OUR STORY
The Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN) was established in 1995 and is a recognized leader in the advocacy and promotion of healthy, substance-free behaviors and lifestyles in the Webster community. WHEN has always worked closely with the Webster Central School District, town, and community resources to support drug education and awareness initiatives.
In 2018, WHEN joined the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) as a member coalition and became Webster Health and Education Network: A Drug Free Community Coalition (WHEN:DFCC). Our coalition was awarded a federal grant by The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in December of 2019. The $625,0000 grant, received over five years, will be used to involve and engage our community to empower Webster kids to grow up strong and substance free.
WHEN:DFCC is comprised of over 60 members representing multiple sectors of our community including business owners, faith-based organizations, youth, civic/volunteer groups, media, law enforcement, health care providers, substance use prevention professionals, etc.
Research suggests that the longer youth wait to use drugs and/or alcohol, the less likely it is that they will become addicted later in life. Therefore, our goal as a community coalition is to collaborate with our partners to delay, decrease, and prevent substance use among youth. WHEN:DFCC is thankful to have served the Webster community for the past 25 years and looks forward to impacting the lives of our young people for years to come.
MEET THE TEAM
WHEN:DFCC is a non-profit network of Webster community members including businesses, parents, teachers, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and other key leaders and organizations linked through awareness, education and action. Meet our Coalition Board of Directors below:
Janine Sanger
Executive Director
Retired School Psychologist and Coordinator of Health and Wellness for the Webster Central School District. "People are my passion. I value the opportunity to collaborate with Webster community partners as we nurture the healthy development of our youth."
Barry Howard
Board President
President / CEO of the Webster Chamber of Commerce. "Reducing youth substance use makes the employees of tomorrow better equipped for living, working, and leading productive, enriched lives. The Webster Chamber of Commerce is a strong community partner in the efforts of WHEN:DFCC and I am grateful to the multiple Chamber members who support this work!"
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Linda Dioguardi
Programming Chair
Board of Education member and a parent of 2 juniors... one in high school and one in college. "As a parent and community member, I have a passion for helping kids make positive choices as well as empowering parents to help their children succeed."
Krista Grose
Assistant Director
WCSD Parent/WCSD Public Relations Coordinator. "I'm privileged to work with Webster friends and neighbors as our coalition shares wellness strategies and life-changing lessons with our young people."
Carolyn Montanaro
Treasurer
Office Manager at Neubert Financial Services and local parent. "As the parent of two teenagers, I am very interested in collaborating with community partners to help reduce youth substance use."
Stephen L. Gaudioso
Research/Assessment Chair
Retired Xerox RD&E manager, parent of 5 adult children who attended Webster Schools from the 70's - early 2000's. WHEN:DFCC involvement grew out of church community outreach and desire to assist youth in making good life decisions and to help parents with resources to support their youth.
Jen Swab DeGrace
Communications/
Marketing Chair
Former Director of Client Services for a NYC marketing agency, Webster parent, WC PTSA past Co-president, and current Media Management Specialist for WHEN:DFCC. "Parenting teens is challenging, even under the best circumstances. WHEN:DFCC is a great resource for families."
WHAT WE DO
Local Events
WHEN:DFCC connects Webster residents with reliable resources. For example, we welcomed experts from the Department of Health, Medical Examiner's Office, Monroe County Sheriff's Office, and Webster Police Department at a community forums on the opioid crisis.
Youth Engagement
We create opportunities for young people to use their own voices to advocate for healthy living, such as our #BeVapeFree video contest for students in grades 6-12.
Community Education
WHEN:DFCC designs social media campaigns to educate the public about the dangers that drugs and alcohol present, and to promote upcoming events.
Parent Outreach
In collaboration with our partners, we inform parents and caregivers about issues their kids are facing and present it when and where parents are available, like this video on Teen Vaping that was shown at school Open House events.
Advocacy
We support policy measures that protect youth from early drug and alcohol exposure, like the Tobacco 21 initiative to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco and vape products.
Community Training
While our mission is prevention, we recognize the need for effective interventions, too. We have worked with partners to provide free Naloxone training sessions right here in Webster. Naloxone (or Narcan) can help a patient recover from an opioid overdose.
RECOGNITION
25 Years of Service
WHEN:DFCC was recognized by the Webster Chamber of Commerce for 25 years of service to the Webster Community. Established in 1995, our 25th anniversary was in 2020, but recognized in 2021 due to the pandemic. Image: Diane McClure, Board Chair-Webster Chamber of Commerce (L) presents Janine Sanger (R) with Webster Health & Education Network's Anniversary Award
Town of Webster and Monroe County Proclamations
The Webster Town Board recognized the accomplishments of WHEN:DFCC at the February 20, 2020 Webster Town Board Meeting with both Town and County Proclamations.
2019 Grant Recipient
WHEN:DFCC was awarded a federal grant by The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in December of 2019 and will receive $625,000 over the next five years in DFC grant funds to involve and engage our local community to prevent substance use among youth.