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Mulligan Center Fall 2004 Training Calendar:  www.hcsm.org/ahectrainingscalendar.pdf

 

                                                                                                                                                                     

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.11                                                                                                                                                                      November 2004 

 

HOW CAN I HELP PROTECT MYSELF FROM THE FLU?

(From the MA Department of Public Health, MA Immunization Program)

 

Healthy people who are not at risk for complications from the flu have been asked not to get the flu vaccine at this time. Because the vaccine is in short supply this year, it is important that flu vaccine be given to people most likely to suffer complications from the flu:

If you do not find yourself in one of the above categories, how can you help protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu? The MA DPH recommends the following simple steps:

  1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol based hand rub or gel frequently, especially after visiting public places or being in contact with anyone with a cold or the flu.

  2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

  3. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.

  4. Turn your head and cough or sneeze into a tissue. If tissues are not available, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.

  5. Do not take young children, those with immune system problems or the chronically ill into large crowds unnecessarily when the flu is in your community.

  6. Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold or the flu. Be very careful with children, as they are most likely to become sick with the flu.

  7. Stay home from work or school and avoid public activities for at least 5 days if you have symptoms of the flu. For children, it should be at least 7 days.

  8. Do not share items that can spread germs and viruses, like drinking cups, straws, or other items that you put in your mouth.

  9. Clean things that are touched often in the household, classroom and child care settings, such as door or refrigerator handles, phones, water faucets, etc.

For more information such as "What is the flu? What to do if you have the flu? or When should you see a health care provider?, visit www.cdc.gov/flu, or www.mass.gov/dph, or call the MA Immunization Program at 617-983-6800, or 888-658-2850. ♠

 

GTHHSC November Meeting

11/16/04, 9:00, Associates for Human Services

68 Allison Avenue, Taunton

Telephone: 508-880-0202

COMMISSIONER FERGUSON INVITES YOU TO TAUNTON FORUM

(From Public Health in the 21st Century, Department of Public Health [DPH])

 

   Massachusetts DPH Commissioner Christine Ferguson invites community leaders, health and human service providers and practitioners, state and local health officials, public safety officials, interested members of the public, city and town planners, public private and non-profit partners and MA DPH staff, to dialogue with her, and contribute thoughts and insights in helping shape the future of public health in Massachusetts at a Regional Forum on 12/17/04, 3:00-5:30, at Bristol-Plymouth Technical School, in Taunton. The purpose of the forum is to revitalize the vision for public health, build consensus on public health priorities, and generate recommendations for action.

   The agenda for the day is as follows:

   So, please mark the date, and plan to attend. If you are unable to attend, your comments are welcomed by email to Commissioner Ferguson at DPH.info@state.ma.us, or Cathy.O'Connor@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 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, or email mcaprosa@hotmail.com, by November, 31, 2004. You may also access copies of The Advocate at www.oocities.org/gathercoalition.  ♫

 

Did You Know That…?

Morton Hospital & Medical Center Calendar of Events offerings include Making Order Out of Chaos: get Organized, 11/17/04, 6:30 pm, FREE, Margaret Stone Conference Room. Preregistration required; Iridology: A New Alternative Therapy, 12/2/04, 6:30 pm, Free, Margaret Stone Conference Room. Preregistration required; How to Give a Good Massage, 12/3/04, 8:00am, FREE, Silver City Galleria Community Room; Healing Through Humor, 12/9/04, 6:30 pm, FREE, Margaret Stone Conference Room. To preregister, please call  508-828-7777.

 

Voices of Inclusion: Disparities in Health Care Summit will be held 11/17/04, 8:00-3:00, at the JFK Library and Museum in Boston. Free. Register at www.nccjboston.org, or call Patrica DeRosa at 617-451-5010, ext. 15 for information.

Smoking is far more expensive than you think. It costs nearly $33 a pack when you include the cost of early deaths, smoking-related disabilities and other factors, according to The Price of Smoking by Duke University economist Frank Sloan and four colleagues. Add $5.44 a pack for the costs of the effects of secondhand smoke on your spouse and another $1.44 on society as a whole. That brings the total cost to nearly $40 a pack, or nearly $171,000 over a smoker's lifetime.

