CHRISTMAS DINNERS, BASKETS, AND GIFTS

AVAILABLE IN GATHER AREA

(United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton)

 

   Christmas dinner will be held on December 25, 2003. All phone numbers are in the 508 exchange.

City/Town:	Dinners:	Baskets:	Gift Programs:
Attleboro	Call UWGAT for further information: 508-223-4636 or 508-822-3180.	Self Help, 226-4192	Christmas Is For Kids, 226-2336
Berkley	Coyle & Cassidy High School, Breakfast 8:00, Dinner 11-1, 823-8399, 821-1038	Annunciation, 823-2521 St. Bernard’s, 644-5585	Operation Christmas, Citizens for Citizens, ages 0-12, 823-6346
Dighton	Coyle & Cassidy High School, Breakfast 8:00, Dinner 11-1, 823-8399, 821-1038	St. Joseph’s, 822-1425 St. Peter’s, 669-6463	Operation Christmas, Citizens for Citizens, ages 0-12, 823-6346
Mansfield	Call UWGAT for further information: 508-223-4636 or 508-822-3180.	Mansfield Social Services, 261-7464 Westside Benevolent, 339-3397	Christmas Is For Kids, Westside Benevolent, 339-3397
N. Attleboro	Call UWGAT for further information: 508-223-4636 or 508-822-3180.	Ann Marie Flemming, Town Nurse, 699-0104	Christmas Is For Kids, 226-2336
Norton	Call UWGAT for further information: 508-223-4636 or 508-822-3180.	St. Mary’s, 285-4462 Human Services, 285-0235	Christmas Is For Kids – Applications at Norton Fire Dept & Norton Public Library, or call Judy at 285-0248
Plainville	Call UWGAT for further information: 508-223-4636 or 508-822-3180.	Call UWGAT for further information: 508-223-4636 or 508-822-3180.	Call UWGAT for further information: 508-223-4636 or 508-822-3180.
Raynham	Coyle & Cassidy High School, Breakfast 8:00, Dinner 11-1, 823-8399, 821-1038	St. Ann’s, 823-9833	Giving Tree, Ages 0-16, St. Ann’s, 823-9833
Rehoboth	Coyle & Cassidy High School, Breakfast 8:00, Dinner 11-1, 823-8399, 821-1038	Council on Aging, 252-3373	Christmas Is For Kids, 226-2336
Seekonk	Coyle & Cassidy High School, Breakfast 8:00, Dinner 11-1, 823-8399, 821-1038	Council on Aging & Doorways, 336-8772	Christmas Is For Kids, 226-2336
Taunton	Coyle & Cassidy High School, Breakfast 8:00, Dinner 11-1, 823-8399, 821-1038	St. Vincent DePaul, 823-6676	Operation Christmas, Citizens for Citizens, ages 0-12, 823-6346

 

SYNERGY CONFERENCE FOSTERS CONNECTIVITY

 

   The annual Southeastern Massachusetts Networking Group for Public Health (SYNERGY) held its second annual conference on 11/21/03, 8:30-2:00, at the Plymouth Radisson. SYNERGY is the Southeastern Massachusetts Networking Group for Public Health, a regional network group which includes all the southeast Community Health Network Areas (CHNAs), which includes GATHER. Their mission is to improve public health through communication, networking and collaboration.

   After a welcome by Carl Alves and Diane Brown-Couture, participants attended concurrent workshops. These included the following:

·         Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Connectivity for Public Health Preparedness

·         Eliminating Health Disparities

·         Change in Your Neighborhood

   Loretta Laroche presented the keynote address on “Health, Happiness, and Humor”. Not only was she entertaining and hilariously funny; she helped us to laugh at ourselves, lighten-up, and gave us valuable advise in improving our quality of life by decreasing stress and worry.

   After lunch, a video featuring local youth entitled “Aftershocks 2” was shown. This violence prevention program is sponsored by Southcoast Hospitals Group.

