RCCMHC formed in 2018 to address the overlap between chemical and mental health among community members. The coalition merged the efforts of the former Rice County Chemical Health Coalition (established in 2004) and the Rice County Mental Health Collective (established in 2011). The resulting coalition welcomes representatives from all sectors of the community.
Several action teams made up of professionals and/or community members work closely with the Coalition. Learn more about them here:
Provides advice, support, and guidance as the Coalition implements strategies to meet its mission goals. The group meets quarterly.
Contact: rccmhc@healthycommunityinitiative.org
Current Advisory Board Members:
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Deb Purfeerst, Public Health Director, Rice Count
- Natalie Ginter, Director, Community Engagement and Development, Allina Health, South Region
- Carrie Duba, School Psychologist/District Systems Coach, Northfield Public Schools
- Mallory Fuchs, Chemical Health Coordinator, ALC, Faribault Public Schools
- Mary Morgan, Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist, Fernbrook Family Center
Raises community awareness about local youth substance use and makes recommendations for community interventions to reduce youth use. The group meets monthly.
Partners: High School Youth, Parents, Law Enforcement, and Community Members
Staff Contact: Meleah Follen, meleah@healthycommunityinitiative.org
Works to determine gaps and increase access to mental and chemical health prevention, early intervention, and treatment services for all populations in Rice County. The Provider Team meets quarterly.
Partners: Mental Health, Chemical Health, Health Care, Judicial, Human Services, Transitional Housing
Staff Contact: rccmhc@healthycommunityinitiative.org
Works to identify opportunities within the district, and provide solutions and guidance around mental health. The team meets quarterly.
Partners: District Administration, School Board Members, Counselors, Social Workers, Community Partners
Equips community members and leaders to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health challenges by facilitating the evidence-based Mental Health First Aid course.
Certified Instructors: Counselors, Educators, Community Health Workers
Contact: mhfa@healthycommunityinitiative.org
Identifies and addresses gaps in opiate use prevention and harm reduction strategies, treatment, and crisis services. This group meets monthly.
Harm reduction strategies are evidence-based interventions that serve to reduce overdose deaths and infectious disease transmission. Learn more here.
Partners: Law Enforcement, Health Care, Behavioral Health, Emergency Response, Corrections, Human Services, Youth Services, Pharmacy
Staff contact: rccmhc@healthycommunityinitiative.org
Prevention Partnerships for Healthy Youth (PPHY) is an action team of the Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Coalition who work to empower youth and families of color to drive, inspire, and own community efforts to prevent and reduce substance use. This partnership is a made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Learn more here.
Partners: Faribault Public Schools, Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Coalition
Grant Coordinator: Angie Ramirez Saucedo
aramirez@faribault.k12.mn.us