FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July, 2007
For more information contact: Mary F. Chance, Director, Department of Community Services, 410-638-3389

After demonstrating exceptional leadership skills at the Annual Harford County Symposium, held on June 26, 2007 at C. Milton Wright High School, Takara Taylor was approached by the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA) to provide facilitation at their National Youth Leadership Initiative (NYLI) being held July 30-August 2, 2007.

CADCA’s NYLI is a component of the National Coalition Academy developed by the Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute at CADCA. The NYLI helps coalitions build their capacity to foster youth leadership in the design, implementation and evaluation of action strategies addressing community problems. In these sessions, both youth and their identified advisors will learn how to help community coalitions be more effective in producing community change.

“Takara is a prime example of what we aim for here in Harford County – a dedicated and inspirational young person working toward a better future for herself and others,” stated Harford County Executive David Craig. “We are so proud of her accomplishments in our county and are certain she will serve an integral role at the National Youth Leadership Initiative.”

Takara graduated from Aberdeen High School in May 2007 and has been serving as a Youth Coordinator and summer intern at the Department of Community Services’ Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP). During her time at ODCP she has demonstrated a remarkable enthusiasm for further advancing Harford County’s youth involvement in drug prevention. Additionally, Takara is a member of the faith-based coalition, Faith Activated Community Empowering Intervention Training (FACE-IT), dedicated to providing educational intervention through training to prevent substance abuse and to combat addictions in Harford County.

Ms. Taylor went above and beyond her internship duties and also planned and facilitated the FACE-IT youth component, Youth Empowered to Succeed (Y.E.S.) Leadership Workshop at the Harford County Symposium. All evaluations completed by youth and adult workshop participants were excellent.

“Takara is an inspiration, not only among her peers, but within the Office of Drug Control Policy,” stated Joseph Ryan, Manager, ODCP. “She has demonstrated a unique leadership ability for someone so young and we look forward to seeing the great strides she is sure to make in her very promising future.”

As a facilitator at the NYLI, Takara will help provide training to youth leaders and adult coalition leaders by focusing on the strategic prevention framework, identifying the community’s needs and resources, and analyzing problems and goals. The highly interactive training teaches what is required to create and nurture the growth of committed leaders and their work within coalitions.

“Expectations are set high at NYLI and I am certain that Takara will exceed all expectations,” said Arilea deCarvalho, Training and Technical Assistant Associate, Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA). “I very much look forward to working with Takara and providing her with the opportunity to utilize her talent on a national level.”

The Office of Drug Control Policy’s mission is to provide drug prevention services through creating strategies and utilizing the resources of public/private agencies and citizens.

The Harford County Department of Community Services was established in 1979 via Executive Order and works daily to meet the needs of our seniors, youth, persons with disabilities and those struggling to overcome addiction. The Department works with federal, state, local and private agencies to ensure our county continues to evolve and remains dedicated to providing the best possible services for our citizens and community.