- Home
- Programs
- About Us
- Information
- Careers
- Contact Us
- FAQs
JUNIOR LEAGUE SPONSORS “Mommy & Me” Valentine’s Day event at DACCO
The Junior League of Tampa – one of DACCO’s generous community partners and supporters - sponsored the annual “Mommy & Me” Valentine’s Day event at the DACCO campus. Over 80 women and children took part in the opportunity to have their children, family and friends come and enjoy pizza and cookies while also participating in arts and crafts activities.
Two of the mothers in DACCO’s Women’s Residential Program shared how much they appreciated the opportunity to bond with children during the event. Katherine attended with her three children and said, “My kids loved the event! They especially like decorating the foam hearts in the craft area but decorating the chocolate chip cookies with pink icing was a close second!” Julia, another Women’s Residential client, and her two older children attended the event and loved decorating cookies. ”I really appreciate the Junior League helping us to have a moment to remember.”
All of the clients in DACCO’s Women’s Residential Program would like to give thanks to the Junior League for sponsoring such an extraordinary evening allowing so many moms and their children to spend time together. “We don’t get to spend as much time together as we would like because we are making the changes necessary to keep drugs out of our lives – it was such an incredible experience!”
Please contact us at 813-384-4216 if you or your organization would like the opportunity to partner with us!
East Tampa Neighborhoods Awarded Grant
Mayor Pam Iorio, Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor and other dignitaries were on hand to accept the Weed & Seed grant award from U.S. Attorney A. Brian Albritton on January 13th at the Tampa Police District III in Ybor City. This award will, over the next five years, address the high crime rate in the East Tampa neighborhoods of Grant Park, Highland Pines, Rainbow Heights & Northview Hills.
The grant will fund enhanced policing activities, prevention; substance abuse intervention, treatment and prevention programming in surrounding community centers; offender reentry assistance; and neighborhood restoration. These initiatives will be coordinated through a steering committee consisting of individuals in the community, local police and community service organizations including DACCO, Abe Brown Ministries and the CDC of Tampa. DACCO will serve as both the Fiscal Agent and Safe Haven for this project.
Kim Miner, site coordinator for the East Tampa project, indicated “I am looking forward to working with the community in building it into a stronger, safer and healthier place to live for its residents”
DACCO Named as WEDU
Be More Award Finalist
DACCO was selected as a finalist in the “Be More… Brilliant” category recently by WEDU, West Central Florida’s primary PBS station.
With more than 70 applications submitted in all categories, DACCO was one of 5 nonprofit agencies recognized as a finalist for the construction and opening of the DACCO Center for Behavioral Health in Fall 2008. The new campus now provides a one stop shop for clients to receive substance use disorder services and the necessary support services to turn their lives around. The new campus also allowed for the introduction of new services such as a Family Residence which provides for family housing for women in treatment to live on campus with their children.
Mary Lynn Ulrey, DACCO’s CEO stated: “We are pleased and honored to be recognized by WEDU in this category and want to thank the community for its continued support”
DACCO Opens Duplex Doors
On October 26th the doors to the DACCO Family Residence were opened to two women and their children. This first of its kind residence, onsite at the DACCO Center for Behavioral Health, provides women in treatment the opportunity to live with their children on campus. Prior to opening of this residence, women would have to be separated from their newborns and children while they completed their treatment.
Many dignitaries were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony including Bob Holm, Director of the SubstanceAbuse and Mental Health Program for the Department of Children and Families Suncoast Region and Don Dixon, Assistant Executive Director of Operations for the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County whose agencies provide funding for this innovative new facility. Mr. Dixon stated: “The Children’s Board is dedicated to providing children and families the stability and means to become self sufficient and with the opening of this duplex today another brick is added to an already firm community services foundation here in Hillsborough County.”
DACCO Hosts United Way Executives
We are very appreciative of the United Way as well as our other funding partners, sponsors and donors! To schedule a tour for your group please contact 813-384-4216.
BUTTERFLY GARDEN TAKES FLIGHT ON THE DACCO CAMPUS
October 15th marked a special day on the DACCO campus as over 25 volunteers from Ferman Automotive Group along with DACCO employees and client created a butterfly garden. This garden will provide a therapeutic area for clients and their families to come and meditate.
