The members of the Roane County Center for the Advancement of Youth & Communities (RCCAYC) held their regularly-scheduled, monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 1997 @ 3:00 PM at the site that will soon become our new "Center", housed at the present "Professional Development Center (PDC)" across from Willard Starcher's. We are proud to announce that a new sign has been placed upon this building, designating it's new purpose.
 

Several topics that could impact upon the success of this new organization were discussed. It is hoped that this "Center" will evolve into a statewide model for serving "at risk" children and youth through an innovative, community-based approach. Highlights of the September 1997 meeting are summarized below:
 

MINUTES
 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Dr. Jerry Jones, Paul Hughes, Dennis Carpenter, Roger Miller, Jerry Holder, Mary Jo Ashley, Greg LeMaster, Stephanie Poole, Curtis Moore, Megan Mitchell, Michele Hoff and Steve Goffreda.
 

1. Overview of the Roane County Center for the Advancement of Youth & Communities (RCCAYC) - "Where We've Been, Where We Are, Where We're Going" - Dr. Jerry Jones, Assistant Superintendent/Roane County Schools
 

Roane County Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jerry Jones, opened the meeting with a short introduction explaining the "Center's" history and purpose.
 

2. Proposed Job Descriptions of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program (Pending Board of Education Approval) - Steve Goffreda, Director of Student Services/Roane County Schools
 

Roane County Schools Director of Student Services, Steve Goffreda, updated council members on the Board of Education's initiative to bring Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program resources and human services directly to area students by establishing several key personnel positions in local schools. Job descriptions of several such positions were discussed, with the positions of Coordinator of Student Assistance Program and Substance Abuse Prevention and Cessation Nurse discussed in some detail as being significant initiatives that could directly impact students. Note: At a special meeting of the Roane County Board of Education held September 30, 1997, the following Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program assignments were established for the 1997-98 school year, only, pending funding:
 

a. Coordinators of Student Assistance Programs

b. Secretary to the Director of Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program

c. Substance Abuse Prevention and Cessation Nurse
 

3. Comprehensive Drug and Violence Prevention Program County/Consortium Application for Funding: 1997-98 - Dennis Carpenter, Assistant Principal/Roane County High School
 

Outgoing Roane County Schools Director of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program, Dennis Carpenter, reviewed key points of the school district's 1997-1998 grant application, which now involves grant requests for $179,975.00 and $20,284.67, for "30% Competitive Grant" and "Regular Budget" monies, respectively. The school district will receive official notification on the status of these proposals in early October 1997, and all such monies have been earmarked for budgetary items (to be approved by the West Virginia Department of Education) for research-validated, effective strategies to prevent and combat substance abuse.
 

4. Election of Officers - Dr. Jerry Jones, Assistant Superintendent/Roane County Schools
 

The elections of officers of the RCCAYC was "tabled" until the October 1997 meeting. "Center" members present were requested to consider officers' appointments, or to recruit community representatives who might consider such a commitment.

5. Members Perceptions of the Mission of this Organization
 

The mission of the organization was "revisited":
 

Since quality of life is of paramount importance to the citizens of Roane County, it shall be the goal of the Roane County Center for the Advancement of Youth and Communities (RCCAYC) to:
 

- Educate our youth concerning the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse.

- Motivate our youth to make positive decisions to grow physically, emotionally and spiritually.

- Cultivate in our youth a desire to set goals today that will insure a brighter tomorrow.
 

6. Miscellaneous Comments, Questions and Discussion
 

a. Members recommended the variance in "Center" meeting times to allow more community representatives to attend and accommodate their work schedules. A combination of morning, afternoon and evening meeting times was suggested. It was noted that it will be a job responsibility of Coordinators of Student Assistance Programs to participate in RCCAYC meetings, activities and action plans.
 

b. The importance of mobilizing human resources to become "active as an entire community" in dealing with issues that cause substance abuse was stressed. RCCAYC members stressed the need to be proactive rather than reactive.
 

c. The need for a vision was briefly discussed to support the "Center's" mission. Promoting a healthy lifestyle was considered to be an important component of any potential vision. "Center" members were encouraged to return with ideas concerning this topic.
 

d. The need for more community involvement was stressed. Each "Center" member was requested to invite at least one community representative as a guest to our October 1997 meeting.
 

e. The need to become task- and goal-oriented was stressed. It was suggested that each RCCAYC member leave the September 1997 meeting with a realistic task to complete to support the "Center's" mission. The designated task was as follows:
 

By the October 1997 meeting, each of the RCCAYC members attending should return prepared to explain at least one program they intend to plan and implement at their community-based or school-based site to prevent substance abuse. In so doing, the "Center" will have spawned at least ½-dozen programs around Roane County by October 1997.
 

f. The October 1997 meeting of the Roane County Center for the Advancement of Youth & Communities (RCCAYC) will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 1997, at 6:30 PM, at what will soon become our new "Center", housed at the present "Professional Development Center (PDC)" across from Willard Starcher's.
 

For additional information, please feel free to contact me at the Roane County Board of Education Office. My extension/phone number is 927-6412.
 

SFG 10/97

E-mail me for additional information or comments.

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