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Inside This Issue:
THE ADVOCATE
The Newsletter of the Greater Taunton Health & Human Service Coalition (GTHHSC) and the Greater Attleboro Taunton Health & Education Response (GATHER)
Volume XII, No.10 October 2002
The New Center for Legal Advocacy, Inc.
The New Center for Legal Advocacy, Inc. (NCLA), a full-service poverty law firm, has received federal Legal Services Corporation funding since 1997. NCLA’s fundamental mission is to provide meaningful access to justice for the poor through the provision of quality civil legal services.
NCLA, through its centralized intake system, is the initial point of access for most applicants for legal services throughout Bristol County and the Greater Brockton area of Plymouth County. NCLA provides direct representation and advice for thousands of individuals every year as well as referring hundreds of cases for pro bono assistance by the private bar.
NCLA receives in excess of 3000 applications for legal assistance each year from eligible poor persons from throughout the Southeastern Massachusetts region. Areas of priority include: family law cases with a focus on domestic violence, housing issues with a focus on evictions from public housing and/or foreclosures, public benefits issues including state and federal welfare programs, and consumer actions primarily including bankruptcy actions.
NCLA regularly participates in all local bar association activities, resulting in successful affiliations with the Plymouth County Bar Association and the Bristol County Bar Association. Among bar achievements include operation of pro se clinics in both counties and the nomination and appointment of NCLA Director McMahon to the SJC’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono by the Bristol Bar. NCLA also serves on the Southeast Region Bench/Bar Committee of the Probate & Family Court, The Bristol County Domestic Violence Roundtable, The Greater Taunton Health & Human Services Coalition (GTHHSC), Massachusetts Department of Public Health Community Health Network Areas (which includes GATHER), The Greater Attleboro/Taunton Coalition on Homelessness, and the Taunton AIDS Consortium. NCLA has just recently been invited to join SAFEPLAN as a Board member for Bristol County. NCLA also participates in national programs focusing on legal services to the poor with the federal Legal Services Corporation and the National Legal Aids & Defender Association.
Other achievements include the receipt of continued funding from LSC for multiple-year periods, establishment of the NCLA/Bristol County Bar Association Annual Pro Bono Award and the operation of NCLA’s Private Attorney Involvement Program (PAI).
NCLA is a private, non-profit corporation with a six-person Board of Directors consisting of four attorneys (appointed by local bar associations) and two client-eligible members. All Board members are volunteers. NCLA has a total staff of 10: Executive Director, three staff attorneys, four paralegals, PAI Coordinator, and one secretary.
NCLA seeks to provide greater access for more applicants through innovative programs presented jointly with the pro bono assistance of the private bar. NCLA’s Private Attorney Involvement Project has successfully instituted, with the cooperation of local bar associations and the courts, several pro se programs, bankruptcy/debt counseling clinics as well as referrals of cases for full representation. NCLA’s programs also include a student practice clinic for law students from the Southern New England School of Law. Approximately 150 volunteer attorneys cooperate with NCLA annually. ♣
Three Things Every Woman Should Know About the Early
Detection of Breast Cancer
(From American Cancer Society)
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast Cancer is the most common form of cancer
among American women, excluding skin cancer. Breast cancer accounts for 30% of all cancers in women. In 2002,
an estimated 203,500 new cases will be diagnosed in the United States and over 40,000 women will die from the
disease. In Massachusetts alone, over 4,700 women will be diagnosed and 900 women will die in 2002. During
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Cancer Society continues to educate all
women about guidelines for prevention and early detection.
Although there is currently no way to eliminate all risk of breast cancer, a woman can reduce certain modifiable
risk factors. To reduce these controllable factors, women should be physically active, consume a healthful diet,
reduce alcohol intake, maintain a healthy body weight, and not smoke.