   A best practices session of the “Ten Essential Public Health Services” in action in Southeastern Massachusetts concluded the conference. These include the following:

1.       Monitor health status to identify community health problems

2.       Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community

3.       Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues

4.       Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems

5.       Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts

6.       Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety

7.       Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable

8.       Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce

9.       Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services

10.   Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems

   GATHER Safe Families, Safe Pets’ educational component, was featured as one of the area’s best practices. This program educates people about the link between abuse of animals and abuse of humans through the distribution of brochures and community presentations. Because violence towards animals springs from the same causes as violence towards humans, childhood animal abuse can no longer be passed off as a phase.                                        ♣                    

 

Discussion Highlights:

Additional Suggestions Substance Abuse Roundtable IX:

·         DV against men

·         Violent females with changing women’s roles

·         Same sex relationship violence

·         Early childhood roots of violence (Ages 0-3) for parents and teens

Format Ideas:

·         Panel that breaks out into workshops, coming together for “Where do we go from here?” piece, following up 

with a report and action plan for attendees.

·         Breakout groups with or without a panel

·         Report back after lunch

·         Parent/adult breakouts separate from youth

·         Youth: 3-5 per school

Follow Up Event Ideas:

·         Events and topics can enhance area calendars or stand on their own

·         Ongoing awareness

·         A Fairfax Gardens piece

Possible Speakers:

Beverly Kennedy, VOWA, MOVA, DSS DV Specialist, Weintraub, A.M. Rodrigues, Marty Kenney

Financial Coverage Ideas:

·         SDFS may cover copies and notebooks

·         Admission fee would entail fiscal handling issues

Next Steps:

SART:

·         Make a prioritized list of topics, to select 3-5 topics (outcomes will be incorporated into the needs of residents)

·         Identify panel areas

·         Bring potential invitees list.

DV:

·         Send GATHER history to Annemarie for grant writing

·         Discuss committee elections

 

Next Meeting: 12/11/03, 3:30, Community Partnerships, Inc.

 

Contact Person:

Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822

 

Highlights:

Conference, Washington, D.C.

Required Core Data Questions

1.       Age of onset

2.       Frequency of use in the past 30 days

3.       Perception of harm

4.       Perception of disapproval of use by peers and adults

 

Validity of Social Norms Marketing – Recent debate suggests that environmental strategies must support social norms marketing, which loses effectiveness if not coupled with other strategies.

 

Coalition  - “A coalition is a formal arrangement for cooperation and collaboration between groups or sectors of a community, in which each group retains its identity but all agree to work together toward a common goal of building safe, healthy, and drug-free community.” is not a program, nor a roster. This Committee is shared by GTHHSC, GATHER, MYA and SNI, which collectively cover the required sector representation for the grant. A stronger link, with greater involvement and meaningful participation is needed. The committee may be broadened with buy in from data collected from the following question: What are the 3 most serious substance abuse problems in the target area? Doers are needed.

 

CADCA - Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of American (CADCA) will host a conference in January. A small group should attend.

 

Budget – The in-kind match doesn’t have to be matched quarter by quarter, or by each line item, but in total. Line items are flexible, and will match when all 12 sectors are present. We need to design the budget to the scope of the project. The initial focus needs to be scaled back to include pilot communities, perhaps Taunton and Middleboro. (MYA has been paralleling this project.)

 

Data – Parents need to be notified and have the opportunity to say they don’t want their child to participate in a survey. Our YRBS data doesn’t have all 4 required questions for this grant, but other surveys may. Trends and needs are apparent when old data is examined. High School students tend to drink at home or in cars (#1 & #2). Middle school students are not doing it in cars, due to their ages. They often believe it not going to hurt them, and everyone is doing it. Having the appropriate people, what they consider the most serious SA problems, and data will help evaluate the coalition.

 

Policy and Enforcement – Norms have changed among athletes. Adults need to follow through on consequences so kids can use “fear of being caught” as a refusal skill, especially when peer pressure is high.

 

 Next Steps:

• Forward “in kind” information to CCBC, starting with September.

• Verify alcohol issue

• Identify representatives from the 12 groups needed in the committee.

• Address the Taunton and Middleboro connection.

Next Meeting:

12/17/03, 3:00, High Point.

 

Contact Person: Phil Shea, 508-824-7224

 

Discussion Highlights:

Upcoming OJJDP Teleconference: “Tools to Better Assess Your Community in Limiting Youth Access to Alcohol, including Science-Based Prevention & Environmental Strategies, 12/16/03, 2:00-5:00, HCSM, 940 Chestnut St., Brockton. Register with smiller@hcsm.org by 12/12/03.

 Committee Objectives include preparing a task outline for program coordinator, and Youth in Action Training/Marketing

Program Coordinator Hired – Sabrina Strong has accepted the position and can be reached at Shstrong@aol.com. She will contact individuals about various projects, and how they fit together. Most work will be done by email and via a new website. Sabrina has contacts at Boston University, and sees major roles with MADD and the Southeast Center for Healthy Communities.

