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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 XIII, No5, 6 May/June 2003
On April 28, 2003, the Dr. Anthony N. Elias Health Center for Adults opened, at the Friedman Middle School, 500 Norton Avenue, Taunton. The goal of the clinic is to provide an alternative primary care setting for uninsured adults. The clinic is sponsored by Morton Hospital and Medical Center, and is funded in part by a grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation.
Hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 3:30-7:30 p.m. and every other Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Walk-ins welcome or call for an appointment during hours of operation. Please call 821-5779.
Health Center Staff
Clinic staff consists of a family nurse practitioner and medical assistant under the supervision of a clinical and medical director. The nurse practitioner uses established age-specific clinical guidelines for preventive care to guide screening, counseling and treatment interventions. Patients will be referred to collaborating state agencies and other area health and human service providers to obtain additional services as needed. Staff will assess each patient’s eligibility for free care or publicly funded insurance programs such as MassHealth, and assist eligible patients with the application process. Once health insurance has been secured, patients will be transferred to a community-based primary care provider of their choice.
Services Provided
Services provided are as follows:
· Primary and preventive care
· Physicals
· Sick visits
· Follow-up management of on-going health concerns
· Immunizations
· Dressing changes
· Office gynecology
· Chronic disease management
Services Not Provided
Patients with potentially serious problems need to be seen in the Morton Hospital and Medical Center Emergency Room as the clinic is not equipped to handle cases of chest pain, shortness of breath, open wounds, fractures, severe pain or psychiatric crisis evaluation. No narcotics will be administered or prescribed by a clinic staff. Any presenting emergencies will be transferred to Morton Hospital and Medical Center’s Emergency Room via ambulance.
Directions
From Morton Hospital and Medical Center, go straight on Washington Street to your second set of lights. Take a right onto Tremont Street. Follow Tremont Street for 1½ miles. Turn right onto Norton Avenue. The Friedman School is .9 miles down, on your left. ♠
PEER APPRECIATION EVENT 2003
(From CCBC and TRY)
On Friday, May 9, 2003, the eighth annual Peer Appreciation Event 2003 took place at the Taunton Elks Club, 119 High St., 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The program was sponsored in part by CCBC, TRY, the Taunton Youth Council, Community Partnerships, Inc., and the Taunton High School SADD Chapter. Donations were received from Pepsi, Very Fine, Frito Lay, Target, Shaw’s Supermarket of Taunton, Stop and Shop of Raynham, Henry’s Root Beer Stand and generous members of the Taunton community.
The event entailed a welcoming address by Mayor Strojny, an awards ceremony to honor the youth of the Taunton Area, a dinner, and a motivational performance by Ground FX Crew Entertainment.
Ground FX Crew Entertainment is a group of eight young people who have combined hip-hop, capoeira martial arts, break dancing, and Spanish dancing to create a unique form of dance. They bring with them a message of the power of dance and using dance as their anti-drug. Ground FX Crew Entertainment has traveled all over the United States, dancing in competitions as well as performing for other groups, events and governmental agencies.
The youth honored at the event are actively involved in preventing alcohol, drug, and tobacco use by minors, as well as violence prevention. Some youth are part of peer leadership programs, some are members of school groups, some mediate disagreements at school, and others do community service. Each student received a certificate of excellence signed by Mayor Strojny.
Approximately 165 individuals attended the celebration. Community Police Officer Steven L. Turner received a surprise award presented by the youth.
This event is put together by Community Counseling of Bristol County, Taunton Reaching Youth and the Taunton Youth Council. For more information, please contact Erica Emond at 824-8882, x 1916, or Katie Kelly, Taunton Reaching Youth, at 828-9242. ♣
COALITION/COMMITTEE MINUTES
Discussion Highlights:
Projected Attendance – Approximately 19 individuals are expected so far, to attend the May training: 10 police (mostly from midnight shift), 6 hospital personnel (including Security), and 3 from agencies (CCBC, Community Care Services, High point). There may be more from the above, as well as three from Probation. Attendance will be kept below 30, with extra slots offered to Raynham police. A future training may include expansion into the Greater Taunton/Attleboro area.
