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Helping Today’s Youth Become Tomorrow’s Leaders.

About Us

The Perry County Community Task Force was established in 1995 as the result of a CHART (communities health assessment resource team) initiative in Perry County. The organization was began with a concerted effort to make Perry County an even better community in which to live. With a membership of approximately 35, the ongoing mission is to continue to build a safe, healthy and thriving community for Perry County though inclusive partnerships from all segments of the community, including healthcare, law enforcement, social services, businesses, civic groups, youth, parents, schools, faith communities, government, and interested groups and citizens.  The focus of the organization, however is on youth, with a special emphasis on assisting at-risk youth to avoid delinquency issues and move toward a successful future. On July 9, 1997 the bylaws of the Perry County Community Task Force were approved.  Task Force meetings are held the third Wednesday of every other month from 11:30-1:00pm in the Perry County Memorial Hospital Education Center and operate around an open membership policy, with all interested groups and individuals encouraged to attend.

The Task Force is a nonprofit, 501c3 organization. It has a seven member Board of Directors that meets be-monthly. An extensive policy and procedures manual has been developed and in 2004 the Perry County Community Task Force was certified as a target substance abuse prevention program by the Department of Mental Health.

Timeline of Perry County Community Task Force

1995—Grass roots effort to form Task Force

1996—Community Survey and results

1997—Task Force incorporated through the State of Missouri

1998—Recognized as a 501c3 by the Internal Revenue Service

1998—Became a Community 2000 Coalition

2004—Certified through the Department of Mental Health

2005—Credientialed as an Access to Recovery Provider

2005—New community survey conducted to identify needs in community

2009—Service to Science grant was awarded to create a stronger presence of the CHAMPS mentoring program in Perry County

In 1996 the Task Force conducted a community survey to identify needs in Perry County.  Surveys were mailed to 1/3 of the registered voters and were placed in local establishments, etc.  Top needs identified were as follows:

Substance Abuse

Declining Family Values

Risky Sexual Behaviors

Teen Pregnancy

Juvenile Delinquency

 

It was decided that a mentoring program would be utilized to address all of these needs.  The CHAMPS (Communities Helping Adolescents Mature Positively and Successfully) Mentoring Program originated.  The School to Work Coordinator for Perry County District #32 asked the Perry County Community Task Force for help in developing and securing funding for a countywide mentoring program.  A proposal was developed and a grant received from the Missouri Department of Health.  The CHAMPS Mentoring Program was officially launched on Oct. 5, 1999, with a luncheon in Perryville to celebrate and introduce this important new effort.  In the first year of the Mentoring Program, only 3 youth were being mentored.  By the beginning of 2004, there were nearly 70 youth being mentored and about 25 youth on the waiting list.  

In 2001 the Perry County Community Task Force decided to address the high school drop-out rate in Perry County through the CHAMPS Out-Of-School Program.  Statistics indicate that Perry County ranked 110 out of 115 counties for having the highest drop-out rate in the year 2003.  In 2004 there were 86 attendees in the Out-Of-School Program.  Some youth stated that they had dropped out of school because of substance use.  The Perry County Community Task Force Board decided that it was time to start a program for substance using youth. 

A committee was formed consisting of Probation and Parole, Juvenile Office, Principals, Counselors, Division of Social Services, concerned citizens and youth themselves to create the Seeking Answers support group for 16-21 year old substance using youth, which began in 2002.  Judges and attorneys were informed of the program and the ways in which it would help Perry County youth.  Many youth are now court mandated to attend the program.  Other attendees come due to parental influence, as friends of those who have been court mandated, or as interested individuals.

Many of the participants of the Seeking Answers group admit that they began using substances at ages 10 or 12.  With this information, the Task Force Board decided that the committee for Seeking Answers needed to reconvene and begin a group for younger youth.  The SAAS (Seeking Answers About Substances) support group began in 2003 for youth ages 12-15 years old.  A total of 32 youth attended SAAS in the first 7 months, and only 7 of those were court mandated.  The program continues to be a success.

The Seeking Answers Advisory Committee spoke at length about the need for a program that would assist youth and parents with communication, etc.  As a result the YAP (Youth and Parents) Program began in October of 2004.  18 families participated in YAP in the first 3 months.  

The Junior/Senior Conference is another event hosted by the Perry County Community Task Force.  This yearly conference focuses on helping encourage youth to make healthy decisions about drug and alcohol use especially during prom and graduation.  Events which take place at the conference generally consist of a car accident reenactment and a motivational speaker.  This conference began in 1999.

In 2007 the Task Force decided to implement an 8th Grade Prevention Conference.  This conference is similar to the Junior/Senior Conference but it is on a smaller scale.  There is no docu drama for the students to watch.  A motivational group called The Seven Project gives an upbeat and to the point presentation.  This group covers a variety of topics to help kids make the right decisions.  The 8th Grade Prevention Conference is for all Perry County eighth graders, with an emphasis on helping them acquire additional resistance skills prior to entering the larger arena of high school.

The Task Force started another program in 2008.  It was felt that the youth needed the basic lifeskills to help them make good choices.  So the LifeSkills Training Program was started.  This program is for all schools who desire prevention services for eighth through tenth grade.  These lifeskills are taught in the classroom, encouraging students to participate and share.

Staff

Jeanette Klobe

Director, Perry County Community Task Force

Jeanette received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Southeast Missouri State University and since has worked to helped improve the lives of youth and adults in Perry County. Jeanette has worked as an educator, advocate for children, and leader in Perry County. She assisted with the successful implementation of the GED program in Perry County, the creation of the CHAMPS mentoring program (which has, to date, offered mentors to over 207 children and teens), and worked with State Senators and Representatives to wrote a bill allowing local sales tax funding in Perry County. Jeanette has worked as the director of the Perry County Community Task Force for over 11 years and continues to inspire others to see the positive potential in all youth.

Brandie Koenig

Assistant Director, Perry County Community Task Force

Brandie received her Bachelor of Science in Health Science (with an emphasis in Community Health) from Truman State University. In 2004. Brandie is a native of Perryville and always aspired to come back and work with the youth in her hometown. As the Assistant Director Brandie is involved in the CHAMPS mentoring program and all youth conferences provided by the Perry County Community Task Force. She works with youth that have experienced problems due to substance use and abuse and teaches a lifeskills training class to all 8th graders in Perry County. Brandie enjoys working as the Assistance Director of the Perry County Community Task Force because she likes becoming a friend and confidant to teens and guiding them through any problems or issues they face.

MISSION STATEMENT

Develop a monitored plan of faction, and facilitate the implementation of various strategies for a healthy and safe community.

VISION STATEMENT

A community that includes a comprehensive and pro-active approach to family and child well being.

Jessica Mahathath

Youth and Parents Support Associate, Perry County Community Task Force

Jessica received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Southeast Missouri State University in 2007. As a native of Perryville Jessica has worked hard to improve the lives of people in her hometown by working first as a Crisis Advocate at the Regional Family Crisis Center, then as a Youth Specialist at the Division of Youth Services. As the Youth and Parents Support Associate with the Perry County Community Task Force Jessica works with families to improve communication skills and strengthen family ties. She is also involved in all parent/youth activities provided by the Perry County Community Task Force. Although only with the organization for a short time Jessica enjoys her job because she likes working with families and children.

Perry County Community Task Force