Newsletter

c. National Alliance for Drug-Endangered Children Conference October 10-12, Kansas City, MO

d. Annual Kansas Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Conference, November 8 in Salina

President Cheryl Jones called the meeting to order. Those present were: Amy Budke, Don Hewitt, Imogene Hewitt, Mary Sharp, Richard Scott, Liz Scott, Marge Trayer, Jim Redick, Kitty Frank, Cheryl Jones and Ken Grochowsky.

Minutes of the July 10 board meeting were reviewed. Imogene moved and Jim seconded approval of the minutes and motion carried unanimously.

Old Business: Team member reports were included in the packets attached to the meeting agenda.

Lions Club--Jim reported a Wiedeman Grant in the amount of $17,000 for the playground equipment has been received. He also received an email from Sunflower saying that although they needed more documentation, they had approved $11,700 towards the playground project. In addition to these grants, Jim said there are three other grants pending in the amount of $15,000 each. This brings the total amount raised, including in-kind donations, to $86,000 toward the $172,000 goal. Jim encouraged board members to go to the Hamburger Helper website and write letters of support for the grant request made by the Twin Cities Lions Club. The more letters of support sent to General Mills/Hamburger Helper, the more likely the grant request will be approved.

Mentoring Program—Amy reported on the Across Ages mentoring training held at the YTC last Friday. Andrea Taylor from Temple University facilitated the training. The Across Ages Model is an intergenerational mentoring program that matches children ages 9 to 17 with adults 55 years of age or older. There are currently 75 such programs nationwide. Andrea will be available anytime to provide assistance and expertise. Amy believes this program will have a huge impact on Chase County by providing stability to children. In addition to one-on-one matches, other components of the program include group activities, community service, education on making good decisions and monthly family activities. Amy will visit parents of children involved in the mentoring program beforehand to let them know the mentors will not be infringing on parental responsibilities. After school activities will include such things as sewing, scrapbooking and cooking. Amy said the she will be recruiting for teachers for these and other activities. She already has someone who has agreed to teach golf, and Lisa Eidman’s daughter Erin will provide tutoring to students at the YTC after school. Amy also emphasized teachers can be any age. The 55 year or older age requirement applies only to mentors. If any board member would like to volunteer to be a mentor or a teacher, or if anyone knows of persons who might be interested, please let Amy know as soon as possible.

National Youth Leadership Conference—Liz and Richard accompanied Erin Eidman, Shelby Osborn, Alisha Copple and Heather Haskin to Orlando earlier this month. Richard said they went to Disney World, Sea World, Busch Gardens and Cape Canaveral. Richard stated the kids learned a lot of information about underage drinking and developing healthy alternative activities. They also learned refusal skills such as accepting a beer from someone and then immediately dumping it out. It’s unlikely they will be offered another beer. Liz stated the Youth 2 Youth conference held in California was much better for the kids because it was youth-driven and adult led, and the kids were never bored.

Kansas Youth Leadership Summit (TABS Conference)—Richard, Liz, Russell Woods, Jesse Haskin, Joe Gile, Heather Haskin and Ashley LeMay attended this conference at Rock Springs August 5-7. Kitty Frank and Richard were trainers. Kitty said she was assigned a group of Girl Scouts from Salina. Older girls who were a part of her group will in turn teach 8 to 10 year old girls. Richard mentioned the kids who attended the various conferences this summer want to meet with the sheriff about enforcing underage drinking laws in Chase County.

Challenge Day—Kitty informed board members Challenge Day is a lock-in setting where kids are confronted about their personal prejudices and biases. By the end of the day, kids are apologizing to each other. Kitty told about a young man she met at the TABS Conference. He had been contemplating suicide for two years. He attended a Challenge Day and told Kitty that experience changed his life. Kitty said a three day conference will be held August 24-26 and there is space for 20 girls and 40 adults. She is hoping some men will attend so gender biases can be explored during the conference, and she added trainers from the community can do their own version of Challenge Day. Kitty said it is important to identify the difference between conflict, and bullying, which is intentional. Liz thought it would be good to have a Challenge Day type event in Chase County during next year’s spring break.

CCDFAT Parental SurveyCLiz told the board she and youth members of SADD, Teens Taking Action and Tweens Taking Action will be attending the school board meeting next week. It is hoped the school board will grant permission to the CCDFAT Coalition the use of the school’s mailing list to distribute the survey (copy of survey was distributed to each CCDFAT board member present) to all parents in the school district to determine their perceptions and beliefs about the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco among adults and youth. The results of this survey will then be compared with the Communities That Care survey, and any major differences can then be addressed and used as an educational tool for parents and the public. Self-addressed envelopes will be included with the surveys and the hope is for at least 20% or more of the responses being returned. Liz said there will be a health component for fifth grade orientation which will focus on educating parents about who their children are spending time with, STDs, teen pregnancy, substance abuse and other topics, and to help parents know how to talk to their children about these issues. Motion was made by Imogene and seconded by Marge for Liz to present the survey to the school board and ask for cooperation of the school district to use their mailing list. Motion carried unanimously.

