Engage Douglas County is proud to announce the three recipients of the 2022 Engaged in Action award. Recipients of the Engaged in Action award exemplify the values of Engage Douglas County which include a demonstrated commitment to reducing substance misuse and/or promoting mental health, active engagement in issues that affect residents in Douglas County, such as drug and alcohol use, suicide prevention, or other behavioral health issues, and dedication to serving the community.

Youth – Malorie Facile (Perry-Lecompton High School)

Adult – Paul Dorathy (Baldwin City USD 348 Superintendent)

Organization – Indigenous Community Center (Lawrence)

Malorie Facile is a member of Douglas County Youth Prevention (DCYP) at Perry-Lecompton High School and is the youth recipient of the 2022 Engaged in Action award. She has taken lead in Perry-Lecompton High School’s youth prevention team efforts guiding campaigns to promote mental health and destigmatize mental illness. Malorie believes strongly in bringing awareness to mental health needs as a prevention to substance use and suicide. She comes to DCYP meetings with energy, bright ideas, and follows through on seeing the campaigns carried out. Malorie has been a great asset to the DCYP team and movement in the Perry Lecompton school district to support the needs of youth and adults.

Paul Dorathy is retiring as the USD 348 superintendent after 16 years with the district and he is the adult recipient of the 2022 Engaged in Action award. Paul has been a champion of prevention work in Douglas County for the past several years. He has been instrumental in supporting the implementation of the Good Behavior Game at all grade levels at the Primary Center in Baldwin. He also has been an active partner in ensuring KCTC data participation within his district. He has worked collaboratively with the Baldwin City Police Department to implement Handle with Care to ensure that students in his district are supported when there are challenges that happen outside of the school day. Finally, he has been intentional about connecting his students and staff with community resources for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention efforts.

The Indigenous Community Center is the organization recipient of the 2022 Engaged in Action award. The Indigenous Community Center has led numerous community events engaging youth and adults including the food sovereignty farming project, Native youth skate team, and the MMIW City of Lawrence proclamation and walk. The leadership has worked hard to engage the entire Douglas County Community to bring people together and educate regarding Native issues.

“Congratulations to these outstanding recipients of the 2022 Engaged in Action award,” DCCCA CEO Lori Alvarado said. “Their commitment and dedication to prevention efforts makes an incredible impact throughout the Douglas County community.”