Discussion Highlights:

Taunton Survey – Recently administered perception and use surveys given to T.H.S. students, as well as middle school, high school and adult attendees at the Substance Abuse Round Table X (SARTX) were discussed. Student data from ’98, ’00, ’03 and ’05 were reviewed in the tobacco, marijuana and alcohol categories. The latest data from the ’05 voluntary surveys included 1200 responses. These were administered during the week of the THS Health Fair, with the support of the teachers. Results will be presented first to the Taunton School Committee.

Arbour-Fuller Hospital is starting a 16 week outpatient Dialectical Behavior Therapy DVT for Adolescents. This is geared toward individuals who are traumatized and/or self destructive. An adult must accompany the youth. For information, call Regina at 508-838-2352.

Project YELL (See May-June Project TEAMS/YELL Update)

·         The YELL Steering Committee seeks increased participation. This is the group that works on the social norms campaign from choosing the campaign messages to getting the word out. A larger and more diverse steering committee will increase feedback and the effectiveness of the social norms messages. This is an exciting time and opportunity to create and get the campaign out into the community.

·         Technical Assistance in programmatic matters has been lacking of late. There has also been no representation at CHNA subcommittee meetings, GATHER Steering Committee, or Project YELL. Detailed costs and responsibilities still have not been received.

·         New MYA Coordinator Position – The Committee asks that the new coordinator attend committee meetings to report MYA progress. The Drug Free Communities grant budget must receive the O.K. before the hiring.

·         Budget Revision – The application for 10/05-9/06 funding was submitted in April. SAMHSA provides program management, and OJJDP does the budget. The Committee examined budgets for ’04 and ‘03. (Line items may vary 10%, unless an amendment is written and approved.) After clarification and discussion, the Committee moved to accept the budgetary revisions as presented.

Project TEAMS (See May-June Project TEAMS/YELL Update) Project ALERT curriculum teaches parents about setting limits and ground rules for their children. A Parenting 101 program is also needed for Department of Social Services (DSS) and other agency referrals.

Peer Leadership – Martin Middle School’s peer leadership program serves 8-10 students, but 55 applied. Three of the applications for Project YELL peers came from the Martin School students.

SART

·         SARTX - In October, a smaller follow up meeting will be held. Invitees will include teams from schools (health teachers, principals, students). Lt Governor Kerry Healey is invited to be the keynote speaker. Other elected officials are also invited.

·         SART XI – Community Partnerships, Inc. supports having a SART XI in the spring, but will no longer be the lead agency. They will be unable to provide funding or staffing. The cost is $15,000-$20.000 per event. Project YELL is interested in exploring SART XI to promote the Middleboro / Taunton social norms program.

Next Steps:

Write a description of the duties of the Project YELL Steering Committee. (Sabrina)

Contact DPH liaison Donalda Silva about CHNA technical assistance. (Sabrina)

Next Meeting: 8/24/05, (Tuesday) 3:00, at Probation.

Contact Person: Philip Shea, 508-824-7224

 

Project TEAMS (Taunton Educating All Middle Schools)

·         Project Alert – Sabrina taught the Project ALERT curriculum for Project New IMAGE in May and June at Parker Middle School. Attending students enjoyed the curriculum and learned new things about substance abuse prevention. A Friedman health teacher will present the program over the summer. Approval is pending to provide Project ALERT in the middle school summer school program. Sabrina accomplished much with the budget.

·         Guiding Good Choices parenting program has been completed by parents at Parker and Martin Middle Schools. Trainer was Lori Verderosa, who worked with the developers of the program. She will work with Carmen Maldonaldo to offer the program in Spanish over the summer.

·         Project TEAMS Grant – An extension beyond the 8/31/05 spending deadline will be requested in order to offer the GGC program to parents at Friedman and Mulcahey Middle Schools. An offering at Taunton High School was also discussed.

Project YELL (Youth Endorsing Legal Lifestyles)

·         Compliance Checks – Peer Leaders completed compliance checks with the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) in Middleboro, Lakeville, Rehoboth, Dighton and half of Seekonk. Violations were issued. The only town left in the grant area is Taunton, due to the fact that the Peer Leaders cannot do compliance checks in their own home city.

·         Teen Topics – Peer Leaders completed the 4 session series at Martin Middle School with the help of Health Teacher Tim Smith and Deb Brown. Topics included communication, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and teen pregnancy. Sessions were well received by students and staff.

·         Recruitment – Taunton and Middleboro will each have 4 new peer leaders, as well as volunteer positions. Interviews will be held in July, with orientation in August.

·         Social Norms Conference held on 5/19/05, was sponsored by Project YELL, Middleboro Youth Advocates (MYA), and the Southeast Center for Healthy Communities. It was well-attended and featured Jeff Linkenbach from “Most of Us”. The Montana State University program is working with Project YELL in the creation of the social norms marketing campaign.

·         MYA Social Norms Campaign has begun. They will create a social norms public service announcement (PSA), with a local filmmaker, and burn it on a mini-disc with videos from local bands. The innovative campaign will be kicked off with a “Battle of the Bands”. MYA will also hire a new coordinator as soon as funds are appropriated.