THE ADVOCATE

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

SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE CELEBRATES 8^th ANNUAL MEETING

 

   On Wednesday, February 25, 2004, SNI celebrated its 8^th annual meeting at the Taunton High School Cafeteria. Chairperson Steven Turner welcomed members and peer mediators, and introduced elected officials.

   Mayor Nunes stated that he looks forward to working with SNI members, and offered his support. The initiative has made a difference in the City of Taunton. He introduced Pat Jackman, Headmaster of Taunton High School, who stated that both the staff and the Peer Mediators make Taunton High School a safer school. Certificates of Appreciation were distributed to the 35 peer mediators, and to committee chairpersons.

 

Overview of SNI

   Robert Cammarata, DHS, discussed the societal causes of the increase in crime. Taunton is in the midst of the same scenario as eleven years ago, when Taunton CARES began. It then became SNI and concentrated on high-risk neighborhoods. However, now SNI is much smarter, and responds more quickly to neighborhoods in crisis. This year’s goals were set early, due to addressing the problems in a troubled neighborhood. Police Chief O’Berg has begun strategizing on addressing the issue, and the Taunton Boys and Girls Club is already working with the youth in the neighborhood through its youth workers from the Jobs for Youth Program. Taunton had received only $35,000 for Community Policing, but due to SNI members working with our local legislators, Taunton is now receiving $75,000. Chief O’Berg discussed programs that have worked, and stated that we have to be creative in order to solve problems in the city.

 

Presentation

   William Friedman, Director of the Juvenile Resource Center presented the intermediate sanction program for court involved youth, an alternative to incarceration. Youth have an intensive day schedule of education, clinical therapy, job training, GED classes and community service. The Center is a cooperative effort between the Office of Community Corrections, Office of the Commissioner of Probation, the Bristol County Juvenile Court, the New Bedford, Fall River and Taunton Public Schools, and other agencies.

   For an overview of committee accomplishments, please see SNI minutes on page 7.                    ♠

 

 Local Cancer Survivors Invited to Special Reception

 

   The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life^® of Greater Taunton is hosting a special reception for local cancer survivors and a guest on Sunday, March 28 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Raynham Lions Club, 2234 King Philip Street, Raynham.  Refreshments will be served.  Cancer survivors are described by the Society as anyone living who has faced cancer.  Attendees will have the opportunity to meet other survivors from the community as well as sign up to attend the Survivors' Reception at this year's Relay For Life event set for June 11-12 at Taunton High School.  Please RSVP for the Pre-Survivor Reception before March 22 by calling or e-mailing Joyce LeClair at (508) 824-5051 (Jaljo@aol.com).

   Relay For Life is the Society's signature activity taking place in more than 3,800 communities nationwide.  This overnight team event is so much more than a fundraiser but is also a celebration of life.  Funds raised support the American Cancer Society programs of research, education, advocacy and local patient services. 

   For more information about Relay For Life of Greater Taunton or to find out how to start or join a team, please contact the event co-chairs Cindy Tokarz at 508-824-0038 or Kathy Allen at 508-822-3909.  There are more than 40 events taking place in Massachusetts this year.  To find an event near you, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.                       ♥

(From the United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton)

 

Where	Who	What	When
Attleboro	Self Help Food Bank 95 Pine St. (Richardson School) 508-226-4192 (Call first)	Day Time Food Pantry	Monday – Friday 2-4 pm in Winter. Closed 12:00-1:00.
Attleboro	Murray Unitarian Universalist Church Food Pantry 505 North Main Street 508-222-0505	Day Time Food Pantry (July & August call for times) For Attleboro & Surrounding areas	Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Attleboro	Working Persons Food Pantry Hebron Village Outreach Center 1188 South Main St.	Must be working, receiving unemployment or an elder	Thursday 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Attleboro	St. Joseph’s Food Cellar St. Joseph’s Church South Main & Maple Streets		Friday 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Mansfield	Our Daily Bread 17 West St.	Mansfield Residents Only	Saturday 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Norton	Cupboard of Kindness 70 East Main St.	Norton Residents Only	1st and 3rd Monday 4:30-6:30 p.m.
North Attleboro	First United Methodist Church 20 Hoppin Hill Avenue		TU, W, TH, and Sat. 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Plainville	Plainville Food Pantry United Methodist Church 16 East Bacon Street		Wednesday 6:30-7:00 p.m.
South Attleboro	St. Theresa’s Church 18 Baltic St.	South Attleboro Residents Only	Wednesday 9:30-11:00 a.m.

