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Prevention Works! Minutes |
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Clallam
County Prevention Works! Community Coalition Those attending were Rachel Anderson, Pam Arnot, Patra Boots, Roxanna Gonzales, Jennifer Charles, Angie Graff, Martha Hall, Patty Hannah, Susan Kirsch, Janice Laine, Kathryn McDaniel, Nita Quan, Debra Sharp, Sara McPhee, Ann Bell, Lynne Sharp, Michael Arthur, Mary Ann La Fozia, Jane Shefler, Florence Bucierka, Ida Carrol and Cynthia Martin. The meeting of Prevention Works! was begun with a presentation by Michael Arthur. He works for University of Washington in the Social Development Research Group with David Hawkins and Richard Catalono. They have been working since 1979 on developing social development strategy, the theoretical basis of risk and protective focused prevention. He has been involved in prevention services in 40 communities across the state and specifically with working with Port Angels for the last 5 years. They have been conducting surveys of risk and protective factors in the community and consolidating information on the prevention efforts through a program called Communities That Care. Now they are going to work with a number of communities to look at ways to target and intervene to reduce the problems of youth. Longitudinal studies have identified risk factors that predict violence, substance abuse and other problem behaviors. Risk factors are negative; protective factors are the positive. Controlled trials have identified effective preventive interventions. Risk Factors Must: Demonstrate effects in multiple studies and predict later onset of problems behaviors (tract children from early age and follow them over years) Protective Factors Must: Buffer the effects of risk exposure (include individual characteristics such as intelligence, resilience, temperament, competencies and skills, bonding, prosocial opportunities, reinforcement for prosocial involvement. Michael’s group scans the research to look for ways to determine if these things are working. They have found that prevention includes the following interventions: premarital counseling, prenatal and infancy programs, early childhood education, parent training, family therapy, after school recreation, mentoring with contingent reinforcement, youth employment with education, organizational change in schools, school behavior management strategies, community and school policies, community mobilization, community policing. They have also found that effective prevention saves money. Through the surveys, they have found that Port Angeles rates for 6th graders is close to the state norm, but in 8th grade a considerable jump with now 20% report being high or drunk at school. Marijuana use report that 1/3 are using. This is higher than the state average. Preventing drug use must be done early; the younger the children are when they begin is critical. So what do we do about it? The research group, with community help, then looks at the community, family, school, and peer/individual. The community is perceived by those surveyed as being significantly below the state average in support. In all areas, PA students scored below the national average on the protective side. In the risk side, many are over on the risk exposure. Survey results indicated family management problems and low commitment to school so the community can now look at this data and see what can be done. Then you try different protective factors such as family management, prenatal infancy programs, early childhood education etc. Then you go back and measure the improvement and see if it is working. This is the intervention we are now ready to check in PA. This is the Communities that Care that is now ready to begin. The program is set up on the basis of what the young people say needs to be done in the survey. Cooperation from the school district, the city, and the law enforcement community are all part of the next step. The grant will provide a full time coordinator ($40,000 plus benefits, training and technical assistance in the CTC strategy, assessment/survey every two years, funding for selected programs ($75,000 per year for 4 years), evaluation of implementation and outcomes. Who needs to be involved? How will it work best? Now need to raise funds to match the 60% with 40% we have to raise. They are hoping to start somewhere between April and June beginning with hiring the coordinator. This person needs to be responsive to the key leaders in PA but also connected with the University. Not sure where this person should come from. Who will be the fiscal agent in PA to handle the money for the coordinator and the other funds? Prevention Works was suggested as a group that should be involved along with Boys and Girls Clubs, tribes, YMCA, the Education Foundation, and mental health professionals. Patty Hannah suggested we have taken the first steps in the group that they have already formed to come up with a comprehensive prevention plan. She also said that the comprehensive plan is somewhat stalled right now. What businesses might be interested? Mostly our small businesses would be connected and possibly through the Chamber of Commerce. The hospital is the major employer in PA. Sustainability is part of the issue. We asked him for examples of communities who have succeeded and who have been able to sustain the efforts of the CTC. This appears to be an exciting opportunity in our community. Everyone was asked to think about who should be involved and then get that group together. THE BUSINESS MEETING OF PREVENTION WORKS! The business meeting of Prevention Works was then was called to order by Jane Shefler. There was no agenda, but the following reports were given by committees: Treasurer’s Report We have a new interest rate of 1.29% with $3795 plus also another $600 in the checking account. Our only real money is going to Shaine as the webmaster. Strategic Planning Committee: Proposed by-laws will be taken at a later meeting, rather than today. Nominate a Clallam Community Hero Norma suggested we write in the names of other members to try to get them to be involved in prevention efforts. Consider nominating our own members. This was one way to get the message of prevention out to the community. KEYS Cynthia indicated that the mission of KEYS has changed. Since another group is focusing on literacy, KEYS will now focus on parent involvement. KEYS will still be active in literacy but it won’t be our primary focus any longer. Building Harmony with the Latino Population Cynthia reported on the progress of this group. The meeting is on Saturday, January 25 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Sequim High School. Registration is coming in now. The panel will be Latino people discussing the issuers of being in our community. The break out sessions will be on medical and health insurance issues, parenting and child development, business, city and Law Enforcement, Schools and ESL and College Issues, and the Fair Community. The primary speakers will be Alma and Jorge Chacon. There are seat stipends, scholarships for lunch when needed, and clock hours for this day. Prevention Works! Forum Cynthia reported on the progress of this group. The Forum will be May 17. There will more information later. At the next meeting we are deciding the name and considering the speaker. Home Visiting Summit The Summit will be on February 14 and will be on "Seeing is Believing." Martha Erickson will be the speaker. The cost will be $12.50 and there will be seat stipends. It will be at OMC. Primary funds to pay for the speaker are coming from OMC, WCPCAN, Prevention Works!, and one other group. Translator and Interpreter Training in Forks Shaine is working on this training for translators and interpreters in Forks as part of the rural Health Grant. There will be more information at the next meeting. This is a growing problem in Clallam County and one that is important to address. Annual Meeting and Election By next meeting, we need to start thinking about executive committee positions that are open. We need to look at the annual meeting and give ideas to Jane before next board meeting at 7:30 to 9:00 am on January 21. Jane doesn’t see us going a lot into goals of the group. Jane had seen Don Corson and had told him he had become a legend. Florence said the County Commissioners approached her about some awards for Prevention Works! Division of Alcohol (FLORENCE) Shaine and Florence will be going to Washington, D.C. in February for CADCA conference. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Martin, substitute secretary
If there are corrections, please e-mail Shaine Schramling (shaines@nwinet.com) |
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