The Oak Park and River Forest parent group IMPACT, which formed in 2010 to deal with substance abuse issues among students at OPRF High School, is looking to hire a part-time director to oversee the group’s operations and help it grow.
IMPACT, which includes police, community and school leaders, has received a one-year $37,000 grant from the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board to hire a program director, said Kristine Raino-Ogden, who currently serves in the leadership role.
IMPACT is going through reorganization and is looking to become a sustainable organization. Having a permanent director will help with that effort, according to Raino-Ogden.
She says she’ll remain an active member and volunteer with the organization, but that the demands of overseeing IMPACT while maintaining a full-time job became increasingly difficult.
The Mental Health Board, which provides grants to local organizations that address mental health issues, approached IMPACT about applying for the money, Raino-Ogden said. The grant runs through March 2015.
The money will also help pay to send two IMPACT members for training with the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America, Raino-Ogden said. Founded in 1992, the coalition offers several drug prevention and program development training, according to the group’s website (www.cadca.org).
The organization has seven candidates, many of whom are local, who are being considered for the position, she said. The group plans to hire a person in the next few weeks. Along with administrative duties and overseeing IMPACT’s programs, the director will also look for additional grant funding, including money to fund their position on an ongoing basis, Raino-Ogden said.
IMPACT has about 15-20 volunteer leaders who run programs, about 50 to 60 identified members, and roughly 1,000 people who receive their newsletter. Since its founding, IMPACT has expanded its reach to include helping students in Oak Park Elementary School District 97.