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"Salute to Health" helps you eat better and exercise more. January 2004 issue is available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Inside This Issue:
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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, No10 October 2003
COMMUNITY COUNSELING OF BRISTOL COUNTY RECEIVES OJJDP GRANT FOR GATHER PROJECT
GATHER and GTHHSC, along with Middleboro Youth Advocates, are pleased to announce the award of $99,648.50, for a Drug-Free Communities Support Program, Project YELL (Youth Endorsing Legal Lifestyles). Funding comes from the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Project YELL is designed to comply with the national drug control strategy and the goals of the drug-free communities program, which is to reduce substance abuse, including underage use of alcohol and tobacco. Funds will be utilized to raise awareness of the issues of substance use among area youth. It will also strengthen the collaboration and involvement of community and interagency cooperation in seven targeted communities (Dighton, Lakeville, Middleboro, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk and Taunton). The one-year grant will be utilized to perform a needs assessment to address perception of risk/harm and disapproval of use of substances by area youth, in the development of a social norms marketing campaign. The project began with a seed grant from the Bristol County Savings Bank Charitable Foundation. The OJJDP grant will also address a combination of environmental strategies that include policy, enforcement, attachment and access, within these targeted communities, to positively affect the area’s youth.
For more information, contact coalition coordinator, Lorraine Rosa, at 508-823-4822. ♫
On August 11, 2003, an “open letter” was e-mailed to city officials and the local media. It set a plan in motion to coordinate a campaign to heighten awareness that violence in any form is unacceptable.
The kick-off event was held 10/6/03, 12:30-1:30, at the First Parish Church. This coincides with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s annual Day of Unity. There was also a late afternoon candlelight vigil, followed by a presentation at St. John’s Parish Hall.
It is the hope of the Southeastern Massachusetts Voices Against Violence Committee to “paint the town” with purple ribbons, host several activities within the local community and bring it all to a close on 10/25/03, National Make a Difference Day, with a display of the Clothesline Project, thanks to New Hope, Inc. For more information, please contact Annemarie Matulis at matulisannie@msn.com. ♥
USEFUL HEALTH ACCESS WEB RESOURCES
Code |
Resource |
Telephone |
Web Link |
Advocacy |
Health Care for All |
1-800-272-4232 |
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Free Care/Uncompensated Care Pool |
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Statewide Independent Living Coalition (SILC) |
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MA Human Services Coalition |
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National Health Care for the Homeless |
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Health Resources |
Citizens Health |
1-800-563-5479 |
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Dentistry for All |
1-800-342-8747 |
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Vision USA |
1-978-458-6211 |
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Discount Drugs of Canada |
1-866-653-7847 |
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MassHealth Customer Service |
1-800-841-2900 |
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MassHealth Enrollment Center |
1-888-665-9993 |
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Mayor's Health Line |
1-617-534-5050 |
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CommonHealth Employment Connection |
1-866-698-6901 |
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MA Community Health Centers |
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Employment Resources |
MA Rehab. Commission |
1-800-245-6543 |
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One-Stop Career Centers |
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CommonHealth Employment Connection |
1-866-698-6901 |
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Benefits Planning Outreach Assistance |
MRC Project IMPACT |
1-800-734-7475 |
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BenePLAN |
1-877-937-9675 |
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Dept. of Veterans Affairs |
1-800-827-1000 |
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Veterans Services Commission |
1-617-635-3026 |
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GRANTS AND RESOURCES ON-LINE
GrantsAlert helps nonprofits, especially those involved in education, to secure the funds they need to continue their important work. www.grantsalert.com/
SchoolGrants has compiled a set of grant writing tips for those that need help in developing grant proposals. www.schoolgrants.org/grant_tips.htm
School Grants – A collection of resources and tips to help K-12 educators apply for and obtain special grants for a variety of projects. www.schoolgrants.org
Free Activity Kit Available from CDC – A free activity kit is available to teachers and program leaders who work with youth. Kits includes an activity guide with ideas for taking part in the program, colorful action cards to use with kids that encourage fun-filled activities, posters, a letter to parents, and a reward card for kids who took an "extra hour for extra action" each week and increased their amount of physical activity. www.verbparents.com/ehea.php.
