Prevention Works! Minutes 

Meeting of Prevention Works! June 11, 2001
4:00 p.m. at Olympic Medical Center, Linkletter Auditorium

Call to order:  Jane Shefler called the meeting to order

Introductions
The following people introduced themselves:  Jane Shefler, Chris Borchers, Jan Laine, Karen Kremkau, Lynne Saddler, Brenda Butterfield, Nancy Martin, Diana Assumpcao, Jody Jacobson, Connie Hyatt, Florence Bucierka, Joanie Matter, Nita Quan, Ellen Fetchiet, Mel Melmed, and Cynthia Martin.  

OPAEYC Conference
Joanie Matter announced that OPEYAC has a conference coming the first Saturday in March.  The speaker will be Judy Ford from Kirkland, an author of books for families.  Ms. Ford is also willing to do a workshop, Parenting with Love and Laughter, on Friday night.  The cost for each is $500.  If any other group is willing to work with OPEYAC to help come up with the funds.  The Prevention Works!  Board will discuss whether we might want to participate in this activity.  The Friday night would also be a stars credit. 

First Step Family Services and Second Step
Nita Quan came to finish discussing First Step Family Services and Second Step.  Nita went to the Hawaii Healthy Start Model several years ago.  This is primarily a home visiting service.  This became Healthy Families America that does home visiting all over the United States.  Research indicates that this model, which extends home visiting over an extended period of time, can reduce child abuse and neglect.  They have found that when there are multiple stressors involved, families need help.  About the time that Prevention Works began, Nita and Brenda Butterfield began looking into ways to get some of these services in Clallam County to round out services that were being provided; this became the beginning of Second Steps.  Now they have about three years of data on about 75 families.  There are about 600 babies born in Clallam County each year.  Second Steps is trying to look at gaps in services.  These may be people who are making too much to be provided services in our area.  Some of these might be eligible through specific needs such as special needs children.  But the area Nita was talking about is how to provide the services to those who not being served before they might get referrals to CPS.   Literature shows certain things protect families: 1) families who have a strong support system, 2) families who understand development, 3) families who know how important they are to their child’s well-being, 4) families who are good advocates for their child, and 5) families who know about problem solving.  The goal of Second Steps is to prevent child abuse and neglect by building these protective factors into the lives of parents.  The program uses both the parenting ladder and the support map.  Currently they are funded through WCPCAN and some from DASA; now some through the Carolyn Foundation for this coming year.  They try to have their home visitors teach parenting by doing rather than lecturing.  They want parents to understand how important they are to their children and ways they can help their child succeed.  Through some funds they received through the Clallam County Network for books, they are able to give each person in the Second Steps program The Kissing Hand and the Runaway Bunny.  These books deal with both emotional issues of parenting and the importance of parents as well as literacy issues.  They also distribute a “baby brain bag” to each person in the Second Step program.  They are filled with teaching devices.  They encourage parents to take one toy out at a time and do the activity with their child.  Each activity is described on cards that explains to  parents ways they use can use the toys these with their child.  Each card tells the parents what she is working developmentally by doing these specific activities.  She completed by reading some stories that discussed anecdotal stories from the program.  People with questions can contact Nita Quan at 457-8355 or at fstep@olypen.com. 

Minutes  
Minutes of the last meeting were approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report  
Chris Borchers reported that we received a reimbursement check from the Health Department.  Jane transferred $1000 from CD so we have $3500 in CD and the checking account has $1200.  We appear to have a need for about $1000 every six months.  Need to consider that in the long run as we examine ways to raise funds to meet our minimal expenses.

 

Report on Children’s Day Grants 
Florence Bucierka reported that we will not seek funding for this grant this year.  Nancy Martin from Lutheran Social Services didn’t have time to pursue so we will let this go this year.
 

Report on DASA Prevention meetings at Moses Lake and Upcoming Governor’s Conference
Florence  Bucierka and Jane Shefler went to the quarterly meeting of the Governor’s Conference on Substance Abuse.  In the past they have primarily focused on treatment so this was the only group to talk about prevention.  Lots of good questions were asked.  One of the good things was to have a non-agency person involved.  The group was very impressed about the Commissioners support and the Carolyn Foundation funding.

