OUR HISTORY
MPC is the Milford Prevention Council.
Our mission is to reduce youth substance use in Milford through prevention education, the support of law enforcement, and the strengthening of our community collaboration.
We are dedicated to reducing youth alcohol and drug use through progressive programing, community outreach, education, and resources. We truly value our partnerships with the city of Milford, Milford School System, the Milford Health Department, the Milford Public Library, and Bridges Healthcare to ensure that we can continue to offer impactful and relevant services to our community.
Our coalition is rounded out by police officers, counselors, town government employees, parents, teachers and students. We take seriously our oath to serve, and we welcome your input.
Impact
Our programs work. The statistics below reflect that. We are proud to help our community understand the risks of substance use and make healthy choices. But there is still work to be done. Our research shows that the small percentage of youth that do use substances use frequently.
98% of Milford youth have not used alcohol in the past 30 days; improved from 74% abstaining in 2009.
Most Milford Youth Do not Use Substances.
98.9% of Milford youth do not use Cannabis; improved from 89% in 2009.
96.6% of Milford youth say NO to tobacco
99% of Milford youth have not used a vape in the past 30 days.
Meet the Team
Our team is comprised of dedicated professionals with over 65 combined years in prevention, health, and wellness.
Wendy Gibbons, LCSW
Prevention Coordinator
Wendy Gibbons, LCSW has been part of MPC since its inception, serving as a coalition member until hired in 2011 to serve as MPC Program Director overseeing regional prevention efforts in West Haven, Milford, Bethany, Orange and Woodbridge. Ms. Gibbons has a long history of working with environmental strategies, evidence based models, and SPF. Ms. Gibbons is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Bridges, where she has been employed for more than 24 years. Wendy works closely with the Board of Education in Milford, instituting a variety of prevention programs in the schools such as Natural Helpers, Substance Abuse Education and Peer Mediation. Wendy holds her certification as a trainer for Youth Mental Health First Aid.
COALITION MEMBERS
12 Community Sectors | Committed to the Cause
Drug Free Community (DFC) Coalitions are made up of community leaders representing twelve sectors that organize to meet the local prevention needs of the youth and families in their communities. Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our members are the backbone of the Milford community. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization as it continues to develop.
We are always looking for new members to join the coalition.
LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
Lou LaVecchia, Chairman
Ray Vitali, Vice-Chairman
Diane Candido, Secretary
Marty Schwartzman, Fiscal Representative
Wendy Gibbons, LCSW, , Program Director
COMMUNITY MEMBERS
John & Barbara Carissimi
Robert Fiore
Carla Sissick
Christina Prete
Glenn Laudenslager
YOUTH
MPC Youth Committee
BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Milford Public Library
Downtown Milford Business Association
SCHOOLS
Dr. Anna Cutaia | Superintendent of Schools, Milford
Max Berkowitz | Principal, Joseph A. Foran High School
Bryan Darcy | Principal, Jonathan Law High School
Justin Zywocinski | Dean of Students, Joseph A. Foran High School
Gianni Ragaini | Dean of Students, Jonathan Law High School
Colleen Cannariato | Harborside Middle School
Meghan Fredricks | East Shore Middle School
Beth Coyne | Lauralton Hall High School
YOUTH SERVICES ORGANIZATION
Doug Mills | Milford Youth Services Bureau
Bill Garfield | Director, Park and Recreation, Milford
John Wezenski | Milford Junior Majors Baseball
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Captain Garon Delmonte | Milford Police Department
Officer Brianna MacDonald | Milford Police Department
RELIGIOUS OR FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
Kelsey DeCarlo | Minister, First United Church of Christ | Milford
Paul Downing | Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church
CIVIC OR VOLUNTEER GROUPS
Joan Smeland | Walks with Buddy, Inc.
William Jamieson | President, AJJ Foundation
Hannah Asselin | Volunteer Coordinator, Milford Pride
Nicole Wichowski | CT MADD
United Way of Milford
Lorrie McFarland | BhCare
Brailee Whan | Alliance for Prevention & Wellness
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
Dr. Tara Kerner | Bridges HealthCare
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
Mayor Rich Smith | Mayor, City of Milford
Holly Mulrenan, RN | Chief of Staff, City of Milford
Jennifer Clark-Lofters | Milford Health Department
Daniel Talaniec | Milford Fire Department
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN REDUCING SUBSTANCE MISUSE (TREATMENT PROVIDERS)
Bridges Healthcare