FastWEB is the largest online scholarship search available, with 600,000 scholarships representing over one billion in scholarship dollars. It provides students with accurate, regularly updated information on scholarships, grants, and fellowships suited to their goals and qualifications, all at no coast to the student. Students should be advised that FastWEB collects and sells student information (such as name, address, e-mail address, date of birth, gender, and country of citizenship) collected through their site. www.fastweb.com/
Federal Grants Website puts information about all grants in one place. www.grants.gov
Federal Resources for Educational Excellence – More than 30 Federal agencies formed a working group in 1997 to make hundreds of federally supported teaching and learning resources easier to find. The result of that work is the Free website. www.ed.gov/free/
Fundsnet Online Services – A comprehensive website dedicated to providing nonprofit organizations, colleges, and Universities with information on financial resources available on the Internet. www.fundsnetservices.com/
eSchool News School Funding Center – Information on up-to-the-minute grant programs, funding sources, and technology funding. www.eschoolnews.com/resources/funding/
Bureau of Justice Statistics has statistics about crime & victims, law enforcement, prosecution, federal justice system, criminal offenders, courts & sentencing, special topics (drugs & crime, homicide trends, firearms & crime, reentry trends, international statistics), corrections, expenditure & employment, and criminal record systems. www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/
Philanthropy News Digest – A weekly news service of the Foundation Center, is a compendium, in digest form, of philanthropy-related articles and features culled from print and electronic media outlets nationwide. http://fnbcenter.org/pnd/
GATHER HONORS FLORENCE SEIDELL
Over 25 individuals attended GATHER’s Annual Meeting on 9/22/03, 3:00-4:30, at the Margaret Stone Conference Room at Morton Hospital and Medical Center. Ian Bain, Massachusetts Department of Public Health GATHER liaison, welcomed attendees and special guest, Florence Seidell.
During Florence’s time at the Brockton Prevention Center, now the Southeastern Massachusetts Center for Healthy Communities, she was instrumental in shaping Community Health Network Area (CHNA #24), GATHER, as a community driven group, through commitment and effort. Some expressions of appreciation are as follows:
· Thank you for mentoring me. Your mind is organized and logical, making you a good teacher (Lorraine)
· Thank you for your patience in the struggle against change during the merging journey. Because you were at the meetings, we knew we’d move somewhere. The Parents Making a Difference training continues as “Families That Care” (Deb)
· Thank you for your focus, drive, commitment and organizational skills (Doug)
· The Greater Taunton Health & Human Services Coalition thanks you (Rich)
Florence was touched that the group continues to come together, working collectively toward specific goals. She is currently organizing to bring about local change in her home communities of Ashland and Framingham. Deb Brown presented her with a Prosperity Fountain.
Substance Abuse Committee recapped the receipt of the $100,000 MassCall grant for science based, research driven work. The Prevention Center brought staff training. Substance abuse prevention services continue through after school programs. Ongoing programs such as community drug education and the Community Crisis Intervention Team trainings have grown out of annual substance abuse roundtables. The Committee is also working on an environmental strategies campaign to reduce underage drinking. A Bristol County Savings Bank grant funding was received. (Update: An OJJDP grant was recently awarded to continue this work. See p.1)
Domestic Violence/Violence Prevention Committee had a quiet year with the continuation of programs. The Safe Families, Safe Pets Grant is ongoing, and Bullying & Harassment Prevention education continues with the Teen Dating Violence grant. The Retail Project provides referral information posted in the restrooms of various business and other public locations. The grassroots Southeastern Massachusetts Voices Against Violence, plans to reach 1,000 residents with domestic violence awareness information during October. (See p.1). The GATHER Committee seeks funding for a website with links to services in the 13 GATHER communities. The Committee works closely with New Hope, and welcomes new members.
For information, contact Lorraine Rosa at 508-823-4822.♣
COALITION/COMMITTEE MINUTES
Discussion Highlights:
Voices Against Violence – Annemarie Matulis, chairperson of Southeastern Massachusetts “Voices Against
Violence” was impacted by the Clothesline project display held in Taunton in 1998, and wanted to address victims’
next steps. She has developed a brochure for October 2003: “From the Clothesline of Tears to Hope”, in which she
tells her story. She has a long-term goal of providing trainings on “starting your life over”. Suggested resources
include DTA’s “Skill start”, school cable, the Taunton Green electronic sign, and a closer relationship with the local
police, with data sharing. For more information or to volunteer, please call Annemarie at 508-824-3227.
National Make a Difference Day Celebration will be held 10/25/03, 1:00-4:00 pm, on Taunton Green. The
Clothesline Project will be displayed on the grounds of the First Parish Church, Church Green.
October is DV Awareness Month – In addition to the Advocate article, the above project, and the October 6 &
7 Day of Unity activities, local schools will host white and purples ribbons campaigns for student awareness of
violence against women, and domestic violence.
Substance Abuse Roundtable is exploring a domestic violence connection.