Natalia Bair, a disease intervention specialist with DACCO’s Project Care program, spearheaded the design and coordination of the activities throughout the day. The day started at 9:00 with excavation of the site and continued with placement of stepping stones, plants, trellis, benches and a bird bath. In addition the volunteers displayed their artistic talents by painting numerous signs highlighting the plantings.
In addition to the volunteers donating their time and energy local businesses also donated plants, mulch and decorative items for the event. We would like to acknowledge the Ferman Motor Care Company, Prodigy Environmental Care and Treemart for their generosity. DACCO appreciates it’s many community partners and sponsors which make projects such as the butterfly garden possible!
Personal Stories Shared at Recovery Month Celebration
Mary Lynn Ulrey, CEO opened the event by welcoming Representative Darryl Rouson - District 55. Representative Rouson shared his personal story of addiction as he celebrates his 11 years of successful recovery. Also on hand were Representatives Rachel Burgin - District 56 and Betty Reid- District 59 who both shared their commitment to helping families and friends avoid the effects of substance abuse as well as ensuring the availability and affordability of community based treatment programs such as DACCO. David P. Myers, MD, CAP, FASAM, and DACCO's new Medical Director also shared his personal story of joy and triumph having made the personal journey into recovery himself over 25 years ago.
In closing Mary Lynn Ulrey stated "The significance of this event is important in that it allows us all to share information regarding the awareness and advances that have been made while also allowing us to identify the barriers that still remain in successfully combating the disorder. Some of these barriers, as you know, include making treatment affordable and without stigma. Events such as today allow this communication to occur and allow us all to work together toward solutions."
DACCO Hosts Drug Czar
Also on hand for the event was Representative Kurt Kelly R- Ocala a cowriter and sponsor of Florida's recently passed passed Prescription Drug Monitoring Law, which will put prescriptions into digital database, making it possible for doctors to identify doctor shoppers and spot doctors who overprescribe narcotics.
DACCO's Chief Executive Office, Mary Lynn Ulrey provided data detailing that 60 to 66 percent of DACCO's methadone clinic patients state that prescription drugs are their drug of choice. "We see a lot of abuse of the opiates, oxycontin and roxycontin," Ulrey said. "And the benzodiazepines that are being prescribed in pain clinics that are not necessary."
Expansion of Healthcorps Program to Freedom High School
DACCO is pleased to announce the expansion of the highly successful Healthcorps program to Freedom High School. Since 2008 this program has been operating on the campus of Tampa Bay Technical High School educating youth on healthy decision-making in regards to diet, mental resilience, and exercise. Empowering students to take responsibility for their own physical health results in: healthy behaviors for life, the prevention of obesity and related health issues, and the reduction of risk factors for other issues such as substance abuse and teen suicide.
This continued local implementation of the HealthCorps program developed by renowned surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz, "Educating the Student Body" is presented to high school students by DACCO and HealthCorps, in cooperation with the Hillsborough County School District. The program uses various strategies that combine hands-on educational experiences, in and outside the classroom, while also encouraging teacher and parent participation. If you are interested in receiving more information or would like to volunteer your time at the Spring community "Highway to Health Fair & Festival." please contact us at 813.384.4216 to discuss individual or group volunteer opportunities.
DACCO Receives Additional Prevention Partnership Funding and Award for New Vans
Bob Holm, Director of SAMH, Suncoast Region, announced at the Prevention Partnership Celebration on August 6th that DACCO had been awarded an additional $120,000 to provide additional prevention programming in Hillsborough County. This grant award will allow DACCO, in cooperation with Phoenix House, the Anti Drug Alliance and Channel 10, to educate college students and the community regarding Blood Alcohol Concentration and the health, safety, and legal risks of underage drinking, binge drinking, and drinking & driving. This program will also provide information and referral services for students, parents, and community members requiring prevention or treatment services. This program will target adults, ages 18-49 with an emphasis on students at the University of Tampa and University of South Florida.
