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"Salute to Health" helps you eat better and exercise more. January 2004 issue is available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Inside This Issue:

  • Articles, p.1,2
  • Meeting Minutes, p. 2-6
  • Did You Know That…, p. 6,7
  • Calendar, p.7
  • Funding Resources, p.7

 

 

THE ADVOCATE

The Newsletter of the Greater Taunton Health & Human Service Coalition (GTHHSC) and the Greater Attleboro Taunton Health & Education Response (GATHER)

Volume XIII, No.4                                                                                                                                                                                April 2003

EIGHTH ANNUAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE ROUNDTABLE HELD MARCH 13, 2003

“Celebrating Our Accomplishments…Continuing Our Commitment”

to pursue Safe & Drug Free Communities

   Deputy Mayor Eric DeMoura thanked over 100 in attendance for their contributions to individuals with substance abuse issues, and to the community at large. Attendance was high, and seemingly unaffected by weather or the cancellation of the speaker, Chief Charles A. Moose.

   Jim Ross noted that roundtable attendees are local people working together, personally connected by the work they do. He recognized and thanked individuals at the head table and other key personnel.   We are living in stressful times, with the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy, dislike of Americans, home grown terrorism, war, the economy, budget prospects and MCAS testing. But SART VIII was a celebration of accomplishments, a reminder that we have more to do, and a renewal of our commitment to work in unity.

Recognition and Awards

   Bob Cammarata presented awards to Jim Ross and Bill McAndrew for their long term involvement in the Roundtables and other community initiatives and issues.

   Erica and Steve presented Kathy Lalor with an award for her contributions and commitment to the Community Crisis Intervention Team and the SARTS.

Revisiting Accomplishments

   Philip Shea reminded all that the purpose of SART VIII was to celebrate accomplishments and look at unmet needs, while making the community safer, addressing health care, and continuing the motivation to work together. He cited the following as the primary reasons for coming together:

1.        The recognition of the danger that substance abuse brings to the community (Increases in HIV, abuse, domestic violence, teen birth rates, hospitalization, suffering of families.)

2.        The recognition that no single person can address the entire substance abuse issue alone.

3.        Recognition of the power we have when we work together.

The Roundtables: A Summary

   SART I: Issues Faced by Those Who Have and Those Who Support Individuals with Addictions, consisted of 30 individuals. Accomplishments included greater committee participation and a raised cross-system awareness.

   SART II: Progress Is Being Made, But Concerns Continue to Grow, saw increased collaboration and communication. Out of this, the Homelessness Coalition was formed, which has received yearly McKinney funding. Ellie, a success story, told about her struggles and accomplishments.

   SART III: Linkages Between Substance Abuse, The CCIT And The Criminal Justice System. The Community Drug Education Program for first time offenders and the concept of the Community Crisis Intervention Team began.

   SART IV: Access to Services, consisted of breakout discussions for improving services to dual diagnosed clients and coordination of systems to address needs.

   SART V: Kids and Drugs. General Barry McCaffrey addressed adults and youth on the effects of drugs. Youth prepared discussion questions, and provided insight.

   SART VI: Families and Drugs, demonstrated the importance of communication within the family, and the danger of mixed messages. Youth began regularly attending the Substance Abuse Committee.

   SART VII: From Incarceration to Community Reentry showed the continuum of services from prison, in house treatment, Community Resource Center, probation, Community Corrections Program, outpatient services, and ultimately to housing and a successful transition back into the community.

Contact for Further Information

   For information on Roundtables, please contact Jim or Kathy at    508-823-9416.                           « 

 

 

GTHHSC Meeting: 4/15/03, 9:00

A.H.S., 29 Broadway, 3rd Floor

HIV/AIDS: Local Trends and Available Services.

Presenter: Jack Field, CCBC

      

Free Meals, Food Pantries, Food Resources

(From the United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton)

 

Area Served

Name and Contact Information

Hours

Category

Taunton Area

Our Daily Bread, St. Thomas Soup Kitchen, 111 High St.

Mon-Fri: 10:00 (coffee/donuts), 11:30-1:00 (lunch)

Meals

 

Taunton Area

Citizens for Citizens, 1 Taunton Green, 823-6346

Mon-Fri

9:00-4:00

Pantry

Taunton Area

St. Vincent DePaul, Taunton Council

19 Kilton St., or any Catholic Church

Wednesday: 6-8 p.m.

