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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.3                                                                                                                                                                              March 2002

SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE

CELEBRATES SIXTH ANNIVERSARY

   The sixth anniversary meeting of Safe Neighborhood Initiative (SNI) was held on Wednesday, February 27, 2002, 8:00 a.m., at Taunton High School. The meeting began with Mayor Strojny, who highlighted just a few of the accomplishments of the SNI, such as the Crisis Emergency Response Plan implemented by the school systems in the city, the addition of the School Resource Officer to the Taunton Public Schools and the rehabilitation of the property at 15 Highland Street.

   Mayor Strojny and Robert Cammarata presented Juvenile Probation with two new electronic bracelets. Following, Robert Cammarata gave an overview of the SNI. In 1993, the crime rate in Taunton was at its highest, and the overall crime at this time is down 25%. Juvenile numbers continue to drop, but the increase in the number of youth is on the rise. Bob thanked subcommittee chairs for their work and dedication and the Attorney General’s office for their support of the SNI.

   Chief O’Berg reviewed the impact of the crime statistics. He discussed the need to look at the growing population of the youth in the community and continue to send the message that crime will not be tolerated.

   The Criminal Justice Committee chair Cheryl Beauregard discussed the Never Ever Truant (NET) Program, the CHIP program (to intervene with students at an earlier stage to prevent school related problems), the community service program that is run in conjunction with the police department, and the monthly gang information network. 

   Phil Shea, chair of the Treatment and Prevention subcommittee stressed, in the light of state budget reductions, advocating for the continuation of comprehensive prevention and treatment services to address substance abuse in our community.

   Patrick Jackman, who chairs the Education Committee with Tom Cosato, discussed goals such as improving communication between the school and the home to help students in the areas of discipline, attendance, tardiness and academic performance and also exploring sources of funding that could be used to establish a school outreach position for the middle schools.

    Neighborhood Revitalization chair, David Bachrach stated that the goal for this year is to focus on listening to the community as to what the needs of the neighborhoods are, what resources are out there and then to help committees and organizations establish and meet their goals, especially now in the face of budget cuts. Abandoned Buildings Program chair, MaryEllen Rochette, discussed the work done at the first site at 15 Highland Street. Her goal is to bring at least two abandoned buildings back to building/health codes through receivership and conduct lotteries for both.

GTHHSC Monthly Meeting will be held
March 19, 2002, 9:00 
Associates for Human Services (A.H.S.)
29 Broadway, Taunton

   Donna DeFaria, Taunton CARES Coordinator, discussed the neighborhood watch programs that presently exist in the city and the goal to continue to work with the schools, community agencies and Police Department to establish crime prevention programs throughout the city.

   Karen Lee, Taunton Reaching Youth (TRY), discussed that despite the 37% budget cut to her program, TRY continues to work hard at the goals set by their committee. A Youth Resource Guide has been completed and funding has been received for suicide prevention.

   Dean Richlin, 1st Assistance, Attorney General’s Office was the guest speaker. He stated that SNI is one of Attorney General Tom Reilly’s favorite projects because it focuses on cooperation, sharing and takes on the tough issues of today. Taunton is a model for this program. He also stated that in the face of budget cuts it is important to remember that money is not the key resource. WE are the key resource and we need to reach out beyond ourselves to others in the room, and to continue to have the courage to share information and speak candidly about the issues that we face.

   For information about SNI, please call Bob Cammarata,  508-821-1420.                                 ¨

FACING AIDS: PROJECT ABLE’S LOBBY DAY

   The AIDS Line Item (4512-0103) has been slashed by $9.7m in FY’02. Many HIV/AIDS services are being cut severely or eliminated entirely, affecting thousands of people with HIV or AIDS and those at high risk of infection. Programs hurt include medical primary care services, home care services, HIV counseling and testing, support services such as meals and mental health assistance, substance abuse treatment services, sexually transmitted disease services, and HIV prevention programs.

   A $9.7m restoration in FY’03 will bring the AIDS Line item back to $51.1m. Continued funding is necessary to engage people with HIV so they can be provided life-sustaining treatment and care, receive education and support services to prevent transmitting HIV to others, and be kept out of more expensive emergency rooms, hospital settings, and homeless shelters.

