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"Salute to Health" helps you eat better and exercise more. It is available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Mulligan Center Fall 2004 Training Calendar: www.hcsm.org/ahectrainingscalendar.pdf
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Inside This Issue:
v Articles, p.1
v Autumn Safety, p.2
v Did You Know That…, p. 3,4
v Meeting Minutes, p. 4-9
v Calendar, p. 9
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.10 October 2004
GTHHSC RECEIVES $50,000 GOVERNOR’S SAFE AND DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES ACT GRANT
The Greater Taunton Health and Human Services Coalition has received a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety to implement Project TEAMS (Taunton Educating All Middle Schools). The GTHHSC Substance Abuse Prevention Committee will serve as the Advisory Council for the project, with Community Counseling of Bristol County (CCBC) providing the financial management.
Participation in science-based substance abuse prevention programs has been proven to reduce the onset and the incidence of use among youth. Youth who meet the criteria as “high risk” are especially in need of program involvement to enhance protective factors that can enable them to resist pressures to use substances. For this reason, Project TEAMS will use a dual approach with two science-based program delivery methods to fulfill two needs: the need for youth to participate in effective programming to prevent substance abuse, and the need to engage parents in an informative, useful approach to supporting their children in healthy and drug-free lifestyles in order to survey and challenge perceptions regarding substance use among youth.
Two science-based programs will be used: 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.
The Project ALERT curriculum takes a comprehensive approach to prevention of substance abuse, with programming for early adolescents to influence their behavior, and also incorporating efforts with parents and in the community to reduce the availability of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) among underage youth. It also has a social norms component to be complemented by Project YELL to assess and challenge perception of ATOD use among high school aged youth, as held by the middle school students.
Additionally, Project TEAMS will concurrently offer parenting programs using the science-based program, Families That Care – Guiding Good Choices (FTC-GGC), formerly Preparing for the Drug Free Years. Parents’ perceptions of use by youth, as well as their ability to impact it, will be collected in survey format and during the parenting workshops.
The goals of Project TEAMS are for participating students to be less likely to experiment with or use ATOD, and participating parents to be more likely to increase their communication and interaction with their children, to help reduce or prevent them from becoming harmfully involved with ATOD. An evaluation plan will be included.
For more information, contact Deb Brown, 508-821-1129. §
GTHHSC October Meeting
10/19/04, 9:00, Associates for Human Services
68 Allison Avenue, Taunton
Telephone: 508-880-0202
KEEP YOURSELF AND THOSE YOU LOVE SAFE THIS AUTUMN
Daylight Savings Time Ends On October 31:
Time to Change Your Batteries
(From the Department of Fire Services)
Have you ever forgotten to change your clock at the end of October, only to wonder why you’re the only one who showed up on time? That can be embarrassing, but it’s seldom tragic. Mark your calendar, and please remember to change your smoke detector batteries whenever you change your clock, both in the spring and autumn.
· When fire strikes, you may have less than one minute to safely get out of the building.
üHaving working smoke alarms can double your chances of survival if a fire occurs
üHome fire deaths have been cut in half since the early 1970s, when smoke alarms were first marketed
ü50% of the fire deaths that occur each year in the U.S. take place in the 5% of homes without smoke alarms
· Smoke alarms warn you of fire, and give you time to leave the building before your escape route is blocked by smoke, heat and toxic gases
· Special smoke alarms are available for the hearing impaired. They can be wired to a light, which flashes as an alarm, or as a vibrating alert unit under the pillow of the person who is asleep.
Plan and practice a home fire escape route:
Have two ways out of every room
Discuss the plan so each member of the family understands what to do in case of emergency
Choose a place outside the home where family members can meet to be sure everyone is safely out of the building.