There is not yet a way to prevent breast cancer, but early detection greatly improves treatment options, the
chance for successful treatments, and survival. The American Cancer Society’s three guidelines for the early
detection of breast cancer include mammography, clinical breast examination, and breast self-examination.
Mammography
Women aged 40 and over should get annual mammograms. For information on free mammograms, please call
1-800-ACS-2345.
Clinical Breast Exam
All women 40 and over should get this exam annually, while women aged 20-39 should get an exam every 3 years.
Breast Self-Exam
All women over the age of 20 should perform self-exams on a monthly basis.
For more information about local resources and support programs regarding breast cancer, call 1-800-ACS-2345,
or log on to www.cancer.org ¨
FUNDING RESOURCES
(*All amounts are approximate and may be based on past giving records.)
Agency/Program: Corporate Support Best Buy Children’s Foundation |
$ Available*:
$2,000-$10,000 |
Deadline:
11/15/02 |
Contact:
952-947-2650 |
Education Teaching Tolerance Grants
|
Up to $2,000
|
Open
|
www.tolerance.org/teach/expand/gra |
Foundation Profiles Joyce Foundation Cultural Grants |
Varies
|
12/10/02
|
312-782-2464 |
COALITION/COMMITTEE MINUTES
Discussion Highlights:
Overview of Taunton’s September Crisis Intervention Workshop:
· Goal – To form a group tight network of professionals caring for the psychiatric needs of the community.
· Strengths – The audience will hear that the strength of this community is the relationships between police, the hospital, DMH and others. This conference increases networking, adding to the cohesiveness of the community around this issue.
· Attendance – Response has been excellent. Attendance is near the cap, with one or two slots have been saved.
· Information Packets - Please send any materials you want included to Kathy Lalor. Current newspaper articles and index cards for attendees’ questions will also be included in the 40-50 packets.
· Materials – A table and screen are needed at Benjamin’s for the PowerPoint presentation.
· Index Cards – Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions through submission of index cards. These will include name, telephone number and topic for questions. This way, individuals whose questions are not addressed at the final question and answer period may be phoned at a later time with the answers.
· Welcome – During this time, thanks will be given to Debbie for her work and Pfizer for their sponsorship. A tie in will be made in the use of medication during the Treatment and Mental Illness section.
· Question and Answer Period – During coffee/dessert time, presenters will collect and select questions from submitted index cards for discussion.
Community Commitment – It is the hope of this group that more people (police, court, nurses, DMH, DMR, local health care agencies, etc) will commit to participation.
Emergency Room Procedures – Greater networking leads to the establishment of procedures for non-violent, psychiatric individuals without a medical history, coming directly to Norton. This may be based on Maryland’s model, with a local group working out the details.
Confidentiality Information Sharing from the Criminal Justice/Mental Health Consensus Project lists recommendations for developing protocols to ensure that criminal justice and mental health partners share mental health information without infringing on individual’s civil liberties.
Grant – DMH has applied for a grant, and if received could assist in the development of the CIT.
Co-Chairmanship – Congratulations to Mike Bonenfant and Steve Turner for their co-chairmanship of this group. Kathy Lalor will remain as coordinator.
Next Step:
To come up with a name for this committee
Next Meeting: 10/15/02, 8:30, 18 Broadway (Probation)
Contact Person: Kathy Lalor, 508-823-9416
Discussion Highlights:
Community Drug Education – The next series will be held 11/12, 11/19 and 11/26/02. As it stands, CDE is targeted to first offenders, and would need revision before being offered in a prison setting. Currently, AdCare provides inmate substance abuse programs at the Dartmouth facility.
Provider Presentations to inmates, through the prison’s reintegration classes would give a “face” to programs local to the community into which inmates will be released. The prison can be given a list of appropriate individuals to be integrated into the curriculum, geographically and clinically based, and geared to specific needs. Agencies would find it helpful to know who will be released, and what their specific needs are.