Pantry

Raynham Only

First Baptist Church, 494 Church St., Raynham Food Basket, 823-9200

2nd and 4th Wed., 9:30-11:00 a.m.

Pantry

Taunton Only

The Lord Cares, 154 Cohannet St.,

823-8234

Friday

9-1 pm

Pantry

Seekonk Only

Doorways, 615 Tremont St., Rehoboth, 222-8448

Saturday

9-11 am

Pantry

Taunton Area

Coyle & Cassidy, 2 Hamilton St., 823-6164

Last Saturday of month

Pantry

Attleboro Area

Food N Friends, Council of Churches, 7 N. Main St., 222-2933

 

Resource

Taunton Area

Food Stamp Source Line, 800-645-8333

Mon-Fri 8-5; Thurs to 8pm

Sat. 9-1 pm

Resource

Taunton Area

WIC (Anyone pregnant or with children under 5, 823-6346

 

Resource

Attleboro Area

WIC (Anyone pregnant or with children under 5, 226-4543

 

Resource

Taunton Area

SERVE and Other Food Resources, Contact United Way, 822-3180

 

Resource

Attleboro Area

SERVE and Other Food Resources, Contact United Way, 223-4636

 

Resource

Attleboro

Food N Friends Kitchen

LaSalette Shrine Cafeteria

Monday 4-5:30 pm

Free bus leaves Union Street #14 Bus Shelter at 3:05 pm

Meals

Mansfield

Food N Friends Kitchen, First Baptist Church, 52 N. Main St., rear entrance

Tuesday: 5:15-6:30 pm

Meals

N. Attleboro

Food N Friends Kitchen, Grace Episcopal Church, 104 North Washington St.

Wednesday: 4:30-5:30 pm

Free bus from Attleboro YMCA at 3:55 pm

Meals

Attleboro

Food N Friends Kitchen, First Baptist Church, 118 South Main St.

Thursday: 4:45-6:00 pm

Meals

Seekonk

Food N Friends Kitchen, Memorial Baptist

Church, Route 152

Friday: 5:30-7:00 pm

Bus leaves Union Street #16 at 4:40 pm; leaves Ro=Jack’s at 4:45 pm

 Meals

Attleboro

Food N Friends Kitchen, Centenary United Methodist Church, 15 Sanford St.

Saturday, 11-12:30 pm.

Bus from Grace Church, N. Attleboro #10, at 10:45 am

 Meals

Attleboro

Self Help Food Bank, 95 Pine St (Richardson School) 508-226-4192

Mon-Fri: 2-4 pm in winter; closed 12-1. Call First.

Pantry

Attleboro Area

Murray Unitarian Universalist Church Food Pantry, 505 N. Main St.

Mon-Fri, 9-1pm; not open July & August

Pantry

Norton Only

Cupboard of Kindness, 70 East Main

1st & 3rd Mondays, 4:30-6:30 pm

Pantry

N. Attleboro

First United Methodist Church, 20 Hoppin Hill Ave.

Tues: 8:15-11:15 am, Wed: 8:15-12:15pm, Thurs: 8:15-11:15 am

Pantry

S. Attleboro Only

St. Theresa’s Church, 18 Baltic St.

Wed: 9:30-11:00 am

Pantry

Attleboro

Working Persons Food Pantry, Hebron Village Outreach Center, 1188 S. Main St. (Must be working, receiving unemployment or an elder)

Thursday: 5-8:00 pm

Pantry

Attleboro

St. Joseph’s Food Cellar, S. Main & Maple Streets

Friday: 6:00-7:30 pm

Pantry

Mansfield Only

Our Daily Bread, 17 West St.

Saturday: 9-11 am

Pantry

          

Bi-Lingual Helpline “Su Familia” Created

 

   The Department of Health and Human Services has created the “Su Familia” National Hispanic Family Health Helpline, at  1-866-783-2645 or 1-866-SU-FAMILIA. Su Familia will help Hispanic families get basic health information to help them prevent and manage chronic conditions, and refer them to local health providers and federally supported programs, including the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

   Su Familia bilingual information specialists refer callers to one of more than 16,000 local health providers, including community and migrant health centers. Callers can also request basic health information, referrals to information sources, or receive consumer-friendly, bilingual Su Familia fact sheets. Fact sheets are currently available for a wide variety of topics including asthma, cancer screening, cardiovascular disease, child and adult immunizations, diabetes, domestic violence and HIV/AIDS.