A Growing Number of Emergency-Room Doctors Are Screening Patients for Alcohol Use, focusing especially on people involved in car crashes, the New York Times reported Oct. 27. A growing number of health experts are using the emergency-room visit as a "teachable moment" to identify people with alcohol problems and direct them to resources where they can receive the help they need. "It's a prime opportunity to reach people at risk," said Dr. Gail D'Onofrio, an emergency-room physician at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. "Many of the people are young adults, and they don't use primary care, and they don't have insurance." Research indicates that nearly a quarter of the people who come to an emergency room with some kind of trauma are intoxicated. See www.jointogether.org/sa/news/summaries/reader/0,1854,575026,00.html

Mulligan Center Offerings include May I Help You? Customer Service for Health and Human Service Agencies, 11/18/04, 9:00-Noon, $30 (continental breakfast & CEUs); ABC's of Hepatitis: An Overview and Strategies for Prevention, 12/2/04, 9:00-Noon, $30 (continental breakfast & CEUs); Childhood Obesity: Helping Children to Downsize in a Super Sized World, 12/3/04, 2:00-4:30, $30 (light refreshments & CEUs). For information, call Linda Owings, 508-583-2250, or email lowings@hcsm.org

Delayed Alcohol Use Linked to Fewer Problems with Abuse or Dependence as Adults - Persons reporting they first used alcohol before age 15 are more than five times as likely to report past year alcohol dependence or abuse as adults than those who first used alcohol at age 21 or older. The report is entitled "Alcohol Dependence or Abuse and Age of First Use. See www.oas.samhsa.gov, or www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,574977,00.html?U=163901

 

According to the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY), alcohol industry advertising on television maintained a steady path of growth between 2001 and 2003, driven in part by an explosion of distilled
spirits ads on cable television. The number of alcohol ads “overexposing” youth rose each year between 2001 and 2003, from 51,084 to 66,218 to 69,054. To read the entire report, see http://www.camy.org.

 

Drinking Among Young Adults Aged 18-30  Reduced with greater use of brief counseling by primary-care
doctors. Research found that young people who received counseling reduced their use by 40 to 50 percent, had 42 percent fewer visits to the emergency department, and had 55 percent fewer motor-vehicle crashes than those who did not receive counseling. See the September/October 2004 issue of the Annals of Family Medicine, at http://www.annfammed.org/cgi/content/full/2/5/474.

 

Benefit of Sobriety Checkpoints - Research results released by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation show that if law enforcement agencies used sobriety checkpoints more often and more effectively, deaths and crashes caused by drunk driving could be reduced by 20 percent. The study makes several recommendations for how to improve use of the checkpoints: increase publicity in local media, conduct checkpoints more often (i.e., weekly), deploy fewer officers at checkpoints, and use passive alcohol sensors, which are installed in flashlights. The report is published in the September issue of Traffic Injury Prevention. See
http://releases.usnewswire.com/getrelease
 

COALITION/COMMITTEE MINUTES 

 

GATHER Domestic Violence, Violence Prevention. 10/21/04, 3:30 New Hope, 39 Taunton Green

 

Discussion Highlights:

 Announcements:

·         Greater Taunton Health and Human Services Coalition (GTHHSC) received a $50,000 grant to do substance abuse prevention education in Taunton middle schools, along with a parenting program.

·         Charity Fundraiser will be held at the Emerald Square Mall’s Filenes Home Store, 10/30/04, from 8:00-11:00 pm. Call Dan for details on how a $5 ticket donation to New Hope will give you 20% off purchases.

·         New England Patriots Women’s Association fundraiser, “Runway for Hope”, will benefit New Hope and two other groups, on 11/8/04, at 6:00 pm, at Gillette Stadium Clubhouse West. $200 per person. Call 617-778-5751.

·         New Hope’s Gourmet Guys is a Gastronomical Gala with foods prepared and served by volunteer chefs for the agency’s benefit. It will be held 11/19/04, 6:30-8:00, at The Forest Green, Attleboro Lodge of Elks, 887 S. Main St., Attleboro. Donations: $20 adults, $15 seniors and children under 12. To volunteer as a Gourmet Guy, or for tickets, call Dan LeBrun at 508-226-4015.

·         Open House at the Associates for Human Services’ (AHS) new location, at 68 Allison Drive (behind Home Depot), will be held 11/17/04, 4:00-6:30. For information, call 508-880-0202.

·         Taunton Parents GridIron Club – Football players will participate in a can drive for St. Vincent de Paul, and on 11/21/04 will hold a tag day, during which they will disseminate New Hope hotline cards while accepting donations for the agency. They will be invited to sign the Make a Difference Day pledge.