Concerned Citizens—Don stated the Community Night Out and the October Hobo Stew were discussed at their last meeting. Information will be put in the Leader-News.

Communities That Care Survey—Each board member received a copy of the survey which was distributed to attendees at the TABS conference. Richard reviewed the survey with the board. In most categories, such as 30-Day Alcohol Use, Age of First Use, Students Attending School Drunk or High, and Binge Drinking, Chase County’s numbers are better than last year’s and in most cases exceed the State of Kansas statistics. Richard pointed out the 2006 information was somewhat skewed because it did not include 8^th grade data. He also stated, for example, that although 25% of Chase County youth reported using alcohol in the last 30 days, 75% have not, and it is just as important to recognize and support the youth who are not engaging in the use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco.

August 23 Meeting With Teresa Walters—Liz and Richard will be meeting with Teresa to discuss changing norms. The surveys will be an important step with this effort. Erecting no drinking/smoking signs will let the community know this is to set a positive example for the youth of Chase County. It was mentioned that kids being involved as trainers and the new playground equipment are examples of environmental strategies.

September is Recovery Month—Public service announcements (PSAs) and posters will be made and distributed. The new Emporia Cornerhouse Director will be invited to help with the PSAs. These promotions will help educate the public about where to go for help and who to contact if they or loved ones need help with substance abuse problems. Richard passed around “Not In Our House” brochures to board members. These brochures will be used to inform the public, especially parents, about the recently passed Kansas Social Hosting Law. Richard is going to contact the local banks to see if they will insert the brochures with monthly bank statements mailed to their customers.

Excess Funds DFC Grant—Liz reported there is a little over $3,000 in available funds remaining from this grant, which was reflected on the Budget Request Summary sheets given to the board. These funds can be used to help with Red Ribbon expenses, display boards, a portable breathalyzer, false ID machine and no drinking/alcoholic beverage signage for schools and ball fields. Liz asked the board for suggestions on what other things we might want or need to purchases with these excess funds.

Next Meeting—Liz asked for a motion to invite Jana Hancock, director of the new Saffordville Half Way House, to the next meeting. Imogene moved, Marge seconded and the motion carried unanimously. If Jana is available, she will be given the opportunity to provide information about the half way house, its impact on the community, and the CCDFAT can then make an informed decision about whether or not to support it.

The next meeting of the Chase County Drug Free Action Team will be 9:30 AM Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at the Youth Technology Center in Strong City. Meeting adjourned at 10:38 AM.

Liz finalized the report for the $1,000 Teens Taking Action grant that the coalition received from the Ks. Drunk Driving Prevention Office. In total, 40 youth participated in programming and activities related to preventing underage drinking. Some of the activities included the Teens and Tweens Taking Action retreats, attending state and national conferences, building a rodeo float, airing PSAs, making signs, and hosting a “Biker Break” at the Tech Center during Labor Day weekend.

Red Ribbon Week Collaboration: Liz has met with administration and school coordinators to offer assistance in Red Ribbon Week activities. Youth and school coordinators will plan theme days and there will be an assembly for high school students on October 24. Other planned activities but not finalized yet include:

CCES: Contest by classrooms – a 3-5 minute skit against ATOD. Performance at an assembly, winning class wins a pizza party.

CCMS: Contest in small groups – a 30-60 second PSA against ATOD use. Winning groups receive a cash prize. Will air PSAs on Channel 36 and maybe UTube!

CCHS: Contest in small groups – PSA with winning groups receiving a cash prize.

Will request drama club to “Act Out” the Red Ribbon Story for statewide competition.

All three school coordinators have expressed interest in planting red tulips (“Plant the Promise” campaign) We anticipate paying for dog tags or bracelets, red ribbons, tulips, signs, and educational materials from DFC funds (our logo will appear on most of these endeavors) and we will find funding for the cash prizes. ($200 has already been found).

Chase County Community: We will ask businesses to support RRW by wearing ribbons and designing their own business poster (industry-related) for Red Ribbon Week. A certificate for “Red Ribbon Week Business of the Year” will be presented and possible other incentives and goodies.

Ministerial Alliance: Liz will meet with Ministerial Alliance on September 13 to discuss collaboration. Will ask for them to advertise, pass out Red Ribbons, and work on Developmental Assets in Congregations.

