About
Our Story
MPSA: A Decade of Progress & Impact
MPSA is 10 years old, but 4 years old hired first executive director and 2023 became our own nonprofit.
MPSA became a 501c3 non-profit in August 2023. In 2023 the organization invested several months’ effort refining mission, vision, value statements.
Advocacy
Harm Reduction
Prevention
Treatment
Recovery
Our Mission
We prioritize inclusion, advocacy, education, research, evidence-based programs, and partnerships to facilitate change where prevention, intervention, and access to substance use services for sustained recovery are available to everyone, without
Research Initiatives
Community Liaisons Training: Gained CITI Certification. Conducted 22 focus groups (139 participants) and a survey (89 participants). Published the 2023 Community Voices Report, which shaped the 2024 program initiatives.
Key Milestones
Secured 3 trademarks: Logo. Tagline: Our Community … Our Future. Domain name: mcdowellPSA. Published and distributed an MPSA brochure outlining the organization’s mission and services. Created the “Sassy Learns Lessons with Friends” coloring book: Available on Amazon (ISBN 9798866173563).Bilingual: English & Spanish. Features McDowell County critters teaching substance awareness to children and parents.
2024 Key Initiatives
In 2024, MPSA aims to expand the Peer Support Workforce by offering certification training in McDowell County and covering costs for residents. The organization is launching "Art for Wellbeing," an expressive arts workshop series that includes a Mobile Recovery Gallery showcasing and selling participant artwork. A Harm Reduction Pilot will install Opioid Rescue Boxes with Narcan and Sharps Collection Containers to enhance community safety. Additionally, MPSA will continue raising awareness through public forums, community events, and partnerships to promote evidence-based recovery solutions.
We Believe
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There are many pathways to recovery.
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Trust is the foundation of connection.
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There is power in diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas that lead to innovative solutions.
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The strength of collaboration, community, and connection makes a difference.
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Whole-person health solutions are required for sustained recovery.
We Value
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Building and fostering inclusive environments.
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Fostering open-mindedness and honest conversations.
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Leading with compassion, always.
What We Do
A healthy, compassionate, and connected McDowell County accepting of individuals where they
Advocate.
We advocate, as individuals and as an organization, for resources to augment current and create new programs to promote healthier behaviors and improved mental health outcomes related to a range of substances.
Educate.
We educate across our community on the risks of unhealthy behaviors in substance use, facilitate pathways for change, reduce stigma, and expand access to services across cultural, racial, and underserved community barriers.
Research
We use evidence-informed research protocols and methods to collect data on perceptions and experiences around substance use, with oversight by an external Institutional Review Board. Through analysis, we make informed decision recommendations for funding applications.
Leverage Partnership Strength
We collectively strive to expand awareness of and access to the full spectrum of substance use services needed for sustained recovery health.
The Puzzle Metaphor
A metaphor: Partner organizations are pieces of a puzzle. MPSA is the picture. When the pieces connect, the picture is complete.
MPSA’s Role in Governance
MPSA serves in a governance position (creative solutioning, operational delivery, oversight, and results assessment) for initiatives or programs where partner organizations provide Technical Assistance or program delivery services.
MPSA uses the training, experiences, and expertise of the provider partners for initiatives or programs that have broad appeal and that individual partners cannot implement.