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, January 6, 1998, at 3:30 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, December 9, 1997 @ 6:30 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 impact upon 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 December 1997 meeting are summarized below:
 

MINUTES
 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Please see attached "attendance log" for the December 9, 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 January 6, 1998, meeting at 3:30 PM.
 

1. Coordinators of Student Assistance Programs Training (by Dr. Marsha Carey, WVDE) & Staff Development Packets - Thursday, December 11, 1997 @ 9:00 AM/RCHS Conference Room
 

Steve Goffreda, Roane County Schools Director of Student Services, announced that December 11th has been set for the official West Virginia Department of Education training for Coordinators of Student Assistance Programs.
 

2. "Causes of Addiction" - Chuck Conner, West Virginia Rural Health Education Partnership/Winding Roads Health Consortium
 

Chuck Connor noted that he was encouraged by the composition of the RCCAYC committee, and by the fact that the school district has secured a grant to directly serve students through positions like the Roane County Schools Substance Abuse and Cessation Nurse. He then put into perspective the mission at hand (preventing substance abuse) as it would relate to working in a rural, Appalachian county.
 

He defined addiction using a "clinical definition" explaining observable criteria for determining if substance abuse is happening; very simply, "if drugs or alcohol are causing a problem in your life, it's a problem."
 

Stages of addiction and physical dependence were described; a list of approximately seven criteria was explained to make the group be more aware of those "subtle clues coming from adolescents" that there may be a problem.
 

Handouts such as "Symptoms and Phases of Alcoholism," "Some Commonly Abused Drugs," and "Frequently-Seen Stages in Adolescent Chemical Use" were shared with the Center group.
 

Joshua Bonnett, Westbrook Health Services Substance Abuse Specialist, informed the Center that he is working on a $5 million grant to bring a "youth center" to Spencer. This would create a "safe haven" for adolescents. The former Murphy's and Freeland's Auto Repair buildings are being considered as potential sites for a "youth center."
 

3. Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program Purchases
 

Steve Goffreda, in the capacity of Director of Safe and Drug-Free Schools for Roane County, reported on grant purchases thus far this year, which are targeting substance abuse and cessation. Many of these materials were ordered by School Nurse Connie Taylor, and some directly support the Student Assistance Program model:
 

"Just Say No" Youth Power Guide and Project Manuals

"Drug Monster" video

"Helping Teens Stop Using Tobacco" materials

"Complete Student Assistance Program Handbook"

"Tobacco-Free You and Me" video

"Smokescreen"

"Teens and Tobacco," "Teens and Marijuana," and "It's No Joke - Don't Smoke" booklets

"The Drug Free School Activity Book"

"Dr. Know Says 'Stay Healthy; Don't Use Tobacco'"

"Teenage Marijuana Abuse" video
 

4. Proposed New Roane County Board of Education Policy: TOBACCO CONTROL
 

Steve Goffreda updated the Center on the writing of a new tobacco control policy for the Board of Education, as well as the policy's history rooted in a new West Virginia Board of Education policy. This set of regulations will be the toughest and most comprehensive piece in recent history dealing with tobacco in the schools. A copy of the new policy will be sent out to interested Center members upon request.
 
 
 
 

5. Substance Abuse Prevention Canines - Center Members' Perceptions
 

Advisory committee members unanimously supported the use of substance abuse canines to visit local schools, RCHS in particular, with the following stipulations:
 

a. Some communication be made to inform the community that "the dogs" were being considered.

b. The first "dog" visit be conducted in the evening unannounced.

c. This strategy be employed in a subtle, positive manner, to avoid a "police state" like event.

d. It be noted that "the dogs" could visit again during a school day.
 

Josh Bonnett explained research on the effectiveness of the comprehensive use of scare tactics, education, and alternatives (such as teen programs, assemblies, etc.) in substance abuse prevention and cessation. Chuck Conner pointed out the importance of remaining positive. Please note that use of "the dogs" is contingent upon availability from the West Virginia State Police in the future. There are no dogs in service at this time in Roane County.
 

