Prevention Works! Minutes 

Clallam County Prevention Works! Community Coalition
November 8, 2004
Linkletter Auditorium with Telelinking to Forks

Treasurer Rachel Anderson called the meeting to order

Self Introductions - What is your favorite book (or children's book)?

Rachel Anderson (CCHHS), Shaine Schramling (Parenting Matters Foundation), Kristen Jackson (Sequim Gazette, CCLC), Kim Kettel (JST), Sheila Strong (JST), Michelle (Readiness to Learn), Gwen Cole (Healthy Families), Joanie Matter, Susan Hillgren (Family Planning), Marsha Omdal (First Book), Tracy Wilson (SNAP), Stacie Neff (CCHHS), Patty Hannah (United Way), Gena Royal (WSU Extension), Ida Carroll (West End Outreach), Florence Bucierka (CCHHS), Jennifer Charles (CCHHS),Barbara Clampett (Peninsula College), Pam Arnott (OMC), Ellen Fetcheit (PASD)

Program - Literacy in Clallam County
Kristen Jackson - Clallam County Literacy Committee Chairperson went over the Powerpoint Presentation. If anyone would like to see it, please contact Shaine Schramling (shaines@nwinet.com)

Family Literacy Day is a national event. Every child that comes receives a free book. Gave away other prizes as well. Promotion of literacy. Volunteers were in reading circles – one girl sat with reader in Sequim for almost 2 hours said that “no one really reads to me so this is fun.” Majority of children that are there seem to be low-income. Event held at Libraries. Prior to the Family Literacy Day – in every elementary and middle school and preschool in Clallam County (with a few exceptions) – they held a Reading Contest and received a box of books. For each time a child read a book, they were entered into the drawing. Then names were drawn for a free book. Grand prize winner as well.

Florence asked how we are working with adult population. Kristen replied that it is just getting started. Peninsula College & SNAP working with adult population.

Patty Hannah - Reach Out & Read
Patty – today she is Dr. Cathy Shubkin – wanted to start a Reach Out & Read Program. Purpose of Reach Out & Read – get books in the hands of new parents. Every child that goes to the Children’s Clinic (PA, Sequim or Forks), for a well-baby checkup, receives an age-appropriate book. By time they enter Kindergarten they will have 6 books. Doctors talk with parents about child behavior, child growth and development. Doctors prescribe reading to your baby for 10 minutes every day and “Here’s a book to do it with.” Here’s what happens at 6 months when you are reading – how a book opens, they are hearing the words, handling books. Parents learn that different developmental stages are normal. Have bookmarks that go with the books with tips on how to read with children. Program has been going for 3 years now. They buy $2.50 books – 1300 books in last 6 months and expect to continue. The clinic sees about 80% of all children in Clallam County. Some concern when we started – just because a parent can afford to buy a book, doesn’t mean they do buy a book. ½ the parents are on Medicaid and other lower income families.

United Way gave $500 to Reach Out & Read and donors designated Reach Out & Read.

Through Sign On for Literacy, Hennessey Street – Allows money for United Way to purchase books. Able to buy books for $1 per book through Parenting Matters Foundation. All events, there will be books given out. Hospital Commissioners program – doing New Mom’s program – brought a starter kit of books – for book bags. Make sure all kids get books. Washington State Library Association Bookmark.

Have to be in Pediatric or Federally Qualified Health Clinic – Kiwanis club volunteer readers originally, but there is usually no wait, so that has stopped. They did read at Family Literacy Day.

Pam Arnott – MOM’S Club International put together these Breastfeeding bags – wonderful thing for new parents.

December Meeting – MOMS Club International will talk about their program and their bags.

Marsha Omdal - First Book

National Organization and Clallam County has chapter. Established in 1997. National Grant with intent to serve low-income populations – 80% will be low income. It is no longer supported by national grant. Each advisory chapter is now supposed to raise funds. There is some sponsorship. Sometimes hear on Oprah or Good Morning America, Patty Murray added something to a bill some time ago – usually matching funds. In cycle they are in grant-writing phase. Intent – to give child first books. Found through studies that these are the families that don’t usually have a book.

Outside of classroom settings – after school tutoring, for children up through teenage years serving low-income families. In Clallam County – raised money to give 12,000 books to children in need. Small advisory board, contributions from other groups (Soroptimists, Haller Foundation, CCCN).

First Book Book Bank – Once you’ve received a grant from First Book Book Bank, you can apply for low cost books from Scholastic, Random House – when they have to get rid of their extra books.

Getting ready to award some grant procedures – incorporate reading as part of activities, serve children and families from low-income, want people in program long enough so they will receive multiple book donations.

5 page application, look them over, award as much as possible. This year, not as many book bank books. Application – December 31 deadline.

www.firstbook.org – Deadline

Florence – Learned at the Prevention Summit in Yakima – big literacy project in Benton-Franklin County.

Business Meeting

Approval of minutes of previous Prevention Works meeting minutes (10/11/04) – Moved and seconded to approve meeting minutes of PW.

Treasurer’s Report (Rachel) – Passed out Balance Sheet of Prevention Works (just over $10,000), CD will roll over. Income/Expense Report also passed out.

Clallam County Community Network (Shaine) – Norma met with Pete Peterson – they have come up with a basic outline that has more clearly defined what would take place if CCCN and Prevention Works will enter into partnership. She will have something definitive for the board at the November meeting and the general membership at the December meeting.

Prevention Pays Update (Shaine) – They are meeting while Norma is gone to talk about their approach to the Legislature to promote prevention. Norma will update when she returns.

Reports (please limit to 2 minutes if possible) - if there is something to report

• Rock N Roll-Susan Hillgren – looking for members, contact Susan or Gwen – looking for projects (Hep B shots for homeless teens).
• Outreach-Gwen Cole & Jim Borte – Membership and Publicity have merged – working on presentation for what Prevention Works is. 
• Tobacco – Rachel Anderson -  Ordinance – December 19 – no smoking unless in designated areas (Courthouse, Fairgrounds – will have smoke free zones, Juvenile & Family Services, Road Dept.) Clallam County B

Announcements

Flyer for Homebuyers Education Class

Florence – Family Policy Council Conference – they are overseeing entity for Community Networks. December 1-3 in Tacoma – same speakers as well as Peter Westbrook. Guardian ad Litem training – led by Peter Jaffe. Network has coupons for discounted registrations. Florence has brochures and Shaine will send out email shortly. November 14 deadline.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 3-7 p.m., Saturday nights – homeless kids are being fed 4 nights a week.

Joanie Matter – OPAEYC – Conference – March 5 at PC – Dana Stevens (University of Washington Exceptional Children’s Program – Children with Difficult Behaviors). Will be putting out Call for Presenters in November. Will come through Prevention Works List-Serve.

Washington State Prevention Summit in Yakima – 5 Youth from Sequim & Port Angeles High Schools – helped financially for them to attend. 

Date of next meeting - Monday, December 13, 2004 - MOMS Club International

5:00 p.m. Adjourn

Respectfully submitted,

Shaine Schramling
Secretary

If there are corrections, please e-mail Shaine Schramling (shaines@nwinet.com)