EXERCISE CAUTION WITH PORTABLE GENERATORS THIS AUTUMN AND ALWAYS
(From U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Every year, people die in incidents related to portable generator use. Most incidents involve CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially enclosed spaces. Never run a portable generator indoors, including garages, basements and crawlspaces, and get to fresh air right away if you start to feel dizzy or weak. Carbon monoxide poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust is one of the primary hazards to avoid when using a generator, but did you know that electric shock or electrocution and fire are also possible? If you own, or are thinking about owning, a portable generator, please check out the tips provided at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/portgen.html or call 800-638-2772 for more information.
BACKPACK SAFETY
(From the American Academy of Pediatrics)
Backpacks that are too heavy or are worn incorrectly can injure muscles and joints, leading to severe back, neck, and shoulder pain, as well as posture problems. Be sure your son or daughter’s backpack has two wide, padded shoulder straps, a padded back, waist strap, and is lightweight. Rolling backpacks are also available.
To prevent injury, it should always be worn with both shoulder straps, tightened close to the body, about two inches above the waist. It should never weigh more than 10-20% of the student’s total body weight. The backpack should be organized to use all of its compartments, with the heavier items closest to the center of the back. Students may stop frequently at school lockers. Never bend at the waist when wearing or lifting a heavy backpack – bend using both knees. Learn back-strengthening exercises to build up the muscles used to carry a backpack. And ask your pediatrician for advice.
Did You Know That…?
Morton Hospital
& Medical Center Health
Matters offerings include the following: New Alternatives to
Hysterectomy, 10/20/04, 6:30 pm, Margaret stone Conference
Room. Free; Best Bets in How to Discipline Your Child,
11/3/04, 6:30 pm, Margaret Stone Conference Room. Free; What You
Should Know About Strokes, 11/5/04, 3:00am, Silver City
Galleria Community Room. Free. For information or to register, call
508-828-7777.
Shaping America’s Youth is a new website found at www.shapingamericasyouth.com. It contains information on programs and community efforts across the United States directed at increasing physical activity and improving nutrition in our nation’s youth. In addition, this site offers a single location for the latest news, meetings and events, funding opportunities, publications and other resources related to childhood obesity.
Free Web Hosting, E-Mail and other Internet Services are available to charities and other registered nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada. For information, log on to their site at www.grassroots.org/do/Tools
Ten Drug and Alcohol Policies That Will Save Lives is a new Join Together publication that draws on strong scientific research to make a concise and persuasive case for policy measures that are proven to have a positive effect. These include increasing alcohol taxes, requiring insurance coverage for the treatment of drug and alcohol problems on par with other diseases, supporting the use of effective addiction medications, screening routinely for alcohol and drug problems in every primary care and emergency room visit, and requiring effective treatment and supervised aftercare instead of incarceration for nonviolent offenders. The document may be downloaded at www.jointogether.org/tenpolicies.
Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Parenting Education, 12th Annual Conference, will be held 11/1/04, 8:15-3:45, at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlboro. Call July Witkowski at 508-400-1377.
David H. Mulligan Center for Health Promotion Fall Calendar is now available online at www.hcsm.org/ahectrainingscalendar.pdf. Upcoming trainings include: Grant Writing: Bringing Home the Money!, 10/19-10/20/04, 9:00-4:00, Free; May I Help You? Customer Service for Health and Human Service Agencies, 11/18/04, 9:00-12:00, $30 includes Continental Breakfast and CEUs. Please call 508-583-2250.
Komen BreastCancer Fundation and M&M Candies have partnered to raise funds through the sale of their new “pink and white” M&M candies. For each 8-oz bag sold, M&M will donate 50 cents to the foundation.
MassHealth Technical Forum minutes for all five regional meetings are available online at www.ocpmap.org/Programs/MTF. The next meeting will be held 10/13/04, 9:00-1:00, Taunton Holiday Inn. Register with Irene at 508-856-4306.
