Every Clay County resident deserves a fair chance at a healthy future.
Right now, that future is at risk. In Clay County, nearly 1 in 6 adults & youth ages 11-17 vapes or uses another toxic tobacco product.
ABOUT
Vision
We envision a Clay County where all residents have a fair chance at a future free from nicotine addiction.
Mission
To advance policies that increase prevention education, decrease use of nicotine products, and over time end nicotine use disorder.
Membership
To become a member, please contact: tobaccofreepartnershipclay@gmail.com . Interested persons are encouraged to attend a meeting to learn more about Tobacco Free Clay’s work.
Staff
Meet our team!
Monique Johnson,
Tobacco Policy Manager
Monique received her Bachelors of Health Education and Behavior from The University of Florida and is currently a graduate student at The University of Central Florida Clinical Masters in Social Work program. Monique has worked as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist in tobacco control for six years; three of of those years spent serving seven counties (Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. John's, and Volusia) and is now placing her efforts to solely serve the residents of Clay County as Tobacco Policy Manager. In her role, she is dedicated to working with local government, organizations, and schools to create tobacco free environments for healthier lives. Monique is very passionate about improving the overall health and well-being of Clay County and this is reflected in her volunteerism; serving as an advisory council member for UF/IFAS, School Health/Wellness Advisory Council member, School Health Services Plan committee member, and Board Councilor with The Council for Tobacco Treatment Training Programs.
Julie Duncan,
Community Engagement Specialist
Julie Duncan works as the Community Engagement Specialist at CivCom. In her role, she works with youth and adults who are passionate about creating the possibility of a tobacco/nicotine-free future. Julie has a passion for health education and earned her Bachelor's degree in Health Education and Behavior from the University of Florida in 2014. Later, Julie attended the University of North Florida, earning her Master's Degree in Communications in 2021. For nearly a decade, Julie has worked in tobacco control and prevention. Julie has had the opportunity to be a part of the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County, the American Lung Association of Northeast Florida, and CivCom (serving Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler counties). Now serving Clay County, Julie works to educate and motivate the community to be tobacco/nicotine-free through managing Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), collaboration with community health organizations, and working with local decision-makers to create policies that will allow Clay County residents to have a safe and healthy place to live.
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Meet Our Council!
Ekiuwa Daniels
Director of Community Health Division, The Florida Department of Health in Clay County
Ekiuwa is a foreign trained physician with an MPH in Epidemiology from the University of North Florida. She is currently the Health Educator Consultant/Minority Health and Health Equity Liaison for the Department of Health in Clay County. She has several years working in community health and preventive medicine in the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
"When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and 2 kids, reading, and traveling. I look forward to partnering with CIVCOM to help develop and implement strategies to improve the health of our community."
Stephanie Geoghagan
Project Coordinator, Clay Action Coalition
Stephanie has lived in Clay County for 40 years, most of those years with her husband Tim. They have 3 sons, all born and raised in Clay County. She has worked for Clay Action Coalition for the past 15 years and has been a member of the Tobacco Partnership of Clay County since that time.
"It is an honor to work with such special people whose passion is to make Clay County safe and healthy for all of our citizens."
Kristin Riebe
Coordinator of Nursing Services, Clay County District Schools
Kristin Riebe has lived in Clay County for the past 10 years with her husband Jeff, and son Jason.
They have three children and one grandson. Kristin moved to Clay County because it reminded her of her hometown neighborhoods."I have worked with the Clay County District Schools for the past 10 years and I truly enjoy my position with the staff and opportunities it has presented to help the community."
Justin Pierce, CPRP
Parks and Recreation Director
Justin attended Belhaven University in Jackson, MS where he majored in Sports Administration and pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Throughout his 13 year career, Justin has managed Recreation, Aquatic, and Athletic facilities and programs.
In 2018, Justin moved to Clay County, FL to become the Recreation Program Manager for the County. In 2022, he was named Interim Director of Parks and Recreation and now serve as the Director. "I believe in giving back to my community and currently serve on the Board of Directors for Quigley House, coach youth travel and YMCA basketball, UF/IFAS Extension Advisory Board, various Florida Recreation and Parks Association committees, and task forces, and multiple Florida Department of Health." task forces.
"I am married to my wife Devin of almost 15 years and we have 3 children, Danessa 14, Justina 12, and Johnathan 9. When I’m not working or volunteering, I enjoy coaching my children in basketball and walking and exercising with our dog Jax. I am a huge FSU fan so Go Noles."
