Community Council Against Substance Abuse

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Community Council Against Substance Abuse Working together to reduce the impact of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and other drugs on our youth.

CCASA exists to be the community organizer and subject matter experts on substance use prevention, intervention, and treatment trends and data. With this information, CCASA strives to employ data driven, scientific approaches to reducing youth substance use and strives to benefit hundreds of community partners. Our mission is to improve the lives of Marion County children. Our vision is to collaborate and create a community where drug prevention, intervention and treatment is commonplace and youth are inspired and empowered to advocate for themselves and make healthy choices.

Most people know what to do when someone is having a physical emergency—but when someone is experiencing a mental health...
10/22/2026

Most people know what to do when someone is having a physical emergency—but when someone is experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge, many of us are afraid we will say or do the wrong thing.
Mental Health First Aid helps change that.
Much like CPR prepares you to respond to a physical emergency, Mental Health First Aid teaches practical skills to help you:
✅ Recognize signs of a mental health or substance use challenge
✅ Approach someone and start a supportive conversation
✅ Respond calmly and appropriately
✅ Connect the person with professional help and other resources
✅ Provide support until additional help is available
You do not need a mental health background to participate. These trainings are ideal for parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare workers, youth-serving professionals, nonprofit and faith leaders, employers, community volunteers, and anyone who wants to feel better prepared to help another person.
🔵 ADULT MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
Learn how to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and older.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
9:30 AM–4:30 PM via Zoom
Register here:
https://forms.gle/PXQUT9uPNEFHDiVg7
🟢 YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
Designed for adults who regularly interact with young people, this course teaches participants how to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges in youth ages 12–18.
Thursday, November 5, 2026
9:30 AM–4:30 PM via Zoom
Register here:
https://forms.gle/pVatPG6UC7xd2Co99
📅 Registration closes October 23, 2026.
Both nationally recognized certification courses are delivered in a blended virtual format. Participants complete required self-paced pre-course work before attending the live, instructor-led Zoom session.
Training is provided at no charge to Marion County residents and individuals who work for partner agencies serving Marion County through funding from the Marion County Hospital District.
You never know when someone in your family, workplace, school, or community may need support. Give yourself the skills and confidence to help. See less

👏 Thank you for allowing us to be part of the 18th Annual Rural To***co Summit last week!The Marion County Children’s Al...
10/21/2026

👏 Thank you for allowing us to be part of the 18th Annual Rural To***co Summit last week!

The Marion County Children’s Alliance, Community Council Against Substance Abuse team, was proud to be part of this wonderful event that brought together healthcare professionals, educators, and community partners to share knowledge, resources, and strategies for to***co prevention and treatment. 💚

We appreciate the opportunity to connect, learn, and work alongside others who are committed to building healthier, to***co-free communities!

***coPrevention ***coSummit

📅🎗️ SAVE THE DATE: RED RIBBON KICKOFF IS BACK! 🎬❤️Join the Marion County Children’s Alliance and CCASA for a FREE family...
10/21/2026

📅🎗️ SAVE THE DATE: RED RIBBON KICKOFF IS BACK! 🎬❤️
Join the Marion County Children’s Alliance and CCASA for a FREE family night at the Ocala Drive-In as we kick off Red Ribbon Week!
📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
📍 Ocala Drive-In – 4850 S. Pine Ave., Ocala
⏰ Activities begin at 5:30 PM
🎥 Movies begin at dark
🚨 FAMILIES DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER! 🚨
🎟️ No tickets. No preregistration. Just show up and enjoy!
Registration is ONLY for vendors/exhibitors who would like to participate in the event.
🎉 Before the movies start, enjoy a family-friendly tailgate party featuring:
🚒 First Responder Vehicle Expo
🏰 Bounce houses
🍧 Sno cones
🎁 Community exhibitors, giveaways and swag
🎯 Interactive games
🏆 Giveaway contest
✨ And more!
🎬 MOVIE LINEUP
SCREEN 1
🤠 Toy Story 5
🏛️ Night at the Museum
SCREEN 2
🐶 A Goofy Movie
🚗⚡ Back to the Future
❤️ And the best part?
🎟️ Admission is FREE!
🎉 Activities are FREE!
🎬 Movies are FREE!
🙌 Families DO NOT have to register!
Just bring the family and come enjoy a fun night under the stars while helping Marion County celebrate healthy, drug-free choices and kick off Red Ribbon Week! 🎗️❤️
📣 BUSINESSES, AGENCIES & COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS:
Interested in being a vendor/exhibitor at the event? Vendor registration is required. Reserve your spot here:
🔗 https://mcchildrensalliance.networkforgood.com/.../104509...
💙 Red Ribbon Week events are proudly supported by the Marion County Hospital District.

💬 How you start the conversation matters!❤️ There's a big difference between:❌ "What's wrong with you?"and✅ "I've notice...
10/20/2026

💬 How you start the conversation matters!
❤️ There's a big difference between:
❌ "What's wrong with you?"
and
✅ "I've noticed you seem a little different lately. How are you doing?"
🤔 Both may come from the same place of concern, but they probably won't lead to the same conversation.
👀 When you're worried, start with what you've actually noticed rather than what you think might be happening.
👂 Ask a question, give them time to answer, and listen before jumping in with advice.
💙 You don't need the perfect opening line. You just need one that leaves room for an honest answer.
❤️ Start with kindness. Listen without judgment. Keep the conversation open.
🙏 A special thank you to the Community Coalition Alliance for their continued support in helping us provide The Facts. Your Future. curriculum and valuable prevention education to our community!
🌐 To access more information and helpful resources for parents and families, visit TheFactsYourFuture.org.