The American Cancer Society’s Road To Recovery is looking for volunteers to drive cancer patients to and from their life saving cancer treatments. Many patients have no transportation, are too weak to drive and may not have relatives or friends who are able to drive them to their treatments. When this happens, patients cannot receive the treatments that will help them fight their cancer. Volunteer drivers are needed weekdays during business hours. Please call the American Cancer Society, 1-800-ACS-2345, or visit www.cancer.org.
At www.AlcoholScreening.org, over 200,000 individuals have found out whether their drinking is risky or likely to be within safe limits by taking a confidential self-test to assess their drinking patterns. See information at www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,574314,00.html?U=163901
Health Resources and Services Administration Funding Opportunity – Grants fund systems community-based care composed of medical and other health and social support services for individuals with HIV/AIDS in EMAs. Services are intended primarily for low income/underinsured people living with HIV/AIDS. See www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/HHS/HRSA/GAC/HRSA-05-010/Grant.html. Deadline: 11/8/04.
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center and Womansplace Crisis Center will be hosting a Survivor Speaker Training on Saturday, 10/16/04, from 9am-4pm, for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence who want to use their personal story to create social change. Please contact Maria Robbins, 508-588-8255, email address at mcrobbins@ix.netcom.com or Sarah Dawgert 617-492-8306, email to sdawgert@barcc.org.
Approximately 460,000 Massachusetts residents (7.4%) say they do not have Health Insurance in a survey released by the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy. However, up to 75,000 of them may be eligible for state coverage. Beginning 10/1/04, uninsured residents who access free care through the uncompensated care pool will be required to apply for MassHealth benefits. For information, see www.mass.gov/dhcfp/pages/dhcfp119.htm
Research reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that excessive alcohol use was responsible for approximately 75,000 preventable deaths in the United States in 2001, according to Join Together online.
Police and Communities Partnering to Reduce Youth Substance Abuse course is designed to give an overview of the latest research in community-based substance abuse prevention and specific examples of how law enforcement officers in Massachusetts have been collaborating with community coalitions and schools to reduce the problem of underage drinking and drug abuse. Participation appropriate for narcotics officers, juvenile officers, DARE instructors, resource officers, and other interested police officials. 10/26/04, 9:00-2:00, at the Shaw’s Center, Brockton. $25. Contact Wendy Foxmyn, at 413-584-2148.
Criteria for Evaluating School-Based Approaches to Increasing Good Nutrition and Physical Activity is a comprehensive tool for evaluating school-based approaches to increasing children's physical activity and improving nutrition. www.actionforhealthykids.org/docs/specialreports/exec_small.pdf
Mass. Cuts Detox Services as Need Grows - As heroin and OxyContin addiction reaches epidemic proportions in Massachusetts, the state has yet to restore funding for treatment facilities and services that was cut from the state budget. See article at
www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,574693,00.html?U=163901
COALITION/COMMITTEE MINUTES
GATHER
Domestic Violence, Violence Prevention.
9/16/04, 3:30 New Hope, 39 Taunton
Green
Discussion Highlights:
Announcements:
·New Hope’s 25th Anniversary is 3/11/05. Tickets will be $75. Volunteers being sought to help out at the event.
·October 23 National Make a Difference Day efforts include a makeover of the visitation room at DSS and landscaping at Head Start. Donations of materials and labor are sought. Action kits will be distributed to parishes, businesses and other groups.
·December’s focus will be “The Holidays are No Excuse”
·April will focus on National Sexual Assault Awareness.
·Online Training – Annemarie will participate in the Abuse and Disabilities training, doing a streamlined version with access to training information for one year. Lorraine is also registered.
·Committee meetings are held every 3rd Thursday, 3:30, New Hope, Taunton.
Valerie Calais from Arbour-Fuller Hospital presented an overview of information and distributed materials related to services provided by the health system. These included Dialectical Behavioral Treatment, Partial Hospitalization, Substance Abuse Treatment programs, Adolescent services, Dual Diagnosis Unit, and Inpatient services. She can be reached at 508 838-2292. The main number for admission referrals is 1-800-652-5222.
