Springfield Prevention Coalition

2010-11-02T18:28:00.002-04:00

It happens only once in a great while. A gift comes that you weren't expecting.

Tomorrow night is one of them for the Springfield Prevention Coalition.

Earlier this month, we received a phone call from the Greater Falls Prevention Coalition.

They offered us an opportunity we could not resist...as an add on to their event, we could hire the young motivational speaker Patrick Perez from the great state of Texas to come and perform for our students in the Springfield area, on Wednesday November 3rd.

Well that time has come, and having seen him in action today in Bellows Falls, I am excited to say that tomorrow night will be a wonderful time for those who choose to attend.

Patrick is real, and full of energy. He is right on with the young people, and his moves are dynamic!

Look for some video clips and sound bites to come, and do make every effort to witness this yourself. This opportunity won't be around again for perhaps another year, and it truly will be something your young people won't forget!

2010-04-20T11:37:00.005-04:00

SPC on the Statehouse steps

for Prevention Day 2010

Community prevention coalitions from around Vermont – joined by students and other community members – flocked to the Statehouse in Montpelier on Wednesday, April 14, to celebrate substance abuse prevention in the state and a variety of successes that coalitions have had in recent months, as part of Prevention Day 2010. Prevention Day was organized by Prevention Works!.

The day began inside the Capitol, with several groups of teens spotlighted for the projects they have taken on and the positive impact they have made in their communities. Groups spotlighted included Connecting Youth, Camel's Hump Vermont Kids Against Tobacco, and Enosburg Falls Our Voices Xposed, among others.

Following this presentation, those in attendance gathered outside on the Statehouse lawn for a group photo that represented the theme of Because We Care. This theme is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of keeping the Minimum Legal Drinking Age at 21.

Throughout the day, students and their respective coalitions had opportunities to meet with their legislators to talk about what they've been up to, as well as to discuss the importance of prevention in the towns they live in. In the afternoon, Addison-3 Rep. Diane Lanpher (Addison, Ferrisburgh, Panton, Vergennes, Waltham) recognized the efforts of Vermont's community prevention coalitions in the House Chamber.

2010-04-06T13:13:00.002-04:00

Need to text without a cell phone?

2010-02-01T11:51:00.006-05:00

For SPC members and friends who use texting to communicate,click on the link below:

email your text message!

State by State Analysis of Alcopops Law

2009-10-22T10:20:00.001-04:00

State by State Analysis of Alcopops Law

Posted using ShareThis

2009-07-16T14:10:00.004-04:00

After months of preparation, SPC and the Turning Point Recovery Center pulled off a big one!

A special thank you to the following participants of this project:

Angela Kelly, Elizabeth Cappola, Ed Battles & Sue Bridgeo, Stormy & Randy Adams, Craig Molden, Diana Harmon, John Jokenson, Jimmy Butterfield, Scott Frye and Chloe Felicetti, our youngest participant.

This experience is just the beginning of what we hope will be a standing activity among the prevention/recovery/treatment community.

"LET'S DO ART"

2009-06-30T16:00:00.002-04:00

Answers:

3,5,8*,

11,12,14

*contains .5% alcohol

DLC Study on Classification of
Flavored Malt Beverages & Alcohol Energy Drinks.

Girlie Drinks. Alco-Pops. Cheerleader Beers. Malternatives. From these slang names for what the alcohol industry and regulatory institutions call Flavored Malt-Beverages (FMB’s), it’s not hard to tell who their average consumer is. Although FMB’s are the primary drink of choice for underage female drinkers, they rank last in the preferred beverage of women who are over 21, according to the American Medical Association’s 2004 study.
On the heels of California’s decision to reclassify so called “Girlie Drinks” as distilled spirits, the VT Department of Liquor Control has recently issued a report recommending that FMBs be reclassified and taxed differently than malt beverages.
Reclassifying FMB’s as distilled spirits rather than beer would allow for changes that could significantly reduce underage drinking in Vermont. It would restrict availability by taking these products off the shelves of supermarkets and gas stations and placing them exclusively in liquor stores. It would also subject them to a higher tax rate. That would generate revenue and bump them out of the range of affordability for teens. The population most affected by this change would be the young and underage drinkers of Vermont…not the average taxpayer. Reclassification could also mean more responsible advertising of these products.
These drinks are currently being blatantly targeted at underage drinkers,
particularly young women. It’s no secret that the alcohol industry is using these to attract younger drinkers. A brand development manager for Boston Beer Company noted that, “With younger drinkers, their palates haven’t quite matured yet to drinks like bourbon. Malternatives are a sweeter drink, they’re easier to drink and it takes less time to mature to the taste.” Despite claims that it is the young “of-age” drinkers who are targeted with these products, as a significant minority (41%) of flavored malt beverages are consumed by young people ages 21-27.

