Morris Plains Municipal Alliance
Purpose
The Morris Plains Municipal Alliance Committee (MPMAC) works collectively to identify, plan, and implement programs and activities that increase resilience and reduce risk factors associated with drug and alcohol abuse.
Contact
Meetings
Meetings are typically held the first Monday of every month, except August, at 8 p.m. at the Morris Plains Community Center or through Zoom / Google Meet. All are welcome. Please email mpmacinfo@gmail.com to let us know if you will be joining.
Membership
Members are appointed by the Borough Council, and include citizens, community leaders, law enforcement, health practitioners and representatives of public and private organizations and schools. All members are volunteers, except the grant coordinator, who receives a stipend.
All serve a one-year term expiring annually on December 31:
| Name |
|---|
| Annette Wolff-chairwoman, senior education coordinator |
| Melissa Gibson, Grant Coordinator |
| Karen Dovano |
| Rosaria DeNova |
| Michelle Cohen |
| Jamie Cooper |
| Chelsea Mitchell |
| Officer Nyquan Shaw- 5th grade LEAD officer. MPPD Liaison |
| Mark Maire- Superintendent, MSPD |
| Brian Wilson, Borough School Guidance Counselor |
| Mike Ivey, Council Liaison |
| Marybeth Soutar, Board of Health Liaison |
Vision
The Morris Plains Municipal Alliance envisions a community that promotes wellness and is free of the misuse of alcohol and other drugs.
Mission
The mission of the Morris Plains Municipal Alliance is to encourage the community to practice healthy, drug-free living and to provide education and resources on substance abuse and prevention. We strive to implement programs and activities that foster positive communication, strong resistance skills, strong families, and substance abuse free lives.
Funding
The coalition’s efforts are funded by a grant from the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, in conjunction with the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, as well as funds from the Borough of Morris Plains. The Alliance also accepts and appreciates private donations (not tax-deductible).
By-Laws
Programs
During the year there are various programs for all age groups, from youth, teens, college age, parents, and senior citizens.
Past programs have included:
- Drug-Free Schools week assemblies
- Stage Fun & Morris Plains Summer Theatre
- Odyssey of the Mind
- Kids Helping Kids mentoring program
- Law Enforcement Against Drugs (formerly DARE)
- Games with Senior citizens
- Senior Brunch and Learn series
- Mental Health First Aid training (part of our “Stigma-Free Community” initiative)
- After-school Yoga
- Girls Group (after school social skills/counseling with Teen Pride)
- Tools &Tiaras
- The Youth Volunteer Corps
- Parent Education programs
- MHS Coffee House, Teen Pride, Intergenerational Prom, and Project Graduation
- Kids Heling Kids
- Eat Dinner with Your Family Day
- 8th Grade Peer Leadership and Volunteer Awards
Stigma-Free Initiative
Morris Plains is a Stigma-Free town. The Stigma-Free is initiative a county-wide program which aims to eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness and substance use disorders.
We are dedicated to raising awareness of these illnesses by creating an environment where affected individuals are supported in their efforts to achieve wellness and recovery..