Re-entry Specialists interview inmates 6 months before release. They let them know about the Community Resource Center offerings, and even offer to meet them there upon release. These specialists know who is ready for release, and can save inmates steps by becoming familiar with local providers, and sharing names and agencies with the inmate, for contact within the first critical 48 hours of release. It was suggested that an informational workshop, in the Taunton area be offered to all re-entry specialists statewide. Does the Committee think this is a good idea? Please Call Lorraine at 508-823-4822 with your thoughts.
Information Sharing and Confidentiality – A look at consent forms from the various agencies will shed light on how to more affectively share information, while respecting client confidentiality. HIPPA is currently looking at this issue, and will adopt whichever standard is highest. The Criminal Justice/Mental Health Consensus Project is looking at sharing mental health information. Will the information flow both ways? An appropriately worded, time limited, consent form, in which “other” is checked and “crime record” written, signed by a client, can provide access to the official version of a crime. This may be picked up from the Probation Officer.
Next Steps:
Contact Marcy Haaland about the feasibility of provider presentations as part of the prison’s reintegration classes
Compile a list of all re-entry specialists
Call Lorraine with your thoughts on suggestion under “Re-entry Specialists” (508-823-4822)
Bring information on your agencies’ consent forms and confidentiality regulations
Next Meeting: 11/1/02, 9:00, 18 Broadway, Taunton
Contact Person:
Jim Ross, 508-823-9416
Discussion Highlights:
Retail Project – Outreach posters with the New Hope hotline number have been displayed both in English and Spanish, at the YMCA, one Duncan Donuts, Highland Hills Apartments, the Comfort Station, two Trucci’s and one Shaws. The Committee will also offer posters to GATHER area school departments.
Mentors in Violence Prevention will expand to interested area high schools.
Family Non-Violence Conference will be held 10/25/02, 8:30-3:30, at Bristol Community College, Fall River, MA. The Committee will send representation.
Safe Families, Safe Pets Project - A small group will look at confidentiality and liability issues with pets, interim v
olunteers to hold pets while awaiting shelter, acquisition of holding cages, utilization statistics and funding for
veterinarian bills, immunizations and spaying/neutering.
October is Domestic Violence Month – TMLP mailings of purple GATHER Domestic Violence flyers have
been received throughout the area. Other possibilities discussed were a mailing to area churches, advertising of area
Clothesline Project displays and the hotline number, city council proclamations and additional Clothesline displays.
Jane Doe and Safe Havens are presenting an Interfaith Memorial Service for DV Homicide Victims on 10/17/02,
4:30-6:00, at the Fountain by the Park Street T stop on Boston Common.
Chairmanship – The Committee will look at filling the chairmanship position. Appreciation is extended to Anne
Kotch and Deb Brown for their co-chairing of the Committee.
Outreach to GATHER school departments with posters.
Contact the Attorney General’s Office about their upcoming conference (Update: The AG’s Office will tape the conference for possible future in house and community use.)
Set up a meeting of Safe Families, Safe Pets.
Next Meeting: 10/23/02, 9:30, THS Library Classroom
Contact Person: Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822
Discussion Highlights:
Congratulations - Shannon has received the statewide Youth Leadership for Substance Abuse Prevention award.
Budget Cuts:
· CCBC tobacco cessation closed in August.
· Taunton’s Elementary schools have lost their health teachers.
· Safe and Drug Free Schools grants funding is reduced, and currently supports prevention.
School Drug Policies – The Committee has collected drug policies from several GATHER area schools systems,
and wishes to be a resource to an area school system in the development of a school drug policy. Peer leadership,
SADD and input from others would be desirable.
SARTVIII – The Committee discussed possible topics for the next Substance Abuse Roundtable. A small gathering
summarizing the first seven events, along with where we have been, what we covered, gaps, the impact of budget
cuts on the community, and a look at accomplishments was suggested. A booklet can reflect what has worked in the
past. Potential dates include March 13, 20 or 27, 2003. Other topics: trauma and pressure, children whose parents
have addiction problems, suicide.
