History
The Portage County Tobacco Prevention Coalition (PCTPC) was established in the fall of 2001 with a mission to “reduce the incidence, impact and influence of tobacco through education, advocacy and community outreach.” Initially, the coalition consisted of Robinson Memorial Hospital, Kent City Health Department, Kent Roosevelt High School, The American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association and Tobacco Free Ohio.
Since its inception, coalition membership has grown to include the American Lung Association, Child Health Services, Coleman Professional Services, Community members, Family and Community Services, Field Local Schools, Kent Police Department (Juvenile Division), Kent State University, NCI’s Cancer Information Service, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM), Portage Children’s Center, Portage County Health Department, Ravenna City Health Department, Ravenna City Schools, Salvation Army, State Representative Kathleen Chandler, Townhall II, meetingWellness Solutions, Southeast Local Schools, Kent City Schools and Windham Exempted Village Schools.
With funding, the coalition was able to hire a coordinator who serves an essential organizing role for the comprehensive tobacco prevention and control initiative. The coordinator was tasked with building infrastructure in addition to managing the grant and its activities. Over the life of the project, the PCTPC has developed and approved a logo and written by-laws, established coalition leadership, maintained regular meetings (the coalition meets bi-monthly and the subcommittees meet monthly), and maintains a commitment to sustainability while continually working to expand awareness, reach, impact and education on tobacco prevention and control.
Since its inception, coalition membership has grown to include the American Lung Association, Child Health Services, Coleman Professional Services, Community members, Family and Community Services, Field Local Schools, Kent Police Department (Juvenile Division), Kent State University, NCI’s Cancer Information Service, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM), Portage Children’s Center, Portage County Health Department, Ravenna City Health Department, Ravenna City Schools, Salvation Army, State Representative Kathleen Chandler, Townhall II, meetingWellness Solutions, Southeast Local Schools, Kent City Schools and Windham Exempted Village Schools.
With funding, the coalition was able to hire a coordinator who serves an essential organizing role for the comprehensive tobacco prevention and control initiative. The coordinator was tasked with building infrastructure in addition to managing the grant and its activities. Over the life of the project, the PCTPC has developed and approved a logo and written by-laws, established coalition leadership, maintained regular meetings (the coalition meets bi-monthly and the subcommittees meet monthly), and maintains a commitment to sustainability while continually working to expand awareness, reach, impact and education on tobacco prevention and control.
