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Inside This Issue: Summer Issue of “Salute to Health”

v      Articles, p.1

v      Did You Know That…, p. 2

v      Meeting Minutes, p. 3-6

v      Calendar, p. 7

 

THE ADVOCATE

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

Volume XIV, No.7,8                                                                                                                                                            July/August 2004

HAVE A SAFE SUMMER

(Most information provided by the MA DPH)

   Did you know that injuries are the #1 threat to your child’s health? The Greater Taunton Health and Human Services Coalition’s Child and Family Focus Committee would like to wish you a safe summer with the following safety tips from the MA Department of Public Health, to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Screens do not protect children from falling out of windows; they just let the air in and keep bugs out. Please

·         Watch children closely, and never let them sit on sills or press on screens
·         Keep all closed windows locked.
·         Move all furniture, including beds, away from windows.
·         Open windows from the top, not the bottom, if you can
·         Put window guards in your windows. Only the quick-release type of window guard is permitted, and can be 
purchased in most hardware stores.

   Your car can be a dangerous place when it is running…or not running. Remember

·        If your child is under 1 year and weighs less than 20 lbs, use an infant seat or a rear-facing convertible seat.

·         If your child is 1-4 years old and weighs 20-40 pounds, use a forward facing seat / convertible seat.

·         If your child is 4-8 years old and weighs 40-80 pounds, use a booster seat.

·         All children under 12 years old should ride in the back seat.

·         Adults should always wear their seat belts, even in the back seat, because children follow your example. (And in case of an accident, an adult without a seatbelt could crush a child or other passenger)

·         Never leave a child alone in a car. A closed car can overheat in a few minutes and your child could die.

   According to MA Division of Health Care, Finance and Policy, Injury-related Emergency Department Visits, 2002, some of the unintentional injuries experienced by Massachusetts residents included 171,124 unintentional falls, 158 drowning/submersion, 615 suffocation, 15,863 bites and stings, 8,713 poisonings, and 113,126 transportation-related injuries.

   For more information, please contact the MA DPH Injury Prevention and Control Program at 617-624-5070, or log on to www.state.ma.us/dph/fch/injury/index.htm. You can make a difference. ♥

GTHHSC September Meeting

9/21/04, 9:00, Associates for Human Services

New Location to be confirmed – Check www.oocities.org/gathercoalition

In September

Did You Know That…?

MassHealth Technical Forum meeting materials and presentations are now available on their website at www.ocp-map.org. This includes the MassHealth Resource Guide, Premium Reduction Waiver, Social Security presentations, Health Care for All Senate Budget Analysis, Disparities Commission Update, April 2004 Poverty Levels, and Prescription Drugs handouts in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Obesity Continues to Rise according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 6/16/04, vol. 291, pp 2847-2850. Between 1999-2000 and 2001-2002, 66% of Americans were still overweight or obese, with 31% obese and 5% extremely obese. The GTHHSC offers Free Weight Management Classes on Monday’s at 4:00, at the Friedman School’s Elias Health Center. Call Lorraine for details at 508-823-4822.

Tips for Teens: The Truth About Inhalants, is a new publication available at SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) at www.health.org/govpubs/phd631/

Free Federal Practice Manual for Legal Aid Attorneys, a valuable resource for programs, published by the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, in collaboration with the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, is available as a free download at http://www.povertylaw.org/fed_practice_manual/fed_practice_manual_toc.cfm

The Human Service Referral Directory, formerly know as the Human Service Yellow Pages, published by George D. Hall Company, Inc is the most comprehensive, widely consulted and professional recognized guide for people who help people. For over twenty years, this directory has proven to be an invaluable resource for professionals in the health and human services field. You may order it on the web at www.humanservice.com/mass.html

Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling works to reduce the social, economic and emotional harm associated with problem gambling. Helpline support is at 800-426-1234. Website is www.masscompulsivegambling.org

MassHealth Technical Forum meeting will be held on 7/21/04, 1:00-3:30, Taunton Holiday Inn. Pre-register with Irene Kamau at 508-856-4306.

CORRECTION: Partners In Health Fall Fair. Silver City Galleria Mall, has been changed to  September 18, noon to 3:00Participants will be allotted an 8’ table for displays. For information, call Lisa Bronstein, American Health Resources, at 508-588-7700.

