Harrison County, WV prevention advocate recognized for outstanding community engagement efforts

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Jo Anne McNemar of the Harrison County Prevention Partnership was recently presented with the 2015 Community Outreach Award from United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, in recognition of her efforts to prevent substance abuse and promote overall wellness in Harrison County, West Virginia.

McNemar was honored by Ihlenfeld for her work with the Prevention Partnership, including her efforts to facilitate the Harrison County DREAM Team, known as “Teens Encouraging Advocacy and Motivation.”  With McNemar’s leadership, ambitious student leaders are selected from each Harrison County high school to form the team. The group receives training on substance abuse and prevention and, in turn, the students serve as role models in their communities by designing and delivering drug education and prevention programs to younger students.

“Jo Anne is relentless in her efforts to empower the youth of Harrison County, West Virginia to make healthy decisions and to have successful, fulfilling futures,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld.  “She has a ‘can’t stop, won’t stop’ attitude and puts everything she has into making Harrison County stronger and safer for all.”

McNemar, who currently serves as the Partnership for Success Coordinator with the Harrison County Family Resource Network, Inc. in Clarksburg, is a certified Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist with a Master's Degree in Community Health Education from the WVU School of Medicine.

The United States Attorney’s Awards ceremony was held at the United States Post Office and Federal Courthouse in Wheeling and included remarks from U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey and U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. A variety of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies were represented along with community leaders, volunteers, and advocates.