Information dissemination: We have information we would like to get out in the community. An effort to collaborate with the school and their mailing list has temporarily been delayed. We have information for parents, community members, and youth that will be distributed in other ways. We may host booths at enrollment and possibly parent/teacher conferences to get our information out there. In an effort to better serve the public, we are developing a survey to be distributed. We have excellent data from the Communities That Care youth survey, but we also need to collect data from the other 11 sectors of our coalition and community, especially from parents and businesses.

Jill Lauer has moved her office to the 3^rd floor of Chase County Elementary School near the library. Her program will continue with funding through the Kansas Department of Education and school funds. Her program has reduced numbers due to some families moving away, some graduating into kindergarten, and she is now only serving 4-5 year-olds if they have a younger sibling. This program needs a shot of support from coalition members. Research shows that for every $1 spent on this program, it saves $17 down the road in medical, incarceration, lost work, etc.

James Redick asks that everyone go to the hamburger Helper website to “support” the Swope Park project. You can add comments such as why we need it, etc.

The City of Strong City and other community members met with KDOT on August 30 concerning Safe Routes To School Application. Determination will be made this month.

Sheriff Dorneker attended a Meth Prevention meeting with Jerry Moran in Emporia on meth issues. What Congressman Moran learned from the sheriffs attending is that more work is needed to fight this drug that targets our towns – both large and small. Importation from

Mexico

has presented new challenges to law enforcement officers who are being forced to change and adapt to the many new ways used to break the law.

Concerned Citizens Hobo Stew Community Meeting November 3 at the Tech Center. Don will explain.

Welcome Wagon Two more new families – community gifts of welcome to the community along with prevention information flyers.

SADD: Students against Destructive Decisions meeting with election of new officers and new agenda for the school year will be September 20^th. We have permission to have a pizza party.

Schools: Per Jay Talkington, on September 20^th at 1:30 There will be an assembly at the High School entitled Charting Your Course about character. Karla Edmisten said Project Teen will be starting soon at CCMS and Project Alert will be this spring for 7^th and 8^th graders. They are also working with Sara from Camp Alexander and Project Teen to plan a 16-segment bullying course and a day at Camp Alexander for CCMS students. Mr. Elliott reports 11 students enrolled in Reconnecting Youth but possible cutbacks next year could mean dropping the course. (Mr. Budke will be teaching more science courses and not have time for it).

Business: Cottonwood Valley Bank distributed 1,000 “Not In Our House” brochures to customers in their bank statement this month free of charge.

Regional Prevention Center: Teresa Walters met with Program Director and Youth Coordinator on Friday, August 31. Discussions were about getting more coalition members to meetings, and more members involved in information dissemination. Also discussed creating social and norm changes in the community. We are working on rewriting strategic plan for DFC grant to reflect activities as being more in-line with following Strategic Prevention Framework as required by SAMHSA.

Media: Jerry Schwilling is soliciting advertisers to support Red Ribbon Week in a full-page ad. Currently on Channel 36, PSAs are running for Recovery Month. These were obtained from the Regional Prevention Center and there will are also PSAs from Sara Rile, Director of Corner House and youth in our community on the next program.

The Drug Endangered Children Nation Conference is in Kansas City October 10 – 12. The Kansas DEC board will host the conference. We will be working on advocation for new laws, enforcement of existing laws, and funding. The Program Director’s conference fee will be reimbursed by Ks. DEC, and he will pay for his hotel expenses.

Red Ribbon Campaign: A new Kansas booklet with the new guidelines for awards is at the printer. The State Red Ribbon Committee has mandated to make Red Ribbon a year-round commitment with the last week of October to be a celebration of all the community prevention programs and to kick off next year’s campaign.

The Kansas Leadership To Keep Children Alcohol Free team is promoting the national campaign, “Not in Our House”. The main focus at the present is to make the public, including law, prosecution, school, parent, churches, etc (12 sectors) more aware of Social Hosting Laws. (Paul’s Law).

The Kansas Department of Transportation Safety Council advisory board will meet October 10 in Topeka to set next year’s conference agenda. It will be held April 29-30 in Topeka. The Youth Coordinator and “Teens Taking Action” have agreed to conduct a workshop on distracted driving.

The State Red Ribbon/SADD Conference will be held in Salina in April. We hope several sectors of our coalition will attend and participate.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS

“Do or Die Group”

If you would like information about a simple—not easy program of recovery from addiction, you are welcome to attend our meetings every

Monday and Thursday,

7:00 p.m. at the

First Baptist Church

Fellowship Hall

601 East Sycamore

Cottonwood Falls, KS