Inside This Issue:

  • Announcements and Articles, p.1, 2
  • Funding Resources, p.8
  • Meeting Minutes, p. 2 - 7
  • Calendar, p..9
  • Did You Know That…, p. 8

 

THE ADVOCATE

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

Volume XII, No.12                                                                                                                                                                           December 2002

CHRISTMAS DINNERS, BASKETS, AND GIFTS

AVAILABLE IN GATHER AREA

(United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton)

 

   Christmas dinner will be held on December 25, 2002. All phone numbers are in the 508 exchange.

City/Town:

Dinners:

Baskets:

Toys:

Attleboro

Christmas Day Dinner: South Attleboro, Reservations or delivery: 761-6622 (Ed)

Self Help, 226-4192

Call the United Way,

223-4636

Berkley

Coyle & Cassidy High School,

Breakfast 8:30, Dinner 11-1, 823-8399, 821-1038

Annunciation, 823-2521

St. Bernard’s, 644-5585

Operation Christmas, Citizens for Citizens, ages 0-12, 823-6346

Dighton

Coyle & Cassidy High School,

Breakfast 8:30, Dinner 11-1, 823-8399, 821-1038

St. Joseph’s, 822-1425

St. Peter’s, 669-6463

Operation Christmas, Citizens for Citizens, ages 0-12, 823-6346

Mansfield

Christmas Day Dinner: South Attleboro, Reservations or delivery: 761-6622 (Ed)

Westside Benevolent,

339-3397

Call the United Way,

223-4636

Westside Benevolent, 339-3397

N. Attleboro

Christmas Day Dinner: South Attleboro, Reservations or delivery: 761-6622 (Ed)

Town Nurse, 699-0104

Enchanted Elves, 695-8299

Call the United Way,

223-4636

Norton

Christmas Day Dinner: South Attleboro, Reservations or delivery: 761-6622 (Ed)

St. Mary’s, 285-4462

Human Services, 285-0235

Call the United Way,

223-4636

Plainville

Christmas Day Dinner: South Attleboro, Reservations or delivery: 761-6622 (Ed)

Self Help, 226-4192

Call the United Way,

223-4636

Raynham

Coyle & Cassidy High School,

Breakfast 8:30, Dinner 11-1, 823-8399, 821-1038

St. Ann’s, 823-9833

Giving Tree, Ages 0-16, St. Ann’s, 823-9833

Rehoboth

Christmas Day Dinner: South Attleboro, Reservations or delivery: 761-6622 (Ed)

Council on Aging, 252-3372

Officer Martin, 252-3263

Call the United Way,

223-4636

Seekonk

Christmas Day Dinner: South Attleboro, Reservations Or delivery: 761-6622 (Ed)

Coyle & Cassidy High School

Breakfast 8:30, Dinner 11-1, 823-8399, 821-1038

Human Services, 336-8772

Call the United Way,

223-4636

 

Taunton

Coyle & Cassidy High School,

Breakfast 8:30, Dinner 11-1, 823-8399, 821-1038

St. Vincent DePaul,

823-6676

 

Operation Christmas, Citizens for Citizens, ages 0-12, 823-6346

 

GTHHSC November Meeting

11/19/02, 9:00

Associates for Human Services, 29 Broadway, 3rd Floor

 

Letter From Head Start

 

Dear Community Leader,

 

   The Head Start program is recruiting membership for their Policy Council for the year 2002-2003. The policy group is a membership of parents and community individuals who are concerned with the lives of families and young children. We meet on a monthly basis on the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30-8:30 p.m. The main focus of this council is to form a partnership with parents and staff in making decisions on funding, programming and activities to support families in their work with their children.

 

We need several new representatives that will be reflective of our community. Please accept our invitation to join us in this important work. If you are interested in this rewarding position, please call me to set a time for an orientation interview and information packet. Please send a letter (To Triumph Head Start, 100 Gordon Owen Riverway, Taunton, MA 02780) indicating your interest by 1/6/2003. Our next meeting is scheduled for 1/27/2002. Please feel free to attend one of the meetings (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) as an observer before making a commitment to our team.

 

You may reach me at 508-822-5388 most days until 4:30-5:00. Please leave a message at ext. #104 if I am away from my desk.

