Engaged in Action Awards Recognize Honorees in Douglas County
The 2026 Engaged in Action Awards recognized the organizations and people who work every day to improve our Douglas County community. Through our collective effort we can reduce substance misuse and promote mental health to create a better well-being for everyone!
Douglas County Installs 988 Signs for Mental Health Awareness Month
Douglas County organizations joined forces to install physical 988 signage across the county to boost awareness of the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline during Mental Health Awareness Month.
Gallery - Leading Causes of Life 5K - 2026
The community showed up big time for the third annual Leading Causes of Life 5K and Festival! See photos from the event, including pictures from the Remembrance Wall.
Engage Douglas County Hosts Town Hall in Lawrence, Kansas
Engage Douglas County held the Healthy Futures Town Hall on May 4, 2026 at Lawrence Public Library. This event brought out parents and concerned community members to connect with a panel of speakers, centered around a discussion on youth prevention here in Douglas County.
Emerging Highs: How Social Media and Vaping Are Driving a New Era of Teen Drug Use
The landscape of teen drug use has changed dramatically. Today's risks don't just come from street corners — they come through smartphone screens, discreet vaping devices disguised as everyday objects, and social media algorithms that normalize substance use before a teenager can recognize what's happening. For parents, educators, and youth-serving professionals, keeping up can feel overwhelming.
Nominations are open for the 2026 Engaged in Action Awards
The Engaged in Action Awards are back for another year of celebration and recognition! This annual event helps to shine a light on the youth, adults, and organizations making an impact on our community here in Douglas County.
Gallery - Youth Mental Health Advocacy Day
Students from across the state came together for Youth Mental Health Advocacy Day at the State Capitol!
Kansas Fights Addiction Internship for High Schoolers
DCCCA is looking for high schoolers in Douglas County interested in a paid internship opportunity!
Gallery - Youth Empowerment Summit - 2025
Students from all over Douglas County came together for a day of prevention at the Youth Empowerment Summit!
Gallery - YEP! County Meeting - 2025
The 1st County Meeting, which took place on Tuesday, October 21st, centered around raising awareness and promoting prevention of substance misuse among youth.
Gallery - YEP! Kickoff Event 2025
YEP! celebrated the beginning of another school year with a 2025 kickoff event!
Douglas County Students Attend CADCA Conference in Nashville
During CADCA, which was held in Nashville, Tennessee, five students from Eudora and Perry Lecompton were given the opportunity to have an active role as leaders and change-makers for a week. Throughout the conference, students engaged in hands-on workshops that focused on building leadership, communication, strategic planning, and prevention skills.
Engaged in Action Awards - 2025
Engage Douglas County recently held our 2025 Engaged in Action Awards, to recognize some of the community members who exemplify the mission and values of our coalition!
Gallery - Leading Causes of Life 5K & Festival 2025
We wrapped up another incredible Leading Causes of Life 5K & Festival! This year we had more participants, new vendors, and an even more amazing time! Thank you to all of the participants, volunteers, and coordinators who made the day a big win for youth prevention here in Douglas County.
Gallery - Benefit Concert - Center for Supportive Communities
Center for Supportive Communities held a benefit concert at Replay Lounge in Lawrence, Kansas featuring some amazing local musical guests! Every dollar raised goes to help keep kids in school, as part of the SupportEd program - paving the way for a brighter future.
Gallery - Youth Empowerment Summit 2024
Douglas County students came together for the annual Youth Empowerment Summit, held on October 22nd, 2024 at Flory Hall, Douglas County Fairgrounds.
Gallery - Clothesline Project + Candlelight Vigil
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to start the month #BeMoreLikeClaire led the community in a Clothesline Project and Candlelight Vigil event.
Gallery - Health Services Day in Eudora
Celebrating Health Services Day in Eudora!
Gallery - YEP! Chapter Kickoff Event - 2024
Photos from the 2024 YEP! Chapter Kickoff Event!
Gallery - CADCA Mid-Year Conference
Several students from YEP! attended the CADCA Mid-Year Training Conference in Chicago, where they spent hands-on time with prevention professionals and community leaders. This event provided training from top experts in the field, information and tools to take prevention work to the next level, and was specialized in youth leadership training!