 Coalition Expansion –Sabrina can make personal visits to desired participants, to explain what we’re doing, and why they are needed. Suggestions include the Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth County District Attorneys and Sheriffs, Tim Cruz, and Ed Jacobs.

 School Surveys – The use of federally required perception questions will be pursued at local high schools. It is difficult to add questions to an established survey, and to change an active consent (parents must sign for their child to participate in a survey) school policy to passive (parents must sign only if they wish their child not participate) consent, for more reliable data. Laura Ragan, Project Coordinator, will be contacted if this is not possible.

 Middleboro Youth Advocates already works closely with Middleboro Public Schools. A pilot project could address the top three substance abuse issues in the community, which may be a change from the initial focus. There may also be different issues for different age groups or communities. Youth often feel that violence is the biggest issue in their lives. “Lets Get Real About Violence” is a program with a strong bystander role in preventing violence.

 Youth in Action – Groups of trainers can train Middleboro and Taunton separately or together. Their full day training, includes a purchase survey (an individual of legal age purchases alcohol and is/is not carded) by a small group. “Compliance checks” involve youth decoys and police officers. Youth advocacy is also effective.

 Alcohol Issues – 1.) On Thanksgiving weekend, 31 arrests were made in Taunton and Holden. 2.) Underage waiters and grocery store clerks should not handle or scan alcohol. 

 Keg Legislation – Representative Travis has proposed that keg registration requirements be included under MA General Laws, rather than as a Commonwealth Regulation. It would amend Section 15 of Chapter 138 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2000 Official Edition. He serves on the following committees: Banks & Banking, House Ways and Means, Joint Ways and Means, and Taxation.

 Seat Belt Legislation - Unbelted passengers become “missiles” in the event of an accident, and can injure/kill infants, children, or other adults who are/are not properly restrained.

 Next Steps:

• Transfer all grant materials and copies of all DC conference notes and handouts.

• Broadcast Keg bill number and committee.

• Contact each committee member.

• Prepare goals, objectives, and a timeline, including who fits into it, who needs to come.

• Prioritize and research support of what already exists.

• Send press release for Advocate article: “Grant increases collaboration among area communities”

 Next Meeting: 12/17/03, 4:00, High Point, 4 Court St.

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

 

Discussion Highlights:

Committee Reports/Updates:

SART/DV – The Substance Abuse Roundtable/GATHER Domestic Violence Committee continues to work on the ninth annual SART. Annemarie, DV Committee member, is writing a reimbursement grant for materials/speakers for a campaign in 2004.

Multicultural Committee – Input is encouraged on a diversity booklet, posted at www.oocities.org/gthhsc

 

Presentation: Attleboro Even Start Program – Sandy Holloway – This DOE funded family literacy program seeks to break the cycle of poverty by educating income eligible Attleboro parents of children ages 3-7. It offers GED Preparation, English instruction, parenting workshops, parent support groups, parent/child activities, home visits and case management. Childcare and transportation are offered when needed. For information, please call 508-226-1055.

 

Obesity Prevention – A new grant will provide newsletters on nutrition and physical activity (See article, p.1) Agencies are invited to call Lorraine at      508-823-4822 to receive copies for distribution, or to post events/programs.

 

YELL – The Substance Abuse Committee’s Youth Endorsing Legal Lifestyles is asking the community “What are the three most serious substance abuse problems in our area?”

 

Keg Legislation – Representative Phil Travis is working on Keg (registration) Legislation this next session. (See p.5)

 

Budget – The Coalition budget stands at $2159.88.

 

Next Meeting: 12/16/03, 9:00, A.H.S., 29 Broadway, 3^rd floor.

 

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

 

 

Discussion Highlights:

Consumer Advisory Board will not hold a Christmas Party, but will hold a dinner at Dewey’s Restaurant, Middleboro, 12/17/03, 6:00 p.m. New CAB guidelines are being distributed.

 

Lead Agency Report:

·         The new acting director of the AIDS Bureau is Kevin Cranston.

·         Project ABLE state budget shortfall is $2 billion this year

·         The Governor will release his proposed budget mid January.

·         MDPH will visit all Consortia starting in January, with 3/12/03 set for the Taunton visit.

 

World AIDS Day Remembrance event was as held 12/1/03.