Grant Opportunity for Physical Activity/Nutrition, The Great American Bake Sale, will provide $25,000 for after school and summer nutrition programs. Deadline is 7/25/04. For details, please log on to www.greatamericanbakesale.org/site/PageServer?pagename=learn_application

 Resource Directory – A catalog of health care programs for uninsured and underinsured individuals was published by the MA Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, EOHHS. It is now accessible at www.mass.gov/dhcfp/pages/pdf/access.pdf. Hard copies may be purchased. Call Shelley Fortier at 617-988-3125, or email at shelley.Fortier@state.ma.us

This month’s Advocate was published by Lorraine Rosa, Coordinator, with funds from GATHER MRI and GTHHSC dues. It is also funded by grant number #2003 NDFX0022, of the Office of the National The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and managed by The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) (SC#6). “The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ONDCP, OJJDP or the US Department of Justice” To submit an article, announcement or other information, please call  (508) 823-4822, fax 508-822-1388, or write to GTHHSC, P.O.Box 2894, Taunton, MA. 02780, by August 31, 2004. H

COALITION/COMMITTEE MINUTES 

GATHER Domestic Violence, Violence Prevention. 6/17/04, 3:30 Associates for Human Services

 Discussion Highlights:

Chairperson Appreciated – Anne Kotch, Domestic Violence Chairperson, has accepted employment beyond commuting distance to meetings. She will be leaving her Chairpersonship. Best wishes to Anne. She will be missed.

Barrier to Services – An area woman devastated by health problems had been unable to receive shelter due to loyalty and dependence on her pet dog. This has also been an issue for victims of domestic violence seeking shelter. The update: She has since received shelter with the dog as a companion animal. He assists her by waking her when she has seizures.

Hairdressers’ Project – Jane Doe has been contacted in regards to bringing the national “Cut It Out” program into Massachusetts. More information will be coming.

Target Grant was completed requesting a “No Bullying” program grant for Fairfax Gardens. Update: The proposal was “declined because it did not fall within our funding guidelines or because the grant funds are committed for the year.” The Committee will seek other funding sources.

New Hope is represented on the DV/VP Committee by Dan LeBrun, and soon by Josie Sperry. New Hope appreciates the existence of the DV/VP Committee, and supports its violence prevention efforts. They are the primary resource for DV services, and will cosponsor Committee events and projects.

Membership – Several individuals/groups will receive a special invitation to this Committee:

Ø   Linda Morceau, Substance Abuse Counselor, who is interested in DV issues in the Native American population

Ø      Judy Sheehan and the Bullying Committee of the Dighton-Rehoboth School District

Ø      Liddy Reseman, Beckwith School, a native speaker of Spanish

Make A Difference Day Kickoff – The SEMA-VAV event for 6/21/04 will feature the signing of a register. It is hoped that our community leaders will be the first to sign and publicly make the statement that violence prevention begins at home, stresses the importance of prevention through accurate information, and breaks the silence that DV is not acceptable. 

Carousel is a summer event. Providing transportation to bring senior citizens, follow the play with a panel discussion, and include a SEMA-VAV information table for October “Make A Difference Day” events were recommended.

September 25 Galleria Health Fair - A Parent/Child Fun Event in conjunction with the 9/25/04 Morton Hospital & Medical Center Galleria Mall Health Fair will focus on very young children. The Children’s Fund has donated $100 for the Toe Jam Puppet Band to do a one-hour performance at center court, that focuses on positive relationships. Community Partnerships for Children, Early Intervention, Early Head Start, possibly the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) and Carmen of New Hope are interested in supporting the event.  The Department of Social Services (DSS) and Associates for Human Services could locate their tables near the Band. DSS Foster Care would like to do outreach as part of the event that day. New Hope, SEMA-VAV and GATHER may want to share a table at this health fair.

Next Steps:

Contact Linda Morceau and Judy Sheehan (Lorraine), contact Liddy Reseman (Annemarie)

Select a new chairperson (Committee)

Next Meetings:

Domestic Violence/Violence Prevention Committee: 7/15/04, 3:30, A.H.S.

Bristol County Domestic Violence Round Table: 9/14/04, 2:30, D.A.’s Office, 888 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA

Contact Person: Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822

 

GATHER/GTHHSC Substance Abuse Committee. 6/23/04, 3:00

High Point Treatment Center.

Discussion Highlights:

YELL:

Ø      Youth Partners – YELL will hire youth for summer activities, such as Youth in Action compliance checks and involvement in advertising the program.

Ø      Surveys - This September, a survey will be administered in the Middleboro Public School system. From this information, appropriate social norms will be selected. Surveys and subsequent social norms campaign will be expanded into other local high schools.

Ø      Program Location - YELL Coordinator, Sabrina, now has an office at CCBC.

