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.

🍄 Join us for our October CCASA Monthly Meeting!This month, we’re taking a closer look at an emerging trend: mushrooms a...
10/13/2026

🍄 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

🧠 Most people know what to do when someone is having a physical emergency—but when someone is experiencing a mental heal...
10/12/2026

🧠 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.

📅🎗️ SAVE THE DATE: RED RIBBON KICKOFF IS BACK! 🎬❤️Join the Marion County Children’s Alliance and CCASA for a FREE family...
10/11/2026

📅🎗️ 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.

💜 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 💜Domestic violence affects more than the person experiencing the abuse. ...
10/08/2026

💜 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 💜
Domestic violence affects more than the person experiencing the abuse. It can impact children, families, and entire communities—and there is an important connection between domestic violence and substance use.
🍷💊 Substance use and domestic violence can often occur together. Alcohol or drug use does not cause domestic violence, but substance use can increase the severity or frequency of abusive behavior, impair judgment, and make already dangerous situations even more dangerous.
For survivors, the connection can work in another direction as well. Someone experiencing abuse may turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with trauma, fear, stress, anxiety, or emotional pain. Substance use can then create additional barriers when someone is trying to seek help, find safety, or leave an abusive relationship.
👧🧒 Children are affected, too. When children are exposed to domestic violence, substance misuse, or both in the home, the effects can extend to their emotional well-being, behavior, relationships, and performance in school.
That is why prevention must look at the whole family. By educating our community, supporting survivors and their children, addressing substance use, and connecting families with resources, we can help break cycles of trauma and build safer, healthier homes. 💜
Domestic violence doesn’t just affect the adults in the home. Children are affected, too.

💙💚 Thank you to everyone who joined us for today’s Marion County Children’s Alliance Meeting!A special thank you to Lotu...
10/07/2026

💙💚 Thank you to everyone who joined us for today’s Marion County Children’s Alliance Meeting!
A special thank you to Lotus Marion and Betsy Weber, Executive Director, for being our featured program and sharing more about the important work Lotus Marion is doing to provide safety, support, and empowerment in our community. 🪷💜
We also want to thank our Executive Director, Beth McCall, for highlighting the work our Marion County Children’s Alliance staff is doing every day throughout Marion County. From prevention and mentoring to family support, community outreach, and partnerships, our team is committed to our mission of improving the lives of Marion County children. 💚
🤝 Our Alliance meetings are all about bringing organizations and community partners together, sharing resources, and finding new ways to better serve children and families.
Thank you to everyone who attended, shared resources, and continues to collaborate with us to build a stronger Marion County! 💙💚

🍄 Join us for our October CCASA Monthly Meeting!This month, we’re taking a closer look at an emerging trend: mushrooms a...
10/07/2026

🍄 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.

Most people know what to do when someone is having a physical emergency—but when someone is experiencing a mental health...
10/06/2026

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.

Address

3482 NW 10th Street
Ocala, FL
34475

Telephone

+3524385992

Website

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