   To contact the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, developer and operator, please call Epifanio Elizondo, at 214-767-8433.

COALITION/COMMITTEE MINUTES

 

Community Crisis Intervention Team. 3/6/03, 8:30 a.m., 18 Broadway.

 

Discussion Highlights:

Taunton Police Department – Officers may attend all trainings that are no cost to the Department.

 

May CCIT Training will be held on May 20-22. It will focus on the Taunton Police Department, probation, court clerks, Morton Hospital and Emergency Room Personnel.

 

Reconnecting – Rob proposed that we reconnect every three months after a training, to see what is working and what needs attention or changes.

 

Morton Hospital & Medical Center, Emergency Room – A new triage protocol is in place, where a four color coded system will help put staff on alert to different problems. (Ex: yellow = patient in danger of harm to him/herself and/or may elope.) Security will be informed immediately about the color.

 

New Practice – There will be a bed in the Pediatric Unit for holding and medicating youth crisis patients if there is not a crisis bed open in the DMH facility. There are strict rules for who may go to the unit to keep other patients safe; no behavior problems may go there. Linderman Health Center in Boston should almost always have an adolescent bed available.

 

Statewide Conference for DMH personnel is being held at University of Massachusetts, Worcester in June. Ted will reserve some seats for some committee members. The topic is Psychiatric Medicines.

 

Bed Shortage – There are only eight beds available in Massachusetts DMH facilities, for DMR clients with mental health issues.

 

Next Steps:

Please bring your presentation to share with the committee at the next meeting.

 

Next Meeting: 4/29/03, 8:30, 18 Broadway.

 

Contact Person:

Kathy Lalor, 508-823-9416

 

GATHER Domestic Violence/Violence Prevention Committee. 3/19/03, 9:30, New Hope.

 

Discussion Highlights:

Healthy Families has reopened until June, but is not fully funded.  They are calling back former clients not being serviced by other agencies, and recalling staff as they can. 

SERJOBS  has reopened, and will be in a new location in Taunton. 


Next Steps:

Technology Grants - Sources need to be reviewed with the intent to present possible sources to the committee, by the next meeting. (Membership will bring possible sources to April meeting)

 

Bring all people together to discuss working on a focus to define the purpose of what we are doing. 

 

Set up a business plan.

 

Next Meeting: 4/16/03, 9:30, A.H.S., 29 Broadway, 3rd floor. (Please note change in location)

 

Contact Person:

Lorraine Rosa, 823-4822

 

Greater Taunton Health & Human Services Coalition. 3/18/03, 9:00, A.H.S.

Discussion Highlights:

 Radio Show - Dan LeBrun (Development Director) from New Hope presented information about plans to host a radio show “Pathways to Hope” on WPEP (1570 AM) related to Human Services in the Taunton area.  He hopes to interview various people who will share information about agencies’ programs in Taunton.  It will air weekly on Thursdays after 4/10/03, between 12:05 – 1:00 PM. Initial shows will be pre-recorded. Eventually, the program will accept phone calls.  First, larger agencies will be interviewed, then, directors of specific programs within various agencies.  There will be a webpage on the WPEP website to link people to agency phone numbers.  For more information, contact Dan LeBrun, 508-226-4015 or email him at dlebrun@new-hope.org. The coalition would like to invite Dan back in the future.

 

Emergency Task Force - John Colton from Representative Fagan’s office attended to gather information about what is happening locally, and discussed budget issues. Speaker Finneran has formed study groups to research details of Governor’s budget.

 

Job Fair at Holiday Inn on 4/9/03 from 2-7pm. Call Roger at  821-1030 for more information.  The Career Center has transportation passes available.

 

CCBC has been providing counseling and referrals to homeless individuals at the Samaritan House.

 

Fuel applications continue to be accepted through 4/20/03 at CFC.

 

United Way’s volunteer week is 4/27-5/5.  By 4/20/03 the volunteer directory will be published. Forms are also available to request donations via wish list.