Funding Opportunities – Voices Against Violence has applied for several grants under sponsorship of New Hope.
Clothesline Project - Josie is trying to get clothesline project going; working with Attleboro and Webster Police Departments. She has not yet heard from the schools. Bonnie has started in her role of liaison at the Attleboro Police Department through funding from United Way.
Bristol Elder Services is now including “Elders at Risk” under the Protective Service umbrella.
Software - Nonprofits can access Microsoft XP software at a fraction of the typical cost, with multiple licenses.
Kennedy Donovan Center in Attleboro is hiring for a variety of disciplines.
Students at InfoTech will be seeking nonpaid office assistant internships.
Next Meetings: 10/21/04, 3:30, New Hope, 39 Taunton Green.
Contact Person:
Dan LeBrun, 508-226-4015
GTHHSC General Meeting. 9/21/04, 10:30, AHS
Discussion Highlights:
Committee
Reports and Updates:
· Emergency Task Force – See Page 8
· Domestic Violence/Violence Prevention Committee - The committee has new co-chairs (Annemarie Matulis and Dan LeBrun). Lorraine Rosa will continue as coordinator. The focus of committee’s efforts is on supporting planned events of the Southeastern Massachusetts Voices Against Violence (SEMA-VAV). The next event is the October 4th Day of Unity candlelight vigil and clothesline display. In October the National Make A Difference Day volunteer efforts will refurbish the visitation room at DSS and assist in new landscaping at Triumph Head Start. The Tie Jam Puppet Band performed at the 9/18/04 Health Fair at the Galleria c/o Morton Hospital and thanks to the financial sponsorship of MA Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC), Department of Social Services (DSS), Associates for Human Services (AHS) Early Intervention (EI) and Early Head Start (EHS) programs, and Community Partnerships for Children.
· Safe Neighborhood Initiative - Several agencies are working together to increase safety and reduce trespassing at a Taunton neighborhood.
Nutrition/Physical Activity and Children’s Safety – A Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) student and parent volunteers hope to raise head injury prevention awareness. Deb will contact SHIP to explore any possible information they may have available. The Friedman School and YMCA have continued their nutrition programs, with 10-12 children participating over the summer. The curriculum consists of 24 one-hour lessons with 3-5 activities to facilitate learning. It is easily adaptable to other age groups and is available to others. For information, contact Dori at 508-828-7016. There are 2 new middle school health teachers. The ÏMAGES PLUS” program received another grant. Research and grant writing was done by the coordinator, David Bigda.
Presentation by Sabrina Strong, Project YELL -Anne Kotch wrote the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention federal grant, which is in its 2nd year of funding: $100,000 for first 3 years, $75,000 for next two years, with annual applications for continuation. Taunton and Middleboro are participating. In Taunton, 6 peer leaders were hired over the summer. Four series of Teen Topics workshops with school activities for middle school students are substance abuse, HIV, teen pregnancy, communication and diversity. Compliance checks will be done. Students will be involved with the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission, and will assist in deterring and intervening in purchases of alcohol for minors, targeting bars, restaurants and stores. Some students will approach people to urge them not to buy. Middleboro High School will be participating in the Social Norms Campaign. The goal is to collect comprehensive data. Permission has been given to survey grades 1-12 in Middleboro about use and attitudes. Most students want to do the right thing. Heavy users are only in the top 1/3, but the perception by peers is that everyone is doing it. The survey hopes to portray a truer picture of use to teens. In April the Taunton School committee voted against ADAS use in Taunton High School because two of the questions did not allow students to identify themselves as non-users. Efforts will be made to present the idea to them again in hopes of gaining their support. Changes have been made in the grant to pare it down to more manageable objectives. Examples of Social Norms posters from Evanston Township High School in Illinois were distributed to GTHHSC members.
Announcements:
· Health Fair will be held at Holy Family Church on 1/26/04 from 12-3pm.