Materials for the training include a loose-leaf book, resource cards, registration form, agendas, “Hearing Voices” tapes, waivers and evaluations.
Hearing Voices Segment – Participants complete simple tasks while listening to paranoid voices, ranging from whispers to loud messages. Tasks (5 minutes each) will include a toothpick puzzle, a story comprehension exercise, and interview/orientation questions, at tables manned by unempathetic staff, while half the group receives an envelope with instructions to complete a chore/chores (15 minutes total) somewhere in the Galleria.
Taunton State Hospital Visit is all set. It will include a hospital tour and an interaction with 3-4 patients.
Scenarios Segment – Fifteen scenarios with scanty information, each 3 minutes long, will be presented by role-playing volunteers, and will be followed by a critique form on how participants would handle the presented situations. (ex: an unwanted guest)
Next Steps:
To create 30 index cards with task station sequences on them.
To make copies of the loose leaf training book and Hearing Voices tapes
To select chores for the Hearing Voices segment
To provide a reading comprehension test.
To create an evaluation and a written final exam, based on the Maryland training test
To make and copy waivers for participants
To create scenarios
Next Meeting: 5/19/03, 8:30, 18 Broadway.
Contact Person:
Kathy Lalor, 508-823-9416
Discussion Highlights:
MassHealth Cuts:
· April 1, 2003 – MassHealth Basic was cut, leaving 36,000, many with substance abuse issues, including individuals coming out of prison. As long as they appealed before 4/1/03, they will be covered temporarily by MassHealth Standard (for disabilities) until the case is decided. Persons receiving SSI automatically have MassHealth Standard, and persons who have spent a long period of time in prison may qualify for short-term transitional coverage.
· May 1, 2003 – More prescriptions will be restricted without prior authorization.
· June 1, 2003 – Psychotropic drugs will be restricted.
What You Can Do:
· Encourage clients to appeal
· Work with elected officials to impact the Insurance, Public Safety, and any other Committees, for people identified as having an ongoing crisis.
Health Insurance Portability and Privacy Act (HIPPA) – New regulations are more stringent, with heightened privacy, further restricting communication.
Relevant Web Sites:
www.masslegalservices.org/healthcare
Increases in Co-Pays may mean more individuals deciding not to get the medicines they need if they cannot afford co-pays. This is already happening in Probation.
Community Drug Education – The next series is 4/29, 5/6 and 5/13, from 5:45-7:15, at the Community Corrections Center on Court St.
Faith Based Center – Doug Falls of St. Anne’s Hospital, spoke about a new program in Fall River, overseen and supervised by an ecumenical board, which provides a program, along with transitional beds. Participants must work the program.
Next Steps:
Identify chairpersons of legislative committees relevant to the re-entry/insurance issue
Compose a letter to legislators expressing concern about insurance
Send informational packet on helping people stay on medications, along with minutes
Contact Marcy about the next CDE series
Next Meeting: 5/23/03, 8:30, Probation, 19 Court St.
Contact Person: Kathy Lalor,
508-823-4822
Discussion Highlights:
Philip Morris Grant for a domestic violence shelter program for victims was written for $25,000.
Hewitt Packard Grant for inclusion or technology will provide education and utilize existing resources on domestic violence through links to over 30 local, relevant, established websites. Currently, no one website has all the information, although there is a determined need for this. Through this comprehensive GATHER area site, the population (young children, women, teens, elders, etc.) can be better served by community professionals. Victims, their families and friends, and the community in general will be able utilize the site as an entry point into the network of information and services, and removal of barriers. It will be updated as needed and may provide links to the following:
· DV/VP trainings for professionals
· Safe Families, Safe Pets
· Legal Services
· Bristol Elder
· DAs Office (Bristol and Norfolk Counties)
· Hairdresser Project
· Clothesline project
· Teen corner with resources, information, chat
· Calendar for underserved areas
· GATHER resource library
· Rhode Island Coalition Training Calendar
· Jane Doe
· Employers Against DV
· Morton Hospital
· Sturdy Memorial Hospital
· Mentors in Violence Prevention (NE University)
· GATHER
· Technical support of DV prevention groups (transformcommunities.org)
· Individual police departments
· Sites
· Sheriff’s Office
Next Steps:
Begin application for HP grant with the 200 words description, goals and objectives.
