THE BLAME IN SPAIN FALLS MAINLY ON THE SAME

(Best practices, trends, risk and protective factors in an American school in Spain)

   DGF High School is a Department of Defense Dependent School (DODDS), and part of the most widely spread school system in the world, stretching from Iceland to Okinawa. Here students of overseas military and civilian personnel receive an education based on the same standards and expectations of any traditional American school. Students look, talk, dress, enjoy the same music, and have the same social mores found in America.

   But there are differences, says E.B. Stafford, Principal. Students and staff come from such exotic lands as Okinawa, Guam, Japan, Korea, Iceland, German, Belgium and Puerto Rico, to name a few. Students receive a wealth of cultural information and experiences in their public school years, truly making the world their home.

 

Former Taunton DMR/DMH Psychologist, Found in Spain

   Gary Halgunseth was a psychologist at Bridgewater State Hospital, Paul Dever State School, Plymouth and the DMR area office in Norton. He currently works with special education and students who need psychological counseling and assistance. He offers the following observations of protective factors:

 

Nutrition and Physical Activity

    Every year, incoming students from the U.S. are arriving heavier and less fit, with morbid obesity extending to the 6^th grade level. Like teens in the U.S., students have difficulty keeping up in gym, aerobics classes and running requirements. There has also been a size increase in the local Spanish community, since the introduction of fast-food establishments, potato chips and snacks.        

   Peggy Klain, high school nurse and aerobics instructor, is concerned and is doing something about it.  She keeps a basket filled with nutrition and health magazines and an informational binder by a comfortable couch, for students to enjoy. Some of her best practices are as follows:

Substance Abuse Prevention

   Debby Elwell is an adolescent substance abuse counselor in an oversees program that provides services to the DODDS schools in Europe. As in the United States, access to alcohol and other drugs (AOD) is a risk factor for youth. But in Spain, they’re even easier to get, and less expensive. Students report that a 15 year old can easily enter any of the many clubs in town, and obtain alcohol, although the drinking age is 18. Purchase of beer or wine in a non-pouring establishment is even easier – cashiers presume that the 10 year old who is purchasing alcohol is merely on an errand for his/her parents. This easy access makes it difficult for young people who are trying to make changes in their lives. As in the USA, self harm such as eating disorders or multiple piercings occur. This may be due to social norms portrayed in magazines that negatively influence girls.

   Risk factors include lack of parental involvement, frequent relocation adversely effecting solid connections, ease of acceptance into the drug/alcohol group, deployment of parents, easy access to substances and alcohol, and cultural differences and the Spanish community schedule. (The Spanish siesta in the afternoon, and party late into the night. Parents of American students with Spanish friends are pressured into allowing their teens to stay out until 2 or 3 am.)

  The biggest issues are substance abuse, some child abuse of emotional, verbal and occasionally physical. She has no cases of current sexual abuse.

   There has been a trend over the last 5-10 years of younger children becoming sexually active. Societal pressure on girls to dress a certain way, and to be interested in boys and dating, push young ladies to grow up too quickly. Also the integration of 6^th graders into middle school, from the older system of elementary school, puts them in with 8^th graders. In spite of this, teen pregnancy is not a big problem, because 15 year olds are able to seek contraception in the community or at the teen center.  Positive factors follow:

   Whether in the GATHER area or overseas, both youth and adults experience many of the same challenges, trends, risk and protective factors. So the next time you find yourself at the beach, look across the Atlantic and know that your likewise devoted counterparts in Spain are also busily working together to keep young people safe and healthy.                               §                                 

BROCKTON, MA – Now is the perfect time to establish your New Year's resolutions. Living a healthy lifestyle is an important part of protecting yourself from cancer. The American Cancer Society has an acronym for this – CHOICES:

C - Cut out tobacco

H – Hold the fat

O – Opt for high fiber fruits, vegetables and grains

I – Intake alcohol only in moderation

C - Call your doctor for regular checkups

E – Exercise daily

S – Safeguard skin from the sun.