Next Steps:
Map out plans for FY04 at October meeting
Next Meeting: 10/16/03, 3:15, Associates for Human Services
Contact Person: Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822
Discussion Highlights:
Substance Abuse Roundtable – Topic suggestions included the following:
· Legislative Roundtable
· Co-occurring Disorders (There are gaps in services, but services do still exist, such as only half as many detox beds. Look at expected outcomes.)
· Current Prevention Methods
· SA/Domestic Violence (DV) Link – GATHER’s active DV Committee, probation, courts, colleges, and youth would be welcome collaborators. SA is often linked to violence in families. Teen dating could be a youth component, as well as building healthier relationships, and not making alcohol an excuse for violence. A calendar of trainings could be an outcome.
Changing Norms – Bullying continues in schools. The “Open circle” program focuses on relationships. A large percentage of students do not feel safe in school, most of the time. Younger drug users deprive themselves of life experiences. An American Drug and Alcohol survey that increases grade level and number of participants, and does not require active parental permission, would yield excellent prevention data.
Community Drug Education Program – The next series of this first offenders program will be held 10/21/03, 10/28/03, and 11/4/03, 5:45-7:15, at the Community Corrections Center.
Chairpersonship – The Committee extended appreciation to Phil Shea for serving as Chairperson for the Committee. He asked that a new chair / co-chairs / rotating chairmanship be selected to carry on the work.
Next Step:
To call BCSB about using grant money to expand the ADA survey.
Next Meeting: 10/15/03, 3:00, High Point, 4 Court St.
Contact Person: Phil Shea, 508-824-7224.
Discussion Highlights:
Announcements:
· Welcome to a new season at the GTHHSC.
· Pathways to Hope radio show is broadcast 9:00-10:00 a.m., on WPEP, 1570. Dan LeBrun welcomes agencies
to be featured.
· Community Health and Wellness main work is obesity prevention. Included health issues are cardiovascular,
oral, health access, breast cancer, the Friedman clinic, and the Galligan Project.
· Emergency Task Force – (See minutes, p.7.)
· Healthy Families operating and taking referrals. Call Nancy at 508-828-5805. The Advisory Board is being
established, and will meet in October.
· Domestic Violence – Annemarie Matulis is promoting October DV awareness. (See article, p.1)
· Multicultural Committee – A booklet featuring what makes local students proud of their ethnic group has been
drafted.
· Child & Family Focus Committee has submitted proposals for funding of a trilingual insert on obesity prevention,
to Harvard Pilgrim and Bristol County Savings Bank.
· Galligan Project – Activities with the best turnouts are those focusing on families.
· AIDS Education Awareness & Treatment – In 2002, no babies were born from HIV+ (down from over 300),
but the number of infections increased.
· Associates for Human Services is holding a spaghetti supper (See Did you know that…) and is selling a
fundraising calendar. They are looking for new members for their Policy Committee.
Bridgewater State College grant partnership program provides interns for projects. Placements may be referred
to David Bachrach.
Obesity, Physical Fitness – There are currently three local groups working on this topic: Community Health &
Wellness, Child & Family Focus Committee, and a Taunton High School group. Closer collaboration is sought.
Safety Issues:
Increase in Falls – This summer saw an increase in children falling from windows. Parents often don’t realize how
fragile screens are when children push against them. Housing restrictions often forbid the installation of certain
window guards in apartments. Others are easily removable in case of fire. An education campaign, in conjunction
with HUD, would be a good CFFC topic for the Spring. Ideas included public safety messages on the green,
information for pediatricians and birthing hospitals, and the inclusion of the benefits of gates at the top of stairs to
avoid injury. With the Community reinvestment act, distressed areas such as housing projects can be targeted for
distribution of gates and education.
Children Left in Cars ended in tragedy in an increased number of cases this summer. There are already laws in
place, and DSS has a “not even for a minute” educational promotion. Messages could be posted on the green, with
pediatricians, birthing hospitals, and at convenience stores.
Electronic Sign – The electronic sign on the Green is a useful resource for public safety and community function,
but it is in danger of removal. The Coalition supports the composition of a letter to the Mayor, Police Chief, and City
Council President concerning its usefulness. The letter should include Coalition support and size of membership.
Sustainability – The budget stands at approximately $2,200.
Teen Challenge Fund – Taunton was not eligible for funding because the teen birth rate declined. Teen Topics
should be kept going, perhaps through another grant, that shows the success and impact of the program. Funding
could be a bridge to keep one element of pregnancy prevention.
Speaker: Tina Leahy, Paralegal, New Center for Legal Advocacy. Food Stamps.