   

OJP GRANT – The Coalition applied for $100,000 in Federal grant money.  Drug-free Community Programs, Substance Abuse committee, SNI, TRY, and Youth Advocates have formed YELL/Youth Endorsing Legal Lifestyles.  The first grant was submitted electronically.

 

BSAS GRANT – The Coalition has also applied for Bureau of Substance Abuse Services – Federal pass through money/State Grant.  It is being submitted by the Substance Abuse/Addictions Committee (and others) representing seven communities.  It includes a holistic environmental strategy with the goal of reducing youth access to alcohol and other drugs. This is a 5-year grant with renewable options.

 

SART8 – The Eighth Substance Abuse Round Table was held 3/13/03, at the Holiday Inn. Unfortunately, Chief Moose who was to be keynote speaker was unable to attend. The program featured updates on past SARTs.

 

Emergency Preparedness Presentation (Rick Ferreira from TEMA) - Taunton is a reception community for crises related to Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant.  They meet monthly with the Nuclear Safety Commission, and review plant plans and procedures.  They train volunteers annually. As part of Comprehensive Emergency Management, TEMA has established relationships with various community agencies (Morton Hospital, Spiritual counseling group, State Hospital, Red Cross).  They have equipment and supplies available for monitoring and decontamination (at the High School).  They have HAM radio operators who assist with communications at communication center at City Hall, direct lines to key locations and a new statewide communications network linking State Police Centers.  Websites with more information are as follows: www.TEMAonline.org and www.mema.gov 

 

Legislative Breakfast Subcommittee: Morton Hospital volunteered to host the event. A small group will assist.

 

Sustainability Subcommittee - Only $1632 remains in the budget. Area agency budget impact     information was distributed.

 

Childhood/Family Obesity – A summary of templates was distributed.  Harvard-Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation wants to keep informed and be more involved in this issue in southeastern Mass.  Rhode Island’s Healthy Kids Program is a possible model.  There has been an increase in revenue at Galligan School since healthier snacks have been substituted in vending machines.  A Family Fitness and Fun Expo will be held 4/11/03, 4-7 pm at the school.

 

Announcements:

·         Information was distributed about Food Stamps, a new Health Insurance Program, Free smoke detectors for agencies/firemen collaborators.

·         The Dental Clinic is breaking even and is researching other pay sources

·         The Freedman Clinic got a BC/BS Grant and is in process of staffing.  They hope to open in April to treat people without insurance.

       

Next Meeting: 4/15/03, 9:00, A.H.S.

 

Contact Person: Richard McMahon, 508-979-7160, x3010

 

Child and Family Focus Committee. 3/18/03, 10:15, A.H.S.

Discussion Highlights:

WIC has nutritional information.

 

Questions for identification of community resources, gaps and future plans are as follows:

·         What are your resources?

·         What are your specific services (including childcare, transportation)

·         What are your current and future programs related to health and fitness?

·         How have you collaborated with the community?

·         Has a needs assessment been done? What are the gaps?

·         How do you communicate information regarding nutrition, exercise to the community/individuals?

·         What has been successful?

 

Ideas were brainstormed as follows:

·         Use of media (Attleboro Sun, Taunton Gazette, Enterprise, Morton Hospital Calendar  “Health Matters”, Parks and Recreation Dept. Calendar

·         Walking trail information and events

·         Family fun and fitness events

·         Nutrition information

 

 

Next Steps:

Tammy Sousa from the YMCA will be attending on 4/15/03.

Contact Marilyn, Recreation Dept to get  information about identified  walking trails, and invite her to next meeting. (Marcy)

Call BC/BS to get more information about the grant. (Marcy)

 

Next Meeting: 
4/15/03, 10:15, AHS, 29 Broadway
 
Contact Person: 
Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822.

Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. 2/12/03, 9:00, Morton Hospital Café Annex.

Discussion Highlights:
Save the Date Responsibility Through Action: A Statewide Event for People Living with HIV/AIDS, will be held 5/19/03, 
8:00-4:00, at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton Street. 
 