 

Next Meeting: 1/14/04, 9:00, Morton Café Annex.

 

Contact Person: Jack Field, 508-884-8264  

 

Discussion Highlights:

Welcome – Mayor Strojny welcomed the 39 individuals in attendance. Robert Cammarata, DHS, summarized the structure of SNI and the 12-month plan each committee developed to address concerns at Fairfax Gardens. Mike Raymond, Boys & Girls Club, plans to outreach through flyers, reduced membership rates and transportation. Judge Lawton invited the Patriots to become involved at the Boys & Girls Club and at Fairfax Gardens. Chief Oberg’s plan includes increased police presence at the site, and SNI support. He discussed no trespass and civil restraining orders.

 

Criminal Justice Committee goals include enhancing the fast-track list to include restraining orders, establishing/maintaining an open dialogue between agencies with a shared interest with neighborhood residents, establishing a more visible presence, expanding an information network, demonstrating that the fast-track list works, getting consistent representation for the DA’s office, and tracking sex offenders within the community.

 

Neighborhood Revitalization twelve month plan includes combining existing neighborhood groups into a planning forum, focusing existing public service agency support to be accessible in the neighborhood, committing MOCD resources to help develop scattered site supportive housing for single headed households with a high degree of need and committing MOCD resources to help develop a Hope VI application and implementation. Colleen Doherty, THA, appreciates everyone’s efforts to assist in the neighborhood. Fairfax is a focus of the THA. They work with residents in making decisions. Services plus police presence should increase safety.

 

Treatment and Prevention – CCBC, GTHHSC (Greater Taunton Health & Human Services Coalition), GATHER and Middleboro Youth Advocates received a federal grant from OJJDP and ONDCP amounting to $99,648.50 for Project YELL. Funds will be used to raise awareness of substance abuse issues among area youth aged 14-17. Twelve month plan includes grant implementation, continued community education series, SARTIX: “Violence, There is No Excuse, a Forum for Local Solutions”, and training about responsible use of alcohol and making access to treatment more available.

 

Education Committee twelve month plan includes sharing information, increasing communication with agencies, finding transportation for after-school programs and parent conferences, improving communication between school and home, outreaching for parent workshops, possibly changing venue, peer mediation, and alerting school faculty of concerns and having them provide extra assistance to neighborhood children in need

 

Community Crisis Intervention Team – Another CCIT training is taking place, with 25-30 in attendance. The goal is for at least 20% of police from Taunton and surrounding towns trained.

 

Community Crisis Spiritual Care Response Team discussed Clergy involvement in the neighborhood. Clergy meetings are held at Fairfax Community Center. Rev. Sweet has asked each parish about involvement of residents, and will follow up on church connections. They asked residents to meet with them in December, possible to have Bible study groups. The team feels that Taunton is better prepared for disasters. Members have been role-playing and networking across agencies. They are thankful for cooperation of agencies. A Catholic Social Services grant award packet on abstinence was distributed.

 

Next Meeting: 1/28/04, 8:00, Fairfax Gardens.

 

Contact Person:

Bob Cammarata, 508-821-1420

Mulligan Center for Health Promotion is offering the following: Tools to Better Assess Your Community in Limiting Youth 

Access to Alcohol (OJJDP Teleconference), 12/16/03, 2:00-5:00, register with smiller@hcsm.org by 12/12/03; Health Careers 

Exploration Event for High School Students and Faculty, 1/21/04, 3:00-5:30, Free. Must contact Jon Dambly, 

508-583-2250, x239, or jdambly@hcsm.org.

Childhood Obesity Warning - A dramatic increase in Type II diabetes in children is being blamed on overeating and obesity. 

Experts call the problem "catastrophic," and say that for the first time, a new generation of children is being raised who will have 

a shorter life expectancy than their parents.   Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (N.Y.) (12/9) 

#1 Risk Factor - Obesity poses a greater problem to women's health than any other risk factor, a recent survey of female 

obstetrician-gynecologists found. Obesity was ranked as the leading health problem for women under 50 by the Ob-Gyns in the 

survey. For women over 50, obesity was ranked second.  Hospitalconnect.com (12/9)  

Fiber Benefits - Recent research supports earlier findings that diets high in fiber cut risks of colon cancer. While there is no 

evidence cereal fiber and low-fat dairy products will prevent colon cancer, the study's lead author says there is a "strong 

association."   USA TODAY (12/10)