·         The Holidays are No Excuse for Violence is a committee focus for November and December.

·         25th Anniversary New Hope Celebration is planned for March 11, 2005. More details in the future. Save the date!

·         Taunton High School’s ROTC program seeks volunteer projects for their youth.

·        Abuse and Disability Conference presentations will be given monthly at DV meetings, starting with What Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge are the Keys to Making a Difference?

 

Introducing Linda Morceau, experienced counselor, and an Algonquin Indian, who wants to start a substance abuse facility for both women and men Native Americans. She explained that men and women drink differently, but both may be affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), with a physical manifestation, or Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAE), which is not immediately obvious, but comes out in other problems, such as the ability to read people’s faces and behaviors. In the Native American population, these syndromes are almost double. She wants to work with women who can’t function without alcohol. The Red Road is a program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, but for Native American’s, in that it addresses the spiritual nature. Linda is a healer and knows medicine. She has checked out substance abuse problems on various reservations, and sees alcohol as having an almost allergic reaction in her population. She is very concerned about youth losing their elders and their traditions. She would like to go into schools, using what’s already existing in communities, and helping Native Americans utilize what’s already there. She will invite Dr. Kelley, a researcher into biofeedback who looks at addiction in the Native American population, to become part of her facility upon opening. She is seeking start up funding.

 

Southeastern Massachusetts Voices Against Violence (SEMA-VAV)

1. October 4th Vigil and Clothesline Project participation increased 600% above last year. Post-event coverage was excellent, and Fashion Bug offered to allow posting of information.

2. The Hathaway Cemetery has been adopted as a project, and will take about 3 weekends to beautify. It is already cleared.

3. Makeovers - A mural for Head Start, and a Department of Social Services (DSS) room makeover are planned.

4. Action Kits are expected to be ready for delivery shortly. People are still signing up.

5. Through My Eyes will be reformatted and printed.

6. National Crime Victims Rights Week will be held April 10-16.

 

Next Steps:

Invite GridIron Club football players to sign the Make a Difference Day pledge. (Dan and Deb)

Next meeting presentation: What Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge are the Keys to Making a Difference? (Lorraine)

 

Next Meeting: 11/18/04, 3:30, New Hope, 39 Taunton Green.

 

Contact Person:

Dan LeBrun, 508-226-4015

 

 

GTHHSC General Meeting.  10/19/04, 9:00, AHS

 

Discussion Highlights:

Announcements:

GTHHSC $50,000 Grant allows for Project TEAMS to offer two science-based programs: Project ALERT curriculum for sixth graders in Taunton middle schools, and Families That Care – Guiding Good Choices (FTC-GGC), formerly Preparing for the Drug Free Years for parents. Project TEAMS will complement health topics in the middle schools, and will be offered aside from regular health classes. The grant allows Sabrina of Project YELL to work full time. Project Alert also has a peer component.

 

Red Ribbon Week  - Taunton High School Peers will appear before City Council for a proclamation of Red Ribbon Week. The theme is Elect to be Drug Free - Vote for a Drug Free Lifestyle.

 

Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign - The October 4th Make a Difference Day kickoff featured a walk from Taunton Green to the 1st Parish Church. A children's choir sang, and the service ended with prayer. This year's attendance was triple last year's. More projects are being planned. (See GATHER Domestic Violence Committee minutes). Signatures were gathered for both the Purple and White Ribbon Campaigns. (See description in Substance Abuse Committee minutes) The bystander issue was discussed. Students need to know the difference between tattling versus reporting.

 

Multicultural Booklet is complete. Funding is needed to print and distribute copies.

 

Salute to Health Newsletter - The English, Portuguese and Spanish health newsletter is entering its final printing for the year. Continued funding will be sought.

 

Child and Family Focus Committee is working on a flyer "10 Ways to Save a Kid's Life". They are also looking at a Spring campaign to address children falling out of windows. They recommend housing allow window guards and gates at the top of stairs.

 

Budget - Dues have been received, bringing the budget to over $4,000. GATHER is expected to receive Determination of Need (DON) and MRI funding of over $9,000 in the near future.

 

Next Steps:

Add the website to the Advocate's publication information box (Lorraine)

Post an "under construction" copy of the following month's newsletter (Lorraine)

Contact the United Way on the status of 211, and add resource links for the statewide databases, including www.800Ageinfo.com for elder services to the website (Lorraine)

 

Next Meeting: 11/16/04, 9:00, A.H.S.

