HISTORY 

Founded in 2015, the Unicoi County Prevention Coalition was created by Christy Smith and members of the Unicoi County Health Council as a sub-committee of the council. The community saw a need for a prevention coalition due to the rise in underage smoking and drinking violations. 
 

In 2017, the coalition applied for a Coalitions grant through the TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and received funding. This funding allowed Miss Smith to educate our schools and community on underage drinking, nicotine, and non-medical prescriptions. She partnered with the health council, businesses, school system, police departments and others to implement evidence-based strategies into action plans.
 

In 2017, Recover Appalachia became the fiscal agent for the Unicoi County Prevention Coalition. Director Rossanna Aldrich opened her doors and worked closely with Miss Smith on programs and prevention efforts. Within one year, Recover Appalachia decided to close and with the help of Toni Peterson Bookkeeping Services, Miss Smith applied for a 501c3 nonprofit status with the State of Tennessee. 
 

In late 2017, the Coalition became its own Fiscal Agent and 501c3. Miss Smith received her Certified Prevention Specialist Certificate through the Tennessee Certification Board and in 2018 the Coalition graduated from CADCA’s (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) National Academy. The Coalition received its graduate certificate which insured recognition and acceptance to apply for state and federal grants. 
 

Today, the Coalition has grants from TDMHSAS and CDC, with a focus on youth and the community at large. Under these grants the Coalition works with community organizations to decrease vaping, underage drinking, smoking, stimulant and opioid use, and marijuana/delta 8 use among youth, and offer our mentoring program, INDEPTH classes, LEAD programs in elementary schools, focus groups among youth and adults, town forums, CLD program for safe medication storage, and other programs that serve the community.