Your local substance abuse prevention coalitions are supporting
the reclassification of FMB’s in their efforts to reduce underage drinking
and binge drinking. To act locally on this issue,
contact SPC - your local prevention coalition.

2009-06-29T10:59:00.003-04:00

Thanks to the Town of Springfield's highway department there are now 4 "DUI: You can't afford it!" signs up around town. They are a colorful reminder to us all while driving by them.

Alcohol and the Body

2009-05-29T14:07:00.001-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIugiL4h1BE

TWELVE - the Movie

2009-03-26T16:09:00.003-04:00

Is There Life After Rehab in Recovery?

Twelve is an edgy and unscripted documentary about the experiences of young survivors of
substance addiction.
After hitting their "bottom", these young people have sought out a better way
of life through a process called recovery.

Testimonials present real facts about what lies
ahead for young people in long-term recovery.
Twelve purposefully targets the similarities and classic progression of the addiction process.

April 10th and 24th - 7:00 pm
April 11th and 25th - 8:15 pm
at the
Turning Point Recovery Center
7 Morgan Street
Springfield, VT
for directions call them at - 885-4668

SPC goes to Washington, DC

2009-03-02T13:24:00.002-05:00

CADCA's
19TH ANNUAL
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP FORUM
Community Prevention Day

Moving Forward

2008-12-29T12:38:00.002-05:00

Well it's official - she's outta here!
Kathy McNamara, that is. And with that comes the opportunity to move forward in confidence that we are a team, and will continue to carry out the mission of the coalition. Which leads me to a question I've wanted to ask our partners:
If someone on the street happened to ask you "what is the Springfield Prevention Coalition?", what would be your response?
In a fast paced world, people want a fast answer. What's yours in one sentence?
Just some food for thought. Maybe we do this as an exercise in our next meeting.
Hope everyone's holidays are going smoothly and that some are enjoying some time off.

See you all soon!
Mona

SPC Updates & Opportunities...

2008-12-01T12:47:00.002-05:00

Hi All, SPC will enjoy good representation at the upcoming SPF Grant Training this Thursday and Friday and, as always, we will be bringing that info back to the coalition.

Just a reminder that our last coalition meeting of the year will be on Tuesday, December 16th, 2008, and it will be a celebration of the holiday season, work accomplished, and releasing the new website! The meeting will be in our regular location: in CCV room 306 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm.

Please also mark your calendar for an upcoming educational opportunity hosted by the Springfield Restorative Justice Center: Sex Crime Prevention and Education, on January 12, 2009, 5:30 - 8:30 pm in CCV. Stay tuned for more details, but please note that you must RSVP by January 5 to Wendi at springfieldrjc@vermontel.net or call 885-8707, seating is limited.

Guests have the opportunity to participate in three different 1/2 hour informative presentations and two 1/2 hour community discussions. Presentations on: Child Lures Prevention, Sex Offender Registry, VT Victims Advocate, VTPSA Sex Offender Treatment, Public Safety Specialist, Dept of Children & Families, and Dept. of Corrections.

Updates and Opportunities

2008-10-30T11:35:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Danielle Dulaney (SAP at SHS) for presenting on Red Ribbon Week at the last Coalition Meeting, and Christy A., Nancy W, Lee L, Barb V and Marie G for their efforts in getting the Strengthening Familes (10-14) up and going! Nancy Weeks, the newly appointed SPC Secretary, took minutes at the last meeting (email kathym@springfieldpreventioncoalition.org for minutes if you want them and have not recieved them).

