Paulette Clark

Regional Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Prevention Coordinator for Southeast Minnesota

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, Paulette Clark, as the new Regional ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs) Prevention Coordinator for Southeastern Minnesota.  The Minnesota Department of Human Services Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (DHS-ADAD) has contracted with the Parenting Resource Center in Austin, Minnesota to offer prevention services for this region.  I am one of seven Regional Prevention Coordinators across Minnesota.  As the Region 6 Regional Prevention Coordinator for Southeastern Minnesota, I serve the following eleven counties:  Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona.

The Regional Prevention Coordinator system in Minnesota was developed to reduce substance abuse and related problems within each region of the state by increasing the local presence of prevention services through collaboration and coordination with local communities.  Minnesota Regional Prevention Coordinators focus on building and sustaining ATOD prevention coalitions, programs and strategies in each region.  We provide training and technical assistance to agencies/organizations and professionals (including DHS funded prevention programs) to sustain prevention efforts locally to promote safe and healthy citizens and communities.

I have committed my professional career to working with individuals, organizations and communities to provide safe and healthy environments for youth and adults.  I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree from Minnesota State University Mankato with a double major in Sociology and Corrections.  My Master of Science degree in Sociology:  Human Services Planning and Administration was also obtained from Minnesota State University Mankato.  I received a Higher Education teaching certificate from the University of Minnesota and have continued to take additional coursework in Human Resource Management and Business.  My previous professional work experience includes work with Dakota County Community Corrections as an Adult Probation Officer, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Program Director at Riverland Community College in Austin, Career Probation Officer with Mower County Corrections and Program Director and Family Therapist for Sheriffs Youth Programs of Minnesota at Hayward.

My professional experiences and education have provided me with a strong foundation to build on to further the prevention efforts throughout rural Minnesota.  I am in the process of learning about the current prevention efforts in Southeastern Minnesota and look forward to being a prevention resource addressing substance abuse. My team and I are available to provide assistance in the following areas:  community assessment, capacity building, strategic planning, sustainability, evaluation, cultural competency, training, resource materials/ideas, coalition building and community mobilization.

I am excited for the opportunity to promote evidence-based prevention practices throughout Southeastern Minnesota and welcome invitations to visit about substance abuse prevention.  I will be collaborating locally with Bill Spitzer, Planning and Implementation Coordinator, to support the great prevention work already being done with APAC (Austin Positive Action Coalition) as well as the Austin Drug Task Force.  I can be reached at 507-438-2115 or rpc@familiesandcommunities.org.

The grant for the RPC is made possible by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, ADAD and hosted locally by the PRC.  You can visit the Minnesota Regional Prevention Coordinators website at  www.rpcmn.org and to learn more about the Parenting Resource, visit  www.familiesandcommunities.org.