 

Thank you in advance for your interest,

Sandra Slaney, Parent Involvement Manager

 

A Program of Triumph, Inc. – Fight Poverty

 

COALITION/COMMITTEE MINUTES 

 

GATHER Domestic Violence/Violence Prevention. 11/20/02, 9:30, 39 Taunton Green

 

Discussion Highlights:

Announcements – GATHER DV/VP Committee has the following materials from the Attorney General’s Office, available for GATHER/GTHHSC use: Attorney General’s Guide to Elder Health Care and Finances, Working With Victims of Fraud, Unsolicited Mail, Telemarketing and Email: Where to Go To “Just Say No”, Donating Dos and Don’ts, Consumer Guide to Home Improvement, Guide to Preventing and Reporting Abuse, Mistreatment and Neglect, Do You Know an Elder Who Needs Help?, Help Prevent Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Financial Exploitation Report It!, Identity Fraud, Is Someone You Care About Hurting You?, Elder Hotline: A Complete Resource and Referral Tool for Elders, Coastline Elderly Services, Inc. Money Management Program and What You Can Do To End Violence, Abuse and Fraud Against Elders.

 

Family Domestic Violence Prevention – A new program for clergy links church and community in the issue of domestic violence.

 

Rhode Island Training Calendar – The GATHER area can connect with the Rhode Island Coalition to pilot or replicate trainings and programs for human services and employers, through coordination, brochure development and sponsorship of advertisements. It was suggested that trainings could go through such groups as the Employment Task Force, Industrial Parks, Attleboro/Taunton based companies, the Jane Doe website, Employers Against Domestic Violence and Morton Hospital and Medical Center. Trainings could be offered at the end of the day, and provide CEU’s.

 

Expanded Web Site/Mailings - A GATHER training calendar, both electronic and hard copy, could advertise trainings in neighboring areas, and explore interest in co-sponsorship in the local area.

 

Next Steps:

To explore grant funding to develop a quarterly community calendar to cover the GATHER communities, with links to communities covered by the Domestic Violence Roundtable, as well as to sustain meetings, trainings, a resource library, an expanded website and funding for the distribution of calendar mailings.

 

To gather letters of support for the above initiative.

 

Next Meeting: 12/18/02, 9:30, Taunton New Hope.

 

Contact Person:

Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822

 

GATHER/GTHHSC Environmental Strategies. 11/20/02, 4:30, 63 Winthrop St.

 

Discussion Highlights:

Grant Received – The Environmental Strategies Committee has received a seed grant of $3,000 from the Bristol 
County Savings Bank Charitable Foundation. All Committee members are invited to come to a photo shoot on 
12/18/02, 3:00, at 63 Winthrop St. (CCBC).
 
Youth Action Task Force is a youth component link. They are interested in the social norms piece. 
 
Parenting Letter can cover a variety of subjects. These can be original or get permission for reprints of community
 articles.
 
Next Steps:
To contact Laura Gomberg of EDC in Norton for consultant services.
To contact Jose Morales, Alejandro Riveira and Steven Kiel about training, parenting letters, consultation and grant 
resources.
To contact the Brockton Center for Healthy Communities
To contact the Gazette for the logistics of printing parenting letters
To check GATHER computer for power point software
 
Next Meeting: TBA
 
Contact Person: Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822

GATHER/GTHHSC Substance Abuse Committee. 11/20/02, 3:00, 63 Winthrop St.

Discussion Highlights:

Environmental Strategies Subcommittee has received a Bristol County Savings Bank grant for $3,000, and

is sending a letter of intent to Ben & Jerry’s foundation.

 

Community Drug Education Program – Of the 32 attending the most recent series, 2/3 were first time offenders, while others are significantly involved in the court system. This 12th series concludes 4 years of the program.

 

Substance Abuse Round Table 8 (SARTVIII) – Police Chief Moose, Montgomery County, Maryland will be the keynote speaker for SARTVIII. Presenters, including peer leaders, will review the 7 previous SARTs and their outcomes. The next meeting of the planning committee is 1/10/2003, 3:00, at Community Partnerships, Inc.

 

Drug Policies – This Committee wishes to support those working on a school drug policy. Examples of area policies have been collected as a resource.

 

Night Club – Previously, a letter was sent to a Rhode Island establishment informing them of concerns about youth access to alcohol. A follow up letter will be sent to the owner, as well as Mayor Cicilini of Providence, as the access problem continues. Training programs helping them identify fake I.D.s may be useful. A program called “URI High” offers such training.