   Facing AIDS: Project ABLE’s Lobby Day is Thursday, April 4, 2002, 10:00-Noon, at Nurses Hall, State House, Boston. Project ABLE (AIDS Budget Legislative Effort) is a statewide coalition of AIDS service providers, advocates and people affected by HIV. For further information, please contact 617-864-1996, or mahcamb@aol.com                         ©

COALITION/COMMITTEE MINUTES    

GATHER Domestic Relationship Violence Committee. 2/13, 10:15, New Hope

Discussion Highlights:

Mentors in Violence Prevention – At the THS 2nd session, 28 signed up and 11 or 12 come to the first 8 hours of the 15-hour training. One full day and 2 make-up sessions remain.  

White Ribbon Campaign – Diman Vocational High School is observing the campaign with GATHER-provided ribbons and pledge cards.

Safe Store Plan – An orientation piece would be essential, with training and sign-off, similar to Safe Serve. A training video could keep new staff updated. Training impacts liability. Business owners could check with their insurer and the effect of this project on their rates. Liability may be an issue for this initiative, as liability depends on the particular circumstances of each incident.

Retail Project – Plexiglass covered 8 ½” x 1” posters will be displayed in bathroom stalls (both posters, side by side, with tearoffs), and maintained by GATHER members. In the main bathroom area, a legal size 40lb glossy poster, with tear offs will be displayed. Cards may be placed in a basket on the counter. Introductory letters with sample posters will be sent to the major retailers in the GATHER area. Follow up phone calls will be sent one week later, and the actual materials will be hand delivered and set up in rest room locations.

TMLP Flyers  - Notices, 3 ½ x 5 or 8, will be sent in electric bills.  Printing can be done by a local high school. These will include both the New Hope and GATHER logos, the hotline number, and the text, “What do your voice and electricity have in common? Both are powerful resources. Use your power for change. Speak out against violence.”

Domestic Violence Packets – A complete list of items is needed for first response emergency packets.

Hairdresser Project – Letters will be sent to academies.

Collaborative Highlights:

GATHER has provided cards and white ribbons for the White Ribbon Campaign to Diman Vocational High School.

Next Steps:

·         To ask the Chamber of Commerce their thoughts on liability for the SafeStore Plan.

·         To check how other SafeStore initiatives address liability.

·         To prepare a letter for the retail project.

·         To get a price on printing 20,000 flyers, three per page.

·         To develop a fireman’s first response survey.

Next Meeting:

TBA (Please Call Lorraine at 508-823-4822)

Contact Persons:

Deb Brown, 508-821-1129

Anne Kotch, 508-252-5080

GATHER/GTHHSC Substance Abuse/Addictions Committee. 2/27, 3:00, T.H.S.

Discussion Highlights:
Women and Addictions – Information will be displayed at public libraries and schools from 3/4/02 – 3/9/02. 
Students will be given stress dots, and fill out a sheet that asks how they deal with stress in healthy ways. The 
Youth Council will work on posters, and social norms will be shared with students.
 
Marijuana – The Committee is interested in any statistics that might link marijuana and cancer.
 
SART7 – Invitations are out for the March 14th Roundtable. Contact person is Kathy Lalor, 508-823-9416.
 
Environmental Strategies – The subcommittee is looking at goals, objectives and timelines, and is currently 
expanding its membership. 
 
Tobacco Coalition – Norton is currently a 100% smoke free community. A restaurant and ventilation information 
forum will be held on 3/18/02, 7 p.m., at Attleboro City Hall. For information, please call Elaine LaRoche, 
508-223-2222.
 
Next Meeting:
3/20, 3:00, T.H.S. Library.
 
Contact Person:
Phil Shea, 508-824-7224
 

GTHHSC General Meeting. 2/19, 9:00, A.H.S. (Associates for Human Services)

Discussion Highlights:

Community Counseling of Bristol County (CCBC) – Massachusetts has an affordable housing crunch, with 
current rents at $700-800, and 47th in the nation in building permits issued. The Greater Attleboro/Taunton 
Homeless Coalition, reenergized by the United Way and McKinney grant funding, looks to create its own housing. 
Funding received includes 6 apartments with New Hope, housing for 6 at Heritage House, transitional housing for 8
at Bridgehouse and permanent housing for the disabled. This helps 30-40 families, but affordable housing continues 
to be a problem. CCBC also offers case management along with housing. Landlords are receptive to the 
guaranteed 70% of their rent, along with being given beepers for support of these clients, allowing problem solving 
before a crisis. 
 
