Agenda 05-13-25; 6 - Alcoholic Beverage Control Board – Appointment Discussion

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22 Page 2 of 3 Melinda Pankratz There is diverse and varied expertise on the committee already. I think there are two things that make me unique. The first is my role in providing support to communities across the state in assessing and evaluating their substance use prevention programs. I dons€TMt have as deep of insight into our local resources as some members, but the diversity of communities that I do work with gives me a unique lens from which to see solutions that may not have been previously considered. Second, my expertise is in primary prevention, with a little harm reduction mixed in. I am well versed in school and communities based strategies to prevent and reduce the need for harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support. We of course, need the full continuum of care, but the more we can do to build protective factors, reduce risks, and build resiliency for our youth, the stronger more vibrant, connected community we will have. Do you have any personal or business interest(s)that could create a conflict of interest (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board? No existing conflicts; however, I am a substance use prevention researcher, and occasionally take on consulting projects related to the evaluation of substance use prevention programs. I am not currently pursuing any consulting opportunities, and if selected, would recuse myself from discussions that could benefit my personal financial status. Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board I have 25 years experience in research and evaluation of community and school-based substance use prevention programs. I have extensive experience in conducting and in providing training in community assessment and evaluation. I also contributed to the development of the Talk It Up. Lock It Up campaign, which encourages parents to secure and monitor their alcohol, and I support communities in identifying factors contributing to underage alcohol use in their community and in identifying strategies to address those factors, including retail and social access to alcohol, and attitudes and beliefs about alcohol. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board In my current role providing support to communities across the state, I am well versed in the challenges in reducing and preventing underage alcohol use, but I also have unique insights into how many communities are addressing these challenges that may contribute to Orange County solutions. My favorite part of any grantee meeting is peer sharing, as while every community is unique, a lot of challenges are common place, and hearing what one community struggled with and how they overcame those challenges very often gives others new ideas to address their challenges. I may not always know is most important here, but I have a long list of examples of things that other community have tried, which might provide an ah moment for other members as we grapple with how to overcome our challenges. Plus I have three children and there many friends for whom I would like delay the initiation of alcohol use so that they may achieve their greatest potential and have healthy, vibrant lives. We all know the most effective way to prevent alcohol use disorder is to delay the onset of first drink, and if my expertise could help contribute to that for more youth in our community I would be honored. How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? My unique contribution is that I support communities across the state in assessing and evaluating their substance use prevention programs, including underage alcohol use access related strategies, and school-based prevention strategies. I know how many communities use their Every Bottle Gives a Back dollars, as well as what research says about underage prevention prevention strategies and what has the greatest impact, and can assess this while also being mindful of readiness, resources, and other important community considerations that should be reflected in decision making. Do you have any personal or business interest(s)that could create a conflict of interest (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board?