CHART Hosts Luncheon Meeting of Ava Area Chamber of Commerce

Douglas County Community Health Assistance Resources Team (CHART) and Interagency Council hosted the August luncheon meeting of the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.
Nina Carter, president of CHART, gave an overview of the organization’s purpose, including the mission statement of CHART: “Douglas County CHART and Interagency Council is dedicated to assisting Douglas County residents to achieve healthier lifestyles by expanding, introducing, and enhancing community activities. This includes physical, mental, and spiritual health, and education to help youth and adults reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.”
Carter said an emphasis of CHART at the present time is drug prevention and awareness.
Amber Allen from the Community Partnership of the Ozarks, also shared information on this focus, and Sonya Hodges from the Douglas County Health Department spoke on the Healthy Schools Healthy Communities project.
Carter said CHART has an application pending for a drug prevention grant that is to be awarded later this fall. Since notification of refusal has not been received, the group is hopeful that the local application might be accepted and awarded.
Norma Stillings, CHART treasurer, also reminded individuals and businesses that membership in CHART is a modest $5 per year, and encouraged those who are not already members to join.
CHART meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month in the conference room at Missouri Ozarks Community Health (MOCH) Clinic.
Some of the projects or concerns CHART involves itself in include nutrition and promotion of exercise; alternative activities for youth; child safety/seatbelt campaigns; school supply give away; smoking prevention and cessation; education against substance abuse; proper medication disposal; legislative meetings; and Century 21 Drug Free Communities grant.