NCCFF Advisory Committee members present a ceremonial grant check for $1,500 to NCPD Officer Casey Fertig. From left to right are: Brad Moyer, FAC Chairperson, Officer Fertig, and Sharon Hersemann, FAC Treasurer. NC-CFF’s donation helped enable the NCPD to get the D.A.R.E. program back in Nebraska City schools.
After a hiatus of two years, the Nebraska City Police Department is pleased to be back in the classrooms working with students through the nationally accredited D.A.R.E. Program. The Nebraska City Community Foundation Fund (NCCFF) is excited to again help fund this worthwhile youth program with a $1,500 grant.
Using its well-researched curriculum, the D.A.R.E. program, which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, educates youth about drug and alcohol abuse as well as the dangers of bullying.
The 10-week program is presented in the classroom by Nebraska City Police Officer Casey Fertig, who has been with the department for over two years. Officer Fertig, who is a certified D.A.R.E. officer, said in addition to teaching the students about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and bullying, it’s also a great opportunity to enhance the relationship between law enforcement and the community members.
“This is important because some students have only seen the law side of law enforcement, not the community side,” Officer Fertig said.
Brad Moyer, NCCFF Foundation Advisory Committee Chair, expressed his enthusiasm for this worthwhile program and the Foundation’s financial support.
“It’s great to have D.A.R.E. back in our classrooms,” Moyer said. “NCCFF is proud to be a part of making this happen for the Nebraska City students.” He said it is great that the NCPD can dedicate an employee to this task.
“An important side benefit of D.A.R.E. is the bonding among the students with a local law enforcement representative,” he said. “Officer Casey Fertig truly wants to get the information out to these young people about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and the damage bullying can cause. It’s a ‘win-win’ for everyone.”
For 2022 and 2023, Officer Fertig said she will be presenting the D.A.R.E. program to fifth-grade students at Nebraska City Public School and Lourdes Central Catholic School in the spring semester.
“I will also teach D.A.R.E. to the Nebraska City Public School and Lourdes Central Catholic School in the Fall Semester to the eighth-grade students who missed D.A.R.E. in fifth grade,” she said.
All told, over 250 students will receive instruction. Officer Fertig pointed out that after 2023, the D.A.R.E. program will continue to be taught in the fifth grade year, and a meeting will be held to discuss the future of D.A.R.E. in the eighth grade year.
It seems many others in Nebraska City are excited to see D.A.R.E. return to the classroom. In addition to the NCCFF grant, Officer Fertig said she is getting money from the Keno Fund from the Otoe County Commissioners.
In a tremendous show of community support, more than 20 local businesses have donated money or prizes to be given out to students during the 10-week program. The Wirth Foundation is donating funds to bring in a D.A.R.E. keynote speaker, called ‘Retro Bill’, to speak to the students.
The Nebraska City Community Foundation Fund is a local, non-profit organization focused on investing in the people of Nebraska City and inspiring a culture of giving by developing knowledge, skills, leadership and the commitment necessary for community engagement. Since its founding in 2000, NCCFF has invested more than $6 million in the people of Nebraska City. The Nebraska City Community Foundation Fund is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation. Learn more at www.NebraskaCityCommunityFoundation.org or www.facebook.com/NCCFF .
PCA celebrates D.A.R.E. milestone
Pineywoods Community Academy students wore their D.A.R.E. shirts to school Thursday as the school marked the 41st anniversary of the creation of the program. Started in 1983, the “Drug Abuse Resistance Education” program, or D.A.R.E., was…
Building Relationships: How MPD’s D.A.R.E program seeks solutions to lower juvenile crime rates, drug use
From localmemphis.com
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — ABC24 is seeking solutions to problems in our city. During one of our Let’s Talk community listening sessions, one man shared his thoughts on kids and crime. He wrote a message that read, in part, “I wish there was a way to…
D.A.R.E. program returns to Hanover Area
From The Citizens’ Voice
Hanover Memorial Elementary School held an event Thursday to mark the return of the D.A.R.E. program for fifth grade students. Officer Stephanie Velazquez of Philadelphia, one the program’s lead mentors, attended and joined some of the…
102 students graduate from D.A.R.E. program in southern Harrison County, West Virginia
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WV News) — Students at Lost Creek Elementary and South Harrison Middle School celebrated their D.A.R.E. graduation on March 21, culminating a 10-week long program that the fifth- and sixth-graders successfully completed in…
Student becomes D.A.R.E. teacher
Old Lyme resurrects drug prevention program for children
Meriden — At the Connecticut State Police Training Academy last week, Officer Stephen Hackett of the Old Lyme Police Department stood in front of a group of law enforcement colleagues who were playing the role…
Old Lyme Officer Revives D.A.R.E. Program After Two Decades Hiatus
Officer Stephen Hackett of the Old Lyme Police Department is set to become the town’s first Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) instructor in over two decades. With a new focus on skill-building, the updated D.A.R.E. program aims to empower the town’s youth to make responsible choices.
D.A.R.E. Returns to Conway, Missouri
The Conway Elementary School D.A.R.E. Graduation was held on January 25, 2024. Fifty-seven students successfully completed the program. Deputy Jesse Sherrer of the Laclede County Sheriff’s Office did a great job teaching them good decision-making skills to help his...
York County Sheriff Captain Marks 20th Year of D.A.R.E. Education
YORK — York County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Josh Gillespie has marked the completion of his 20th year as York County D.A.R.E. instructor. D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. But today’s D.A.R.E. program also addresses critical risks kids face, besides...
D.A.R.E. Makes a Comeback in Chino Schools
The drug abuse resistance program D.A.R.E. has returned to Chino elementary schools after 20 years, with a focus on healthy decision-making skills and self-advocacy. Approximately 900 fifth-grade students in the Chino Valley Unified School District are participating…
Copyright © 2022 D.A.R.E. America. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2022 D.A.R.E. America.
All Rights Reserved.