Lead Agency Report:
·         Project Empower held a discussion group on Sexually Transmitted Diseases, led by Dr. Taylor, Health Awareness 
Connection.
·         CCBC Case Management meeting was held to evaluate and provide feedback on services. Nine consumers attended.
·         Project ABLE – Three CCBC employees attended annual lobby day, 3/5/03, at the State House. Over 200 attended.
·         DPH will provide the Consortia with a needs assessment, to be distributed around May. RFRs for Consortia services will be 
sent out around September.
·         Mary Ellen from ProHome, Inc. made a services presentation to staff.
·         Linda LeBreux, RN, CAN, has started the ACT Now Adherence Program through Morton Hospital’s ID Department. 
Welcome!
·         Governor Romney proposed the FY’04 budget be level funded for HIV/AIDS Services. All are encouraged to contact 
elected officials to ensure no more cuts.
 
Consumer Advisory Board:
·         The Newsletter has been put on hold until further notice.
·         Ideas for recruitment include a dance, outing, dinner, and food vouchers to recruitment meeting attendees. 
 
Fundraising / Awareness Committee – The AIDS Walk event will be 10/4/03. Volunteers are needed.
 
Next Meeting: 
Consortium: 5/14/03, 9:00, Morton Cafe Annex.
 
Contact Person:
Damar Aponte, 508-884-8264.

Safe Neighborhood Initiative. 3/26/03, 8:00, Bristol-Plymouth High School.

 

Discussion Highlights:

Criminal Justice Committee – The fast track list has 11 adults and 2 juveniles.

 

Treatment and Prevention is looking into starting an Alateen or AA/NA for youth. SART8 went extremely well considering the cancellation of the keynote speaker. Phil praised Kathy Lalor for all the time and energy she put into the event. The Committee has applied for environmental strategies and youth prevention grants.

 

Neighborhood Revitalization – CDBG week begins on 4/21/03, and focuses on community and legislative awareness of the program.

 

Taunton Cares is working on sending out information on suspicious activity and how to report it, through the Bristol Elder Services Meals on Wheels program for homebound elders. The group is working on starting a criminal justice group, which targets students interested in a criminal justice career.

 

Youth Committee - Taunton Reaching Youth is working on the Annual Peer Appreciation night. They are still looking for one student from a low-income household, for the youth council. Peer Leaders and the Youth Council will participate in the Relay for Life event. Teen Topics has started at Martin Middle School.

 

Community Crisis Intervention Team – Training for police, court and Emergency Room personnel will be held in May, and may meet every three months to review information. Morton Hospital is developing a new security procedure for the emergency room so that certain individuals do not walk out of the hospital untreated.

 

Community Crisis Spiritual Care Response Team – A networking meeting has been set for March 28, and will focus on Cultural competencies, and a discussion of the Warwick fire.

 

Jobs for Youth – Five youth are working, with a sixth on the way.

 

Next Meetings:

4/30/03, 8:00, Taunton High School

5/28/03, 8:00, B-P High School

6/25/03, 8:00, DYS, Murray Bldg, Taunton State Hospital

 

Contact Person:

Bob Cammarata, 508-821-1420

Taunton Emergency Task Force.  2/4/03, 9:30, 15 Summer St..

 

Discussion Highlights:

Homelessness – The Samaritan House is full. They are working on a Red Cross Grant. CCBC offers clients counseling support and referrals.

 

Fuel Fund/Emergency Services are by agency referral only.

 

Agency Sharing:

·         Our Daily Bread serves 150-160 per day.

·         Early Intervention – Children are still being accepted into groups.

·         Citizens for Citizens – Fuel applications will be taken through 4/20/03. The SMART Program had 15 participants.

·         Early Head Start – Applications are being accepted. Budget cuts continue to affect families served, particularly regarding GED and Daycare programs.

·         DHS budget cuts are huge: 7 part time positions have been cut, and outreach staff who visited 750 last year have also been let go.

·         Representative Fagan is concerned about cities and towns. Budget details have not been forthcoming. Speaker Finneran has divided and assigned tasks to study groups to research the details. Cuts could reach 25%.

·         United Way – The volunteer directory will be published by 4/20/03. Forms are available for agencies to request a match with volunteers, or to request donations by wish list. The UWGAT received daily calls from homeless individuals.

·         MOCD – A Job Fair will be held 4/9/03, at the Holiday Inn, 2-7 pm.

·         American Red Cross is reorganizing in Southeastern Massachusetts.  They are updating shelter survey information on area schools.

