Purpose

Focus WNY strives to combine the resources and knowledge of Western New York Colleges and Community Organizations to put forth a conscious effort in the prevention of alcohol misuse and abuse, other drug abuse, and violence on campus and in the surrounding community.

Goals

1. To provide a forum once a semester for Western New York Colleges and Community Organizations to research, discover, teach, and learn about prevention/intervention methods and strategies for Higher Education.
2. To provide an ongoing network of professionals that can be utilized continuously to provide assistance and consultation in the area of alcohol, other drugs, and violence prevention.
3. To identify and address the problem of alcohol, other drugs, and violence on campus within individual campuses and together as part of the WNY community.

History

In Spring 2003 Buffalo State College received the $12,500 Health Campus-Community Coalition Project Grant through the Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) One goal of this project was for Buffalo State College to take a leadership role in partnering with other area colleges in revitalizing Focus WNY: The Higher Education Prevention/Intervention Network of Western NY College Consortium in order to establish a comprehensive regional network to address AOD issues on college campuses. This goal was achieved successfully. A networking reception was held on May 19th, 2003and a planning committee meeting was held on June 11th. At the planning committee it was decided that Buffalo State College continue to take the leadership role in coordinating and chairing this consortium.

At the May 19th Focus WNY meeting a needs assessment was completed. It was found that at this time members would like to utilize Focus WNY as a way to network and share information on AOD issues. It was also decided that members wanted to meet once a semester. In addition to the needs assessment, a panel presentation was coordinated with a representative from each college. The purpose of this panel was to share and discuss the different programs and efforts that are in place on each campus to address AOD issues.

The second Focus WNY meeting was held in the Fall 2003 semester on November 21st. For this meeting another panel presentation was coordinated with representatives from local community organizations. The purpose of this panel was for the community organizations to inform the colleges on the services and programs they offer and how they can collaborate with the colleges. This panel was very successful and received positive feedback

The next Focus WNY meeting is scheduled for May 28th, 2004. The focus of this meeting will be on grants and funding. A speaker will also be provided to discuss campus judicial programs.

Tammy Kresge
Chair