We are in the midst of Red Ribbon week, and our lovely Miss Mona Frye has been working with the SHS team to help kick off the week, and I am about to head up there to help tape Mr. Foss to the wal (part of at SADD fundraiser during this week). Tomorrow is the Ghost Out and Mona will be painting faces for the students who are participating--creating awareness about the risk of death and serious injury involved in using drugs and alcohol.

There is an excellent opportunity to take a FREE online workshop through the Northeast CAPT (Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies) called "Linking Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention to Academic Success". I participated in one of these online courses before (on Social Marketing) and I really learned a lot. You do have to sign up for them quickly though, as the group fill up fast!! http://www.northeastcapt.org/registration. Registration begins on Monday, Nov 3rd (That's THIS Monday! Crazy, I know...)

If anyone is interested in volunteering to help me COOK for the Strengthening Families program, please let me know- I had help from the facilitators and Nancy's lovely daughter Carly last week, but if you are interested in getting involve we'd love to have you join in the effort of making this program a success. The time slot for cooking helpers is from 5-7 on Tuesdays from now thru Dec 9th. (If you would prefer to make something at home and donate it- like cookies or something- you are welcome but certainly not obligated to do so.)

Quit Keeper

2008-10-30T11:08:00.002-04:00

With November literally right around the corner, so is the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout - November 20th this year.
I'd just like to share my joy of having a quit meter on my computer!
This handy little tool is a tangible reminder of the the time well spent with S.T.O.P. coordinator, Anne-Ellen Ackerman.
Armed with lots of information about the physical effects of smoking and tools to distract myself from picking up that first cigarette, Anne-Ellen met with me one on one to help me with this choice of mine, every step of the way.
I can honestly say that it was worth all the uncomfortableness of the first 72 hours just to be able to say that as of this day:
I have been quit for 3 Years, 11 Months, 2 Weeks, 2 Days, 4 minutes and 18 seconds (1,446 days).
I have saved $2,891.99 by not smoking 14,460 cigarettes.
I have saved 1 Month, 2 Weeks, 5 Days and 5 hours of my life.
My Quit Date: 11/14/2004 12:05 AM

I'm glad she's one of our partners, and I encourage you to check out her blog for more information about her program.

Easy breathing!
~Mona

Strengthening Families, 10-14

2008-10-27T15:43:00.001-04:00

SPC is partnering up with Riverside Middle School to offer a parent support program this fall called Strengthening Families. This seven-week program will provide parents and their children between ages 10-14 the opportunity to have FUN together, talk with their peers, and with each other about the special challenges involved in raising / being a pre-adolescent.

Sessions will be held every Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:30 pm starting Tuesday, October 28 and ending December 9, 2008. Dinner will be provided at this fun and rewarding program, as well as childcare for kids under age 10. For more information or to register, please contact Christy at 885-8490 or cadams@ssdvt.org, or Kathy & Mona in the SPC Office at 885-8706.

Great Training Opportunities

2008-09-22T10:45:00.002-04:00

We have a few great training opportunities coming up that I wanted to share with you, and SPC can offer support in getting you there! Please let me know ASAP if you are interested in attending one or both of these trainings, and we can get you registered!

Thursday, Oct 2: SPF Training, 8:30-4:00 in Rutland, VT. SPC is required to send 2 representative, but can send up to 3, one of which is the coordinator. This training informs our work and improves our ability to implement the SPF grant. http://trainings.healthandlearning.org/trainings/show/199

Monday & Tuesday, Oct 20-21: Environmental Prevention: Changing the Landscape of the Communities in which we live. This event is held at the Hilton in Burlington, and as it is a 2-day conference, SPC can cover hotel costs and mileage (carpooling) for members (in addition to the conference fee, which is FREE!), but you must contact the SPC Office to request this ASAP. This is an excellent training opportunity and we strongly encourage members who are available do attend. See more at: http://www.vcjtc.state.vt.us:80/enviromentalprevention.htm.

Admin Position filled!

2008-09-19T14:15:00.012-04:00

Hi all, the Springfield Prevention Coalition is pleased to announce that we have filled the Administrative Assistant Position in our office, and even more excited that it has been filled by the wonderful and talented Mona Frye.