NCLA received advocacy money to screen everyone that calls, for food stamps eligibility. Working families are
among those who qualify. Clients are given information packages and applications. Social Security will start a pilot
project with the Department of Transitional Assistance, so all SSI recipients receive food stamps. Food stamp
recipients also receive free school lunch and breakfast, summer lunches, a phone service lifeline discount, and utility
discounts on gas and electric. The form is simpler, and reported changes can increase benefits. Clients may call
NCLA for assistance if they have an appellate or application process, or if they need representation with loss of
food stamps. For food stamp information, see www.gettingfoodstamps.org.
Next Steps:
To contact the High School Nutrition Committee for increased collaboration, and a presentation of focus and
accomplishments.
To include the safety issues in the CFFC for Spring.
To compose a letter of Coalition support of the electronic sign on the Green, to be finalized at the October meeting.
To discuss the utilization of student interns.
To look at costs and a 501c3 for teen topics.
Next Meeting; 10/21/03, 9:00, Associates for Human Services
Contact Person: Richard McMahon, 508-979-7160, x3010.
Discussion Highlights:
Obesity Prevention Components:
· Media Campaign – Education campaigns are already available through UMass Extension newsletters and the
5-a-day campaign. These are science based, and shown to be effective.
· School Food Environment – Parents could be surveyed on five simple questions, such as “I read the
newsletter, My kids eat more fruit”. An evaluation tool is part of the program design. Resources may include free
school cable, monthly school calendars and “send home” day information. The 3rd grade focuses on breakfast and
snacks.
· Wellness Program focuses on moving. Schools can be used to disseminate information through before and
after school programs, in addition to the school day. The CFFC could work with the Nutrition subcommittee to build
on what they have already done.
Next Meeting: 10/21/03, 10:15, Associates for Human Services.
Contact Person: Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822.
Discussion Highlights:
Announcements:
Dr. Jean McGuire, Director, HIV/AIDS Bureau, will resign at the end of October, and has taken a teaching position
at Northeastern University.
Lead Agency Report:
· Case Manager’s Position – Final interviews were held 9/16/03
· Water damage is responsible for ongoing office repairs.
· RFR – The next Consortium funding RFR is expected in Fall of 2004.
· Dr. Coakley, Virologist, New England Medical Center, did a presentation to staff.
· In August, there were two new clients, and one client death.
· New Resource Guides are available at the office.
Nomination of Officers were accepted unanimously.
Next Meeting: 11/12/03, 9:00, Morton Cafe Annex.
Contact Person:
Monica Antunes, 508-884-8264.
Discussion Highlights:
Criminal Justice Committee – Kim Ashcroft, District Court, chairs the Criminal Justice Committee.
Treatment and Prevention – The fifth Community Drug Education Series will be held on 10/21, 10/28, and 11/4, at the Community Correction Center. Committee members have submitted proposals for substance abuse prevention services.
Education Committee – There is concern about the increase in school age drug use. Martin School held a training for faculty, regarding school safety and the role of the bystander. Another training on how to handle violent occurrences in the schools, will be held with school administrators.
Neighborhood Revitalization will be seeking funding for youth programs for next year.
Abandoned Buildings – A lottery was held for first time homebuyers. The family has been working on the property. Another property is sought for rehabilitation.
Crisis Intervention Team – A training will be scheduled in November for surrounding towns.
Program Update – “Prism”, a SerJobs program, will provide education and employment for 10 months, for 18-24 year olds who do not have a high school diploma or a GED, are not in school and are unemployed. They are accepting referrals. DHS received a Jobs for Youth grant of $12,000. Discussion occurred regarding increasing violence at Fairfax Gardens.
Next Steps:
Committee chairpersons will meet to discuss concerns at Fairfax Gardens.
Next Meeting: 10/22/03, 8:00, Taunton High School.
Contact Person: Robert Cammarata, 508-821-1420.
Discussion Highlights:
Agency Sharing:
· Catholic Social Services see people in the Taunton office, as needed, and assist people with back rent.
· Early Head Start is selling calendars for fund raising. They are also taking applications to the program.
· Head Start has a new center at the South School in Raynham.
· Citizens for Citizens (CFC)- Fuel assistance applications are being taken. The program begins 11/1/03. Operation Christmas applications will be available 11/1/03. Free bread is available on Tuesdays. They also have FEMA food vouchers and utility money. In addition, the ETF has donated money to CFC to purchase food vouchers for agencies to access as needed, for clients. Call Deb for more information.
· St. Vincent de Paul – Dick Vincent will be president for a year.
· Our Daily Bread – Numbers served were stable over the summer.
· Samaritan House – Gail Walker is Director. It has been taken over by Catholic Social Services.
