A new goal of supporting local county schools was discussed in Ray County Coalition’s (RCC) latest meeting recently. Community Prevention Specialist for the Ray County Coalition, Deborah Neel, introduced Technical Support Assistant Dan Schmidt, a Saint Louis native who conducted the coalition check-up. “Just so you know what it is, that is an attempt to make a scientific approach to make technical assistance,” said Schmidt. “We are trying to create a structure where we can go to places that don’t have a strong technical assistance background and say, ‘Do this and you’re going to help a coalition succeed’. That’s important because coalitions succeeding means improved youth and health outcomes.” He said some of the resources a coalition has are its members, leadership, funding and stability, community awareness and support. The resources provide the functioning of teamwork, data-driven planning, structure by holding meetings and organized involvement. The coalition function improves…