Columbia County Connects has 3 Community Action Teams (CATs) in Columbus, Lodi and Pardeeville. The CATs work through community organizations to limit underage alcohol access within their communities.
In 2009 the Columbia County CATs worked on the following projects:
One-to-One Interviews – Individual, one-on-one meetings with community members to assess the communities stance on
underage alcohol access and to recruit new members.
Parent Pledge Directory - The Parent Pledge Directory allows parents to network with one another and to close the loopholes that allow youth to access alcohol.
Town Hall Suppers – Community gatherings to inform and educate on the topic of underage alcohol access.
Beverage Server Training – The CATs have been instrumental in getting the word out to community groups and businesses regarding beverage server training. The CATs have also been active in getting organizations who serve alcohol at festivals and events to mandate training for their members who serve.
Parents Who Host Lose the Most – Campaign aimed at
parents and other adults to educate them on the consequences of providing alcohol for those underage.
Sticker Shock – A campaign intended to educate the alcohol purchaser of the consequences of purchasing alcohol for those underage. Stickers are placed on alcohol products and window clings are placed on cooler doors in stores that sell packaged alcoholic beverages.
Web Site and DVD Presentations – Educational information for parents regarding the effects of alcohol on adolescents
Prescription Drug Round Up - CAT Teams work in conjuction with local law enforcement to set up a day where local community members can bring expired or discontinued prescriptions or over the counter medication to a drop site.