· Mass Health Promotion Clearing House has a new brochure in Spanish and English about “Talking to Teens” about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Contact The Medical Foundation, 95 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116, or see www.maclearinghouse.com
· The Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium Fundraiser A Night of Illusion, will be held 10/16/04, 6:30-11:30 pm, at Ann’s Place, 48 Bay Rd., Norton, featuring female impersonators. Tickets are limited. A raffle will help raise money for the HIV+ clients emergency fund.
· WPEP has the opportunity for a larger broadcast audience through WARL 1320, Thursday mornings 9-10am. Dan invites interested human service people to participate.
· Brochures were distributed on RESPECT (batterer’s) and TURNING POINT (teen dating) programs.
· The Teen Task Force meets 9/29/04, 12:30, New Hope.
· Associates for Human Services annual spaghetti supper will be held 10/22/04, dinner from 5-6:30 and raffle from 6:30-7:30. Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for children and seniors. Proceeds go to the agency’s lifelong learning fund to assist individuals served by AHS with basic needs. Open House will be held at their new location at 68 Allison Ave., 11/17/04.
· Red Ribbon Campaign will run from Oct. 25-31. Its purpose is recognition and celebration of drug use prevention. Various themes will be the center of student competition to promote distribution of ribbons to middle school students.
· MDPH Commissioner Christine Ferguson will be hosting a series of regional forums on Public Health in the 21st Century this fall.
· The Southeast Forum, originally scheduled for October 19th, has been postponed until a date to be determined.
Next Meeting: 10/19/04, 9:00, A.H.S.
Contact Person: Richard McMahon, 508-979-7160, 3010.
GTHHSC.
Child & Family Focus Committee. 9/21/04,
10:30, AHS
Discussion Highlights:
Salute to Health – The Committee discussed whether to submit another request for funding.
Multicultural Booklet – The Committee will investigate the status of the booklets.
Children’s safety issues continue to be the focus of the committee at his time, including: helmet/bike safety, preventing falls through window guards and stair gates.
Safety Brochure Distribution - The committee has a variety of brochures to be used at future health fairs. Two that are coming up are at Holy Family Church and the Taunton Federal Credit Union. Other appropriate venues include pediatrician’s offices, childcare providers and school registration dates. Kiwanis also does community work to support children’s safety. The group may consider inviting Cathy Callahan to speak at one of the CFFC meetings to talk about how the committee and Kiwanis could work together with the Taunton Police Department around bicycle safety/proper helmet use.
Public Policy Approach to Safety – A letter will be drafted to be sent to legislators to advocate for legislation that would require landlords renting to children under 5 years old install window guards for all 2nd floor and higher windows.
Public Flu Clinics will be held 10/23/04, 10:00-2:00, at the Swansea Mall, and 11/6/04, 10:00-6:00 at the Dartmouth Mall.
Next Steps:
Bring CFFC’s safety brochures to the next meeting
Bring information from the Children’s Health government website.
Bring copies of the Harvard-Pilgrim Grant to next meeting.
Draft a letter to pediatricians and childcare providers.
Develop “Several Ways to Save Your Child’s Life” flyer
Next Meeting: 10/19/04, 9:00, A.H.S.
Contact Person: Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822
Greater
Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium.
7/14/04, 9:00 a.m. Morton Café.
Discussion Highlights:
RFR for Case Management is coming out soon.
The Department of Public Health training schedule for Fall/Winter/Spring is out. Jack has the details.
The Case Management Office is being painted and rearranged. Come in to see the changes.
State Budget Update – Supplemental money for the HDAP program has been approved, but there will likely be a shortfall in the account starting next July.
World AIDS Day will be held 12/1/04. This year’s international theme is “Women, Girls, HIV/AIDS”.
The Night of Illusion will be held 10/16/04, at Ann’s Place. Two florists donated 10 centerpieces each. Three pharmaceutical companies will attend the function.