   In 2004, more than 33,000 people in Massachusetts were diagnosed with cancer and approximately 13,000 of them will die. Scientific evidence suggests that about 1/3 of cancer deaths are related to poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, obesity, and other lifestyle factors. Simple choices (quitting smoking, eating healthy, and avoiding excessive alcohol) could save your life.
The ACS suggests that eating a balance of healthy foods, combined with regular physical activity can lower your cancer risk. Make a lifetime resolution of CHOICES and commit to a healthier life in the long term. It's never too early or too late to start. For more information, call the ACS at 800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.               © 

Winter Safety Tips For GATHER Area Residents

(From the MA Department of Public Health, Office of the State Fire Marshal and Boston SAFE KIDS Coalition)

 

How Thick is “Safe” Ice? Ice on moving water in rivers, streams and brooks is NEVER safe. And no one can declare ice on ponds and lakes absolutely “safe” either. The only “safe” ice is at the skating area!

 

HELP! What do you do if someone falls through the ice?

Act quickly and call 911 for help immediately.

DO NOT go out onto the ice.

Reach, throw or row – Extend a branch, pole or ladder to the victim. Throw them a buoyant object such as a life ring or float tied to a rope. If a boat is nearby row out the victim or push it toward them. 

What if YOU fall into cold water? Get into “HELP” (Heat Escape Lessening Position)

Bring your knees to your chest, hold your arms to your sides and clasp your hands, and cover your head if possible to protect your body from heat loss.

Fireplace Safety

 

   In 2001, there were 665 fire incidents involving solid fueled appliances, fireplaces, and chimneys. These were responsible for 20 injuries, 1 fire death and resulted in $3.2 million in property losses. These incidents make up 45% of all fire linked to heating systems.

   Keep your fires cozy, warm and above all safe, with the following suggestions:

Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to provide protection for your family.

Be sure the stove you are purchasing to burn wood or coal is approved by Underwriter’s Laboratory or another recognized testing laboratory.

A building permit must be obtained prior to the installation of fireplaces, wood or coal burning stoves and must be inspected by the local building inspector prior to their initial use as required by the MA State Building Code.

Allow at least 36” of clearance around the appliance.

Solid fuel heating appliances cannot share a common flue with chimney flues utilized by other solid fuel, fossil fuel, or gas fired appliances.

Have the chimney and flue inspected by a qualified mason prior to use.

Have your chimney flue cleaned before each heating season, and burn only dry, well-seasoned, hardwood to reduce creosote* accumulation.

If you build a fire, use a fireplace screen and never leave young children unattended near the stove.

Be sure the damper is open before lighting the fire to avoid accumulation of smoke and carbon monoxide within the home. Do not close the damper before the fire has died out and the embers are cold.

Do not use flammable liquids to start the fire.

Put out the fire before leaving the house or going to bed.

Open the flue in the fireplace to provide adequate ventilation.

Dispose of ashes properly. Shovel them into a metal bucket with a metal lid, placed outside, on the ground, away from the building. Do not place ashes into a paper bag or cardboard box. Ashes and embers can stay hot for days and ignite combustibles.

*Creosote is a tarry by-product of burning wood. Most chimney fires occur due to a build-up of creosote.

Did You Know That…?

Morton Hospital & Medical Center Calendar of Events offerings for January include Personal Finances, 1/25/05, 6:30 pm, FREE, Margaret Stone Conference Room. Preregistration required. To preregister, call 508-828-7777.

Daffodil Days - Help fight cancer...buy daffodils. Flowers arrive for the first weeks of spring. $7.00 per bouquet. Call 1-800-ACS-2345.

Free "Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Toolkit”  is provided by the American Diabetes Association to health professionals.  Call to request the CD ROM at 1-800-DIABETES, 342-2383. Website is www.diabetes.org.