CCASA invites you to join us for our next Quarterly Educational Workshop on Monday, November 16, 2026 at the Mary Sue Ri...
10/20/2026

CCASA invites you to join us for our next Quarterly Educational Workshop on Monday, November 16, 2026 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center.
🎤 This workshop will feature Amy Ronhausen of the Drug Free America Foundation, who will present a clear overview of kratom, including what it is, what is currently known about its use and effects, and its current legal and policy status.
📚 This session is designed to help community members and professionals better understand the topic through current, factual information.
📅 Monday, November 16, 2026
⏰ 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
📍 Mary Sue Rich Community Center
1821 NW 21st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475
🥪 Free lunch served
🆓 Free and open to the community
📝 Register here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Nov2026CCASAWorkshop
🤝 Hosted by CCASA, a workgroup of the Marion County Children’s Alliance, with support from the Marion County Hospital District.

🍄 Join us TODAY for our October CCASA Monthly Meeting!This month, we’re taking a closer look at an emerging trend: mushr...
10/19/2026

🍄 Join us TODAY for our October CCASA Monthly Meeting!
This month, we’re taking a closer look at an emerging trend: mushrooms and what parents, professionals, and community partners need to know.
We’ll explore the growing presence of mushroom products in our communities—from health and wellness products to psilocybin and other psychedelic varieties—and discuss how to recognize the differences, understand the potential risks, and why these products can be especially confusing for youth.
📅 Monday, October 19, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/s/84307447421
✅ No registration required
We’ll also hear updates on:
🎪 Ocala Recovery Festival
❤️ Red Ribbon Kickoff
🗣️ Youth Advisory Board
🎓 SADD Clubs
🧠 The Facts. Your Future.
Whether you work with youth and families or simply want to stay informed about emerging substance-use trends, we hope you’ll join us!
💙💚 CCASA – Healthier Youth. Safer Communities. Brighter Futures

🧠 Most people know what to do when someone is having a physical emergency—but when someone is experiencing a mental heal...
10/18/2026

🧠 Most people know what to do when someone is having a physical emergency—but when someone is experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge, many of us are afraid we will say or do the wrong thing.

Mental Health First Aid helps change that.

Much like CPR prepares you to respond to a physical emergency, Mental Health First Aid teaches practical skills to help you:

✅ Recognize signs of a mental health or substance use challenge
✅ Approach someone and start a supportive conversation
✅ Respond calmly and appropriately
✅ Connect the person with professional help and other resources
✅ Provide support until additional help is available

You do not need a mental health background to participate. These trainings are ideal for parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare workers, youth-serving professionals, nonprofit and faith leaders, employers, community volunteers, and anyone who wants to feel better prepared to help another person.

🔵 ADULT MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
Learn how to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and older.

Tuesday, November 3, 2026
9:30 AM–4:30 PM via Zoom

Register here:
https://forms.gle/PXQUT9uPNEFHDiVg7

🟢 YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
Designed for adults who regularly interact with young people, this course teaches participants how to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges in youth ages 12–18.

Thursday, November 5, 2026
9:30 AM–4:30 PM via Zoom

Register here:
https://forms.gle/pVatPG6UC7xd2Co99

📅 Registration closes October 23, 2026.

Both nationally recognized certification courses are delivered in a blended virtual format. Participants complete required self-paced pre-course work before attending the live, instructor-led Zoom session.

Training is provided at no charge to Marion County residents and individuals who work for partner agencies serving Marion County through funding from the Marion County Hospital District.

You never know when someone in your family, workplace, school, or community may need support. Give yourself the skills and confidence to help.

👀 Have you noticed a change in your teen's behavior lately?🤔 A change in behavior can be a sign that something is going ...
10/17/2026

👀 Have you noticed a change in your teen's behavior lately?
🤔 A change in behavior can be a sign that something is going on, but it doesn't necessarily tell you what.
💭 Maybe your teen has been sleeping more, their grades have changed, they're spending time with different friends, or they just haven't seemed like themselves lately.
💡 There could be a lot behind those changes, from stress and relationships to school, mental health, or substance use.
❤️ Rather than trying to figure it out on your own, check in.
💬 Try something simple like, "I've noticed you seem a little different lately. How are you doing?"
👂 Then give them a chance to answer. You may learn more by listening than you would by guessing.
💙 Notice the changes. Start the conversation. Listen without judgment.
🙏 A special thank you to the Community CoalitionAlliance for their continued support in helping us provide The Facts. Your Future. curriculum and valuable prevention education to our community!
🌐 To access more information and helpful resources for parents and families, visit TheFactsYourFuture.org.

🍄 Join us for our October CCASA Monthly Meeting!This month, we’re taking a closer look at an emerging trend: mushrooms a...
10/16/2026

🍄 Join us for our October CCASA Monthly Meeting!
This month, we’re taking a closer look at an emerging trend: mushrooms and what parents, professionals, and community partners need to know.
We’ll explore the growing presence of mushroom products in our communities—from health and wellness products to psilocybin and other psychedelic varieties—and discuss how to recognize the differences, understand the potential risks, and why these products can be especially confusing for youth.
📅 Monday, October 19, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/s/84307447421
✅ No registration required
We’ll also hear updates on:
🎪 Ocala Recovery Festival
❤️ Red Ribbon Kickoff
🗣️ Youth Advisory Board
🎓 SADD Clubs
🧠 The Facts. Your Future.
Whether you work with youth and families or simply want to stay informed about emerging substance-use trends, we hope you’ll join us!
💙💚 CCASA – Healthier Youth. Safer Communities. Brighter Futures

Address

3482 NW 10th Street
Ocala, FL
34475

Telephone

+3524385992

Website

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