Mona brings to this position 13 years of experience serving the Springfield community through her work at the Family Center, her creative abilities and spirit, and communications skills.

She will be working on much of the Coalition's outreach/communications, so don't be surprised if she comes knocking on your door for your input or quotes! She can be reached in our office at 802-885-8706, or by email at monafrye@vermontel.net.

SPC Retreat 2008: Success!

2008-09-19T14:15:00.011-04:00

Thanks to all of our partners who joined us on Tuesday night for a wonderful dinner, great conversation, and initiated action!

The Retreat Report is in and on Monday members will recieve an electronic copy of the work we completed together at the retreat. Together, we celebrated our successes, recognized each others contributions to our work, identified our collective and individual "bluerints for success", and articulated our visions for the coalition's future.

September is Recovery Month!

2008-09-19T13:47:00.001-04:00

SPC Retreat!

2008-08-25T15:45:00.005-04:00

SAVE THE DATE: the 2008 SPC Retreat will be held on Tuesday, September 16th, 4:00-7:00 pm at the Springfield Savings and Loan.

Join us as we celebrate the collective achievements of the past year, learn from our keynote speaker, and gear up for the year ahead!

Dinner will be served, and childcare will be available. Please indicate in RSVP if you would like to use this service and how many kids you will be bringing.

Please RSVP for Retreat by September 9th, 2008 to: spfldprevention@vermontel.net or 802.885.8706

Are You an 18-25 y/o Who Cares About Your Community?

2008-08-19T13:35:00.002-04:00

The VT Dept. of Health, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Programs is looking for a team of young adult advisors to inform substance abuse prevention planning activities around underage drinking, at-risk (“binge”) drinking, and marijuana use among young adults.

You have the power to make your communities healthy by changing the norms, advocating for prevention, and bringing your perspective to the table.

If you are a young adult ages 18-25 interested in learning about and being a part of community and state-level substance abuse prevention activities, contact Connie Beal at 802-652-2088 or email cbeal@vdh.state.vt.us for more details.

Way to Go!

2008-07-23T10:13:00.006-04:00

Congratulations to those of you who survived the Blogging 101 Training! For those of you who were not able to make it but are interested in learning more about using the blog, I have created a Technical Guide to Using The SPC Blog. Email spfldprevention@vermontel.net to request a copy.

A few suggestions came up at the training about how we could use this interactive space better, including online brainstorming, sharing information with other coalitions, getting feedback on projects we're working on, and using this space to advertise opportunities that we all offer each other and the community. PLEASE post COMMENTS to this with other suggestions on how you'd like to see the blog used by clicking the link BELOW this post where it says "# comments."

If you are interested in learning more about different types of blogs and how they can be used, I encourage you to read this article: The Seven Highly Effective Corporate Blogs (describes 7 different types of blogs).

Blogging 101: Mystery No More!

2008-07-16T13:25:00.008-04:00

Need help navigating the Blog?

Not quite sure how to use it?

Come to the SPC Blog Training on Tuesday, July 22 from 12:30-1:30 in the SPC Office, 56 Main St. Suite 208!

- Bring your lunch!
- Learn how to use the blog
- Get admin priviledges so you can post items to the blog and calendar
- If interested, ask questions about starting your own blog

Need Help Quitting Tobacco?

2008-06-11T12:15:00.004-04:00

FREE Smoking Cessation Classes!

Call Anne-Ellen at 885-3646 x1016 to register or for more info.

Please let others know!

Free Nicotine replacement for participants.

Question the Message

2008-05-30T13:16:00.006-04:00

Well the statewide "Question the Message" campaign has been launched and you can check out the website and materials at www.questionthemessage.com.

SPC has recieved the materials for the campaign, including a ton of fortune cookies, buttons, stickers and the decoder glasses you need to view their message, sling bags (really cute!) and an apple iPod Suffle!

We'll be in touch with updates on how these materials are being distributed, but your suggestions are welcome, just POST a comment here!

May Coalition Meeting...

2008-05-16T08:36:00.004-04:00

Thanks again to all of you who helped with the Focus Groups in a variety of ways, allowing us to have 4 focus groups and collect hours of information from Springfield's young people.

