LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: substance abuse

  • School districts may apply for trauma-informed care training

    School districts may apply for trauma-informed care training

    Attorney General DeWine Announces Initiative to Help Child Victims of Crime

    Columbus, Ohio —Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a new initiative to help child victims of crime. Funded by grants from the federal Victims of Crime Act, DeWine is setting aside at least $25 million to fund children’s programs.

    “It is critical that crime victims have access to comprehensive care and services, and that includes services for our youngest, most vulnerable victims,” DeWine said. “We want to help ensure that kids who experience trauma receive the care they need.”

    DeWine called on organizations across the state to submit innovative ideas for programs in areas such as:

    • Providing comprehensive services to child victims of physical or sexual abuse.
    • Addressing mental health issues in children who have experienced trauma.
    • Providing trauma-informed care training to interested Ohio schools.
    • Helping children whose families are struggling with substance abuse.
    • Researching the impact of child abuse, neglect, and other adverse childhood experiences.
    • Locating safe, trauma-informed living environments for children.

    Organizations should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to learn more about VOCA grants or to submit a proposal.



    The federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), signed into law in 1984, established an account known as the Crime Victims Fund, which is financed by federal settlements, fines, and penalties. States apply each year for the federal grant and then award VOCA funds to eligible public and nonprofit organizations.

    In Ohio, the Attorney General is responsible for administering the state’s VOCA grants. The state was awarded $117 million for fiscal year 2018-2019, an increase of more than $30 million from the previous year.

  • LEAAD’s ‘Right Under Your Nose 2.0’ a success for parents

    LEAAD’s ‘Right Under Your Nose 2.0’ a success for parents

    Miami Township Police Chief Sue Madsen, Loveland Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse, and Loveland Police Chief Sean Rahe presenting at the Right Under Your Nose 2.0 event.

    By Johnnie Kanoza,

    Great success. 

    That’s the way participants of the Loveland Educating Against Alcohol & Drugs (LEAAD) Right Under Your Nose (RUYN) 2.0 event described the Sunday, March 11, informational session at Prince of Peace Church. Attended by Loveland parents and members of the surrounding communities, the event was designed as an educational opportunity for adults only, uncoveringthe hidden dangers that students face on a daily basis, including: substance abuse, violence, juvenile crime, technology, and risky behaviors.  

    The evening was kicked off by hearing a powerful, joint message from Loveland Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse, Loveland Police Chief Sean Rahe and Miami Township Police Chief Sue Madsen expressing their commitment of locking arms to make our communities safer as we face the drug epidemic through promoting awareness.  

    RUYN 2.0 educated us on several ways as parents we can help guide and lead our children. In these rapidly changing times where technology has become a key mode of communication, it is important to equip parents with information about what their students have access to. LEAAD Executive Committee Member and Loveland Middle School Assistant Principal Jayson Bruce did an outstanding job on sharing insight about different apps and aspects of social media, coaching parents that conversations with children around the potential dangers of technology and social media are as important as conversations around the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

    Loveland School Resource Officer Fred Barnes shared his knowledge on drug paraphernalia and use, along with telltale signs to look for in the bedrooms of our children. The “mock bedroom” display was a great way to bring his message together. Officer Barnes reminded us all the power of simply talking to our children, and even more importantly, always listening and knowing they are looking for guidance.  

    Speaker Beth Renner shared a powerful, personal story of loss as she talked about her son Zack, who lost his life to addiction. It was a poignant message filled with courage and her hope to impact one life as she continues to share her story.

    As the program coordinator of LEAAD, I want to offer a special and sincere thank you to Loveland’s Prince of Peace Church for allowing us to host our event in their beautiful facility, and to all of the community resources that made this such a great evening.  

    Johnnie Kanoza is the Program Coordinator for Loveland Educating Against Alcohol & Drugs

    As we move forward into spring, LEAAD’s mission is to continue leading, educating and promoting awareness about alcohol and drug abuse throughout the Loveland community. We are dedicated to providing the resources and tools to help keep our schools, neighborhoods and surrounding communities safe. Our hope is through events like this we will activate our community to take action, join together and stand united as one.

    More details on the event will be located on our LEAAD Facebook page, along with other events we will be participating in.  

    Our work is just getting started. There are many great things in the works for next school year. Stay tuned!