Adults Approval of Alcohol Use Is Highly Correlated with Youth Drinking Behavior – According to October 2004 issue of Journal of Adolescent Health, teens were twice as likely to binge drink and use alcohol within a 30-day period if their parents or friends’ parents provided alcohol at their homes for a party. The study also showed that parents who set strict consequences for breaking the house rules regarding drinking can help prevent underage drinking.

Jane Doe Inc. welcomes Mary R. Lauby as Executive Director.  

OJJDP National Electronic Seminars Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program free audio-teleconferences are as follows: The Alcohol Police Information System: Resource for Understanging Underage Drinking Laws, 1/20/5, 3:00-4:15; Reducing Underage Drinking Among Middle and High School Athletes, 2/17/05, 3:00-4:15. To register, log on to www.udetc.org, or you may call 877-335-1287, x230. 

New Access for Persons with Disabilities – Jane Doe’s website is now “Bobby Compliant” and Section 508 compliant, and now more accessable to persons with disabilities. The website was recoded and reformatted to be compatible with screen-reader technology. They have also added a page with information about educational and resource materials available through the Coalition. See www.janedoe.org.

Grants for Youth Nutrition and Fitness -The General Mills Champions Youth Nutrition and Fitness Initiative will award grants to community-based groups that develop creative programs to help youth (2-20) adopt a balanced diet and physically active lifestyle, and demonstrate significant potential impact on youth groups that are at-risk or that have an impact on large populations of youth. Due 2/1/05. http://www.generalmills.com/corporate/commitment/champions.aspx.

 “Taking Action to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: Strategies For Your Community” will be held 3/2/05, 3:30-4:30, at the Best Western Royal Plaza, Marlborough, MA. Please visit www.enoughabuse.org.

Ten Drug and Alcohol Policies That Will Save Lives draws on strong scientific research to make a concise and persuasive case for policy measures that are proven to have a positive effect. These include increasing alcohol taxes; requiring insurance coverage for the treatment of drug and alcohol problems on par with other diseases; supporting the use of effective addiction medications; screening routinely for alcohol and drug problems in every primary care and emergency room visit; and requiring effective treatment and supervised aftercare instead of incarceration for nonviolent offenders. See www.jointogether.org/tenpolicies.

Discussion Highlights:

Announcements:

·         “Salute to Health” surveys are being received. Names will be drawn for raffle prizes.

·         New Center for Legal Advocacy will retain funding and enlarge services starting 7/1/05, to include Cape Cod and the Islands.

·         Building Tomorrows, A Sweet Celebration of 25 Years – A New Hope Gala and Auction will be held 3/11/05, 6:00 pm, at the Mansfield Holiday Inn. Proceeds will benefit New Hope, Inc. Contact Dan at 226-4015, for tickets and sponsorship opportunity. $75 per ticket, 400-500 are expected to attend. Chairpersons for the honorary committee are Senator and Mrs. Kennedy. The Senator will donate an autographed painting.

·         Jane Doe welcomes Mary R. Lauby as executive director.

·         Raising Our Children in a Violent World, a child witness to violence program, has “Tips for Parents and Other Caregivers”, and “Understanding Child Development as a Violence Prevention Tool”.

·         Department of Social Services Domestic Violence Trainings will be held regionally. The 2-day trainings will be held in late March-early April, for 10 individuals from each office in the southeast.

·         Take Back the Night is being reinstituted, with Bridgewater State College coordinating the event, possibly on 4/13/05. RESPECT and Clothesline Projects are wanted. Simultaneous events may be held at various locations.

·         Arbor Fuller Adolescent Unit is expanding to include substance abuse.

·         Families That Care – Guiding Good Choices will be held at Morton Hospital on Tuesday nights from March 8-April 5. Last year, 15 signed up and 10 completed the course. Information will also appear on cable and in schools. It was suggested that the Southeastern Center for Healthy Communities might host a training.