This will make for a packed agenda on Tuesday, May 20, 3:00-4:30 pm in CCV rm 306. I sent the full agenda out in the email, but here is a synopsis:

3:00-3:15 Welcome/Introductions
3:15-3:45 Focus Groups Summaries and next steps
3:45-4:10 Coalition Capacity Survey
4:10-4:25 Planning around the SPF Common Theme Campaign: "Question The Message" (Launches 5/19)
4:25-4:30 Wrap up / Next Meeting

If you have any agenda items to add, please add a comment to this post or email spfldprevention@vermontel.net.

Welcome to the SPC Blog!

2008-05-06T14:07:00.003-04:00

Here it is, the SPC Blog! It is designed to promote communication within the organization and throughout the community on topics relating to substance abuse prevention. Please keep in mind that we ask people not to post anonymously, as we hope to build community and respectfully contribute ideas to the group.

Keep in mind that the more this is used, the greater a resource is becomes for the community! Please post a comment on this posting with feedback on how you hope to use this blog or suggestions on how to make it better (or just to say hi!).

Thanks!

TO POST A COMMENT:
- Scroll to the bottom of a post and click COMMENTS (in light blue).
- Type your message in the "Leave Your Comment" box.
- Type in the code word prompt provided on the screen (to deter spamming).
- Click Name/URL and type your name in the top box and email address in the lower box.
- Click "Publish your comment."

April Updates

2008-04-28T09:24:00.000-04:00

Coalition Capacity Survey:
This survey will provide the coalition with infomation that is essential to our growth as a coalition. If you have not filled it out yet, please take a moment to complete it now: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Chy2qbB8sEIW8Ywb_2bOjSDQ_3d_3d . I understand it may be difficult for you to fill this out as many things have changed in the coalition over the past year, but the results will be discussed openly at the next coalition meeting (5/20/08) and there is room for comments at the end of the survey.

Focus Groups
The coalition will be running 4 focus groups to gather information in determining our strategic plan. The focus groups will be divided by age: 12-14 (middle school), 14-17 (High School) 18-20, and 21-25. Focus groups will be going on the week of May 12-16 (dates TBD once we get participants recruited) and the times will be relevant for the age group (after school for younger participants, after 5 for older participants). Childcare will be provided for the older groups if necessary. How can YOU HELP? RECRUITING! We especially need help recruiting 19-25 y/o's. If you don't have the recruitment flyer please contact spfldprevetnion@vermontel.net (see also in this week's Springfield Reporter). Word of mouth works best, please invite a few young people to participate. Registration for participation is due May 2, I will be following up with them the week after to determine meeting dates/times.

Opportunities for You:
The Center for Health and Learning in Brattleboro offers many workshops and trainings that are relevant to the work many of us do in and out of the coalition. The next training offer is called Prevention 101 (in Montpelier on May 1). This may be a great opportunity for newer members or those who are becoming familiar with Substance Abuse Prevention work, or would like to know more about it. SPC can cover the registration fee if there are a few people interested in attending this training. I attended a few months ago and it was a great overview / introduction for me.

What am I up to?
-- I recently interviewed Patrick Call at the Springfield PD (for the SPF data collection) about alcohol use among young people in Springfield. He let me know about some of the preventative work they are doing in town and up at the High School (using the "fatal vision" goggles and possibly getting golf carts for students to try driving while wearing the goggles). I have reminded them of our interest to work in partnership with them on these types of efforts and events.

-- Along with a few other members of the Coalition, I recently attended a workshop on Adolescent Brain Development and the effect of drugs on it. It was a great presentation and I learned a lot about it. Nancy Weeks, Lee Larson, and Christy Adams attended as well if you are interested in hearing more about what we learned.

-- Coahcing Track! Outside of my work with the Prevention Coalition, I have been coaching the SHS distance runners on the track team. This is giving me a great pulse on the students and the high school environment, and keeping them busy and health after school. Kudos to the track team for having 16 students on the Honor Roll this semester!

-- Speaking of track, Deb and I are also tracking down people who have been involved in the coalition in the past, are key players, and would welcome back to the table. Please encourage others who you know have been involved in the past to consider becoming involved again or involve new members as we continue our new growth and development.