collective will match each donation dollar for dollar, up to $2,500! Let's make this happen!

Please share this post so we can get the word out and continue to do all the good we can!

10/20/2026

The Kansas Youth Advisory Council aims to unite and empower young people directly impacted by the child welfare system. The KYAC mission is to enable young adults (ages 14 to 26) to advocate for themselves and others while developing life and leadership skills.

Learn more about KYAC: https://www.dccca.org/program/kyac/

10/19/2026

We’re proud to partner with Douglas County CASA, Inc.-KS and the initiative.

DCCCA Community-Based Services focuses on community-driven solutions designed to create lasting impact and improve overall well-being. We have four core areas of focus – substance use prevention, su***de prevention, mental health promotion, and traffic safety.

Prevention is child welfare work, too.

For children and families connected to the child welfare system, substance use affects safety, stability, caregiving, and access to support. That’s why education, prevention, and practical resources matter before a crisis worsens.

This month’s article features a message from our partners at DCCCA, whose Community-Based Services team works year-round on substance use prevention, su***de prevention, mental health promotion, and traffic safety.

DCCCA shares the realities facing Kansas families, including the fact that 1 in 5 Kansans lives with a substance use disorder. They offer concrete ways community members can take action, from safely disposing of unused medications to requesting naloxone, ordering medication lock bags, and signing up for prevention trainings.

Stronger communities are built when families have access to resources earlier and when more people know how to respond with care.

➡️ Read the full article: https://loom.ly/qunAttc

10/19/2026

Join us for the 10th annual Kansas Opioid and Stimulant Conference on Tuesday, November 3 in Wichita!

Meet the presenters for the Prevention track. Learn about best practices for opioid and stimulant prevention.

Register here: https://www.dccca.org/event/2026-kansas-opioid-and-stimulant-conference/