PROTECTING OUR KIDS...INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE

PROTECTING OUR KIDS.....INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE

Like many organizations in this economy, our grant funding is disappearing....please support this vital work by donating!

Donations of any amount are tax deductible and much appreciated.

You can mail or drop off a check, payable to the City of Melrose, to Kara Showers at the Health Dept (address above).

Please don't hesitate to contact Kara if you have any questions!

UPCOMING MEETINGS - ALL ARE WELCOME!

The Coalition meets monthly.  All are encouraged to attend so mark your calendars!

• Thursday, September 2nd, 2010, 8:30am-9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room at Melrose High School (360 Lynnfells Parkway, Melrose, MA).

• Thursday, October 7th, 2010, 8:30am-9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room at Melrose High School (360 Lynnfells Parkway, Melrose, MA).

• Thursday, November 4th, 2010, 8:30am-9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room at Melrose High School (360 Lynnfells Parkway, Melrose, MA).

• Thursday, December 2nd, 2010, 8:30am-9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room at Melrose High School (360 Lynnfells Parkway, Melrose, MA).

• Thursday, January 6th, 2011, 8:30am-9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room at Melrose High School (360 Lynnfells Parkway, Melrose, MA).

• Thursday, February 3rd, 2011, 8:30am-9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room at Melrose High School (360 Lynnfells Parkway, Melrose, MA).

• Thursday, March 3rd, 2011, 8:30am-9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room at Melrose High School (360 Lynnfells Parkway, Melrose, MA).

• Thursday, April 7th, 2011, 8:30am-9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room at Melrose High School (360 Lynnfells Parkway, Melrose, MA).

• Thursday, May 5th, 2011, 8:30am-9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room at Melrose High School (360 Lynnfells Parkway, Melrose, MA).

• Thursday, June 2nd, 2011, 8:30am-9:30am, Superintendent's Conference Room at Melrose High School (360 Lynnfells Parkway, Melrose, MA).

Want to become a member?  Or want to browse meeting agendas, minutes, or Action Team information? Visit the Coalition Members' page.

CURRENT HAPPENINGS

Summer reading...TRANSITIONING TEENS...the only constant is change

VICTORIAN FAIR

See you at our booth at the 30th annual fair on Sunday, September 12, 2010 between 11:30am-5pm.

21 PROOF

A one-time, free Responsible Beverage Server/Seller Training was offered to all Melrose licensees in July 2010...70 servers and sellers attended representing 1 non-pouring establishment, 1 function hall, 4 private clubs, and 4 restaurants.  Thank you Cambridge Prevention Coalition, Melrose Liquor Licensing Commission, and Mt. Hood.

YOUTH ACTION TEAM WORK CONTINUES.....

• Melrose Draws the Line (Credit to Wyoming's We Draw the Line)....where do you draw the line?  Visit the Melrose Draws the Line website to post your story!  Campaign is designed to spark community discussion around behaviors that cross the line.  Click to view sticker, alcohol poster, and marijuana poster.

• Environmental Scan....click here to check out what teens found at teen party "hotspots" in 2009.  Physical design improvements to Swains Pond/Towners Pond, Mt. Hood, and Mary Foley are happening thanks to Park Commission and Conservation Commission.  See our press release.

• Hoover and Lincoln school Media Literacy lessons are complete.  Taught by middle school reps and Youth Advisor to 3rd-5th graders in Spring 2010...click here for info packet.  Stay tuned for Spring 2011 lessons!

ARE YOU RAISING A CHILD BETWEEN THE AGES OF 8-14?  If so, Guiding Good Choices is for you!  For more information, CLICK HERE!

• ~161 Melrose families have been serviced by this workshop series.
• Thanks to Eastern Bank for the $500 Community Grant we've received once again to continue running this program and to Melrose YMCA, St. Mary's Parish, City of Melrose, First United Methodist Church, and Trinity Episcopal Church for their continued in-kind space support.
• Interested in signing up for the Fall 2010 series?  Contact Donna.

SOCIAL HOST LIABILITY ....what is it?

• Click here to view this local ordinance
• This law gives our Police Department one of the tools they need to hold private homeowners, who are providing alcohol to underage kids, civilly responsible for doing so.
• Click here to access brochure that is being used for outreach to parents and other homeowners!

HAVE SOMETHING FOR THE MELROSE POLICE DEPT TIP LINE?

• You are the eyes and ears of your community!!
• Call and report any tips or suspicious activity....Melrose Police Anonymous Tip Line....(781) 665-TIPS
• Click here if you're not sure what to report.....

TIPS ON SAFE STORAGE AND PROPER DISPOSAL OF YOUR UNUSED or EXPIRED MEDICATIONS

• Click here.

PARENTAL PERCEPTION OF YOUTH BEHAVIOR

• The 3rd administration of the Pride survey to Melrose parents and faculty/staff of 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grade students is complete.
• Results are being compiled and will be posted soon!

2009 YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY (YRBS) RESULTS ARE IN

• 2009 data was presented by the Northeast Center for Healthy Communities and the School Health Advisory Committee to the School Committee in October 2009.  Visit Melrose Public Schools website for the presentation.
• Melrose High School 2009 YRBS results-Executive Summary
• Melrose Middle School 2009 YRBS results-Executive Summary

MARIJUANA HAS BEEN DECRIMINALIZED IN MASSACHUSETTS

• Click here to get more information on what this means.
• Once the Police Department gets their local policies in place, the Coalition will work with them to get the information out to all Melrose residents.

SCREENING, BRIEF INTERVENTION, AND REFERRAL TO TREATMENT (SBIRT)

• In 2007, the Coalition ’s grant funding paid for Melrose-Wakefield Hospital Psychiatric and Emergency department staff to be trained and equipped with the SBIRT tools to address behaviors such as high-risk or dependent drinking and drug use and overcome patients’ resistance to change.  A Dec 2008-March 2009 pilot was conducted in the ER.  Currently, the Coalition is collaborating with Hallmark Health to institutionalize this early intervention program.
• For more info on SBIRT, visit http://sbirt.samhsa.gov and www.ed.bmc.org/sbirt.  

 MUST-SEE WEBSITES

For Parents:

www.theantidrug.com

www.jointogether.org

www.stopalcoholabuse.gov

www.why21.org

www.sph.unc.edu/familymatters

www.nida.nih.gov/parent-teacher.html

For Youth:

www.abovetheinfluence.com

www.melrosedrawstheline.com 

www.thecoolspot.gov