            Florence wants us to do another presentation in Yakima in October.  This would be more extensive and longer.  It will be a longer presentation.  At this conference they are likely to have 1000 people to attend.  We are already into the program.  We need a committee to plan what we should be doing for this conference.  If you are interested in helping with this planning, contact Florence at fbucierka@co.clallam.wa.us

Brochure and Website Report

Cynthia Martin distributed a sample brochure for Prevention Works!  The executive board felt there was a need to have something to distribute to potential members and to places like the Governor’s Conference they recently attended.  People were invited to give input about the brochure and to check the information on their groups for accuracy.  We will print a limited number of these with the intent of revising it frequently.

            The website is up and running.  Members are encouraged to send Cynthia cynthia@firstteacher.org or Shaine Schramling  shaines@nwinet.com  information to put on the website to keep it current and useful.  Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the website.
 

Pro Family Businesses Committee 
Cynthia Martin talked about forming the committee to provide awards to family friendly businesses.  Nancy Martin will be on the committee.  Jean Fairchild and Connie Hyatt are considering.  We might want to make a contact with Soroptimists or the Kiwanis.

Committee Reports
            Home Visiting – Lynne Saddler  
They will be setting up a meeting for the summer. They want to do a chart of all of the home visiting in the County.  Their committee is looking at the themes that need to be addressed in the next conference both for skill building and for networking. 

            Child Care – Nancy Martin
The attempt to get the businesses involved didn’t seem to be working.  Nancy wants parents and child care providers to be involved in the big event.  They need to see that they are a piece of a larger community.   

            Parent Education – Diana Assumpcao
Diana discussed the great on-line survey from college.  We are looking at speakers at this time.  Planning for the summit is the primary focus of the group at this time.  June 22 at 9:00 a.m. at Bonnie Bakery.

            Membership – Mel Melmed  
Mel got prices on banners for Prevention Works!  Banner would cost $80 for a 2-6 banner.  Plastic with grommets and most were this size.  Will send out brochures when they are completed to encourage membership.

            Publicity – Jim Borte was not at the meeting.  The importance of getting some information to the newspapers was discussed.

            Strategic Planning – Jane Shefler 
They will be meeting at the First Presbyterian Church in PA talking about next step.  They will be in the library.  Creating the future of Prevention Works.  We have made progress but need to get to the ideas that are being left out.

KEYS – Elna Kawal  
This committee is being very successful on their book drive.

            Rock and Roll – Jody Jacobson   
Their last meeting is June 28 at Juvenile Services.  This will be a meeting to put together a youth resources directory.  The youth mentoring program is moving along.

            Forum – Chris Borchers    
She reported on the recent meeting.  They are checking into Margaret Wright Edelman, Terry Tefoya, & Brad Owens to be the primary speaker.  They want someone nationally known and one from state.

Other Business
            Florence read us a recognition from the DASA with certificate for drug free Washington.

            Florence is organizing a grant writing class for Clallam County.  The speaker will be someone from DASA.  The class will either be in August or September.  The emphasis will be on risk prevention and on grant writing.

Next Meeting
We are not going to meeting in the summer, but the committees will continue to meet.  The Board will be meeting in August through November at least in Sequim They will be on the 4th Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. at Sequim Community School in the First Teacher room.  Jane encouraged everyone to keep working during the summer.

Coming Events
·         Parent Education Committee June 22 at Bonnie’s Bakery at 9 a.m.
·         Rock and Roll on June 28 at 4:00 at Juvenile Services
·         October 18-21 Yakima DASA
·         Grant Writing Seminar August or September
·         25th Anniversary of West End Outreach in September
·         OPAEYC Conference March 1, 2002 
·         Professional Development Institute on June 27-29 in Olympia.  
·         Board meeting on August 28 at First Teacher in Sequim (220 W Alder)