Community Crisis Intervention Team (CCIT) – A Training will be held November 16-18 at the Silver City Galleria. It has been opened up to Sturdy Memorial Hospital, providers, and individuals who missed participation at the last training due to the classes being full. Brockton and Foxboro were suggested as invitees. The Team is currently presenting the program twice in New Hampshire, at the New England Area Police Association’s 3-day program. They also presented to the National Conference of Commissioners of Mental Retardation.

Community Drug Education Program received good feedback at their most recent series. Jack did a portion on AIDS, and was impressed by the questions asked by the young people in attendance.

Safe and Drug Free Schools – The Substance Abuse Committee is the advisory council for this grant, and functions as a resource to run things by. Taunton High School also has a wellness committee, and shares information. Hard data is needed to prove that substance abuse is an issue.

Substance Abuse Round Table (SART) – The Committee brainstormed subject matter for the next SART.

Ø      Youth In the Criminal Justice System – The Justice Resource Institute may have services in place already, such as clinical assessments for youth in the juvenile justice system. There may be a lack of treatment opportunities. Middleboro Youth Advocates has a community group for youth offenders, and has a good relationship with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office. Youth give back to the community as a probation mandate. The group would like to expand interest in criminal justice, to offer the whole scope of services.

Ø      YELL Issues

Ø    Substance Abuse and Violence and Its Role in Cultures – Cultural and religious competence and treatment.

Ø      Changing Faces of Addiction – There has been an increase over the years in youth trying drugs. There is a trend that marijuana seems safer, and youth feel it should be legalized, although it has become increasingly more dangerous over the years, and youth are coming for treatment for marijuana addiction. Often insurance companies do not pay for treatment for marijuana addiction, leaving people questioning if addiction is an issue. Marijuana use is also an educator’s nightmare, because students “check out” from learning. Some use marijuana to self-medicate. A message about the dangers needs to be given.

Ø      Internet Safety and the Availability of Drugs and Alcohol

Ø      Gangs and Cultural Issues

Next Steps:

Research membership costs for CADCA (Lorraine)

Invite Kevin Stanton to do a September presentation on heroin treatment, resources, strategies, best practices, data and trends. (Lorraine)

Update the Southcoast Drug Taskforce “White Paper” with Taunton information, and send to Committee for input. (Lorraine)

Find out the name of the Taunton Police officer who attends the Southcoast Drug Taskforce, and invite him to this Committee (Lorraine)

Contact Mayor Nunes about the Southcoast Drug Taskforce, and our willingness to work with them. (Phil)

Call the Superintendent’s Office to discuss the ADAS survey (Phil)

Contact DPH about the Determination of Need Funding contract, and beginning the process (Lorraine)

Prepare a mini presentation on the recent Environmental Strategies training for the September meeting (Lorraine)

Follow up on the Juvenile Diversion Program (Committee)

Continue to look for funding for Opiates prevention (Committee)

Select a topic for SART X (Committee)

Next Meeting: 9/22/04, 3:00, High Point Treatment, 4 Court St., Taunton

Contact Person: Phil Shea, 508-824-7224.

 

GTHHSC Monthly Meeting. 6/15/04, 9:00,

Associates for Human Services

Discussion Highlights:

Resource Directory – A catalog of health care programs for uninsured and underinsured individuals was published by the MA Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, EOHHS. It is now accessible at www.mass.gov/dhcfp/pages/pdf/access.pdf. Hard copies may be purchased. Please call Shelley Fortier at 617-988-3125, or email her at Shelley.Fortier@state.ma.us

Associates for Human Services is Moving this summer to their new location at 68 Allison Avenue, near Home Depot, Taunton. They’re looking for funding to build a handicap accessible playground outdoors.

Friedman Project Update – The 14-week nutrition program for 7th and 8th graders meets twice weekly from 2:15-4:00. It involves hands on nutrition and activities. This lively group is evenly split between boys and girls. A pre survey was administered during the first week, which included a 24-hour diet recall. A lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet was noted. Some activities include snack alternatives, portion sizes, label reading, and strength training and basketball at the YMCA.