 

AlaTeen – A young peoples AA group, as well as Alateen would be useful in this area. The first step is to secure individuals committed to running the AA meetings.  Groups who might also appreciate the existence of such a provision include courts, DSS, DYS and area high schools.

 

National Alcohol and Drug Recovery Month – This was observed in September 2002 to highlight the strides made in substance abuse treatment and to educate the public that addiction is a chronic, but treatable, public health problem that affects us all. The Committee has a Recovery Month campaign kit. Other Committee holdings include Results from the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse: V.l (Summary of National Findings) and V.2 (Technical Appendices and Selected Data Tables) and The National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Report Series on Marijuana Abuse.

 

YRBS Survey 2001 is now available on the DOE website. Alcohol use is its only risk behavior still increasing.

 

Next Steps:

To research Women and Addictions Week 2003 (update: due to budget cuts, sponsorship of this event has been suspended for 2003)

To bring a budget cuts template to the next meeting

 

To bring a copy of the letter previously sent to the night club

To send a congratulatory letter and invitation to Chief Wetherell.

To send a letter to Rehoboth school to ask if they have youth interested in participating in Committee work.

 

Next Meeting: 12/18/02, 3:00, CCBC, 63 Winthrop St.
 
Contact Person: Phil Shea, 508-824-7224

GTHHSC Monthly Meeting. 11/19/02, 9:00, A.H.S.

 

Discussion Highlights:

Multicultural Committee – The next diversity booklet will be based on the Durfee High School project. High Schools are currently being contacted to do focus groups.

 

SARTVIII – The eighth Substance Abuse Round Table will feature Chief Charles Moose of the Montgomery County, Maryland Police Department as keynote speaker.

 

Community Health and Wellness continues the nutrition program at Galligan School. Pupils are taught healthy nutrition habits during the school day, with an after school component for parents and teachers. UMass nursing students work with the pupils. This project addresses reducing cardio vascular disease by teaching children and parents. It was launched in the beginning of September with screenings for cholesterol and glucose, along with a questionnaire. Of 50 people screened, 46 had at least one significant factor for cardiovascular disease. This will be reassessed at the end of the school year. Smoking cessation, conflict resolution, nutrition, fitness and after school enrichment are also planned.

 

PFLAG Steering Committee meets on the 2nd Tuesday of any month at 6:30 p.m., at the Smith Conference Room, Morton Hospital and Medical Center. Meeting follows at 7:00.

 

Chairmanship – Richard McMahon was unanimously elected to finish Lucy’s term, which ends in May 2003.

 

Sustainability – The budget as of this morning is at $1,861.43. Along with GATHER’s drying funding situation, this makes it difficult to keep the coalition going financially. It is also difficult to secure funding for core coalition support.  The group decided to focus on childhood obesity and disaster preparedness, common threads that apply in all areas of the membership. The Advocate functions as an awareness campaign.

 

Legislative Breakfast –Sheets emphasizing the impact to area agencies and consumers, due to recent budget cuts have been prepared and emailed to the membership.

 

Next Steps:

To share the Healthy People 2010 list with the membership

Has Your Agency Been Impacted By State Budget Cuts?

 

   GATHER/GTHHSC is planning a spring legislative breakfast. Please fill in the information sheet below. The compilation of the statistical reality of budget cuts will be useful to your agency as well as to our area legislators. You may also include a narrative.

 

Greater Attleboro/Taunton Area

Budget Cuts Impact Areas

 

Program

Amount Cut

% Drop in Budget

Jobs Lost

Clients Affected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Narrative:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please Fax Completed Form To Lorraine Rosa,

508-823-8584


 

To contact Ryan about developing a survey for communication among agencies in the event of disaster.

 

To contact Rick Ferreira, TEMA, to speak

To explore how childhood obesity and disaster preparedness is being addressed in member agencies, through linking and communication, resources, target audiences, and action steps for addressing the issue.

To continue to gather budget cut impact statements/statistics.

 

Next Meeting: 12/17/02, 9:00, A.H.S., 29 Broadway, 3rd floor.

 

Contact Person:

Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822

Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. 11/13/02, 9:00, Morton Hospital Café Annex.

 
Discussion Highlights:
Distributions were made of the 2003 meeting schedule and 2002 World AIDS Events flyers.
 
Murder Mystery Fundraising Dinner for the South Shore AIDS Project will feature a list of characters. Cost 
for the 3/22/03, 7:00 p.m., First Parish Church, Rt. 3A, Duxbury event is $30 per person. For reservations or more 
information please call Lynnette at           508-747-2189.
 