Taunton Housing Authority (THA) -  Mainstream vouchers (150) have been received for people with 
disabilities, with another 150 having been applied for. THA and CCBC are looking at collaboration with ProHome 
in doing home ownership. Currently, condos are sometimes more affordable than rent.
 
1st and Last Month’s Rent – Solutions to this include the following: 1. Taunton Emergency Task Force has 
changed its guidelines to emergency funds for 1st month’s rent for homeless individuals.   2. DTA has $750 for 
relocation, and pays up to 4 month’s arrearage. 3. ProHome educates landlords that a security deposit may not be 
a good idea. 
 
High Rents in Taunton are due to it’s proximity to Boston, reputation and zoning laws that multifamily housing 
can only be built within a 2 mile radius of Taunton, unless this is wavered. 
 
Vouchers – All lists of project based and mobile certificates are closed at this time. 
 
Eviction – For those evicted without cause, DTA has a housing list. 
 
Next Meeting: 
3/19/02, 9:00, A.H.S.
 
Contact Person: Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822.
 

GTHHSC Child & Family Focus Committee. 2/19, 10:15, A.H.S.

 
Discussion Highlights:
MA Family Network  Taunton, through Community Partnerships for Children, would need to apply for a MFN 
grant on its own, as Bridgewater and Raynham are part of the North River Collaborative. Funding is doubtful due 
to budget cuts. The Attleboro MFN provides transportation to families and is connected with trainings. Use 
depends upon the services provided at the center. Taunton’s dream would be to have a family health center with a 
resource room and space for groups. 
 
Triumph Headstart Community Room – Story hours are held twice a month at this family resource/meeting 
room. It is closed evenings and weekends. 
 
Next Steps:
To get more information on MFN grants.
 
To get more information on the Attleboro center, invite Cynthia Schoch to speak to this committee in March, and 
bring a special education guidebook.
 
To call for an April speaker on  Special Education Regulations.
 
To call cable about running information.
 
To call the Gazette to discuss publication of free/cheep community needs information. 
 
Next Meeting: 
3/19, 10:15, A.H.S.
 
Contact Person: Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822.

Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. 2/13/02, 9:00, Morton Hospital Café Annex.

 
Discussion Highlights:
Introduction – Damar Aponte was recently hired as Administrator Assistant/HIV Coordinator.
 
Legislative Breakfast – The Jockey Club, Route 44 Raynham, has been reserved for May 3, 2002. Breakfast 
cost is $8 plus tax and tip.
 
Next Steps: 
The membership subcommittee will compose membership letters for providers and consumers.
 
Next Meeting:
3/13, 9:00, Morton Cafe Annex.
 
Contact Person:
Damar Aponte, 508-884-8264.

GTHHSC Multicultural Committee Planning Meeting. 2/13, 12:30, CFC Conference Room.

 
Discussion Highlights:
Diversity Booklet – The Committee’s project is to make and distribute a diversity booklet, with input from 
Taunton youth. They will be asked what they want others to know about their group and what offends them. 
Taunton is so rich in its diversity that this will likely be volume one in a series.
 
Additional Collaborators Wanted – The Committee would like representation from the Taunton Youth Council, 
community people, school health educators, and Brown University.
 
Durfee’s Experience – Each group had a facilitator from their ethnic group. 
Getting the Word Out – The local newspapers will be extended the opportunity to do a series of what it is to be 
an American, based on the Taunton booklet. School newspapers and recognition by social studies teachers, and 
information at health fairs will keep youth informed, along with their receipt of the booklets, when published.
 
United Way can assist with specific development of the brochure for Taunton. The Community Impact Fund 
covers basic needs, youth programming and healthcare access. A booklet of this type could also impact violence 
prevention issues.
 
Cost – Distribution to the 12,000 or so high school students and staff in Taunton will cost approximately $1000. 
 
Next Steps:
To call local high schools for groups of youth and potential facilitators of various ethnicities.
 
To get Taunton demographic information.
 
Next Meeting:
4/2, 2:00, One Taunton Green (TRY).
 
Contact Persons:
Lucy Jackson, 508-823-5400, x 1810.
Matt Rodrigues, 508-823-6346, x211

Did You Know That…?

Southeast Regional Public Health Network Project is planning a gathering of DPH, Massachusetts Prevention Centers, 
Boards of Health and CHNA’s (such as GATHER) this fall. Possible dates are 9/27/02 or 10/4/02. 
 