 

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

 

GTHHSC. Child & Family Focus Committee.  10/19/04, 10:30, AHS

 

Discussion Highlights:

Safety Brochures - The Coalition has child safety brochures in English, Portuguese and Spanish, for distribution through health fairs, etc.

 

Top 10 Ways to Save a Child's Life - A list was composed of what parents and others can do to protect the lives of children.

 

Preventing Falls - A letter to legislators has been composed, recommending fire safety approved child guards in public housing. A local fire chief will be asked what other injury trends he has seen.

 

Salute to Health - The last issue will contain information from the Mayo Clinic's pyramid information, a description of what it means to be sedentary, a survey with a raffle incentive, experiences, charts, online address for current and past issues in English, Portuguese and Spanish, packing school lunches and a calendar of events. The Committee will also seek second year funding. Survey questions are Where did you receive this newsletter, What did you like most (experiences, articles, calendar), What did you learn (improved diet, improved activity, resources), What events did you attend? They may RSVP by mail or email before a selected deadline.

 

Next Steps:

Compose pediatrician letter; forward to Lorraine (Deb)

Send letter to legislator to Lorraine for forwarding to local representative (Rhona)

Contact fire chief (Lorraine)

Final copy of Salute to Health (Lorraine)

Investigate continued funding of Salute to Health (Lorraine)

 

Next Meeting: 11/16/04, 9:00, A.H.S.

 

Contact Person: Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822

 

 

GTHHSC Substance Abuse Committee.  10/20/04, 3:00, High Point

 

Discussion Highlights:

Join Together is an excellent website, featuring grant opportunities, best practices, trends and studies.

 

Project YELL:

·         A survey is scheduled for tomorrow at Middleboro High School. Questions include perceptions of behavior and attitudes are included. Copies were distributed to Committee members.

·         Restructuring Meeting – Members of the Steering Committee are Sabrina Strong, Lorraine Rosa, Jonathan Marcus, Jack Healey, and Deb Brown, with a slot for a Middleboro School System representative. The Committee may broaden to include more school systems, community leaders, parents, media, and others. The Substance Abuse Committee will oversee major budget related items, any major changes, and receive monthly reports. The Steering Committee will be responsible for program operation, and minor budget related items.  The program will be reviewed with the chairperson of the GTHHSC. Each community will have a task group.

·         Social Norms Campaign begins with data collection. This targets students who think that its OK to use, because everybody’s doing it, by giving them a “mirror” that shows that it’s not the norm. Once collected, messages can appear at www.ProjectYell.com, screen savers in the schools, and product giveaways. Campaigns change constantly, and start with getting peoples’ attention, even if they hate it. Discussion is good.

·         Compliance Checks were done by youth partnering with Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) officers at bars, restaurants, and package stores establishments in early October. Three citations were issued.

 

GTHHSC received an Executive Office of Public Safety grant for $50,000 for Project Alert. The one year grant allows for Sabrina to be a quarter time coordinator. Ads will be posted for a fulltime prevention specialist. Sabrina is currently working on the budget.

 

SART X will focus on Juvenile Prevention and Treatment, on 4/7/05, 8:00am-3:30, at the Taunton Holiday Inn. The first SARTX Planning Committee meeting will be held 11/1/04, 3:00, at Community Partnerships, Inc.

 

Red Ribbon Week theme this year is “Elect to be Drug Free – Vote for a Drug Free Lifestyles”. Two adults and 10-12 students received a City Council proclamation.

 

White (violence against women) and Purple (domestic violence) Ribbon Campaigns were held at Taunton High School, in which students pledged not to initiate violence against any man or woman. Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) continues its work of empowering bystanders to stop the violence. A 6-12 grade survey asked Middleboro students to identify the problems they face, demonstrating that violence was a concern at all levels.

 

Next Steps:

Coalition building (The Committee)

Presentation in December on Project Alert (Sabrina)

 

Next Meetings:

SARTX: 11/1/04, 3:00, Community Partnerships, Inc.

Substance Abuse Committee: 12/8/04, 3:00, High Point Treatment

 

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

 

Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. 10/ /04, 9:00 a.m. Morton Café Annex.

Discussion Highlights:

Announcements:

·         ACT NOW grant proposal is also for medical management. One of the changes is insurance, which will be the responsibility of the medical management.

