(Chelsea Update would like to thank Reiley Curran for the information in this story.)
The Michigan Health and Hospital Association (MHA) has awarded Chelsea Community Hospital (CCH) the Ludwig Community Benefit Award for its work with the SRSLY Coalition.
This award is given to hospitals that “have aided their communities in extraordinary ways,” according to the MHA website.
“On behalf of our Board of Trustees and all at Chelsea Community Hospital we are honored to be associated with SRSLY,” said Nancy Graebner, president and CEO of the hospital.
“Since its inception, SRSLY has had a significant positive impact on our community and the outcomes achieved to date to reduce substance abuse in our youth are astounding,” she said, adding, “We are very excited to see communities surrounding Chelsea choose to also implement our SRSLY programs. SRSLY is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when members of a community pull together to address social concerns with programs that will have a long-lasting impact.”
As one of four winners in the state, Chelsea Community Hospital received a $3,000 cash prize to support SRSLY, and a statue that will be displayed at the hospital.
CCH was chosen by the award committee because of SRSLY’s the demonstrated positive outcomes, broad community support, and creative approach to preventing youth substance abuse.
“This award is named in memory of Patric E. Ludwig, a former MHA president who championed investment in the community’s overall health, and is presented to member organizations that have been integral parts of collaborative programs to improve the health and well-being of area residents,” said Spencer Johnson, president of the MHA Board of Trustees.
More than 900 youth and adults in Chelsea have volunteered for SRSLY over the past five years, donating more than 13,000 hours.
SRSLY promotes positive community and family involvement through education, skill-building, environmental changes, and fun substance-free events.
This multi-strategy approach has led to sharp reductions in youth substance abuse in Chelsea.
- According to the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth survey, lifetime alcohol use dropped by 27 percent among high school students, and 74 percent among middle school students from 2007 to 2012.
- Recent alcohol use went down by 29 percent among high school students, and 76 percent among middle school students. Early onset alcohol use (before the age of 13) decreased by 61 percent.
- Lifetime marijuana use among high school students went down by 12 percent.
- However, it is worth noting that from 2007 to 2010, lifetime marijuana use dropped from 30 percent to 15 percent among high school students, then increased to 26.5 percent in 2012. SRSLY leaders attribute this recent rise (also seen across the state) to the increased availability and decreased perception of risk, associated with Michigan legalizing medical marijuana.
SRSLY is redoubling efforts to address these risk factors through multiple strategies and activities, as part of their 2012-2016 Strategic Plan.
As the fiscal agent for the coalition, CCH donates significant in-kind resources including office space, phone, internet, and support from multiple hospital departments. As an organizational member of SRSLY, CCH donates staff time to participate on the steering committee, help with strategic planning, and program implementation.
“This award recognizes all the hard work this hospital and our volunteers have put in over the years to make Chelsea a safe and healthy place for youth,” said SRSLY Coalition Director Reiley Curran.
“I think it is even more powerful that this award came from a healthcare organization. It underscores the importance of prevention when it comes to youth substance abuse,” she said.
For more information on SRSLY, click here, or you can contact Curran via email at [email protected] or call 734-593-5279.
(Publisher’s note: I serve on the SRSLY Board.)
