The Prevention Training and Technical Assistance Service Center (TTASC) likes to take the time to spotlight the amazing prevention professionals within Connecticut and discuss their journey and successes. In this Prevention Professional Spotlight, we had the chance to interview Carolyn Wilson, Senior Health Program Coordinator and Groton Alliance for Substance use Prevention (GASP) Coordinator of Ledge Light Health District
1. What does prevention mean to you?
Prevention means education. Prevention means advocacy. Prevention means safety. I would say those three words represent prevention pretty well.
2. How did you get interested in the prevention field?
I started as a volunteer for GASP, became an intern, was hired, and eventually became the coalition coordinator. I had a grassroots experience on my way here and it’s been 12 years now that I have been involved with prevention.
3. What has been your career journey?
My educational background in Public Health and Health Promotion helped prepare me for this field. I’m fortunate to have been in the same place for 12 years. This has been my only prevention job and it allows me to do other public health related activities. Academic detailing is one of my favorite activities. It involves educating health care providers on certain topics in public health and opioid safety. Another thing that I enjoy doing as a part of my work is tobacco cessation.
4. What do you consider your area of specialty (e.g., priority substance, populations, coalition work, training)?
My specialty is prevention in the town of Groton. Over the years I have developed really great relationships with individuals representing all the different sectors such as education and law enforcement. GASP focuses on youth, ages 12-20. It’s taken time to build those relationships and that trust. People acknowledge me and are happy to have us leading prevention work so it’s great.
5. What do you like most about your job?
I like working with people. I like working with kids, and parents, and individuals from different community sectors. I enjoy getting to know people and identifying how we can all work towards the same goals. Sometimes in our sectors we have our own areas of focus, but we all want to keep people healthy and safe. The reasons why might be a little bit different, but we are all coming to the table trying to do the same thing. It’s nice to be a convener of shared goals.
6. What advice would you give someone entering the prevention field?
If you are really interested in the field and you start working in prevention and you like it, I recommend getting your CPS (Certified Prevention Specialist). Use the different technical assistance providers to help you along the way, whether it be the Training and Technical Assistance Center, or Center for Prevention and Evaluation and Statistics, or the Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals. Tap into the resources available. They will help you identify what to do, how to do it, where to go, and who to talk to. They can make it simple for you. No need to reinvent the wheel.
7. Describe a recent prevention accomplishment in Connecticut (statewide or local) that caught your attention.
Tobacco 21 is big. The requirement for ID checking regardless of age or appearance for tobacco and vaping products is a huge accomplishment. I would also like to see that same approach universally for alcohol and adult use cannabis. I think everything should be ID mandatory.
