BURRILLVILLE – Over the past seven years, she’s brought together local youth and community stakeholders to create a nationally recognized coalition in Burrillville focused on substance use and addiction prevention.
But for Monica Blanchette, the program coordinator of the Burrillville Prevention Action Coalition, it is time to take on new challenges.
Blanchette has resigned from the role effective Saturday, Feb. 15, accepting a full time job in Warwick as a clinical manager for rehabilitation center AdCare.
“I have received an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down,” she said this week.
In her professional capacity, Blanchette leaves behind a police department grateful for her success in taking the program from the conceptual stages to a vibrant and active community resource. Within events both in and out of the high school and middle school, BPAC was founded as the sister effort to the town’s addiction assistant program, providing Burrillville students the opportunity to gather and to learn about positive choices, and the benefits of commitment to a drug and alcohol free lifestyle.
Well-attended monthly meetings saw BPAC youth gather with representatives from various sectors in the community, from healthcare and emergency services, to education and media.
Her final such meeting leading the program this week was marked with tears and words of appreciation.
“It’s been an honor being your coordinator for the last seven years,” she said in announcing the news.
Burrillville Police Chief Col. Stephen Lynch noted Blanchette was chosen from “a good-sized pool of candidates,” when she was hired by the department in 2017.
“Monica clearly clearly stood out as the best candidate and she did not let us down,” Lynch said. “We really struggled to get BPAC up and running. She has turned this program around in leaps and bounds.”
Motioning to the roughly two dozen BPAC members in attendance on Wednesday, Lynch added, “Tonight’s turnout is really an example of how successful the program is. BPAC was really not what it is that you see here today. That never would have happened without Monica Blanchette.
Dennis Anderson, who serves as the Town Council’s liaison to the coalition, noted that Blanchette has also secured the funding that made her success possible by applying for and securing several grants. With events including the annual pre-prom dinner, the mock crash, gaming nights, and more, BPAC has organized regular initiatives furthering the substance-free mission. Youth participants attend various workshops and statewide events with the help of BPAC funding, and an annual 5K road race helps to provide scholarships each year to deserving Burrillville High School seniors.
A town resident who previously worked as a high school student assistance counselor with Rhode Island Student Assistance Services, Blanchette is a licensed mental health counselor and a registered drama therapist. She is a member of the North American Drama Therapy Association and was named a Community Star by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health in 2020.
“I have been so blessed and honored to have Monica as a leader,” said Julia Alger, a high school junior who’s been involved in BPAC since 8th grade.
“Monica taught us so much over the past several years,” said Meredith Peloquin, a sophomore who started with BPAC in 7th grade. “We’re just so happy that Monica goes on to do bigger things.”
“I’m sure you’ll be very successful,” said Norman Chip Mainville, a BPAC representative from the Harrisville Fire Department, where he serves as captain.
Blanchette said that while she’ll no longer be running the show, she still plans to attend BPAC’s monthly meetings and to live in town, and that she’ll be around to help with the transition.
“I still want to be part of my community,” she said. “I really don’t want to see any of this fail. I’m not leaving Burrillville.”
The town is now accepting applicants for the position of Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, with a salary of $60,000 – $74,000, depending on qualifications. An advertisement for the position and instructions to apply can be found on the Burrillville NOW page.
For her part, Blanchette said the new position will further her goal “to be a helper,” to those who struggle with substance abuse.
“Money has never been a motivator for me,” she said. “It’s just time to move forward.”