 

FUNDING RESOURCES

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

 

Agency/Program: Basic Needs The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (Food)   W.K. Kellogg	$ Available*:   Varies     Varies	Deadline:   4/14/04     4/12/04	Contact: www.reeusda.gov/1700/funding/04/04RFA_Community_Food.htm   www.wkkf.org/Programming/NewsItem.aspx?CID=4&ID=477
Foundations Gladys Brooks Foundation (libraries, education, hospitals and clinics)	$50,000-$100,000	Varies	www.gladysbrooksfoundation.org/index.html
Diversity Awareness Mitchell Kapor Foundation Level Playing Field Program	$15,000-$20,000	No Deadline	www.lpfi.org/grants/

 

Did You Know That…?

Morton Hospital and Medical Center presents ADD/ADHD: An Educational / Humorous Solution, 

3/24/04, 6:30, Margaret Stone Conference Room, Morton Hospital; The Art of Meditation, 4/2/04, 8:00 a.m., 

Silver City Galleria Community Room. For information and to preregister, call 508-828-7777. Spring Family 

Health Fair, 4/10/04, Noon - 3:00, Center Court, Silver City Galleria. 

Navigating the Legal Maze: A Coordinated Response, will be held 3/19/04, 9:30-1:00, at the Southern New 

England School of Law, Electronic Classroom. 

Eighth Annual Family Support Institute Innovative Strategies for Working with Families, presented by the Children’s Trust Fund, will be held 3/29/04-3/30/04, 8:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlborough, MA. Fee. For information, please call Judy Witkowski at 508-400-1377.

2004 Massachusetts Conference on Gambling Problems: Toward Evidence-Based Treatment, will be held 

4/8/04, Omni Parker House, Boston, 9 am – 5 pm. To register, please call 617-426-4554.

3^rd Annual Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Conference, Caring Communities Save Lives: Suicide Prevention Across the Lifespan, will be held 5/18/04, at the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester. For information, call Alan Holmlund, 617-624-5476, or Alan.Holmlund@state.ma.us

Child abuse is on the rise in Massachusetts – During the first half of 2003, some 35,742 reports of 

maltreatment of children were received by the Department of Social Services. (From “Prevention Works!” 

Children’s Trust Fund of MA)

 

It’s Yard Sale Season, and the bargains are everywhere, but check it out: Is it really a SAFE bargain?

 

Check out the new federal recall website that links consumers to all federal recall announcements from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It also contains safety warnings and information on how to report a problem with consumer, cosmetic, motor vehicle, boat, food, and environmental products.

www.recalls.gov

 

Ø     You always need a helmet wherever you ride. You can expect to crash in your next 4,500 miles of riding, or maybe much sooner than that!

Ø     Even a low-speed fall on a bicycle path can scramble your brains.

Ø     Laws in 20 states and over 84 localities require helmets.

Ø     Make sure your helmet fits to get all the protection you are paying for. A good fit means level on your head, touching all around, comfortably snug but not tight. The helmet should not move more than about an inch in any direction, and must not pull off no matter how hard you try.

Ø     Standards are no longer a big issue in the US market, but check inside for a CPSC sticker.

Ø     Pick white or a bright color for visibility to be sure that motorists and other cyclists can see you.

Ø     Common sense tells you to avoid a helmet with snag points sticking out, a squared-off shell, inadequate vents, excessive vents, and extreme “aero” shape, dark colors, thin straps, complicated adjustments or a rigid visor that could snag in a fall.

 

Ø     Set boundaries and rules not to cross streets alone or with other young children.

Ø     Provide safe play areas that children find desirable.

Ø     Make arrangements for children to get back and forth across streets when necessary.

Ø     Teach children to deal with traffic to the extent that their capabilities allow.

   For more information, contact AAA Department of Traffic Safety for their Parents’ Guide for Action, “Preschool Children in Traffic”, at 407-444-7960.

 

 

   According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, EIGHT OUT OF EVERY TEN CHILD SAFETY SEATS ARE NOT USED CORRECTLY. (From AAA Traffic Safety Services “Guide to Child Safety Seats”). To be sure that your child’s seat is properly installed, check with your local police department.

COALITION/COMMITTEE MINUTES 

 

Discussion Highlights:

Young Peoples Alcoholics Anonymous speaker discussion group meets Sundays, 1:00-2:30, at the Congregational Church Hall, 55 North Walker St. (Corner of Route 44 and North Walker St.)

SART IX – Several area public and parochial schools will send representatives to SART IX. They will have front reserved seating for the Mentors in Violence Prevention abbreviated presentation during lunch. The Clothesline Project will be displayed.

YELL (Youth Endorsing Legal Lifestyles) has completed the 1^st quarter report and next years continuation funding proposal. A Substance Abuse Prevention group is planned for a local high school.