Next Meeting: 5/21/03, 9:30, AHS.
Contact Person: Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822
Discussion Highlights:
AA Youth Meetings – Establishment is a slow process. A leader has been identified to start-up the program.
SARTIX – The SARTVIII reports will be discussed at the next meeting, along with potential topics for next year’s SART.
Grants – No word yet on applications for Community Crisis Intervention Team funding, SAMSA or BSAS.
Community Drug Education Program dates are 4/29, 5/6, 5/13.
MassHealth Cuts – Cuts to Basic have affected detox beds. Benefits are maintained while individuals are under appeal for MassHealth standard. Recipients must meet disability criteria, which does not include substance abuse issues.
Next Meeting: 5/28/03, 3:00, CFC
Contact Person:
Phil Shea, 508-824-7224.
Discussion Highlights:
Emergency Task Force – See minutes, p.6.
HIV/AIDS: Local Trends and Available Services. Presenter – Jack Field, CCBC - Currently, 135 clients live in the Greater Attleboro/Taunton area. An estimated one third of those infected do not even know it. Half of clients are non-adherent to medications, due to the difficulty of the regime. Infection and death rates continue to rise from AIDS/HIV and its complications. There is still no cure. Half of new infections are by individuals under 25. Prevention is the key, and is far less expensive than the per person cost of $21,000 per year for a promising new drug. Each new infection costs about $100,000. CCBC will be offering the OraQuick Rapid HIV-1 Antibody 20-minute test, with pre and posttest counseling
Radio Show – The GTHHSC will be featured on WPEP 1570. Coalition and Committee information will be shared, along with various initiatives and contacts.
Legislative Breakfast Subcommittee – A rally may better suit a solution to the budget crisis, as opposed to another Legislative Breakfast.
Sustainability – The Child and Family Focus Committee continues to pursue grant funding. Solicitation for dues can be sent soon, as a new fiscal year approaches.
Announcements:
· The Freedman Clinic opens 4/28/03, for the uninsured. (See cover article)
· WIC income eligibility guidelines went up $20 per family member.
Next Meeting: 5/20/03, 9:00, A.H.S.
Contact Person: Richard McMahon, 508-979-7160, x3010
Discussion Highlights:
Presentation: Tammy Sousa, YMCA – The YMCA offers a variety of programs and scholarships. They would like to see more teen and seniors involved, and are working with the Committee to secure funding for an obesity prevention project.
Grant Application - The Committee is working on a Harvard Pilgrim grant to address community wellness in the area of obesity/overweight. A Wellness newsletter, in English, Portuguese and Spanish can include activities, websites, health improvement tips, monthly themes, wellness education, and announcements of health nights and events.
Next Steps:
To work on the HP grant, due 7/18/03.
Next Meeting:
5/20/03, 10:15, AHS, 29 Broadway
Contact Person:
Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822.
This month’s Advocate was published by Lorraine Rosa, Coordinator, with funds from GATHER MRI funds and GTHHSC dues. To submit information in the July/August issue please call (508) 823-4822, fax 508-823-8584, or write to GTHHSC, P.O.Box 2894, Taunton, MA. 02780, by June 25th. H
Discussion Highlights:
AIDS Walk & 5K Run will be held 6/1/03, at the Charles River, Boston. For information, call 617-424-WALK.
HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and Substance Use Resource Guide was distributed.
Legislative Breakfast will be held 5/23/03, 8:30-10:00, at Gillians Café. RSVP by 5/9, to Damar at 884-8264.
Project ABLE Presentation was given, regarding the FY ’04 budget.
Lead Agency Report:
· New member orientation packets are due by 6/1/03.