Annie Wallau
County Extension Director and Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, University of Florida/IFAS Extension in Clay County
Annie Wallau serves as the County Extension Director and Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent with the University of Florida/IFAS Extension in Clay County, Florida. As FCS Extension Agent and Family Nutrition Program Coordinator in Orange, Alachua, and Clay Counties Annie’s educational programs over the past ten years have focused on nutrition and well-being reaching over 159,000 participants.
Annie has been successful in securing over $2 million in grants and her work has been recognized by multiple professional associations resulting in 11 national/regional awards and 28 state awards. She has had the privilege to lead and serve on many impactful committees and coalitions including the UF & UF Health Wellness Committee, UF/IFAS Extension FCS Advisory Board, Florida Extension Initiative 5: Nutrition Education Action Team, and many local food policy councils and wellness coalitions.
Her commitment to leadership, educational programming, and professional development was recognized in 2019 by the National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences with the Distinguished Service Award. She holds a BS in Dietetics from the University of North Florida and a Master of Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Florida.
Cara Jewell
Prevention Coordinator, Hanley Foundation
Cara currently serves as a dedicated Prevention Coordinator focusing on prevention and education programming initiatives in Clay, Putnam, St. Johns, and Flagler Counties. Through her work, Cara furthers Hanley Foundation's reach, supporting a variety of prevention efforts within the community. Before joining Hanley Foundation, Cara earned her MFA from Regent University. She also gained experience as a theater teacher and worked within the foster care system. Her diverse background has allowed her to engage with others in many different settings, helping her understand a multitude of perspectives and make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. Through her work, Cara has been honored with a number of achievements and recognitions, including the 2022 Tobacco Free Clay Recognition Award for her outstanding efforts in promoting a tobacco-free environment in Clay County.
Nancy Valdes
Youth Minister, Sacred Heart Catholic Church Fleming Island
Nancy is the youth minister at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Fleming Island. "I am brand new to youth ministry but am deeply committed to nurturing the faith of our youth. I have passion, dedication, and a heart for service."
Nancy holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in substance abuse treatment from Regent University. She is currently in the process of earning a Master of Arts in Human Services with a concentration in Addictions Counseling from Regent University.
Nancy is a National Trainer of Trainers for Active Parenting. She has experience facilitating NAMI’s Family-to-Family, One Circle Foundation’s Girls Circle, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s SMART Girls.
"As a youth minister, my goal is to form disciples of Christ by empowering young people, drawing them into responsible participation in their community, and fostering the total personal and spiritual growth of our youth."
INITIATIVES
Local initiatives supported by the Tobacco Free Clay include those intended to:
Stop illegal tobacco and vape product sales and predatory marketing practices.
Ensure K-12 school policies that address tobacco are comprehensive and effective.
Help organizations implement policies that protect workers from secondhand smoke and help workers who want to quit.
Partner with health systems to improve access to evidence-based cessation services. Learn more about these and other FREE resources at Tobacco Free Florida.
MEETINGS & EVENTS
Tobacco Free Clay meets the last Tuesday of every month. Come join us as we collaborate with community leaders, concerned residents, and county youth to fight nicotine addiction.
Meetings are open to the public, and guests are welcome!
Tobacco Free Clay Meeting Dates
October 29, 2024
10:00AM - 12:00PM
Clay County Health Department
1845 Town Center Blvd. Bldg 600
Fleming Island, Fl. 32003
Please contact Monique Johnson @ monique@civcom.com for meeting link
The next Students Working Against Tobacco meeting will be TBD.
To join via video, please contact Julie Duncan at julie@civcom.com for the meeting link.
YOUTH ADVOCACY
Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) mobilizes and equips youth to protect their generation from the tobacco and vaping industries. Clay County SWAT members build leadership skills and plan activities to help raise awareness and support for policies that benefit the community.
To learn more or to attend a SWAT meeting or event in Clay County, contact tobaccofreepartnershipclay@gmail.com.
To learn more about SWAT’s work across the state, visit SWATflorida.com.
QUIT
Are you or someone you care about ready to quit? Support is available!
Talk to a quit coach, find a quit group, or get free nicotine replacement patches or gum. Learn more about these and other FREE resources at Tobacco Free Florida.
CONTACT
To learn more about Tobacco Free Clay, please contact tobaccofreepartnershipclay@gmail.com
© 2021 TOBACCO FREE CLAY PARTNERSHIP