Activities:

·         Press Conference – About 30 attended the “Holidays Are No Excuse for Violence” reception. The first 100 “Through My Eyes” booklets continue to be distributed. There will be another conference in April. Calls continue for the DV Action kits, and deliveries will start.

·         Grants – The UPS grant for education or life enhancement for low income or domestic violence involved kids or families, was drafted and will be sent to the membership. The OVC grant is being evaluated. There is a trend for grants to target middle school age youth.

·         Substance Abuse Resource Book out of Georgetown University was shared with the Committee. Communities individualize the contents with local resources.

·         Blueband “No Bullying” Campaign – A possible activity for October 2005 could be the distribution of Bully Bands. Suggestions include Patriot sponsorship at the Foxboro stadium, and use as an event fundraiser.

·         Fundraisers Suggested – “Jeans Day” when employees pay to wear jeans, and “Penny Wars” (students compete for a pizza party by being the class with the most pennies in a jar).

·         Grid Iron Club may distribute New Hope resource cards next year. Coyle & Cassidy can also be invited to participate. The Taunton High School Club will donate 1/2 their proceeds from a basket raffle to New Hope.

Next Steps:

Contact Annie for input on the parent program and stipending consultants to co facilitate

Discuss Crime Victims Week activities at the January meeting

Present “Research Update on Children and Adults with Disabilities” at the January meeting

Next Meeting: 1/20/05, 3:30, Taunton New Hope Office

Contact Person:

Annemarie Matulis,

508-824- 3227

Dan LeBrun, 508-226-4015

Discussion Highlights:

Project YELL

·         The Project YELL Grant is now overseen by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

·         Goals include a social norms campaign and MADD Youth in Action.

·         Peer Leaders will do compliance checks tonight in New Bedford

·         The Taunton Public Schools Superintendent will endorse a T.P.S. survey. The next step is the school committee. Parents need to come on board. Data is needed for evaluation.

·         Middleboro High School data has been received, but the perception data has not yet been sent.

Project Alert

·         The curriculum will be offered in a summer school program. Budget revision is in progress.

·         Several part time individuals, such as a health teacher, are sought to do the program for 6-8 graders. Up to 25 may be trained in both live and online trainings.

SARTX

·         More information is coming. A possible outcome may be a drug court. Preliminary steps have included the creation of a graphic, and contact of interested persons, such as Dr. Englander.

·         The District Attorney of Norfolk County has a youth group.

·         Some high schools have youth courts run by students and overseen by faculty. A suggested presentation was to explore how the justice system can take other formats such as these. Schools support of student attendance is needed.

White Paper on Substance Abuse – The Taunton portion of the “White Paper” has been completed and submitted to Mayor Lambert’s Office’s South Coast Drug Collaborative. The Collaborative consists of Education, Law Enforcement and Human Service Committees. Copies will be emailed.

Families That Care – Guiding Good Choices (Formerly Preparing for the Drug Free Years) 5 week series will run from March 8-April 5, 2005. Free. Deb Brown is looking for a co-facilitator.

Parent Guide for drug prevention from Georgetown University is used in 850,000 communities. This guide is offered to communities to be personalized with their own resource information insert. Schools print most of the inserts for individual communities. A nine school collaborative from Norfolk County has signed on.

Breathalyzers are a deterrent to unhealthy choices. Deb is interested in schools that use these at prom time.

Arbour-Fuller Hospital has a 20 bed adolescent unit. They are looking at a substance abuse model for kids, and have a relationship with “The Road Back”. There is a need for substance abuse inpatient treatment in this area. Katherine Crosby can describe the treatment in greater detail. DPH is looking at funding for adolescent substance abuse treatment.

Next Steps:

Send copies of the White Paper on Substance Abuse with the minutes to the Committee

Look into using the Georgetown template for the parent guide to drug prevention

Next Meetings:

·         Substance Abuse Committee: 2/16/05, 3:00, 18 Broadway

·         Substance Abuse Round Table 10: 2/3/05, 2:30, Community Partnerships, Inc.