· Local resource guides, information on HIV drug Fuzeon, the MA HIV/AIDS Surveillance report, Rapid Test (OraQuick), and
a CDC update on HIV were distributed
· A peer facilitated Women’s Support Group is starting up
· Christine Fergeson, DPH Commissioner, is strongly in favor of prevention efforts.
Consumer Advisory Board:
· Emergency fund guidelines are being revised
· Two new members have joined the CAB. A recruitment subcommittee continues outreach.
· Postcards for Project ABLE were handed out for members and their families.
Fundraising / Awareness Committee – The AIDS Walk event will be 10/4/03.
Next Meeting:
Consortium: 6/11/03, 9:00, Morton Cafe Annex.
Contact Person:
Damar Aponte, 508-884-8264.
Discussion Highlights:
Criminal Justice Committee – Juvenile Probation has a surplus of cups for drug testing. Fast track list has 12 adults and 2 juveniles. Calls will be made to area police to encourage continuous participation in gang meetings.
Treatment and Prevention – An Alateen group for high school level youth in Taunton continues to be worked on. The next SART topic was discussed. Community Drug Education series began with 31 signed up, with excellent feedback. The Homelessness Coalition is again applying for monies through HID. Agencies will receive forms asking for a homeless count.
Education – Taunton and New Bedford Police, and the Department of Corrections were commended for the lock-down drill at B-P. The administration and school committee were pleased with the results. TPD has a 20-minute tape that reviews a lock-down situation – an excellent tool for use with faculty and students. Mr. Gross is working on a procedure of notification with a state police supervisor.
Taunton Cares Coordinator Donna DeFaria will focus on Neighborhood Watch programs, and no longer attend SNI meetings. She enjoyed being part of the committee. A Neighborhood Watch program is being held for the elderly, with Mayor Strojny as speaker. He has been discussing the city budget and listening to elder issues. The Mayor and Council sent a letter to the Governor and State Senators suggesting that the Prescription Advantage program remain in the state budget.
Abandoned Buildings – ProHome won the bid on the Highland Street property. The house will go to a first-time homebuyer by lottery.
Youth Committee - Taunton Reaching Youth – The Annual Peer Appreciation received numerous donations from businesses and organizations. Teen Topics was presented to 60 students at Martin Middle. TRY and Taunton Youth Council have experienced elimination from budgets. Letters have been sent stating the importance for continued funding.
Community Crisis Intervention Team training will be held May 20-22 (see minutes, p.2.) The Wandering Citizens booklet, with pictures, names and contact persons for anyone with an illness that may involve wandering, will be updated.
Community Crisis Spiritual Care Response Team – Forty attended a meeting focused on cultural issues in a crisis situation. The group and TEMAs director formalizing the procedure of contacting trained clergy during crisis.
Program Update – Jobs for Youth has six students working.
Next Meetings:
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
Discussion Highlights:
Homelessness – Bridgehouse, Transition Apartments, and Samaritan House is full with 16 men and 3 women. The Executive Board will meet with First Parish Church and Taunton Clergy Association to plan for overflow sites.
Fuel Fund/Emergency Services are extended to 5/30/03.
Agency Sharing:
· Our Daily Bread – Fund raising efforts are underway.
· CCBC – The School St. property is being rehabbed. A point in time count will occur.
· St. Vincent de Paul serves 100 families weekly at their pantry. They also give away clothing and furniture. Fundraising efforts are underway.
· Board of Health – “Healthy You” Seminars continue. The state has cut 20% and plans to cut 20% more funding for flu vaccines/clinics. Restrictions may be necessary.
· Citizens for Citizens – FEMA money is still available for utility shutoffs, fuel assistance and food. Donated clothing is available. TRY has had major cuts. The SMART program sign up is at 823-6346.
· Early Head Start – Reauthorization information was shared. Multicultural translation support program is available to provide translation services and materials.
· GTHHSC – Substance abuse prevention grants were submitted, and Obesity prevention is the focus of subcommittee work.
· DHS is working on budget cuts, contacting elected officials.