Next Meeting:

3/24/04, 3:30, High Point.

Contact Person: Phil Shea, 508-824-7224

 

 Discussion Highlights:

Domestic Violence Committee - Southeastern Massachusetts Voices Against Violence has received a $3500 grant for awareness activities.

Taunton Emergency Taskforce – Citizens for Citizens and the Department of Human Services are expecting FEMA checks. CFC is still taking fuel assistance. The next SMART activity will be held 3/26, 10:00. To register, call 508-823-6346. The Taunton Water Department has changed its policy on shut offs. The Samaritan House has increased its number of beds, and is no longer just a dry shelter. A Community Impact Fund grant was submitted to the United Way for basic needs in the amount of $25,000.

YELL is working on next year’s continuation funding. Middleboro’s survey will be repeated this year, and will be used with older Taunton data. The group continues to build relationships with Middleboro and beyond. Some area schools are not applying for Safe and Drug Free Schools funding.

SART IX – The roundtable will feature a lunchtime presentation by Mentors in Violence Prevention.

Morton Hospital Health Fair will be held at the Galleria on 4/10/04.

Budget is currently at $1826.25.

Headstart is recruiting and serves children ages 3-5 years old. For information, please call 508-822-5388.

Community Development Public Service Funds are taking funding requests. Please contact David Bachrach with your concept, and then bring it to the Mayor’s Office, along with a beneficiary.

Internship – MOCD collaborates with Bridgewater with a HUD grant for paid interns. These do graduate level research and projects and pro-active research. Each semester, 3½ months, a different intern works 20 hours weekly, or 3 days. The MOCD student is researching a foundation grant opportunity for the southeast region, to encourage democracy among youth. Middleboro and our local high schools have strong youth groups. The 501C3 grant has no income requirements, and can be a partnership of existing entities.

DPH 2002 Birth Data has been released. Taunton’s infant mortality is higher than state data, with 6 infant deaths in 2002, none of whom were born at Morton Hospital. Access to care doesn’t seem to be the issue, but utilization of care could be. Taunton also has a high number of multiple births.

Friedman Clinic has been funded for another year.

10^th Annual Health Day will be held at Taunton High School on 3/26/04, from 8:00-2:00. Presentations will include the Improbable Players and a self-esteem speaker, funded by the School Council funding. There are large group instruction areas, classroom presentations and a library format. To do an interactive table that can include a questionnaire, but no stickers, call Deb at 821-1129, or Suzanne at 821-1128.

Budget Cuts – Healthy Families is being slashed another 50%, beyond the 50% cut of the legislature, dropping from 12 million to 6.1 million from last year’s 25 million. Young Parent services are also being cut. New Hope has lost its parent aid project. The Children’s Trust Fund administrative budget was completely cut.

Bristol County Charitable Foundation grant is appropriate for obesity prevention at the middle school level. Ideas include one-on-one counseling, and a YMCA program at a local school. Harvard Pilgrim is also interested in initiatives that address the obesity issue. A tobacco-free component could be incorporated.

Massachusetts Law Library Association will hold Navigating the Legal System:  A Coordinated Response on 3/19, 9:30 a.m., at the Law School in North Dartmouth.

Next Steps:

Send the funded BCSB to MOCD.

Send Coalition dues in April.

Next Meeting: 4/20/04, 9:00, A.H.S., 29 Broadway, 3^rd floor.

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

 

 

Discussion Highlights:

Salute To Health Newsletter – Most placements were in English, then Portuguese, followed by Spanish. Additional distribution/display locations were suggested.

 

Informational Handouts – Brochures and/or catalogues were ordered from the Governor’s Highway Safety Bureau and Childbirth Graphics.

 

Events such as the March Fair at Taunton High School, Bicycle Rodeo Fall Safety Day, Community Police Safety Day, and Weir Day may be ideal for distribution of safety information

 

Topic Areas may begin with Car Safety (seat belt safety, car seats and where to learn proper installation, and children left in cars.)

 

Funding Possibilities – Grant requests information has been obtained from Walmart, Children’s Trust Fund, Radio Shack, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, and Tiger Woods Foundation for funding window guards, CO detectors, etc. Kiwanis may be contacted about funding printing costs.

 

Next Steps:

Continue distribution of “Salute to Health”

Include DPH recall information in future Advocates

Contact Taunton Police about next Community Police Safety Day

Order tri-lingual publications from the Governors Highway Safety Bureau at 8 (English): 3 (Portuguese): 1 (Spanish). 

Get the names of bicycle helmet distributors for free giveaways.

