Prevention and Response Columbia County

02/26/2026

😍Thank you, CASA of Dane & Columbia Counties, for having PARCC present at the Advocate Summit on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children is a non-profit program dedicated to providing advocacy for children who experienced abuse and neglect and are under the protection of the courts. A program of Canopy Center Inc.

PARCC presented to foster parents, other child advocates, and CASA volunteers about the prevention efforts in Columbia County and shared tools and resources. Thank you for being a light to our youth! 🫶

02/20/2026

At the PARCC meeting on Thursday, the group was busy working on a community mapping activity. If you missed it, it's not too late! If you live in Columbia County complete this brief survey https://forms.gle/aVcnTGaz6YRKTRd19

Thank you to The Harbor Recovery Center, Columbia County Health and Human Services, Columbia County Veterans Service Office, Columbia County Sheriff's Office WI, Portage Police Department - Wisconsin, Portage Public Library, Compass Counseling,Transitions Behavioral Health, and Sauk Prairie Healthcare for participating!

02/13/2026

The PARCC meeting is quickly approaching! We hope to see you there! The meeting is on February 19, 2026, 1pm-2pm at Columbia County ADRC Conference Room, 111 E. Mullett Street, Portage.

Can't join in person??? Check out our virtual option

Meeting Link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88415227519?pwd=aWVDjTCxaPif8gMMnqFUe7kRYOKYE0.1

Meeting ID: 884 1522 7519
Passcode: 512911

Email from PARCC PARCC MEETING AGENDA Mission: Through collaboration with Columbia County communities, we identify, guide, support, lead, and advocate for prevention and recovery strategies to decreas

02/11/2026

Check out the PARCC Connection, our quarterly newsletter!

02/10/2026

Check out this FREE upcoming event!

02/09/2026

We're excited to share that Prevention and Response Columbia County (PARCC) will be speaking at the Advocate Summit! 🎤

Bryan and Sara will discuss how community-based prevention efforts - like PARCC's evidence based Pre-Venture program - can support youth mental health and reduce substance misuse. Attendees will also learn how to help youth navigate stress, peer pressure and other developmental challenges.

CASA volunteers, foster parents and others who support youth are encouraged to register today! https://canopycenter.org/how-to-help/events/advocate-summit.html

02/07/2026

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month!

Did you know that 1 in 3 teens in the U.S. will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults?

You are not alone! Free and confidential support is available: 24-hour helpline:1-800-584-6790

01/19/2026

Do you know someone who is struggling with alcohol, substance use, or mental health? Have a family member or loved one who is? Check out the free services offered by The Harbor Recovery Center!

01/05/2026

Just because you’ve done it once, doesn’t mean you’ll be safe again. Using pills that aren’t prescribed to you is dangerous. Get tips to protect yourself and your friends at cdc.gov/FreeMind.

12/16/2025

It takes a team to create drug-free communities! 🤝
👏Thank you to the Pardeeville Middle School for partnering with PARCC on prevention efforts for area youth!
Sara McChesney, PARCC Program Coordinator, and Courtney Sturtevant, Middle School Counselor, presented at the Building the Heart of Successful Schools Conference about their prevention work.

11/20/2025

PARCC partners with Wisconsin WINS to conduct to***co compliance checks in Columbia County. These checks ensure that retailers are not selling to***co products to youth!

Thank you to the following retailers in Portage: Dollar General, Discount Liquor, Market Basket, and Discount Smokes for keeping to***co products out of the hands of youth.