Marion County Children's Alliance

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Marion County Children's Alliance Our mission: Is to improve the lives of Marion County children.

The Marion County Children's Alliance works to serve as a neutral party convener, bringing together the key stake holders representing the 12 sectors of the community. We have various workgroups within the organization that center on improving the family and reducing the rate of children being removed from their homes. The workgroups focus on the top three reasons for child removal - Family Violence, Substance Use and Inadequate Supervision.

CCASA invites you to join us for our next Quarterly Educational Workshop on Monday, November 16, 2026 at the Mary Sue Ri...
25/10/2026

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.

Most people know what to do when someone is having a physical emergency—but when someone is experiencing a mental health...
23/10/2026

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

📅🎗️ We hope to see you TONIGHT 🎬❤️Join the Marion County Children’s Alliance and CCASA for a FREE family night at the Oc...
23/10/2026

📅🎗️ We hope to see you TONIGHT 🎬❤️
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! 🎗️❤️Red Ribbon Week events are proudly supported by the Marion County Hospital District.

📱 Before you unlock your phone today, try asking yourself one question:💭 “What am I picking it up to do?”💬 Send a text?📍...
23/10/2026

📱 Before you unlock your phone today, try asking yourself one question:
💭 “What am I picking it up to do?”
💬 Send a text?
📍 Check directions?
📚 Finish homework?
🎥 Watch a video?
🤔 Or did you reach for it automatically?
💡 There’s nothing wrong with using technology. The challenge is noticing when you’re choosing your phone—and when habit is choosing for you.
✨ Try it today!
✋ Pause.
❓ Ask.
📱 Then unlock.
💙 Small changes can lead to healthier digital habits!
🌐 Want to learn more about our Put Down the Phone initiative? Visit LookUpMarion.com for helpful information and resources!

👏 Thank you to The EB Mills Foundation of Florida for allowing us to be part of the Signature Speaker Series last week!T...
22/10/2026

👏 Thank you to The EB Mills Foundation of Florida for allowing us to be part of the Signature Speaker Series last week!

The Marion County Children’s Alliance was excited to attend this inspiring event featuring Dr. Mason West III and learn more about the vision behind the One Marion Network.

🤝 It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with community leaders, businesses, and nonprofit organizations who share a passion for making a difference.

We are excited to see how this initiative can bring organizations together, strengthen partnerships, and create new opportunities to benefit the families and communities we serve throughout Marion County! 💙

Thank you again to The EB Mills Foundation for bringing our community together and encouraging collaboration!

RED RIBBON KICKOFF IS this FRIDAY! Join the Marion County Children’s Alliance and CCASA for a FREE family night at the O...
21/10/2026

RED RIBBON KICKOFF IS this FRIDAY!

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!

🎉 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! 🎗️❤️

💙 Red Ribbon Week events are proudly supported by the Marion County Hospital District.

An hour spent FaceTiming a grandparent isn’t the same as an hour spent endlessly scrolling.Screens can help us learn, wo...
21/10/2026

An hour spent FaceTiming a grandparent isn’t the same as an hour spent endlessly scrolling.
Screens can help us learn, work, create, communicate and connect. That’s why healthy technology use isn’t only about counting minutes—it’s also about considering how those minutes are being spent.
This week, pay attention to your screen time. What helps you? What connects you? And what leaves you wishing you had spent that time differently?
Being informed helps us make more intentional choices.

Thank you to the staff at Ft. King middle school for showing their purple this month for   month!
20/10/2026

Thank you to the staff at Ft. King middle school for showing their purple this month for month!

🥰💜Ft. King Middle School 🥰💜
💜WOW, FALCONS! YOU REALLY KNOW HOW TO BREAK THE SILENCE! 💜💜

Showing Out👀👀
And we are absolutely TICKLED PURPLE to see you all PURPLED OUT in support of October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month! 💜👏

💜 BIG UPS TO THIS AMAZING STAFF! 💜
You truly understood the assignment!
When teachers, administrators, and staff stand together for a cause like domestic violence awareness, they're doing more than wearing purple.
They're showing students that they are informed, that they care, and that they are someone students can turn to when something just isn't right. 💜

Quick Chat:
💜 **Let's talk about our teens!
Middle school is a time when young people begin learning about friendships, crushes, dating, boundaries, and what healthy relationships should look like. Unfortunately, teen dating violence can begin earlier than many realize.

Our young people need to know that jealousy isn't love, controlling behavior isn't caring, and disrespect should never be mistaken for affection.
Healthy relationships are built on kindness, trust, respect, communication, and safety.

With rising concerns about domestic and dating violence and funding cuts affecting vital support services, education, awareness, knowing where to turn for help are more important than ever!

That's why seeing an entire school staff get involved means so much. You're not just raising awareness. You're helping create a school environment where students know they matter, their voices count, and they don't have to face difficult situations alone.

💜 To every teacher, staff member, administrator, and supporter who wore purple THANK YOU!

The Family Violence Prevention Program is here for our schools, our students, our families, and our community. Together, we can make a difference.

💜 FALCONS YOU ROCK! 🦅💜👏
PURPLE LOOKS GOOD ON YOU! 💜💜💜

💜

🎄🎅 We know it's only October, but our elves are already hard at work! 🧝‍♀️🎁Christmas may still be a couple of months awa...
20/10/2026

🎄🎅 We know it's only October, but our elves are already hard at work! 🧝‍♀️🎁
Christmas may still be a couple of months away, but here at the Marion County Children's Alliance, our elves start EARLY collecting toys to make sure local children have a magical Christmas! ❤️💚
🎁 Each year, our Christmas Toy Assistance Program serves over 500 children right here in Marion County, and we need YOUR help!
We're collecting NEW, UNWRAPPED toys and gifts for children of all ages, from infants to teens! We are especially in need of gifts for TEENAGERS! 🎧🎮💄
🛍️ Want to help but don't have time to shop? We've made it easy! Check out our Amazon Wish List to see some of our most-needed items.
🔗 AMAZON WISH LIST
:https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/16B1AOS77AYXB?ref_=wl_share
🎁 Prefer to shop in person? You can drop off donations or call us to schedule a pickup!
📞 (352) 438-5990
❤️ Every toy donated helps bring a smile to a child's face on Christmas morning!
🎅 Our elves can't do it alone! Help us spread a little Christmas magic throughout Marion County! 🎄✨

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