Community Drug Education Series – The next series will be held 11/12, 19 and 26, 6:00 p.m., Community
Corrections.
Next Steps:
To look at school drug policies (smaller subcommittee)
To set up a SARTVIII planning committee
Next Meeting: 10/23/02, 3:00, CCBC, 63 Winthrop St.
Contact Person: Phil Shea, 508-824-7224
Discussion Highlights:
Multicultural Committee – Ryan Pickerell, CCBC, is the new contact person for this committee. (508-828-9116)
Sustainability – The budget is below $3,000. An Ad-Hoc Committee was established for short term sustainability for telephoning members who have not submitted dues at this time. A grant writing committee was also established. Anyone willing to help in this capacity may call Lorraine Rosa at 508-823-4822.
Presentation: New Center for Legal Advocacy (NCLA) – When you are in need of civil legal assistance and cannot afford a lawyer, you may call NCLA. Legal services include direct representation, referrals to other legal services programs, referrals to private attorneys, counsel and advice, and clinic presentations. Typical areas of the law in which representation or referral are provided include family law (primarily domestic violence cases), housing, public benefits and bankruptcy. Many times they can help with legal problems not within one of these areas. Eligibility can be determined through application by telephone at 1-800-244-9023, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday. (See Cover article)
Announcements:
· A.H.S. Spaghetti Supper & Raffle will be held 10/18/02, 5:00 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Church Hall, Spring St., Dighton. Please call 508-880-0202 for tickets or information.
· Heart Healthy Pilot program begins tonight at Galligan School.
· 1-800-trytostop is a clearinghouse for all tobacco programs
· Smoking cessation continues in Mansfield and Citizens for Citizens
· Congratulations to Terri Sullivan on the birth of her daughter
· There are 5 Americorp slots left for students looking forward to a health profession
· The Coalition desires information on current parent programs
· Karen Lee Roberts was recognized for her good work with TRY.
Next Steps:
Coalition members will call newsletter recipients for dues
A Grant Writing Committee will meet next week to begin applications
The MassCall award plaque will be transferred to the school department for the next 3-4 months.
Next Meeting: 10/15/02, 9:00, A.H.S. Community Room, 3rd floor.
Contact Person:
Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822
Discussion Highlights:
Goals:
· A resource guide to include services and school programs, would be helpful for parents of children ages 0-6.
· A method of coordinating area parenting class opportunities, and informing parents of availability through the
United Way, the Gazette, cable access and other venues
Focus on Safety Issues:
· Falls from windows – Each year, many children die or are severely injured by a problem that can be corrected
with window guards, available for about $10 each.
· Infant/Child Car Seats – Free or discounted car seats are needed
Next Steps:
Contact area hospitals, police and the Department of Transportation for information on the distribution of infant/child
car seats
Contact area agencies for offerings of parent programs
Create a parenting program calendar insert in the Advocate newsletter
Contact potential October speakers
Explore funding opportunities
Next Meeting:
10/30/02, 10:00, A.H.S.
Contact Person:
Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822
Discussion Highlights:
Lead Agency Report – a.) The Annual Common Visions State Conference will not be held this year due to budget
cuts. A more focused event will be held later this year. b.) Possibilities of generic HIV brochures for disbursement
and joint trainings were discussed at the last Consortia Linkage meeting.
Fundraising/Awareness –Ideas for World AIDS Day in December were reviewed. Donations were made to the
Brockton AIDS Walk event.
YMCA Client Pass – Renewal of the pass(es), as well a Consumer Advisory Board donation of a one year pass
was offered.
Next Meeting:
11/13/02, 9:00, Morton Cafe Annex.
Contact Person:
Damar Aponte, 508-884-8264.
