February 24, 2015 Partnership Meeting
Discussed the Action Plan Outline below for the Drug Free Communities Grant.
Parent education and skill development
- Active Parenting of Teens – parenting class
- Driver’s education – letter to parents about risks of teens driving under the influence
- Prom/Graduation pamphlet – regarding penalties of providing alcohol to minors and social host ordinances
- Parent Up – media campaign including online resources
- Speaker – national expert on adolescent brain development and the effects of marijuana use. We will partner with the school and coalition members to promote this to the whole community.
Teen education
- Teens in Action – character and skill development, family communication, ATOD prevention
- Health classes – partner with school and SAP to ensure education on harmful effects of marijuana use
- Driver’s education – Partner with the State of Vermont’s training of instructors to have the knowledge regarding teen brain development and the effects of substance use and how to add this to their driving instruction classes. We will ensure that our local instructors are receiving this training and integrating info to students about risks of driving under the influence in their classes.
- Speaker – national expert on adolescent brain development and the effects of marijuana use
- Dose of Reality Campaign and/or PeerX (still need to look into these) –> We are taking this out – we are doing a lot already and we aren’t sure we like these campaigns.
Above the Influence student group – collaborate with SAP to facilitate
- Sticker Shock activity – students place stickers on beer to be sold in local stores that deter adults from purchasing alcohol for minors
- Recognition for students who are choosing to be substance free
- Substance free events/activities
- Getting to the Y training for students to learn how to interpret the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data and facilitate activities with their peers regarding the data.
Public Relations
WRVthrives will create a comprehensive media campaign to provide information to parents and the community at large regarding youth substance use, the harmful effects, and what adults can do to help prevent youth substance use.
- The following existing campaigns will be integrated into the overall PR plan to reach adults: Parent Up, Counter Balance, and Lock Your Meds and Prescription Drug Disposal.
- Support the upkeep of WindhamRx.org web site.
- The Dose of Reality Campaign and/or PeerX will be used in partnership with the schools to reach youth regarding the negative impact of prescription drug misuse. Decided not to do this.
- The PR plan will be comprehensive using all media outlets in order to reach the most people. These including: Internet (Web site, Facebook, blog, e-newsletter); local print (Newspaper column including Matters of Substance, local newsletter submissions); WRVthrives generated print materials (newsletter, and direct mailing, brochures); campaign specific materials (posters, brochures, pamphlets); audio/visual media outlets (Radio and BCTV – partner with Health Department)
- WRVthrives will provide information at local events (Wellness Fairs, Farmer’s Markets, and local festivals)
Pro-Active Response To Youth Activities (PARTY-A) – Sheriff’s department will provide presence at Prom and Graduation to deter substance use
Youth Substance Abuse Safety Program
- Educate youth about consequences of getting caught under the influence or in possession of substances
- Help enhance the activities students must participate in to complete the program (i.e. meaningful community service, education on the harm caused to themselves and others and finding ways to share their knowledge and experience with their peers)
Community Hope & Action Committee – Increase the social connectivity and sense of community through open meetings, community events, and providing a guide of local resources.
- Continue to enhance the work of the committee through program/administrative support, event coordination support, outreach, and ensuring the events remain alcohol free.
- Enhance the access to community events by providing funds to augment the cost of providing food and gas cards to people who provide transportation to those in need.
- Coordinate a cultural competency training for the committee to ensure that efforts are all inclusive. Use the HRSA Cultural Competency Tool to help the committee identify areas to address.
- Assist in increasing youth involvement in planning and participating in community events.
- Ensure that the resource guide is up-to-date and add new information as needed.
Work with retailors that sell alcohol
- Community Scan – use this tool to assess local establishments and determine any concerns that need to be addressed
- Compliance checks – enhance these existing efforts by providing certificates to those businesses that pass and providing information on improving policies designed by the Responsible Retailer’s Forum for those that do not pass.
- Retailer Beverage Service Trainings – provide funding for space for these trainings and outreach to businesses to encourage their participation.
Work with Select Boards
- Liquor Commissioner Trainings – host one of these trainings in the area
- Policies on alcohol restrictions at community events – specifically The Friendly Gathering at Timber Ridge in Windham at the end of June.
Collaborative efforts to reduce prescription drug misuse
- Work with local prescribers to educate parents about monitoring prescriptions given to children.
- Work with school to enforce policies to ensure proper distribution of prescription drugs by the school nurse.
- Support the Department of Health’s efforts to educate and update physicians about the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System.
- Provide education and materials to local doctors, pharmacists, veterinarians, and dentists regarding Lock Your Meds campaign and proper disposal (brochures, pamphlets, etc.)
- Assist in the promotion of activities at Grace Cottage’s Wellness Center and increase enrollment.
- Support the school’s efforts to provide more opportunities for students to learn healthy coping skills.
- Facilitate conversations with Turning Point Recovery Center, mental health providers, and the schools to enhance the supports for families and address gaps in services.
- With no more DEA Take Back Days, can we write in funds to help dispose of collected meds?