Presentation: Karen Schumacher and Velecia Prall-Mayor, MA Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP) – The MBHP Essential Care Medical Care Management program was developed to increase access to health care services and improve the health status of PCC Plan Members who have MassHealth Essential and meet medical criteria. Each Member is assigned a care manager who coordinates the services of the primary care clinician, behavioral health providers, hospital emergency departments, specialists, state agencies, and community services. Only individuals who are enrolled in the PCC Plan and have MassHealth Essential coverage are eligible for participation in MBHP’s Essential Care. Examples of appropriate referrals include members with complicated treatment plans, difficulty managing their physical illness, frequent receipt of routine or primary care at hospital emergency departments, failure to keep appointments for medical services, and non compliance with medication regimens for a medical illness. To make a referral, please call 617-790-5633, or 800-495-0086.  Website is www.masspartnership.com

Next Meeting: 9/21/04, 9:00, A.H.S., Location TBA. See www.oocities.org/gathercoalition in September to verify location.

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

 

Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. 6/9/04, 9:00 a.m.

Morton Café Annex.

Discussion Highlights:

SMART (Strategies for Management of Anti-Retroviral Therapy) is a new program starting in Massachusetts, for infected persons. More information will follow.

Lead Agency Report – The RFR for Case Management is coming out in September. Morton Home Health Care and Community Counseling of Bristol County (CCBC) are collaborating on an RFR for home nursing.

New Emergency Fund Guidelines were accepted and were mailed to clients and the Emergency Fund Call Committee.

Fundraiser – The Consortium will vote on a possible dinner show fundraiser at the next meeting.

Legislative Breakfast was held 5/14/04, at A Nossa Casa. It went well, and had the best turnout in eight years.

Next Meeting: 7/14/04, 9:00, Morton Hospital Café Annex.

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

Safe Neighborhood Initiative. 6/30/04, 8:00 a.m.

Fairfax Gardens Community Center

 Discussion Highlights:

Criminal Justice Committee discussed attendance of a meeting by the District Attorney’s Office. Members developed a list of juvenile probationers to be kept at the Taunton Police Department. The Department of Youth Services will provide education on gangs.

Community Crisis Intervention Team provided a presentation at St. Anslem’s College. The team would like to develop a website.

Treatment and Prevention – Seven attended the recent Community Drug Education series. Project YELL is in the process of collecting substance abuse data from Taunton area communities. Discussion occurred about transitional programs for homeless families. The next roundtable subject was discussed. (See minutes, page 4.)

Community Crisis Spiritual Response Team – Sixteen clergy are trained and ready to respond. If any agencies are conducting emergency drills, please contact the team.

Education Committee – Middle School and High School principals will receive gang education training on August 23. Discussion occurred regarding the possibility of applying for a Byrne grant.

Neighborhoods Committee – Mayor’s Office of Community Development will fund programs at Fairfax and for Park & Recreation utilizing CDBG Public Services monies.

Program Update – Department of Human Services has been awarded an FY05 Jobs for Youth Grant through the Office of the Attorney General in the amount of $15,000.

District Attorney Paul Walsh congratulated Taunton SNI on their collaboration efforts. He assured the group that a member of his office will attend meetings. He will be sworn in as the President of the National District Attorney’s Association. Hopefully, this bodes well for Bristol County.

Discussions occurred regarding right of way issues, bilingual violence prevention programming at Fairfax Gardens and motor scooter safety.

Next Meeting: 9/29/04, 8:00, Fairfax Gardens, Taunton.

Contact Person: Robert Cammarata, 508-821-1420

UPCOMING AREA MEETINGS

July 14

9:00

Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. Morton Café Annex. CAB meeting follows.

 

July 15

3:30

GATHER Domestic Violence Committee. Associates for Human Services. 29 Broadway

 

July 21

1:00-3:30

MassHealth Technical Forum Meeting. Taunton Holiday Inn.

Aug. 11

9:00

Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. Morton Café Annex. CAB meeting follows.

 

Sept. 8

9:00

Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. Morton Café Annex. CAB meeting follows.

 

Sept. 14

9:30

Taunton Emergency Task Force. TEMA Office, City Hall.

 

Sept. 14

2:30

Domestic Violence Round Table. District Attorney’s Office, 88 Purchase St., New Bedford.

Sept 21

9:00

GTHHSC Monthly Meeting. Associates for Human Services. Location TBA at www.oocities.org/gathercoalition in September.

 

Sept 21

10:15

GTHHSC Child and Family Focus Committee. Associates for Human Services. Location TBA at www.oocities.org/gathercoalition in September.

 

Sept 22

3:00

GATHER/GTHHSC Substance Abuse Committee. High Point, 4 Court St.

Sept 18

Noon-3:00

CORRECTION: Partners In Health Fall Fair. Silver City Galleria Mall.

Sept 29

8:00

Safe Neighborhood Initiative. Fairfax Gardens Community Room.

 

Oct.13

9:00

Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. Morton Café Annex. CAB meeting follows.