 

·         Samaritan House – 120 coats have been donated, and have been offered to Head Start, St. Vincent de Paul Society and Citizens for Citizens.

·         Church at the Crossroads has applied for USDA funding. This has helped an increased number of families receive food. Help from St. Vincent de Paul is appreciated.

 

Next Steps:

Address the need for overflow shelter sites and strategies for using these temporary sites, at the May meeting.

 

Next Meeting:

5/6/03, 9:30, TEMA Office

 

Contact Person:

Charlene Sanger, 508-821-1420

Taunton Reaching Youth (TRY). April Report.

 

Discussion Highlights:

Youth Action Task Force will have a team at the Relay for Life.

 

Peer Appreciation will be held on May 9, 2003, 5:30-8:30, Elks Club

 

Taunton Youth Council is looking to hire two teens. Contact Katie for applications.

 

Next Meetings:

·         Steering Committee, 5/7/03,     3:00 pm, Citizens For Citizens (CFC).

·         Youth Action Task Force, 5/14/03, 3:00, CFC

·         Peer Appreciation Planning:  4/18/03 (10 am), 4/25/03 (10 am), CFC.

 

Contact Person:

Katie Kelly, 508-823-6346

Did You Know That…?

CONFERENCES
 
HIV 2003 Where Are We? Is an update for providers and consumers, to be held 4/30/03, 8:30-3:30, at the Massasoit 
Conference Center, Brockton. $30. For information, please call 559-6510.
 
Third Annual New England School of Prevention Studies will be held 7/20/03-7/24/03, at Salve Regina University, Newport, 
RI. For information, visit www.neias.org

 

Changing Minds, Saving Lives: Suicide Prevention Across the Lifespan, will be held on 5/14/03, at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. $35. For more information please contact: Christine M. Farrell at christine.farrell@state.ma.us, or call.

617-624-5476.

 
Linking Community Indicators to Real Action and Policy is an online conference call seminar, sponsored by the Association 
for Community Health Improvement, 5/15/03, Noon. For information on how to participate, please log on to 
www.hospitalconnect.com/communityhlth/education/audio.html
 
Building Healthier Communities for All – The Journey to Equity is the 10th Annual Ounce of Prevention Conference, on 
4/30/03, 8:00-4:30, at the Holiday Inn Boxborough Woods. $40. For information, please call 508-752-7313.
 
Partners in Perinatal Health conference will be held 5/13/03, 8:30-4:15, at the Worcester Centrum Centre. For information, 
please call 508-752-7313.
 
FUNDING
 
Grants for Adolescent Treatment - Programs that want to provide adolescents with a proven treatment regimen that combines 
motivational-enhancement therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy may apply for SAMHSA grants at 
http://www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,562126,00.html?U=137307
 
Funds Available to Expand Effective Adolescent Treatment are available from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment 
(CSAT), to adopt and expand effective alcohol and drug treatment for adolescents. For information, see
http://www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,562062,00.html?U=137307
 
Funds Available for Substance Abuse Treatment and HIV/AIDS 
Services are offered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to enhance and expand substance 
abuse treatment in conjunction with HIV/AIDS Services. For information, please log on to 
http://www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,562281,00.html?U=137307
 
Funding for programs that provide addiction treatment to people infected with HIV and AIDS is available from the Center for 
Substance Abuse Treatment. See
http://www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,562338,00.html?U=137307
 
RESOURCES 
 
Access to Prescription Drugs for the Uninsured: Example of Innovative Programs has been published by The Health Research 
and Educational Trust. This guide includes both national resources and a number of local and regional best practices for 
expanding access to medications.  It is available free of charge as an Adobe Acrobat document at 
http://www.hospitalconnect.com/aha/hret/content/overview.pdf.

 

The Asset Champion: A Newsletter for Healthy Community Healthy Youth Initiatives, may be accessed at

www.search-institute.org/communities/assetchampions/feb2003/      

 
Information on Product Recalls may be obtained by calling the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at 1-800-638-2772, 
or a www.cpsc.gov
 
Injuries to Massachusetts Residents, 1995-1999, A Report, is available by contacting the Injury Surveillance Program at 
617-624-5664.
 