·         Housing – The Gazette announced on 9/16/04 that rental subsidies were going to drop dramatically. The jBoston Globe 9/28/04 article said that HUD backed off of a voucher change.

·         Thanksgiving Dinner at the Hynes Convention Center is looking good. The Consortium will be notified when more information is available.

·         Taunton High School Health Fair will be held 3/24/04.

·         RFRs are out for adherence nurse and case management.

·         YMCA passes are now available.

·         World AIDS Day is 12/1/04. A subcommittee will put the event together.

·         The Night of Illusion for 10/16/04, at Ann’s Place, was sold out.

 

Next Meeting: 11/10/04, 9:00, Morton Hospital Café Annex.

 

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

 

Safe Neighborhood Initiative. 10/20/04, 8:00 a.m., Fairfax Gardens Community Center

 

Discussion Highlights:

Criminal Justice Committee - Concerns about Outlaws gang were discussed. The Gang Awareness Education program for school administrators was very helpful. Two Taunton Police attended a 4-day training in New Jersey on the topic of gangs. The Sheriff's Department paid for their attendance. Many contacts were made and they received much information.

 

Crisis Intervention Team next training is scheduled for 11/16-11/18/04. They will meet with the Department of Public Safety to discuss having this training at the police academy.

 

Treatment and Prevention - Greater Taunton Health & Human Services Coalition has received Governor's Safe and Drug Free Communities grant for $50,000. The next Substance Abuse Round Table will be held 4/7/05, at the Taunton Holiday Inn.

 

Community Crisis Spiritual Response Team - Steve thanked the team for providing support services at the Weir Bridge accident.

 

Education Committee - The Gang Awareness Education program was very helpful to staff. Discussion occurred regarding lockdown drills and crisis plans.

 

Program Update - A one-day conference was held in Burlington about Juvenile Diversion programs. A Weir Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held on 10/27/04, 7:00 pm, at Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel basement. A protocol has been developed between Taunton Housing Authority and Community Police Officers, to assist agencies with home visitations at a designated neighborhood. The Boys & Girls Club started a daily shuttle from Fairfax to the club. Due to its success, a second shuttle has begun.

 

Next Meeting: 11/17/04, 8:00, Fairfax Gardens Community Center.

 

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

 

 

Taunton Emergency Task Force. 10/5/04, 9:30 a.m., TEMA Office

 

Discussion Highlights:

Department of Human Services thanks all the member agencies for their help in the recent fire

 

Shelter - The state is not using hotels for shelter but is piloting some programs across the state regarding their use

  

Homeless:

10/18/04 Homeless Summit/Forum - The Lt Gov’s office invited the Mayors office to a forum at Bentley College. Due to previous commitments, no one is able to attend from the mayor’s office.

GATCH has 2 renewals  (New Hope /CCBC) and 1 new request (Homes with Heart) for HUD money.

Attleboro reported they would be meeting in Oct at the Attleboro City Hall with the Public Safety Committee to come up with solutions for Attleboro that can be replicated in Taunton.

SNI reports an increase in homeless numbers, and violence. There are no beds at Samaritan House.

The United Way Homeless Management Information System relies on information from community agencies. Forms are included in the TEMA mailing. There will be a point in time homeless count in January.

The Section 8 Fair Market Rents were renegotiated and will remain in the Boston area. Taunton will have a small cut with limited impact.

 

Fuel Fund/ Emergency Services

The Salvation Army opened up the Good Neighbor program early. They will have limited money for oil and some for gas.

Shut Offs /TMLP and Large Bills - CFC helps with budgeting when someone applies for help.The RAFT program will also be a resource.

DHS talked with Mansfield DHS about how they work with the utility company and a meeting is planned. It is hoped that the effort will be replicated in Taunton.

 

Fire Victims Fund - The letters regarding the closing of the fire victim’s fund will be mailed. Overall families are very pleased with the services they received. Thank you letters to the community will be generated by TETF.

 

New Business

Nominations/Elections

Chairperson: Deb Araujo/ CFC

Vice Chair: Julia Wood/ Head Start

Treasuer;: Charlene Sanger/ DHS

Co-Secretary: Millie Burrows/AHS Early Head Start and Carmen Maldonado New Hope /TPS

Art Largey will remain an appointee to the executive board.

 

Agency sharing:

Next Meeting: 11/9/04, 9:30, TEMA Office

 

Contact Person: Millie Burrows, 508-880-0202

UPCOMING AREA MEETINGS

 

November 1, 3:00

SART X Planning Committee.  Community Partnerships, Inc. .