Also DACCO received notification of an award from the Florida Department of Transportation which will allow 4 aging vans from its fleet to be replaced. One of the vans will be handicapped equipped allowing additional support for clients requiring special assistance. These vans will be used to transport clients and family members in treatment to needed services and recovery support programming. Last year DACCO provided over 18,000 trips through its fleet.
Helen Carr-Stephenson awarded Sinai Hero Award
DACCO's own Helen Carr-Stephenson was awarded the Sinai Hero Award at the June 27th award ceremony in Chicago.Helen was presented this award honoring her successful recovery and continued work supporting others through this journey called "life" She has been a Support Service Supervisor in the Women's Residential Treatment Program at DACCO since March of 2008. In addition to pursuing her Bachelor's degree and volunteering her time to many local organizations, she is also the proud mother of six children.
Staff members like Helen truly embody and embrace DACCO's mission of working for a drug-free community - one person, one family at a time - are indeed an inspiration to clients, staff and the community.
Lee Etta Stephens Recognized as FADAA 2009 Professional of the Year
Lee Etta Stephens was awarded Professional of the Year at the 2009 FADAA conference in Orlando on August 13 2009. Lee Etta was nominated by her peers as an example of a true addictions professional in her current role as Counselor Supervisor in the Women's Residential Treatment Program.
Over the past 15 years Lee Etta has achieved personal, professional and educational goals by obtaining her bachelor's degree, CAP certification and is currently working towards her master's degree after having successfully recovered from her own substance use disorder.
In the words of Director Cary Hopkins Eyles: "Lee Etta is the face of a successful recovering woman who is giving back everyday; improving both DACCO and our community through her service work. She gives back by sharing her experience, strength, and hope with the clients as well as training and supporting staff."
DACCO is proud of Lee Etta and appreciates her many contributions!
FAADA 2009 Professionals of the Year Presented Awards
from left: Bob Rihn, President of FADAA; Etta Lee Stephens, DACCO; Monica Salgado, Spectrum Programs; Gerald Rivers, Coastal Behavioral Healthcare; Nicole Ramsay, DATA; Angie Maldonado, The Center for Drug-free Living; Gina Lang, Lakeview Center; James Tarver, Gateway Community Services, Jacksonville; and Mark Fontaine, Executive Director of FADAA. 
DACCO Receives Grant Awards for HIV, Alcohol Use Prevention and Adolescent Programming
DACCO has provided HIV/AIDS prevention in select Tampa zip codes since 2006. Working with businesses and individuals in the community, DACCO's Community Promise program enlists peer advocates who reach out to others at risk and share their own stories of change from risky to safe behaviors. Attesting to the program's success in increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS risk factors, DACCO has been granted an additional three years of funding from the Florida Department of Health starting July 2009.
This award will strengthen the existing full range of HIV/AIDS programming provided by DACCO, including substance use counseling, testing, intervention, treatment, and food bank services. Manager Anil Pandya states, "This award will allow the program to continue to build upon the successes already realized over the past three years. In addition, we will be engaging a younger target population by utilizing innovative means such as online social networking sites to disseminate HIV prevention messages."
Additionally, in collaboration with the Mendez Foundation and the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance, DACCO will implement an alcohol use prevention strategy in three public Brandon middle schools, starting Fall 2009. Funded through a Prevention Partnership grant from the Florida Department of Children and Families, the program will increase awareness of the negative consequences of underage drinking and drinking and driving -- incorporating an in-school curriculum for the kids, an in-home parent-focused intervention for select families, and implementation of the State-approved "Be The Wall" social marketing campaign.
DACCO's Director of Prevention Services, Andrew McFarlane, stated: "This collaborative will provide a multi-tiered approach to addressing in our community the growing problem of underage drinking which cuts across all demographic and socio-economic groups."
The Brandon Foundation has also renewed funding for the continuation of programming in Brandon for adolescents who have both a mental health and substance use disorder. The award will be used to ensure that the proper tools and resources are available to assist them in successfully living a life of recovery.
To join our HIV community effort, please call (813) 384-4022. For information on DACCO prevention programs, please call (813) 384-4136. For further information on our Brandon adolescent programs please call (813) 984-1818.