Cass & Sarpy Tobacco Free Coalitions Merge to Form T.E.A.M.

For the last 15 years, Tobacco Free Sarpy and Tobacco Free Cass County have been educating, advocating, and fighting big tobacco to address the multiple negative impacts of tobacco in our community. In August, the two coalitions officially joined forces and created Tobacco Education & Advocacy of the Midlands (T.E.A.M).

The coalition is led by Autumn Burns, MS, T.E.A.M Sarpy Coordinator and Becky Smart, T.E.A.M Cass Coordinator under fiscal agent CHI Midlands Health. A Steering Committee representing multiple community sectors advocating for tobacco-free environments includes T.E.A.M Chair, Sarpy/Cass Health Department Assistant Health Director Jenny Steventon; T.E.A.M Chair-Elect, City of Plattsmouth Recreation Director Michael Lennen; Sarpy County CASA Program Director Paula Creps; Plattsmouth Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cindy Cruse; Pavilion at Twin Creek Property Manager Cindy Dropinski; American Red Cross Disaster Program Manager Mike Francis; Novatis Respiratory Clinical Specialist Dee Humm; Bellevue Housing Authority Executive Director Carolyn Pospisil; and Sarpy Community YMCA Executive Director Katlin Wilson.

T.E.A.M meets every fourth Thursday of the month from 11:30-12:30 p.m. at CHI Health Midlands in the Smith Suite. All are welcome to join and a light lunch is served. Call (402) 593-3022 or email Autumn.Burns@alegent.org for more information.

Funding is provided by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services/Tobacco Free Nebraska Program as a result of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.