 

Nov. 4, 4:00

TPS/BCC Adult Education Program. MOCD community room, 45 School Street, Taunton. (508-977-9565)

November 9, 9:30

Taunton Emergency Task Force. TEMA Office, City Hall.

 

November 10, 9:00

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

 

November 16, 9:00

GTHHSC Monthly Meeting. Associates for Human Services. 68 Allison Avenue.

 

November 16, 10:15

GTHHSC Child and Family Focus Committee. Associates for Human Services. 68 Allison Avenue, Taunton.

Nov. 17, 8:00

Safe Neighborhood Initiative. Fairfax Gardens Community Room.

Nov. 17, 4:00-6:30

Associates for Human Services Open House. Associates for Human Services. 68 Allison Ave., Taunton.

November 18, 3:30

GATHER Domestic Violence Committee. New Hope Office, 39 Taunton Green

 

December 1, 3:00

Substance Abuse Round Table X. Community Partnerships, Inc.

 

December 8, 9:00

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

 

December 8, 3:00

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

 

December 16, 3:30

GATHER Domestic Violence Committee. New Hope Office, 39 Taunton Green

 

December 17, 3:00-5:30.

Public Health in the 21st Century (DPH) Forum. Bristol-Plymouth Regional High School, 940 County St., Taunton.

December 21, 9:00

GTHHSC Monthly Meeting. Associates for Human Services. 68 Allison Avenue.

 

December 21, 10:15

GTHHSC Child and Family Focus Committee. Associates for Human Services. 68 Allison Avenue, Taunton.

 
 

Coming in a Future Issue: The Blame In Spain Falls Mainly On The Same

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

Positive Factors

v      All students have at least one working parent, and the basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, medical care, etc.)

v      The DODDS has a refined staff development initiative.

   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, enjoying the same music, and have the same social mores as does mainstream America. Students at DGF compare favorably with other American students in standardized tests.

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

Former Taunton DMR/DMH Provider Found In Spain

Positive Factors

v      The community atmosphere is one of productivity.

v      Parents are hard working, highly productive, idealistic, progressing in their careers, and emphasize the importance of meeting responsibility and values. They are supportive of staff, and active in the PTA.

v      Social skills training are offered in the general, as well as in the special needs population.      

   Gary Halgunseth, school psychologist, has roots in Southeastern Massachusetts. This former psychologist at Bridgewater State Hospital, Paul Dever State School, Plymouth and the area office in Norton, works with special education and students who need psychological counseling and assistance. This includes children with high intelligence with low performance.   His students are generally well behaved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gary Halgunseth: From Taunton DMR/DMH to Rota, Spain

Nutrition and Physical Activity

Positive Factors

v      Both Peggy and her office are welcoming and friendly, with easily available, attractive resources on nutrition and physical activity.

v      She sets a fine example in healthy living through nutrition and physical fitness by always working out with students.

v      Health screenings inform parents of their children’s weights, BMI, school programs, ideas and recommendations.

v      Fitness classes for staff

v      Dance aerobics class

v      A Synchronized Dance Aerobics Team introduced girls to fitness. The community and school enjoyed their performances.

v      The administration is supportive and publishes health and fitness information. It is available in staff lounges.

v      Yearly health fair focuses on balancing the body for life. A fun run was held during lunch.

v      “Fit and Fun” was a 3-4 week summer session for ages 6-13, on how fun fitness can be.

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

   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 by a comfortable couch, for students to enjoy. She has also created an illustrated binder to peak interest in nutrition, fitness, and other topics relating to good health.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teachers Work Along With Students at a Saturday Fundraiser

   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, parents not knowing where children are and who their friends are, 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. This causes a separatism gap.)

   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 6th graders into middle school, from the older system of elementary school, buts them in with 8th graders. In spite of this, teen pregnancy is not a big problem, because students of 15 are able to seek contraception on the base or community or at the teen center.

Positive Factors

Students are part of a larger society in which there is less teen dating violence, racism or gangs.

Minor conflicts are mostly verbal.

Teen pregnancy is low.

School classes are small, allowing teachers to know the students and their issues – they’re not as likely to fall between the cracks.

Attachment: There is a strong sense of community

An excellent youth services center near the school, where students may go during lunch or after school, for video games, snacks, activities, basketball and special trips.

A school-based AOD prevention / treatment program

   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.                               §