Next Meeting: 11/10/04, 9:00, Morton Hospital Café Annex.
Contact Person: Richard McMahon, 508-979-7160, x3010
Safe Neighborhood Initiative. 9/29/04, 8:00 a.m., Fairfax Gardens
Discussion Highlights:
Criminal Justice Committee – Members developed a list of juvenile probationers that is kept at the Taunton Police Department for reference.
Crisis Intervention Team – The next training is scheduled for 11/16/04-11/18/04.
Treatment and Prevention – The Rental Subsidies proposal was reversed, meaning good news for low-income individuals. The OJJDP grant has been funded for a second year. The GTHHSC received a $50,000 grant from the Governor’s Safe and Drug Free Communities. (See Cover Article) The Committee is working on the Next Substance Abuse Roundtable, and the next Community Education Series.
Community Crisis Spiritual Response Team – Fifteen clergy are trained and ready to respond. A “tabletop drill” will be held 10/27/04, 12:15 pm, at the Memorial Church. Interested persons should contact Rev. Sweet at the church. The team provided support services for the Seeley Fire Victims.
Education Committee primary goal is to reschedule the gang education training.
Neighborhoods Committee – Community Development Block Grant funds were used for increased police presence in the designated neighborhood. The Mayor’s Office of Community Development and the Taunton Housing Authority are working closely on a variety of neighborhood needs.
Program Update – The Department of Human Services has been awarded a $15,000 Jobs for Youth Grant, through the Office of the Attorney General. There was a discussion about the increase in violence during summer months. SNI members must remain committed to their committees’ work. Concerns about aggressive activities by some homeless individuals were discussed.
Next Meeting:
10/20/04, 3:00, Fairfax Gardens Community Room.
Contact Person: Robert Cammarata, 508-821-1420.
Taunton Emergency Task Force. 9/14/04, 9:00 a.m., TEMA Office
Discussion Highlights:
Fire Victims Aid - $7,000 was transferred to the emergency fund to facilitate response to the Seeley Building fire victims. CFC gave out 25 $50 food vouchers to families who were victims of Seeley fire. A total of 43 individuals from 20 families were served, and 18 families placed. Assistance was provided for rents (to $600), linens, eyeglasses, hotel stays, clothing, etc. The ETF and the Red Cross extended thanks to all member agencies and community individuals who worked very hard during and after the Seeley Building fire to assist families.
Funding - ETF will be submitting grant proposals to Bristol County Savings Bank requesting money that will be used for transportation passes, and for a United Way Community Impact Grant. They are planning to hold a fundraiser in the near future
HUD’s proposed changes in Fair Market Rents are proposed to go into effect Oct 1st. This will significantly impact families and landlords. Public Comments are being accepted.
Homelessness – Department of Transitional Assistance no longer houses homeless individuals/families in hotels. Previously, 586 individuals were housed in hotels and 110 in shelters. The shelter-based housing has been expanded. The department is meeting weekly with the Housing Assistance Program and working on list of families in crisis. Homeless families must accept out of area placements. If they refuse, they will not be eligible for a period of 1 year. The department is very focused on getting families back within a 20-mile radius of their original location (unless there are domestic violence concerns). They are also working with many families to avoid shelter placement.
Fuel Assistance – Taunton had an increase of 61 applications last year. Further increase is expected this year, and it appears that allotments will decrease. Currently there is only $6,619.25 in ETF fuel fund. Bay State Gas is doing many shutoffs (before moratorium). FEMA money is restricted to payment of 1 month’s usage in arrears, with verification of a shut-off notice and arrearage to be paid. Once shut off, Bay State wants the full amount paid up. Agencies work together to negotiate with utility company and family. Applicants must bring the last 4 pay stubs or current income verification for any household member who is over 18 yrs of age and the heating bill. (If not working, he/she must come in to sign a statement.)