· Healthy Families Young Parent Program is still taking applications for teen parents, though only 1/3 its former size.
· Department of Human Services – Contact Mary Ann at 508-821-1425 for the senior tax program. Jobs for Youth is still running. FEMA money is available for rental assistance.
Next Meeting: 11/4/03, 9:30, TEMA Office.
Contact Person:
Millie Burrows, 508-880-0202.
Did You Know That…?
Morton Hospital & Medical Center Health Matters offerings include the following: Shiatsu Massage Therapy, 10/20/03; The
Facts on Botox, 10/30/03; Diabetes Education: Know Your Nutrition, 11/4/03; Look Good, Feel Better, 11/10/03. All are held
at 6:30 p.m., Margaret Stone Conference Room, Morton Hospital & Medical Center, and are free. Registration is required at
508-828-7777.
According to American Cancer Society Statistics, every three minutes, a woman in the United States learns she has breast
cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women ages 40-55
· Some 211,300 U.S. women will develop breast cancer this year, and some 40,200 U.S. women will die from the disease 2003
· In Massachusetts, 4,700 women will develop breast cancer this year. Some 900 Massachusetts women will die from it in 2003
· Since “Making Strides” began in 1993, the MA breast cancer death rate has dropped 20%
SYNERGY will be held 11/21/03, 9:00-2:00, at the Plymouth Raddison. $25. Please save the date.
Family Peacemaking Across the LifeSpan – The 3rd Annual Family Nonviolence Conference, will be held 10/24/03, 8:30-3:30,
at Bristol Community College, Fall River. For information, call 508-996-1100.
Preparing for the Drug-Free Years, a four session workshop for parents of children in grades 4-8, exploring risk factors
connected with teen drug use, skills and factors to reduce risks, will be held Wednesdays, 10/8/03-10/29/03, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at
Friedman Middle School. For information and registration, call 508-828-7777.
9th Annual Spaghetti Supper & Raffle will be held 10/17/03, 5:00 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Church Hall, Dighton. Prices are $6.00
for adults, and $4.00 for seniors and children. Those under 4 eat free. Proceeds benefit children, adults and seniors supported by
Associates for Human Services programs. For information, please call 508-880-0202.
The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools is gathering information from front-line school professionals on what is happening concerning nutrition, physical exercise, and obesity prevention at their schools. They will post a summary of responses at
http://www.healthinschools.org/obesitysurvey.asp
A View From All Sides Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Parenting Education will be held 11/3/03, 8:15-3:45, Best Western
Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlboro, MA.
Exercise Benefit - Small-business owners who make time for regular exercise do better at business, a recent study found. Daily
exercisers were 14% more likely to say they had achieved their economic goals as those who never exercised.
MSNBC/Associated Press (9/29)
Diabetes rates in the U.S. rose 27%, between 1997 and 2002, attributable in large part to increasing obesity rates nationwide
and a lack of adequate physical exercise. Despite that increase, life expectancy rates have risen to 77.2 years. MSNBC/Reuters
(10/6)
FUNDING RESOURCES
(*All amounts are approximate and may be based on past giving records.)
Agency/Program: Children & Youth Hasbro Foundation |
$ Available*:
$500-$35,000 |
Deadline:
Rolling |
Contact:
212-713-7654 |
Corporate Support NikeGo Grants Dollar General Grants |
Varies Varies |
Open Varies |
800-344-6453 |
Education Dunn Foundation |
View Finders Too curriculum |
Open |
401-941-4009 |
Foundation Profiles Annenberg Foundation |
Varies |
Open |
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Technology USA Citylink Floppies for Kiddies |
Product donations |
Open |
504-898-2158 |
OCTOBER 2003
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10/15/03, 9:00 |
GTHHSC Community Health Education & Wellness. Smith Conference Room. Morton Hospital
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10/15/03, 3:00 |
GTHHSC/GATHER Substance Abuse Committee. High Point, Crocker Bldg, 4 Court St.
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10/16/03, 3:15 |
GATHER Domestic Violence/Violence Prevention Committee. AHS, 29 Broadway, 3rd floor
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10/21/03, 9:00 |
Greater Taunton Health & Human Services Coalition. AHS, 29 Broadway, 3rd floor
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10/21/03, 10:15 |
GTHHSC Child & Family Focus Committee. AHS, 29 Broadway, 3rd floor
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10/22/03, 8:00 |
Safe Neighborhood Initiative. Taunton High School
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11/4/03, 9:30 |
Taunton Emergency Task Force. TEMA Office, City Hall
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11/12/03, 9:00 |
Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. Morton Hospital Café Annex. |
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