Discussion Highlights:
Criminal Justice Committee reported Juvenile Probation would not get more cups for drug testing due to budget cuts. Fast track list has 11 adults and 3 juveniles. The gang informational meetings continue. Cheryl Beauregard has been transferred to Fall River Juvenile office, but will continue to chair Criminal Justice and Gang Information meetings.
Neighborhood Revitalization The Mayor’s Office of Community Development will continue to fund similar programs, as well as work with several new housing initiatives.
Abandoned Buildings Program – Foreclosure proceedings have begun on the property at 15 Highland Street. Lottery process will begin for a family of 3 that are Taunton residents and low income. Pro-home is also offering a Post Purchase Home Buyer Seminar, which will include Fire and Safety and Theft protection, and a bi-lingual homebuyer/homeowner festival.
Taunton CARES – Neighborhood Watch meetings continue in Whittenton, Downtown and the Elderly Housing sites. Representatives of the Spanish Community are working with the CPOs at Fairfax Gardens to try to educate residents on the importance of these meetings.
Treatment and Prevention – The Department of Mental Health, Department of Human Services and CCBC submitted a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant which targets individuals with mental health issues involved in the court system. CCBC is supplying mental health service at the Community Corrections Center on a weekly basis. The Homeless Coalition recently submitted a proposal for McKinney Funding. The Coalition has received two million dollars from McKinney to date.
Youth Committee The Youth Council and Task Force has begun. A girls’ group has been running at Fairfax Gardens, serving girls ages 8-14 years of age. Karen Lee will be leaving her position as of 9/27/02. Katie Kelly has been hired as the new director of TRY.
Education Committee – The SNI welcomes Richard Gross to the group. This committee will continue to look at expanding middle and high school programs offered to youth during the essential after school hours. A crisis response meeting has been set to update the emergency protocol plan.
Program Update – A meeting was held with management of the Galleria Mall concerning a youth program. The mall has recently been purchased by General Growth Properties, which is an owner of some major malls across the nation. YMCA is in the process of developing a youth program and will approach the mall with a plan. The Jobs for Youth RFP will come out in late Fall, with funding available in January. The Community Policing Steering Committee met with Jose Torres concerning a Spanish-speaking officer at Fairfax Gardens. A meeting has been scheduled for tonight, with union representatives and the Spanish community.
Taunton Clergy Emergency Response Team – Clergy met with area agencies in May to discuss the response plan. The meeting proved to be a good introduction for agencies to provide networking and education. A meeting about the High School Disaster Plan will be held 10/29, 4:00. The group is working with CCBC to see if FEMA 9-11 funds can be used for cultural training on how to work with individuals of other cultures during a disaster.
Other – The Attorney General’s Office is holding a conference on Elder Abuse and Fraud at Buttonwood Park Education Center on Tuesday, 10/8/02, 8:15-11:35. Contact person is Patti Tapper, 508-990-9700, x105.
Next Meeting: 10/23/02, 8:00, T.H.S. Library Classroom.
Contact Person: Bob Cammarata, 508-821-1420
Did You Know That…?
Morton Hospital & Medical Center presents the following ongoing support groups: Alcoholics Anonymous, Thursdays, 8:30 p.m., Café Annex; Breast Cancer,1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 6 p.m., Smith Conference Room; Prostate Cancer, 4th Wednesday, 7 p.m., Smith Conference Room; Co-dependency, Fridays, 7:30 p.m., Café Annex; Fibromyalgia, 1st Wednesday, 1 p.m., Quinn Conference Room; Breastfeeding, Call for day and time, Pilgrim Room, Northwoods Medical Center; Diabetes, Type 1, 2nd Saturday (Type 2, 3rd Saturday, 8 a.m., Thayer Building.. For information, call 508-828-7777.