Order safety card, and give to Carmen Maldonado and Deb Brown, when received

Invite Taunton fireman to next meeting

Investigate who may be pursuing bicycle helmet grants, and when the police do their Spring Bicycle Safety event.

Contact Key Club and National Honor Society students to display safety information at 4/10/04 Galleria Health Fair.

 

Next Meeting: 4/20/04, 10:15, A.H.S.

 

Contact Person: Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822

 

 

Discussion Highlights:

Welcome – Mayor Nunes welcomed those in attendance, and looks forward to working with SNI. He, Pat Jackman, THS Headmaster and Lisa DaPonte, SCORE Coordinator, lauded the Peer Mediators and distributed Certificates of Appreciation. Robert Cammarata, DHS, discussed the societal causes of the recent increase in crime. He informed the members that SNI is much smarter now and can respond more quickly to neighborhoods in crisis. Certificates of Appreciation were given to Committee Chairs. Chief O’Berg discussed programs that have worked and the need to be creative to solve problems.

 

Accomplishments:

Criminal Justice Committee – Gang Information Network meetings share information and coordinate with different police departments and agencies.

 

Education Committee – Coordination with Juvenile Court Probation works with very high-risk kids who are entering the criminal world, and youth attendance at New Bedford Juvenile Resource Center.

 

Neighborhoods – The ability to maintain and fund $88,000 toward the Taunton Housing Authority housing sites provides services such as counseling and recreation.

 

Treatment and Prevention was awarded a 5-year grant at $100,000 per year to address substance abuse issues.

 

Abandoned Properties – The first abandoned property has been purchased through a lottery format by a family of five.

 

Next Meeting: 3/31/04, 8:00, Fairfax Gardens Community Room.

 

Contact Person: Robert Cammarata, 508-821-1420

 

 

Discussion Highlights:

Homelessness – The ETF Executive Board, Clergy Association, Samaritan House, St. Vincent de Paul and DHS will discuss ideas toward resolving the issue of additional shelter for the homeless.

 

Fuel Fund Emergency Services – The Salvation Army gives gas and electric assistance, but no longer deliverable fuels such as oil and propane. The Community Impact Grant has been submitted to the United Way.

 

Agency Sharing:

Department of Human Services Senior Med Help Program is used to assist with transportation, and hopes to expand to other areas in Bristol County. Referrals for 1 month back rent, 1^st month’s rent with ability to sustain after the emergency, are made to Charlene at 508-821-1420.

Our Daily Bread – April is fundraising time.

 

Early Head Start/Associates for Human Services Men’s Association has a monthly discussion and monthly parent-child activity.

 

Triumph Head Start is recruiting for the fall. The Women’s Group meets the same night as the Men’s Association.

 

Representative Fagan may be called at 508-824-7000 if you have budget priorities you would like to have considered.

 

Red Cross - Elizabeth Neil is the new director. Their food pantry is in New Bedford, Health Training Centers in Melrose and Fall River, and disaster services in Boston, with teams dispersed as needed. They are building up their base of volunteers.

 

Church at the Crossroads food pantry saw an increase in utilization.

 

Healthy Families is slated for a 43% budget cut. Two staff are being trained as Childbirth Educators, and will open a group to other teen parents.

 

Greater Taunton Health & Human Services Coalition – A SMART workshop will be held 3/26/04 at Head Start. Morton Hospital’s Health & Safety Fair will be held 4/10/04 at the Galleria Mall. A new Youth AA Meeting is held on Sundays at 1:00 at the West Congregational Church, Route 44. MOCD has graduate level interns available for 3 semesters, 20 hours per week, to assist with projects, advocacy, phone lines, administration policy and paperwork. The Mass Law Library Association will hold a presentation on 3/19/04, 9:30 at the 2^nd floor of NELS, 333 Faunce Corner Road, Dartmouth. The Friedman Clinic received another year of funding. Health Awareness Day will be held 3/26/04 at Taunton High School. For information or a resource table, call Suzanne Powers at 508-821-1228.

 

St. Vincent de Paul has seen an increase in demand for food at the center, and a need for interpreters to serve Haitian applicants. Coats are still available.

 

Board of Health - A property was condemned in February, with no one displaced. The clinic has had poor reimbursement

 

Citizens for Citizens account has FEMA money for utilities and food for fuel shut-off and after using all other sources of assistance. Call if food vouchers/utility assistance is needed.

Mayor’s Office for Community Development will call to use the electric sign on Taunton Green.

 

Commonwealth Family Childcare has availability for subsidized childcare.

 

Next Meeting: 4/6/04, 9:30, TEMA Office, City Hall

 

Contact Person:

Millie Burrows, 508-880-0202.