PLEASE NOTE UPCOMING MEETING DATE

The next meeting of the Roane County Center for the Advancement of Youth & Communities (RCCAYC) has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 1997, at 6:30 PM, at the Center building.

A meeting of the members of the Roane County Center for the Advancement of Youth & Communities (RCCAYC) was held on Tuesday, November 4, 1997 @ 4:00 PM at our new "Center," housed at the former "Professional Development Center (PDC)" across from Willard Starcher's. You may notice that a sign has been placed upon this building, designating its new purpose.

We discussed several topics that will have great impact on the success of this new organization, which we hope will become a statewide model for serving "at risk" children and youth through an innovative, community-based approach. Highlights of the November 1997 meeting are summarized below:

MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT: Please see attached "attendance log" for the November 4, 1997, meeting. We wish to thank those who were in attendance for their participation, and extend a warm welcome to those who were unable to attend to consider the upcoming December 9, 1997, meeting at 6:30 PM.

1. "Roane County Tobacco Free Teens" Program Update - Wendy Romine, West Virginia Rural Health Education Partnership/Winding Roads Health Consortium

Wendy Romine reported that the Roane County Tobacco Free Teens held their first meeting in late October. This community service group, which focuses upon tobacco abuse prevention and cessation, is tentatively scheduled to meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month during "club period" at Roane County High School. The first meeting was a "get to know you session." Attendance was low, possibly due to a schedule conflict with another school field trip and several club members not hearing the announcement over the public address system. Wendy announced that "by laws" would be discussed at her next meeting. The students who have participated, thus far, appear enthusiastic. Having the Roane County Tobacco Free Teens participate in local business compliance checks (educating local businesses about regulations which forbid underage teens from purchasing tobacco products) was discussed by both Wendy Romine and Joshua Bonnett, Westbrook Health Services Substance Abuse Specialist.

2. West Virginia Association of Student Assistance Professionals Meeting & Regional Workshop/Holiday Inn, Parkersburg - Friday, November 21, 1996 @ 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Steve Goffreda announced that Coordinators of Student Assistance Programs at each school and the Roane County Schools' Substance Abuse Prevention and Cessation Nurse were invited to attend a Parkersburg meeting covering various topics pertinent to their new roles in the schools, while "networking" with regional professionals holding similar titles.

3. Coordinators of Student Assistance Programs Training (by Dr. Marsha Carey, WVDE) & Staff Development Packets - Potential Dates

Dr. Marsha Carey has announced that she will provide newly-appointed Coordinators of Student Assistance Programs with their official training by the West Virginia Department of Education at a staff development session to be held at Roane County High School in December 1997. [Note: Dr. Carey has announced that this session will be held in the RCHS Conference Room on Thursday, December 11, 1997, @ 9:00 AM. The first phase of the session will span from approximately 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. The second phase, after lunch, will begin at 1:00 PM, if needed, and will involve either continued WVDE training or local discussion/networking/brainstorming. All county "Coordinators of Student Assistance Programs" should attend, and remind their principals of their need to be absent from school that day. Roane County's "Safe and Drug-Free Schools" program will pay for the substitutes that principals hire so that their Coordinators may attend.]

Steve Goffreda noted that a packet of information about "Student Assistance Programs" was being sent you to the schools' Coordinators attached to the training memorandum.

4. "Causes of Addiction" - Chuck Conner, West Virginia Rural Health Education Partnership/Winding Roads Health Consortium, and Connie Taylor, Substance Abuse Prevention and Cessation Nurse/Roane County Schools

In Chuck Conner's absence (due to illness), Connie Taylor presented a synopsis of the topic, "Causes of Addiction." She described addiction as a "compulsive, uncontrollable dependence on a substance, habit, or practice to such a degree that cessation causes severe emotional, mental or physiologic reactions." An addictive personality was defined as a "personality marked by traits of compulsive and habitual use of a substance or practice to cope with psychic pain engendered by conflict and anxiety." Habituation was explained as "psychological and emotional dependence on a drug, tobacco or alcohol resulting from the repeated use of the substance, but without the addictive physiological need to increase the dosage."

5. "The Way to Go" (The Ambassador Company) Project - Suspended

Distribution of the book, "The Way to Go" (The Ambassador Company), by Roane County Schools will be canceled following the advice of the schools' Director of Finance and Administration.

This project would have involved a contractual obligation spanning over two years and require solicitations of local businesses for financial backing. It was advised that The Ambassador Company seek another partner other than the school district.

6. "Get Tuf" and "Teens Against Tobacco Abuse (T.A.T.U.)" Programs Update - Steve Goffreda, Director of Student Services/Roane County Schools

These programs are compatible with "Roane County Tobacco Free Teens" and may be used in conjunction with the teen group already being established.

7. Members' Progress Reports of Community-Based or School Site-Based Projects

Alice Starr, Geary School Counselor, reported on another successful "Red Ribbon Week" at her school. Students signed a drug-free banner, a "door decorating" contest was sponsored, and an excellent Safe and Drug-Free Schools video was broadcast for members of the student body.

Paul Ashby, Geary School Principal, reported that he will be discussing the school's new "Just Say No" Club with the Faculty Senate.

Roger Miller, Walton Elementary/Middle School Assistant Principal, is integrating the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program with the school's already-established Responsible Students Program. Recently, Lieutenant Deputy Todd Cole and Joshua Bonnett assisted with an educational middle school substance abuse project. Activities also included the decorating of grocery bags for the local supermarket, which helped publicize the school's "drug-free" stance.

Joshua Bonnett, Westbrook Health Services Substance Abuse Specialist, described his "community mobilization" efforts working with Roane/Jackson/Calhoun Counties, as well as his "Reality Check" program. Steve Goffreda expressed interest in learning more about the "Reality Check" survey for students.

Sergeant Dale Fluharty II of the West Virginia State Police explained why "the dogs" have not been available in recent months to assist in searches for controlled substances. Alternatives were discussed. This matter will be discussed, again, at an upcoming meeting.

8. Miscellaneous Comments, Questions and Discussion

The next meeting of the Roane County Center for the Advancement of Youth & Communities (RCCAYC) has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 1997, at 6:30 PM, at the Center building.

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 12/97

E-mail me for additional information or comments.

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