  • Loveland Educating Against Alcohol and Drugs (LEAAD) joins forces with the Governor’s Office

    Loveland Educating Against Alcohol and Drugs (LEAAD) joins forces with the Governor’s Office

    Start Talking! lunch a way to open communication to help students

    Members of Loveland Educating Against Alcohol and Drugs (LEAAD) met with the Stephen Caraway from the Governor’s Office Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 to learn about Start Talking! – an initiative to give parents, guardians, educators, business, and community leaders the tools to start the conversation with Ohio’s youth about the importance of living healthy, drug-free lives.

    Loveland, Ohio – Tuesday, Feb. 13, inside the Loveland Middle School Media Center, it was a lunch date with a purpose – help all Ohio students make good choices. At the table with Loveland Educating Against Alcohol and Drugs (LEAAD) – the office of the Ohio Governor – and on the agenda for both groups was a focused conversation on the “Start Talking!” program, an initiative to give parents, guardians, educators, business, and community leaders the tools to start the conversation with Ohio’s youth about the importance of living healthy, drug-free lives.

    “Through LEAAD, Loveland has been a leader in spearheading these – many times – difficult conversations as we work to get in front of the drug epidemic that has impacted so many people in our state,” said Loveland Interim Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse. “We were happy to host the Governor’s regional liaison, Stephen Caraway, as he works to get the message out about the Start Talking! program. This was a healthy exchange of ideas and best practices, and we are certain the conversation will continue.”

    “Governor Kasich’s work to fight drug abuse and addiction began even before he took office, and over the last seven years, Ohio has put in place one of the nation’s most aggressive and comprehensive approaches to fighting opiate addiction and drug overdoses,” said Stephen Caraway, regional liaison to the Governor. “Ohio continues to provide tools and resources to local communities to help combat addiction and drug abuse and it is imperative that communities collaborate with those on the frontlines of this battle and put the resources to work in neighborhoods. The Governor’s Regional office appreciated the opportunity to hear about the important work of the LEAAD organization, and we encourage anyone to contact our office if they would like to have someone from Start Talking! give a presentation.

    “The evil we’re fighting continues to take on a changing face, making it essential that communities have a determined, community-based sense of commitment and a shared purpose to make progress. We’re thankful for the work you are doing in your community.”  

    LEAAD presented Right Under Your Nose Sunday, March 11, at Prince of Peace Church. Designed as an educational opportunity for adults only, Right Under Your Nose uncovers the hidden dangers that students face on a daily basis, including: substance abuse, violence, juvenile crime, technology, and risky behaviors.

  • Loveland Educating Against Alcohol and Drugs presents adults only, “Right Under Your Nose”

    Loveland Educating Against Alcohol and Drugs presents adults only, “Right Under Your Nose”

    Tiger parents encouraged to attend the March 11 event

    Loveland, Ohio – Loveland Educating Against Alcohol and Drugs (LEAAD) presents Right Under Your Nose Sunday, March 11, at Prince of Peace Church. Designed as an educational opportunity for adults only, Right Under Your Nose uncovers the hidden dangers that students face on a daily basis, including: substance abuse, violence, juvenile crime, technology, and risky behaviors. Doors will open at 4:30 PM for adults to tour a mock teenager’s bedroom, visit an artifact table, and meet with community resources including drug addiction professionals, mental health counselors and preventative programs. The Right Under Your Nose presentation will start at 5:30 PM.



    “If you were unable to attend the presentation in 2016, now is your chance!” said Loveland Middle School Assistant Principal Jayson Bruce, who serves on the executive committee of LEAAD. “However, if you did see it the first time, a lot has changed, and this experience would be worth your time.”

    To date, LEAAD has presented the Right Under Your Nose program to more than 1,000 adults – including sessions at several local school districts, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Changing the Future of Children of Addicted Parents Conference.    

    “I am beyond ecstatic with what we have been able to accomplish with Right Under Your Nose,” said Bruce. “The conversations that parents are having with their children because of this program is so important. If we can help one parent or one young adult, then all of this is well worth it.”  

    Included in the Right Under Your Nose presentation is a mother’s heartbreaking story of how drug addiction ultimately took her son. Beth Renner hopes that by sharing her story, she can help one parent or one child that is struggling themselves. The night will conclude with a Q & A session.