THe Mission of the Walton County Prevention Coalition

Our mission is to reduce substance abuse for youth and families by developing an anti-drug coalition, which will be a cross-section collaboration of community entities.  The coalition is tasked to strengthen efforts among public and private agencies so as to address environmental factors by identifying and maximizing resources and public awareness to reduce substance abuse among youth and families.

"WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE,
TO IMPROVE A COMMUNITY FOR ALL."

Since 2003, the Walton County Prevention Coalition has taken great strides to ensure the safety and health of our community's youth. In a world where new drugs, alcohol and tobacco are easily obtainable, the Coalition works with parents, area leaders and youth to offer prevention. Made up of a group of concerned and involved citizens of Walton County, the WCPC aims to improve and strengthen the community.

Captain Robert Gray

Coalition Vice-Chairperson

Patrol Bureau ChiefWith the Walton County Sheriff’s Office

“Prevention is where it’s at. Working with the youth in our community to educate them on the dangers of marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol makes our job easier in the long run. Educating youth about the dangers of substance use at a young age helps them make better decisions and have a better chance of not facing addiction as they get older. The partnership that has been created between WCPC and WCSO is so important to our community and it’s a mutually beneficial relationship. We work together to educate the community.

D/S Harold R. Shover         

South Walton Bureau Crime Prevention Practitioner
Honor Guard/ Aviation Unit with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office

I am originally from Washington D.C. and I am an Air Force veteran. I was a Federal Police Officer for the DOD and Naval Intelligence before moving to Walton County in 1994.  I have been with the WCSO for 13 years, and I volunteer with the BSA, VFW Post 4437, AMVETS Post 178, and serve on the board of directors for COPE and Matrix.  I serve as the Vice Chairman for the Community Traffic Safety Team and the Agency representative for the DJJ Circuit advisory board.

Bryan Callahan

Coalition Coordinator

COPE Center Director of Prevention Services
Florida Coalition Alliance Board Member

After receiving a Psychology AA from Okaloosa Walton Community College and a BA in Psychology from UWF, I began my work in 1999 by counseling youth within a Florida Department of Juvenile Justice funded juvenile commitment facility and later in a Child in Need of Services shelter.  I received my MS in Counseling and Psychology from Troy State University in 2002. Currently I manage an in-school evidence based drug prevention program. Since 2003 I have also been the Coordinator of the Walton County Prevention Coalition. I am an avid outdoorsman and offshore fisherman, and I enjoy being with my family.

Judea Kring

Coalition manager/DFC Project coordinator

I received my AA in Psychology from Okaloosa Walton Community College, and my BA in Education with a minor in Business Management, from UWF.  I am a small business owner and a licensed CAM manager. I have a heart for my community, and a passion for the life, well-being, and spirit of the community as a whole. I am always up for a new adventure and I enjoy the outdoors, camping, history, performing arts, and spending time with my family.

Joyce E. Matthews               

Tobacco Free Community Liaison

Sunday School Teacher and Church Clerk at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church

I earned my BAS from NWFSC in Project Management and Business Acquisition and my  AA & AS from NWFSC in Business Administration. I served at DRS Corporation for twenty-three (23) years, as an Electronic Assembler, a Documentation Specialist, a Configuration Management Specialist, and finally as a Project Management Administrator.

I enjoy playing piano solely for the amusement of my grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Reading and sewing are my favorite pastimes, but I also throw in knitting and crocheting from time to time. I love spending time with my family, especially the grandchildren, and I enjoy seeing Walton County's community grow stronger through the help of the WCPC.

Myra Skanes-Smiley

Coordinator for Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT)

Myra has been working with the Walton County Prevention Coalition as the Coordinator for Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) for the last several years. SWAT is Florida’s statewide youth organization working to mobilize, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco. SWAT is a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco free future. Right now Myra is working part-time with Middle School aged youth and loves spending time with them, getting them involved in this important initiative.

Gabrielle Hamilton

Resources Committee Chairperson 

Walton Area Chamber Events Coordinator & Defuniak Office Manager

I have my Bachelors in Communication with a minor in Psychology and being a part of the WCPC is important to me because it allows me to help our community be the healthiest and safest community it can be. When not at work, you can find me being a mom to my lovely 4-year-old daughter, planning events, hiking and attending every Zumba class I can.

Stephanie McMinn

Opioid and Prescription Drug Task Force

Stephanie served her local community for the past 10 years by aiding, resourcing, and supporting women and their families in desperate situations. She operates in compassion advocating for the lost and the broken and is determine to see transformation in each individual and her community as a whole. It is her heart to exemplify unity and she does that by partnering with other organizations and agencies in our surrounding areas to ensure those in need get the help available. She believes efforts are better accomplished together so working alongside others helps provide more resources and strategy for change. She is an active member of the Walton County Prevention Coalition and the Walton-Okaloosa County Sexual Assault Inter-Agency Council. Ten years in the streets of our cities has giving her firsthand knowledge of the challenges we face as a community and an eagerness to fight for freedom. She serves on the Circuit One Human Trafficking Task Force and is very active in combating this with hopes to end it! Her faith is most important and she will stand firm to uphold it.

Steven Brown

Membership Committee Chairperson

C. Kevin Chilcutt  

Assessment and Planning Committee Chairperson

Pastor, News Director and Bookstore Owner

I am the Pastor at Victory Lighthouse Assembly of God, a News Director at TV24 Hometown Television and the owner of The Book Store. I have experience in community action and volunteering, marketing, working with children, leadership training, and management. Being a part of WCPC is important to me because it's helping to solve problems in my community. When not working, you can find me at church, camping, farming, or tending to my animals.

James W. Hurley Jr.

Chairman of Marijuana Task Force

Special Agent with Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco

I am a Graduate of The Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology, and I am a fourth generation member of the DeFuniak Springs community whose deep roots are vested in my philosophy to make my hometown and county the best place it can be.  I am committed to seeing this community prosper by reducing substance abuse and addiction. When not at work, I am the Deacon of First Baptist Church of Defuniak Springs.

MEMBER ROSTER

Sector Representatives

Business Gabrielle Kilgore-Woods
Civic/Volunteer Organizations Stephanie McMinn
Healthcare Professionals Brandi Gill
Law Enforcement    Richard Black
Media    Kevin Chilcutt
Parents    Lyvonnica Green
Religious/Fraternal Organizations    Stephen Brown
Schools   Stephen Brown
State/Local/Tribal Government   Kevin Crystal
Substance Abuse Organizations   Lisa Bowling
Youth   Ayana Whitehead
Youth Serving Organizations   Jill Breslawski

Our Organizations Bylaws

Read more about our organization's guidelines in our bylaws, available here for easy PDF download.

“To rescue the fallen is good, but ‘tis best to prevent other people from falling.”

— The Iowa Health Bulletin, 1912

Join the Coalition

We would love to have you join our organization and make an impact on our community today!
Click here to join the Coalition.