Announcements:
v South Shore Housing is accepting Residential Assistance for Families in Transition applications.
v Our Daily Bread’s fundraising campaign was down by $8,000 this year.
v New Permanent Housing was acquired through HUD funding.
v Catholic Social Services provides food, toys (for children up to age 18), outfits and Christmas baskets to needy families. Call 508-674-4681 (Carol Hernandez) around 2nd week of October for an application and further information.
v St. Vincent de Paul will be meeting with the utility company in Mansfield regarding the possibility of accessing monies to help with utility shutoffs. Agency will be providing Thanksgiving baskets.
v DTA continues to utilize Globe Santa for support to families at holidays.
v Citizens For Citizens Operation Christmas begins 11/1/04. Toys are provided for children up to age 12. Applications must be signed by authorized agency. An agency stamp or business card also required. Clients must return forms in person to CFC.
v Associates for Human Services’ Early Head Start and Early Intervention programs are accepting applications for expectant families and children ages 0-3 (508-880-0202). The Agency has moved to new building @ 68 Allison Ave. The annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser will be held 10/22/04. Call for tickets.
v Triumph Head Start is accepting applications for ages 3-5 (508 822-5388).
v Commonwealth Family Child Care has openings for income eligible families. Call 508-880-3556. Teen Parents Program has a wait list (but can enroll if currently involved with DTA). Staff will also provide referrals as appropriate.
v Department for Human Services Jobs for Youth Program will soon be having openings for 4 high school youth, age 16 & older, which have their own transportation. Call 508 821-1420.
v Carmen Maldonado works at New Hope’s Families Forward program (508-824-0315 8am-2pm) and as the Public Schools Community Liaison (508-821-1229 after 2pm) She assists with translation (Portuguese and Spanish), and with any newcomer families of any minority. New Hope assists families with Thanksgiving baskets.
v State Supplementary Budget has passed. State aid for Taunton will be $873,000, in unrestricted funding.
v The Red Cross will do a weekend of training for disaster intervention at the end of the month. They assist families with Thanksgiving baskets.
v MLC Counseling and Learning Center, Inc. (508 822-6631) is taking applications for services to children in schools, and to families, including resource referrals and advocacy. MASSHEALTH insurance is accepted. The agency also assists their families with Thanksgiving Day baskets.
Next Meeting: 11/9/04, 9:00, TEMA Office, City Hall.
Contact Person: Millie Burrows, 508-880-0202
Oct. 14,2:30 |
Domestic Violence Round Table. DA’s Office, 888 Purchase St., New Bedford.
|
Oct. 16, TBA |
GTMAC Annual Fundraiser. “The Night of Illusion”, Ann’s Place. Save the date.
|
Oct.19, 9:00 |
GTHHSC Monthly Meeting. Associates for Human Services. 68 Allison Avenue.
|
Oct.19 10:15 |
GTHHSC Child and Family Focus Committee. Associates for Human Services. 68 Allison Avenue, Taunton. |
Oct. 20, 8:00 |
Safe Neighborhood Initiative. Fairfax Gardens Community Room.
|
Oct. 20, 3:00 |
GATHER/GTHHSC Substance Abuse Committee. High Point, 4 Court St.
|
Oct. 21,3:30 |
GATHER Domestic Violence Committee. New Hope Office, 39 Taunton Green.
|
Oct. 22, TBA |
Associates for Human Services Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. Call 508-880-0202 for information |
Nov 9, 9:00 |
Emergency Task Force. TEMA Office, City Hall
|
Nov. 10, 9:00 |
Greater Taunton Mayor’s AIDS Consortium. Morton Café Annex. CAB follows.
|
Nov. 16, 9:00 |
GTHHSC Monthly Meeting. Associates for Human Services. 68 Allison Avenue.
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Nov. 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.
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Dec. 22, 8:00 |
Safe Neighborhood Initiative. Fairfax Gardens Community Room.
|
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, call 508-823-4822, or email mcaprosa@hotmail.com, by 10/31/04.