Benefit for AIDS Project RI – Mr. RI Bear & Cub Weekend is sponsored by the Imperial Court of RI Club 
Providence and the Yukon Trading Company, to benefit AIDS Project RI. For information regarding activities 
1/10/03-1/12/03, please contact Damar at 508-884-8264.
 
Next Meeting:
1/8/02, 9:00, Morton Cafe Annex.
 
Contact Person:
Damar Aponte, 508-884-8264.

Safe Neighborhood Initiative. 11/20/02, 8:00, Bristol-Plymouth High School.

 

Discussion Highlights:

Criminal Justice Committee reported Juvenile Probation is still having problems with lack of cups for drug testing. The gang information meeting went very well with a good representation from various departments There was discussion if a gang presentation will be offered to the high and middle school administrators.

 

Neighborhood Revitalization The Mayor’s Office of Community Development is offering a job training program at Fairfax Gardens and Riverside Apartments. Flyers are available.

 

Abandoned Buildings Program – The Highland Street property is still under foreclosure. Pro-Home wants to make sure the title is clear before the property lottery, and continues to look for other sites. Applications will be received at foreclosure.

 

Taunton CARES – Neighborhood Watch program has been going well. Presentations have been made on fraud and scams. Presentations will be made to businesses at Myles Standish Industrial Park. Development of a youth crime watch program at the high school is being explored.

 

Treatment and Prevention Taunton Housing Authority has been awarded 200 Section 8 certificates for non-elder, disabled individuals and families. Medicare is cutting back on adults with poor employment history. Many of these have mental health and/or substance abuse problems.

 

Youth Committee – The Youth Council and CCBC peer leaders dance at the Elks Club drew 150 youth. TRY has continued its Fairfax Gardens girls group, and will expand to the Highland Hills Apartments. Teen Topics was offered at Parker Middle School, and will be offered to two more schools in January.

 

Education Committee – Police dogs were brought into the high school and Martin Middle for a random drug search, and came up empty. The program will be scheduled for the remaining middle schools and offered to Coyle and TCMS.

 

Crisis Intervention Team The group is planning a police training on Section 12, and updating an identification program serving elders who wander.

 

Program Update Jobs for Youth has been funded for $10,000 from January-June.

 

Taunton Clergy Emergency Response Team The high school emergency response plan was presented to the committee in October. The next meeting will focus on Cultural competencies.

 

Minutes and Announcements will be emailed. Please contact Donna if your email address changes.

 

Next Meeting: 12/18/02, 8:00, Taunton High School.

 

Contact Person:

Bob Cammarata, 508-821-1420

Taunton Emergency Task Force.  November 5, 2002.

 

Discussion Highlights:

Homelessness – The Samaritan House is facing severe financial problems. They have no executive director. They have entered into an agreement with Father Bills place in Quincy to assist them to face these challenges. They will remain open.

 

Fuel Fund/Emergency Services – CFC ran out of FEMA money last month. CFC will administer some funds from the task force to assist people in avoiding shut off. The total is not to exceed $6,000 with a cap of $250 for those not eligible for fuel assistance, and 100 gallons for those eligible. There should only be a minimal increase in the cost of gas this season. The Emergency Task Force fuel fund opens immediately.

 

By-Laws – The by-laws are in the process of revision. A vote will be taken at the December meeting.

 

Next Meeting:

1/7/03, 9:30, TEMA Office

 

Contact Person:

Charlene Sanger, 508-821-1420

Taunton Reaching Youth (TRY). December Report.

 

Highlights:

Youth Action Task Force is working on a social norms / environmental strategies campaign with the GATHER / GTHHSC Environmental Strategies Committee. Task Force members will also attend the Jane Doe, Inc. Violence Prevention training at Holy Cross College, Worcester.

 

Funding – TRY received an increase in funding to be distributed to existing subcontracts and TRY Coalition staff.

 

Substance Free Dance – CCBC and Youth Council members held this event at the Elks Club on 11/15/02. It was an awesome success.

 

Next Meeting:

Youth Action Task Force: 1/15/02, 3:00, Taunton Public Library.

 

Contact Person: Katie Kelly, 508-823-6346

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, please call  (508) 823-4822, fax 508-823-8584, or write to GTHHSC, P.O.Box 2894, Taunton, MA. 02780, by December 25th. H

 

 Did You Know That…?

