In March 1988, fourteen Midlothian citizens met to consider an approach to address alcohol and other substance abuse evident in the community. This effort followed the tragic murder of a young undercover police officer by Midlothian High School students in the fall of 1987. The group consisted of representatives from local and area law enforcement, the Midlothian School District, the City of Midlothian, and concerned parents. From meetings held in the ensuing months, the non-profit organization, REACH-Midlothian (Resource Education Action Council Helping Midlothian), was formed and chartered in September, 1988.

What began as a local movement expanded in the intervening years to encompass Ellis County then to the surrounding counties of Johnson and Navarro. Currently, REACH provides school and community-based prevention programs in Ellis and Johnson Counties.

REACH programs were conducted by volunteers until 1991, at which time the organization received its first grant. Current funding is provided through grants from the Department of State Health Services; donations from the United Way of West Ellis County and the United Way of Johnson County; the City of Midlothian; participating school districts; private contributions and memberships; fund-raising events; and donations from local organizations and business, such as: HILCO, the Lion's Club, Brookshire's, Citizens National Bank, etc.

Our programs and services include:

School-Based Prevention/Intervention Programs (k-12)

• Main-Stream: Life Skills, Curriculum-Based Support Groups, Project SUCCESS
• Alcohol, tobacco, & other drug presentations
• Alternative activities
• Teacher in-service
  

Community-Based Programs (All ages)

• Alternative activities
• Safe Homes program
• Drug education
• Alcohol, tobacco, & other drug presentations
• Tobacco retailer education