·         10^th Annual T.H.S. Health Awareness Day: 3/24/05

Contact Person: Phil Shea, 508-824-7224

Discussion Highlights:

Announcements:

·        Whooping Cough or pertussis, is on the rise, with a 3 fold increase from 2002-2003 in the high school population. The state lab can confirm diagnosis. It is treated with antibiotics.

·         New Hope’s Gala & Auction Celebration 25^th anniversary, will be held at the Mansfield Holiday Inn on 3/11/05. $75 per ticket.

Committee Reports:

Domestic Violence

·         Press Conference – A kick off for the “Violence Is No Excuse” Campaign ties into other special campaigns throughout the year.

·         Grants are being considered for raising awareness and offering bullying prevention at the middle school level.

·         Pathways to Hope – Annemarie, Committee cochair, was a guest on the WPEP 1570 program

·         An Online Training Presentation entitled “Research Update on Children and Adults with Disabilities” will be held at the January meeting.

·         Action Kits are available. Contact Annemarie at matulisannie@msn.com, or call 508-992-7278.

Substance Abuse Committee – A resource guide, “A Parent’s Guide for the Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use” includes both general information and local resources. Taunton High School and a middle school have expressed interest. Cost is $1.65 per copy. 

Child & Family Focus Committee:

·         Salute to Health – The group will reapply for the Harvard Pilgrim grant which funded a trilingual newsletter in 2004. Community surveys provide evaluation data and raffle gifts for participants.

·         Childhood Safety – Letters of recommendation for window guards have been suspended due to a possible conflict with fire safety. The Committee continues to work on other projects.

·         “Top 10 Ways to Save a Child’s Life” has been completed. It will be included in a future Advocate. Distribution to pediatricians and others may also take place.

Presentation: Barbara Rose, Community Planner, Taunton Public Schools / Bristol Community College Partnership features pre-GED, Adult Basic Education, and ESOL (English as a second language) are provided free, and currently has a waiting list. All levels of English are accommodated. Applicants are assessed and assigned to a small size class. Trained tutors are matched to students to provide assistance for free, if involved in classes. The group is trying to work with the Department of Transitional Assistance on a 20-hour work requirement. The Career Center also works closely with the TPS/BCC. Students who get their GED through the TPS program qualify for transition to BCC College courses. The first semester is free, and other scholarships are available through TPS and BCC. A student leadership group will create an agenda book for the school. Future plans include an adult community center. The largest challenges for the program are transportation and childcare.

Next Steps:

Discuss computer hardware grant at February meeting.

Next Meeting: 2/15/05, 9:00, A.H.S.

Contact Person: Richard McMahon, 508-979-7160, 3010.

Discussion Highlights:

Budget – A meeting was scheduled for the 2005 budget.

Announcements:

·         Meeting Schedules were distributed

·         Sister Peggy is in the Rehab Hospital in New Bedford, and in good spirits.

·         Inside Edition will be restarted in January 2005. More information will follow.

2005 Fundraiser – A subcommittee will form to plan “A Night of Illusion”, beginning in January.

World AIDS Day – Turn out was wonderful. Representative Fagan and Mayor Nunes raised the flag at the Robert Treat Paine Flagpole. CCBC presented the AIDS quilt for the first time at the First Parish Church. Jack accepted the Proclamation on behalf of the Consortium on 11/30/04.

Next Meeting: 2/9/05, 9:00, Morton Hospital Café Annex.

Contact Person: Richard McMahon, 508-979-7160, 3010.

Discussion Highlights:

Criminal Justice Committee -  Fast track list has 11 adults/2 juveniles. Gang meeting followed.  Next meeting is 1/13/05.  Fast track was explained.

Crisis Intervention Team training in November was successful; included police, mall security and other professionals.  Bridgewater State College is interested in including CI education into their curriculum.  

