SEQUIM — Florence Bucierka, a recently retired Clallam County Health and Human Services planner, received a lifetime achievement award for her work in substance abuse prevention.
Bucierka, who retired in July after 13 years with the county, earned the state Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery award at the Washington State Prevention Summit in Yakima in Oct. 28.
“I was surprised,” Bucierka said in a Friday telephone interview.
“The nomination came from several people at the state level. Often, it’s a local coalition. I was very humbled.”
Prevention Works!
Clallam County Treatment Coordinator Jude Anderson said Bucierka played a pivotal role in the development of Prevention Works!, a community coalition devoted to fostering healthy children and families in the county.
Bucierka said the coalition has “lots and lots of talented volunteers.”
“Our community is very fortunate to have so many talented people and businesses, and our three commissioners, that really believe in prevention who have stepped up to the plate,” Bucierka said.
Coalition is the key
“I could have never done the kind of work I’ve done in Clallam County by myself.
“One person can’t do what a coalition can do.”
Prevention Works! has more than 250 members from various Clallam County agencies, business, schools, organizations and citizens.
A hallmark of the county program so far has been cooperation among the partners.
Grant preparation
Additionally, Bucierka brought the county more than $1 million in state and federal grants that she prepared for prevention programs, Anderson said.
“It was a terrific honor, and very well-deserved,” Anderson said of her former colleague’s recent recognition.
With the current recession and resulting budget cuts, drug and alcohol prevention and treatment programs are in danger of being slashed.
Bucierka warned that cutting millions in prevention programs may cost billions in future incarcerations costs, not to mention the effect on people, citing statistics provided by 24th District state Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, whose mental health sales tax has supported prevention and treatment programs statewide since 2007.
Hargrove represents Clallam, Jefferson and a portion of Grays Harbor County.
“You do get a really good return working in prevention,” Bucierka said.
“It will be most unfortunate if treatment or prevention dollars are cut.”
Bucierka moved to Sequim with her husband, Michael, in 1997.
“I couldn’t have done this without his support,” she said.
The couple intends to remain on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Remain active
Bucierka said she will remain active in prevention programs.
“I’ve been working on other community projects as a volunteer,” she said.
Anderson said Bucierka’s retirement had nothing to do with budget cuts at the county.
Fifteen county employees are being laid off on Nov. 30.
“My area is treatment, and we’re in the process of filling that prevention role,” Anderson explained.
Bucierka said she was often the envy of health services planners across the state because of the support she received from the coalition and county officials.
“I’m very thankful for having the opportunity to work in this incredible community,” Bucierka said.
“I will continue to do so,”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
