Two Counties, Atoka and Coal, were chosen for an initial Partnership for Change project because of their relatively stable and diverse population base, their high poverty rates, and their relative lack of readily accessible nutrition and other assistance program services.
Since its development in 2001, the Partnership for Change coalition has maintained a successful collaborative effort among organizations, civic, faith-based, non-profit and government agencies, volunteers, schools, and businesses throughout Atoka and Coal counties. This collaborative effort focus is to organize and collaborative service and develop opportunities to better serve and meet the needs of the families and communities of Atoka and Coal County.
The vision of the Atoka Coal Partnership For Change is, "to develop and sustain a progressive safe, healthy and fun community.
Partnership For Change will build partnerships to achieve a healthy, safe, drug-free, economical, viable and positive community.
On January 7th SWAT Coordinator Nikki Powell and CX Coordinator Amber Gammon took some Atoka SWAT youth to attend the launch and press conference of the 'Tobacco Stops With Me" campaign. I hope you have noticed the ads that are being run weekly in the local paper. The ads are geared toward the family and making them personal to each community. The coalition is also running ads on the local radio station during local HIghschool Basketball games. We hope with the campaign we can educate families on the need to stop tobacco use in the home as well as generational use within families. We need to be aware how dangerous tobacco use is. The picture is of Katie Maxey, Jennifer Fugate, Kamron Tipton, Courtney Southern, SWAT Coordinator Nikki Powell and Dr. Krutcher who is the commissioner for the State Department of Health.
On February 22, 2008 Rick Bender was in town to talk to the youth about the dangers of spit tobacco. Rick begain dipping at the age of 12 and at age 26 was diagnosed with cancer. He has had 4 major surgeries to remove part of his tongue and jaw. His goal is to prevent the youth from starting such a deadly addiction. He was able to speak to over 500 students. He presented at Harmony, Tushka and Wallace Byrd Middle School in Coalgate. The coalition hopes through such efforts we can work on reducing tobacco use in our youth. The picture is of some of the coalition members who welcomed Rick to town.
Choctaw Nation CORE Capacity Atoka/Coal County Dept. Of Human Services
Choctaw Nation Healthy Lifestyles The Oaks- APRC
Atoka County Health Department Kountry Kids Daycare
Coal County Health Department First Bank
OSU Extension Offices in Atoka and Coal Ameristate Bank
Big Five Commuity Services KHKC Radio
INCA Community Services Atoka Schools Safe and Drug Free Committee
Turning Point of Oklahoma Lane School
SWAT ( Students Working Against Tobacco) Harmony School
Postponing Sexual Involvement (PSI) First United Methodist Church
First Baptist Church- Atoka American Cancer Society
Continium of Care Atoka County Community Chest
Atoka County Chamber of Commerce Choctaw Nation Headstart
Coalgate Public Schools Pittsburg County Health Department
Coal County Rural Fireman's Association Phoenix Gate Counseling
OCCY
Tobacco Control Coordinator:
Amber Gammon
1006 w. 13th Street
Atoka, Ok. 74525
580-889-2116
580-364-3082
SWAT Coordinator:
Nikki Robinson
1006 W. 13th Street
Atoka, Ok. 74525
580-889-5531
nikkip@health.ok.gov
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coordinator:
Cindy Willis
1006 W. 13th Street
Atoka, Ok. 74525
580-889-2116
County Administrator:
Michael Echelle
620 S. 3rd
McAlester, OK.74501
918-423-1267