 

Morton Hospital & Medical Center free offerings include the following: Helping Siblings Live Harmoniously, So You Can, Too”, 12/19/02, 6:30 p.m.; Dealing with Death and Dying, 1/3/03, 8:00 a.m., Galleria; Self-Defense Tactics for You, 1/7/03, 9-11 a.m., Galleria; How to Use the Internet, 1/13/03 or 1/22/03, 9-11 a.m., Computer Classroom, Morton Hospital Administration Building (Pre-registration is mandatory, class size is limited). For information, or to preregister, call 508-828-7777.

 

Mulligan Center for Health Promotion is offering Promising Approaches to Teenage Pregnancy Prevention, 1/15/03, 
9:00-3:00, $60. Registration deadline: 1/8/03. To register, please call Kimberly at 508-583-2250, x239. 
 
Mini-Grants Available to projects or initiatives related to tobacco prevention and control, with priority to community-based 
organizations serving low-income, minority and non-English speaking populations, in order to build a knowledge base and 
resource within these communities. For information, please contact the Massachusetts Coalition for a Healthy Future,  
508-270-4685.
 
Free Smoke Alarms for Communities with Refugees and Immigrants are available through the DPH. Fire Departments and 
Community-based Agencies must apply in partnership. If you are interested in obtaining these smoke alarms, please contact 
Ms. Statires at 617-624-5426.
 
Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program can help with a delivery of half price heating oil. If you or someone you know is having a 
hard time heating their home, help is just a phone call away. Please call    877-JOE-4-OIL.
 
Brown Bag Series Parent Programs, are sponsored by Community Partnerships for Children, BR Regional School District, 
Taunton Public Schools, and Triumph, Inc. Next program is The Many Faces of Child Safety…, 1/9/03, 5:30-7:30 p.m., E. Taunton
 Elementary School. Pre-register with Johanna at 508-823-2937, x0
 
 

FUNDING RESOURCES

(*All amounts are approximate and may be based on past giving records.)

 

Agency/Program:

Community Athletics

Women’s Sports Foundation various grants

$ Available*:

 

Up to $2,500; $2,000 or $4,000; product donations

Deadline:

 

12/31/02

Contact:

 

800-227-3988

 

Community Development

Bikes Belong Coalition

 

Up to $10,000

 

Open

 

617-734-2111

Corporate Support

Oracle Help Us Help Foundation

 

Computers and Internet appliances

 

2/28/03

 

helpushelp_us@oracle.com

Health

SAMHSA Community Action Grants

 

DHHS Family Planning Services Grants

 

$50,000 - $150,000

 

$100 million available

 

1/10/03

 

3/1/03, 5/29/03, 5/30/03

 

301-443-2376

 

214-767-3401

Services for the Disabled

N.O.D. Accessible America Competition

 

$25,000 and national recognition

 

12/31/02

 

202-293-5960

 

UPCOMING AREA MEETINGS

 

 

December 16, 5:00

GTHHSC Multicultural Committee. CCBC, 68 Church Green, Suite 2

December 17, 9:00

GTHHSC Monthly Meeting. A.H.S., 29 Broadway, Taunton

December 17, 10:15

GTHHSC Child & Family Focus Committee. A.H.S.

December 18, 8:00

Safe Neighborhood Initiative. Taunton High School

December 18, 9:30

GATHER Domestic Violence Committee.  New Hope.

December 18, 3:00

GTHHSC/GATHER Substance Abuse/Addictions Committee. 63 Winthrop St.

December 19, 1:00

GATRA Consumer Advisory Committee. 10 Oak St.

January 7, 8:30

Crisis Intervention Team Committee. The Arbors.

January 7, 9:30

Taunton Emergency Task Force.  TEMA Office, City Hall

January 8, 9:00

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

January 8, 3:00

TRY Steering Committee. Taunton Public Library.

January 10, 9:00

From Incarceration to Community Re-Entry. 18 Broadway.

January 10, 1:00

SYNERGY Planning Meeting. DPH, Lakeville.

January 10, 3:00

SARTVIII. Community Partnerships, Inc.

January 14, 1:00

Greater Attleboro/Taunton Coalition on Homelessness.    MOCD, 45 School St.

January 14, 2:30

Bristol County Domestic Violence Roundtable. 257 Union St., New Bedford.

January 15, 3:00

TRY Youth Action Task Force. Taunton Public Library

January 16, 2:30

GATHER Steering Committee. New Hope (Taunton Office)