Treatment and Prevention  - SART X will be held 4/7/05; SNI members supported the distribution of a survey to Taunton students on substance use.

Education Committee - THS will be looking into a new attendance policy.  Kevin Martin and Bill McGowan were thanked for their presence at the high school.

Neighborhoods Committee - SART X will be supported with a small grant; MOCD will be involved with a facility for young adults through a rehab program; will be opening a regional HOME consortia-funds will be available for first time homebuyers and renovations; CDBG contracts will be signed with THA for public service funds for many programs at designated site.

Program Update  - Mayor Nunes convened a meeting on the homeless issue.  Two members met with homeless individuals to discuss needs and offer medical treatment. 

Neighborhood Watch - Taunton Housing Authority discussed positive steps toward restraining orders; recent drug busts and Neighborhood Watch meeting with Shores St./Clifford St. Discussion occurred regarding recent neighborhood meeting with School St./Winter St. residents.

Transportation Program to Boys & Girls Club from designated site is working well.  77 youth are involved.

Next Steps: 

SNI Committee Chairs are to develop goals for next year around education.

All committees will work on needs to address safety concerns in target neighborhood. 

Each committee will continue to meet prior to SNI meeting. 

Next Meeting:  1/26/05, at 8:00 a.m. at Fairfax Gardens Community Center.

Contact Person: Robert Cammarata, 508-821-1420.

Discussion Highlights:

Homelessness:

v      Church St. Apartments for a total capacity of six individuals who are both homeless and have a disability, are open and are being filled.  Contact Mary Beth at 821-3937 to obtain an application.

v      Bridge House has two female beds open. 

v      Catholic Social Services has established a new transitional housing program. Domestic Violence can be considered as a qualifying factor.

Fuel Fund/Emergency Services – The United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton confirmed the award of the $18,750 grant, to be used for emergency needs.

Bristol County Savings Bank Foundation grant for $2,500 will provide local bus transportation vouchers.  Vouchers will be good for fixed bus routes only.

Our Daily Bread reports a successful canned goods drive.

St. Vincent de Paul - Over 100 families come on Wednesday distribution days for food and clothing.  468 Thanksgiving baskets benefiting 1,773 individuals were distributed.

Board of Health - Flu prevention education efforts continue at schools. More vaccine was requested from the state.  BOH is working with the Mayor’s Homelessness Coalition on outreach to the homeless for addressing health needs.

Citizens for Citizens – Many jackets are still available, especially adult sizes. Fuel assistance applications are caught up. There is concern for adequate funding to meet anticipated needs for January and February.

Early Head Start/Associates for Human Services federal review is in progress.  Applications are being accepted.

Early Intervention/Associates for Human Services is having a book sale for parents, sponsored by “Scholastic Books”. Applications are being accepted to Early Intervention.

Triumph Head Start’s federal review is in progress.  Applications are being accepted.

American Red Cross – Dawn is transitioning to her new position as community liaison.

TEMA is getting a heater for the Taunton Police Department’s lobby, for homeless individuals who seek shelter there on extremely cold winter nights.

Taunton Housing Authority - The Family Self-sufficiency program currently serves approximately 20 families. One family is acquiring a home through the home ownership program, another through the housing lottery.  There will be another lottery soon in Middleboro.

Commonwealth Family Childcare Teen Parent Program continues to have a wait list, but can still serve teens from DTA.  There is also a small wait list for income eligible slots.

Families Forward will be opening a new program in Attleboro.  Carmen will work at both the Taunton and Attleboro sites. Another staff person will be hired to coordinate the Fairfax Gardens program.

South Shore Housing - Applications are still being accepted for the RAFT program (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition). Contact Kay Eldridge, 781-422-4271. 

Next Meeting: 1/4/05, 9:30, TEMA Office

Contact Person: Millie Burrows, 508-880-0202