· Samaritan House – Housing was found for several individuals. There has been an increase in calls for shelter from the Crisis Center. HIPAA regulations were discussed.
Next Steps:
To send letters to clients urge them to make every effort possible to make payments/arrangements to pay off arrearages before the fall.
To distribute letters at elementary schools, informing families of fuel assistance guidelines.
Next Meeting:
6/3/03, 9:30, TEMA Office
Contact Person:
Charlene Sanger, 508-821-1420
Discussion Highlights:
Peer Appreciation was held on May 9, 2003, 5:30-8:30, Elks Club. Approximately 165 attended.
2001 Teen Birth Data Released – There were 63 births to Taunton resident women ages 15-19, an increase of 1 teen birth from the previous year.
Next Meetings:
· Steering Committee, 6/4/03, 3:00 pm, Citizens For Citizens (CFC).
· Youth Action Task Force, 6/11/03, 3:00, CFC
Contact Person:
Katie Kelly, 508-828-9242
Did You Know That…?
3M Community Investing: Investing in Health and Human Services for Healthy Individuals and Strong Families - Support for health and human services is targeted to agencies or programs that improve quality and address gaps in service delivery systems. Of special interest are programs for youth development, parenting and strengthening families. Special consideration is given to charities that serve disadvantaged communities. See guidance on "How to Apply" for grant application conditions and limitations. Rolling deadline. For information, call the Contributions Program at 656-733-0144.
AIDS Surveillance - Trends, 1985 – 2001 is now available at www.cdc.gov/hiv/graphics/trends.htmResource for bicycle
helmet safety: www.helmets.org.
Morton Hospital and Medical Center is offering Reflexology 101, 5/27/03; What Is Chinese Medicine? 6/4/03; Something’s in
the Air, and You Might Be Allergic, 6/18/03 – all at 6:30 p.m. at the Margaret Stone Conference Room; Natural Nutrition,
6/6/03, 8:00 a.m., Galleria Community Room. All are free. Pre-register at 828-7777.
Data On The Well-Being Of America's Children And Families allows users to access state-specific inventories of local data
on children from sources that include health departments, human services agencies, and schools. Contains community profiles
and color-coded maps and graphs. www.aecf.org/kidscount/cliks/,
Effectiveness of Mentoring Programs for Youth: A Meta-Analytic Review, published in a special issue of the American Journal
of Community Psychology, provides insight into the design and implementation of successful volunteer-based mentoring
programs. View summary at http://rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu/rtcpubs/datatrends/summary_64.pdf
9th Annual Nonprofit Workout-The Spirit of Our Work, will be held on June 2 and 3, 2003, at the Hyatt Regency, Cambridge,
Massachusetts. The conference will feature a full day workshop, Re-Organizing in Hard Times, providing ideas for organizations
facing a financial crunch, and over 20 other workshops. For more information, go to http://www.tsne.org/section/361.html.
Center On Budget And Policy Priorities has news release re: income inequality at www.cbpp.org/4-23-02sfp.htm
Highlights of Kids’ Unmet Mental Health Needs Data - Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice: Federal Agencies Could Play a Stronger Role in Helping States Reduce the Number of Children Placed Solely to Obtain Mental Health Services: www.gao.gov/highlights/d03397high.pdf
Outreach on Legal Immigrant Food Stamp Restorations at www.frac.org/html/news/FSPoutreach.htm and the Community food
resource center at www.cfrcnyc.org/index.php?name=food_material
Civil Rights Division National Origin Working Group Initiative to Combat the Post-9/11 Discriminatory Backlash, found at
www.usdoj.gov/crt/nordwg.html
Racial Justice Collaborative, www.racialjusticecollaborative.org, is a partnership of private and corporate foundations, family
foundations and individual donors that share a commitment to support and learn from communities seeking racial justice. The
collaborative will provide grants to partnerships involving lawyers and community organizations that are using legal and
non-legal tools to achieve equity and fairer policies for communities marginalized by race, ethnicity, and immigrant or citizenship
status.