June 6, 2007 -- Attorney General Paul Morrison announced today Jerry Tenbrink as the new statewide D.A.R.E. coordinator and emergency health liaison.
Tenbrink served as statewide D.A.R.E. coordinator under Attorney General Carla Stovall from 2000 to 2003.
“DARE is a wonderful program that can help shape the future of our children,” Morrison said. “Jerry is an expert in the program and is well respected by many officers across the state.”
The statewide coordinator is responsible for assisting and providing resources to D.A.R.E. officers across the state, making school visits and coordinating the training required before officers can teach the lessons. Tenbrink will also coordinate the training programs for Kansas School Resource Officers.
“The appointment of Jerry Tenbrink as the Kansas D.A.R.E. coordinator is great move which highlights the commitment Attorney General Morrison has to the D.A.R.E program,” said Mike Lien, North Central Regional Director of D.A.R.E. America. “Jerry will return Kansas D.A.R.E. to a higher level of excellence.”
In addition to coordinating the D.A.R.E. program, Tenbrink will develop a training program aimed at enhancing the relationship between local law enforcement and public health officials. The goal is to establish a protocols for handling quarantine, isolation and other public health threats.
“Law enforcement officers will be on the front lines if Kansas ever faces a health related threat,” Morrison said. “This program will enhance communication between law enforcement officers and public health officials and protect the health and safety of the people of Kansas.”
Programs such as this are increasingly important post 9/11.
“We’re pleased that the Attorney General is taking this opportunity to work more closely with counties in dealing with issues of public health and safety,” said Judy Moler, General Counsel and Legislative Services Director for the Kansas Association of Counties. “It is increasingly critical that we work together to protect the public from health related threats.”
Tenbrink will draw on his past experience at the Center for Public Health Preparedness within the Kansas Department of Health and Environment where he coordinated collaborative training programs on health emergency preparedness.