Suicide Prevention Across the Lifespan will be held 4/3/02, 8:00-3:30, at the Hogan Conference Center, College of the Holy 
Cross, Worcester. For information, please call Carol at 617-357-5772. 
 
Colon Cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United 
States. The number of deaths could be cut by 50% if Americans 50 and older got tested regularly, according to the American 
Cancer Society.
 
Grant Writing 2002 will be held 4/9, 10-3:00, Brockton Prevention Center. Fee: $25. For information, please call Kimberly Poli, 
508-583-2250, x239.
 
Evaluating Your Program will be held 4/23, 1:00-4:00, at Bristol Elder Services. Fee: $25. For information, please call Kimberly 
Poli, 508-583-2250, x239.
 
HIV Testing is free and anonymous at CCBC, 59 Broadway, Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and Fridays from 
9:00-2:30 p.m. Please call 508-822-1311.
 
DPH Injury Prevention Materials on Suicide Prevention, Burns, Ice and Cold Water Safety, Consumer Product Safety, Injury 
Data and Injury Prevention Events is available by calling 617-624-5424.
 
11th Annual Women’s Health Series includes Sexual Orientation and Health: Understanding the Issue, 3/17/02; Pelvic 
Pain: Suffering in Silence, 4/10/02, and Managing Stress: Keeping a Balance in Mind/Body/Spirit, 5/2/02, all held at 
7:45-9:30 a.m at Tufts University School of Medicine. Please call 617-524-6696 for information.

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

March 15, 10:00          Peer Appreciation Event 2002 Planning Committee. CFC, 1 Taunton Green.

March 19, 9:00            GTHHSC Monthly Meeting. A.H.S., Broadway, Taunton                                       

March 19, 10:15          GTHHSC Child & Family Focused Committee. A.H.S., Broadway, Taunton

March 20, 9:00            Environmental Strategies (based on the Cambridge Alcohol Project). T.H.S.

March 20, 10:00          GLYSNET. Providing Clinical Support to GLBT Youth and Their Families. T.H.S.

March 20, 3:00            GTHHSC/GATHER Substance Abuse/Addictions Committee. T.H.S. Access

                                    Center.

March 23, Noon-3:00  Morton Hospital and Medical Center Health Fair. Galleria Mall.

March 27, 8:00            Safe Neighborhood Initiative Annual Meeting. Bristol-Plymouth High School.

March 27, 8:00            GTHHSC Community Health & Wellness “Best Practices” Subcommittee.

                                    Morton Hospital & Medical Center Café Annex.

March 29, 10:00          Peer Appreciation Planning Meeting. Citizens for Citizens, One Taunton Green.

April 2, 9:30                 Taunton Emergency Task Force. TEMA Office.

April 2, 11:30               GATHER Steering Committee. New Hope, One Taunton Green.

April 2, 2:00                 GTHHSC Multicultural Committee.  CFC, 1 Taunton Green.

April 3, 3:00                 TRY Youth Action Task Force. CFC Conference Room, 1 Taunton Green.

April 10, 9:00               Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. Morton Hospital                                                                   Café Annex.

April 10, 3:00               TRY Steering Committee. CFC Conference Room, 1 Taunton Green.

April 23, 1:00               GLBT Youth Taskforce. T.H.S.

April 24, 9:00               GTHHSC Community Health & Wellness. Morton Hospital Café Annex.

FUNDING RESOURCES

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

 

Agency/Program:

Arts and Humanities

NEA Grants to Organizations

$ Available*:

 

$5,000-150,000

Deadline:

 

8/12/02

 

Contact:

 

202-682-5400

Corporate Support

Precewaterhouse Coopers Endowment for the Business of Government

 

Up to $20,000

 

6/28/02

 

http://sndowment.pwcglobal.com/research.asp

Federal Funding

State Justice Institute Grants

 

 

Up to $200,000

 

6/3/02

 

703-684-6100, x214

Services for the Disabled

NEC Foundation of America

 

 

$1,500 to $75,000

 

9/1/02

 

foundation@necfoundation.org

This month’s Advocate was published by Lorraine Rosa, Coordinator, with funds from GATHER, CFC, Dues and School-Linked Services. To submit an article, announcement or other information, please call (508) 823-4822, fax 823-8584, or write to GTHHSC, P.O.Box 2894, Taunton, MA. 02780, by March 25th. H