Sturdy Memorial Hospital’s Child Safety Seat Program provides rental of car seats and car beds, for hospital patients only, 
infant car seat rental period for 10 months, and car bed rental up to 2 months. Contact person is Anne Messier, 508-236-8800.
 
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence may be accessed at 
www.ncadd.org.
 
www.freechild.org features  youth-oriented ideas in practice and theory

About social change by and with youth. Their foci include youth leadership, youth-led activism, student-led education reform, youth rights, community involvement, juvenile justice, youth media, and information for the adult allies of young people.

 
New DPH Resources include Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Resource Guide and Future Directions, Suicide prevention 
Across the Lifespan, Conference Proceedings. Both are free of charge, and may be ordered by calling to request an order form 
at 617-624-5473.
 

Free Brochures to increase physical activity among youth, will soon be available for parents, teachers and principals. Just place your order by emailing HealthyYouth@cdc.gov 

 

A Window Safety Checklist is available at www.nsc.org/aware/window/checklst.htm. Fires and falls of all kinds are among the leading causes of injury and death in young children. While some falls occur from windows, it is important to realize that in the event of a fire, a window can also save a child's life. This is why windows play a critical role in home safety. Print out this checklist and use these tips to help keep your families safer around the windows and patio doors.

 

WORKSHOPS

 

Morton Hospital and Medical Center is offering Get What You Want and Want What You Have, 4/22/03; Natural Transitions 
Through Menopause, 4/29/03, both at 6:30 pm, at the Margaret Stone Conference Room; Elder Health, 5/2/03, 8:00 am, Silver 
City Galleria Community Room. All are free. Pre-register at 828-7777.
 
Financial Education From the Very Basics to Home Ownership is a Pro-Home program. For information, please call Richard at 
508-821-2514. 
 
Look Good…Feel Better helps you look your best throughout chemotherapy or radiation treatment, on 4/28/03, 5:30-7:30 pm, 
Sturdy Memorial Hospital. Please call 508-236-7012 to register.

 

This month’s Advocate was published by Lorraine Rosa, Coordinator, with funds from GATHER and GTHHSC dues. To submit an article, announcement or other information in the May/June issue please call (508) 823-4822, fax  508-823-8584, or write to GTHHSC, P.O.Box 2894, Taunton, MA. 02780, by April 25th. H

 

UPCOMING AREA MEETINGS

 

 

April 15, 9:00

Greater Taunton Health & Human Services Coalition. AHS, 29 Broadway, 3rd floor

April 15, 10:15

GTHHSC Child & Family Focus Committee. AHS.

April 15, 2:30

Domestic Violence Roundtable. Fall  River Police Department

April 16, 9:30

GATHER Domestic Violence/Violence Prevention Committee. AHS.

April 16, 3:00

GATHER Substance Abuse Committee. Citizens for Citizens, 1 Taunton Green.

April 17, 1:00

GATRA Consumer Advisory Committee. 10 Oak St.

April 18, 8:45

Re-Entry Committee. Probation, 18 Broadway.

April 18, 10:00

Peer Appreciation Planning Committee. Citizens for Citizens Conference Room.

April 25, 10:00

Peer Appreciation Planning Committee. Citizens for Citizens Conference Room.

April 29, 8:30

Community Crisis Intervention Team (CCIT). Probation, 18 Broadway.

April 30, 8:00

Safe Neighborhood Initiative.  Taunton High School

May 2, 3:00

Peer Appreciation Planning Committee. Citizens for Citizens Conference Room.

May 6, 9:30

Taunton Emergency Task Force.  TEMA Office, City Hall

May 7, 3:00

TRY Steering Committee. Citizens for Citizens Conference Room, 1 Taunton Green.

May 9,

5:30-8:30 p.m.

Peer Appreciation Event 2003. Elks Club.

May 13, 1:00

Attleboro/Taunton Homeless Coalition. MOCD, 45 School St.

May 14, 9:00

Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. Morton Hospital Café Annex.

May 14, 3:00

TRY Youth Action Task Force. Citizens for Citizens Conference Room.

May 28, 8:00

Safe Neighborhood Initiative.  Bristol-Plymouth High School

June 3, 9:30

Taunton Emergency Task Force.  TEMA Office, City Hall

June 25, 8:00

Safe Neighborhood Initiative.  DYS, Murray Building, Taunton State Hospital.