Harrison County Wellness Coalition seeks to educate and aid community

The Harrison County Wellness Coalition is working to improve the physical, emotional and mental well-being of county residents by bringing organizations and community members together.

According to Wendy Ware, director of prevention and student supports at the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center and coalition coordinator, HCWC is a community partnership focused on overall wellness in Harrison County.

“The mission of the coalition is to be a voice, partner, and leader in promoting physical, emotional, and mental health,” Ware said. “We do this by fostering supportive environments, providing education, and advocating for resources.”

Rather than offering direct services, the coalition focuses on coordination and prevention. Members work to reduce risk factors and strengthen protective factors across all ages by addressing mental health, substance use prevention, suicide prevention, problem gambling prevention and overall wellness.

The coalition includes partners from schools, law enforcement, health care providers, mental health and substance use treatment agencies, local government, faith-based organizations, nonprofits and residents. Ware said the wide representation helps ensure coalition efforts reflect community needs and strengths.

“Even if someone never attends a coalition meeting, they benefit from coordinated prevention efforts, community education, and increased awareness of local resources,” Ware said. “Our work supports safer, healthier communities by promoting mental wellness, reducing stigma, and helping residents know where to turn for support.”

The coalition participates in community events and hosts educational and awareness activities. While it does not focus on traditional fundraising, the coalition pursues grant funding and partners with local organizations to support projects.

In 2026, Ware said the coalition plans to expand prevention efforts through trainings and awareness campaigns. Plans include suicide prevention training such as Question, Persuade, Refer and VitalCog for workplace mental health.

Organizations or individuals interested in participating can join the coalition. Ware said there are no formal requirements beyond a willingness to collaborate and support the coalition’s work. Participants can attend meetings, serve on work groups or partner on specific initiatives.

Ware said membership benefits organizations through shared resources, networking opportunities and reduced duplication of efforts, which helps increase impact across the county. Residents can also support the coalition by staying informed, attending events, sharing prevention messages and encouraging open conversations about mental health and wellness.

“At its core, the Harrison County Wellness Coalition is about connection,” Ware said. “When we work together, we can create a healthier, more resilient Harrison County for everyone.”

The Harrison County Wellness Coalition meets bimonthly on the second Tuesday of even-numbered months at 1 p.m. Meetings are held in a hybrid format, with in-person attendance at the Harrison Central football field press box and virtual attendance available through Zoom.

Coalition leadership for 2026 includes Katie Norris of the Harrison County Health Department, Kayla Straight of NAMI, Teresa Koniski of the Harrison County Health Department and Ware.

For more information, contact Ware at wendy.ware@ecoesc.org.