Child Trends DataBank is a user-friendly one-stop shop for continuously updated trend data with the latest national estimates for child, youth and family indicators. You may visit at www.childtrendsdatabank.org
8th Annual Spaghetti Supper & Raffle to benefit children, adults and seniors with developmental disabilities as well as families experiencing economic and educational disadvantages, will be held 10/18/02, 5:00 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Church Hall, Spring St., Dighton. $6 adults, $4 children and seniors, children 4 and under free. Presented by Associates for Human Services, Inc., 508-880-0202.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is hosting an open informational meeting of the services they offer the community on
10/22/02, 6:30 p.m., 184 Wapping Road, Kingston, MA. RSVP is required at 866-906-6233.
Family Service Association of Fall River’s Adult Family Care Program finds homes for participants who are eligible due to
physical or psychological need. Participants’ eligibility is dependent upon them receiving Standard MA Health. They must also
need assistance with daily living activities. We are especially searching for a few good people who will embrace a parent and
child who meet our eligibility requirements. Caregivers receive a tax-free monthly stipend of approximately $1000 for each adult
they care for and additional funds for each child. If you are interested in hosting a participant, contact us a 508-677-3822.
Social Security Administration’s website visitors are able to apply for benefits, use financial planners to calculate future needs
and get information on just about any Social Security topic. You too may log on to www.ssa.gov
A View From All Sides, Multidisciplinary perspectives on parenting education, will be held 11/4/02, 8:15-3:45, at the Best
Western Royal Plaza Hotel. Conference inquiries may be made at 508-400-1377.
Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling website may be accessed at www.masscompulsivegambling.org
Children’s Trust Fund of Massachusetts offers “Talking About Touching: A Personal Safety Curriculum” training. For
information on trainings and fees, call Kathy at 617-727-8957, x333.
The 2nd Annual Family Nonviolence Conference will be held 10/25/02, 8:30-3:30, at Bristol Community College, Fall River, MA.
$20. Please call 508-996-1100.
Population Reports, 2000 quotes that “Around the world, at least one woman in every three has been beaten, coerced into sex
or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Most often the abuser is her own family member.”
October 1, 9:30 Taunton Emergency Task Force. City Hall, Taunton.
October 3, 2:30 GATHER Steering Committee. New Hope Office, 39 Taunton Green, Taunton.
October 4, 1:00 SYNERGY. DPH Regional Office, 109 Rhode Island Rd., Lakeville
October 9, 9:00 Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. Morton Hospital Café Annex.
October 15, 8:30 Crisis Intervention Team Committee. Probation, 18 Broadway, Taunton
October 15, 9:00 GTHHSC Monthly Meeting. A.H.S., 29 Broadway, Taunton
October 22, 2:30 Domestic Violence Roundtable. 888 Purchase St., 5th floor, New Bedford.
October 23, 8:00 Safe Neighborhood Initiative. Taunton High School (THS) Library Annex.
October 23, 9:00 GTHHSC Community Health Education & Wellness. Morton Café Annex.
October 23, 9:30 GATHER Domestic Violence Committee. THS Library Annex.
October 23, 3:00 GTHHSC/GATHER Substance Abuse/Addictions Committee. 63 Winthrop St.
October 23, 4:30 Environmental Strategies Subcommittee. CCBC, 63 Winthrop St.
October 24, 1:00 GATRA Consumer Advisory Committee. Taunton GATRA office.
October 30, 10:00 GTHHSC Child & Family Focused Committee. A.H.S., Broadway, Taunton
November 1, 9:00 From Incarceration to Community Re-Entry. 18 Broadway.
Taunton Emergency Task Force.
November 12, 1:00 Greater Attleboro/Taunton Coalition on Homelessness. United Way, Attleboro.
November 13, 9:00 Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. Morton Hospital, Café Annex
This month’s Advocate was published by Lorraine Rosa, Coordinator, with funds from GATHER and GTHHSC dues. To submit an article, announcement or other information, please call (508) 823-4822, fax 508-823-8584, or write to GTHHSC, P.O.Box 2894, Taunton, MA. 02780, by October 25th. H