6. Tobacco Diversion and Cessation Programs - Connie Taylor, Roane County Schools Substance Abuse Prevention and Cessation Nurse
 

A comprehensive, confidential, "tobacco cessation" program, with eight regular sessions and follow-up sessions, is being considered for the schools by Connie Taylor. She will start with a pilot group at Roane County High School. Steve Goffreda will approve the purchase.
 

Chuck Westfall works in "Educational Services" at Roane General Hospital; he worked with Connie on "Just Say K.N.O.W. to Cancer" slides, a C.A.M.C. program. The group traveled to Geary School in November and Walton Middle School in December. The target groups were 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
 

Connie Taylor also reported that she attended training sponsored by the "Coalition for a Tobacco- Free West Virginia;" she returned with a valuable packet of information. She recommended our supporting a legislative bill taxing tobacco at a higher rate. Joshua Bonnett followed up by explaining legislative initiatives on substance abuse sponsored by interest groups he supports.

7. Members' Progress Reports of Community-Based or School Site-Based Projects/Student Assistance Program Activities
 

Larry Greathouse reported that the Roane County High School Student Assistance Program has been established and is operational; they have now worked on their first formal referral. Candace Westfall's "Tobacco Free Teens" club has been meeting with their coordinator, Wendy Romine, on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. RCHS also celebrated "Red Ribbon Week." The Fellowship of Christian Athletes sponsors an "off-season" drug prevention program at RCHS, and "Project TARGET" also "targets" substance abuse, according to Mr. Greathouse.
 

Tammy Roberts reported on Reedy Elementary School's "Red Ribbon Week." Sixth graders came up with steps to "say no" to harmful activities. The school also conducted a poster contest and did role play, which promoted student resiliency skills. Tammy stated that she would like to see kids say no to anything bad for them. She is trying to teach students to make good choices.
 

Kathy Whoolery reported that Spencer Primary Center has created a new "after school program" for "at risk" students. The next step will be a Big Brother/Big Sisters model pairing Spencer Primary Center students with Roane County High School teens. Then tutoring may be added.
 

Roger Miller reported on Walton Elementary/Middle School's work with Josh Bonnett and Deputy Cole on substance abuse assemblies and activities. Roger seeks an "ongoing" process, not a "one time" deal. He was praised by Center members for this advice.
 

8. Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program Web Site Update
 

Steve Goffreda reported that Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program meeting minutes can now be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://boe.roan.k12.wv.us/. Enter Roane County Schools' home page, click on "departments," and then Safe and Drug-Free Schools. Steve noted that Thomas Barnes, Student Assistance Program Coordinator for the Alternative Learning Center, expressed interest in adding substance abuse "links" to the site. Debbie Jones, a Roane County Central Office secretary, uploaded our minutes to the file server and designed our web page(s).
 

9. Roane County Center for the Advancement of Youth & Communities (RCCAYC) "Certificates of Appreciation"
 

A "hometown hero"-type award certificate idea was discussed. Community citizens, businesses, etc., which assist with activities to support our Center's mission might be granted a certificate designating them as supporters of RCCAYC. Josh Bonnett added that Center participation could result in "Certified Addiction Prevention Specialist" certification for active members, depending upon the number of clock hours spend in our active "staff development" sessions. "CAPS I and II" certification was defined. Steve Goffreda expressed interest in this certification for the group.
 

10. Miscellaneous Comments, Questions and Discussion
 

Chuck Conner recommended that we proactively seek a "cross section of kids" for participation on this advisory body. Steve Goffreda recommended recruiting some of the "Roane County Tobacco Free Teens" for membership, as well as teens who have suffered from or who are currently suffering from substance abuse. Current teen Center members have not been active and may be replaced.
 

"Prevention Primer" booklets for Roane County Schools educators were donated by Josh Bonnett. Josh also announced a positive peer prevention program, the "Teen Institute," for 50 students at Spring Heights or Cedar Lakes. More news will follow.
 

The "Reality Check" survey will be administered at RCHS during second semester, according to Mr. Bonnett. Steve Goffreda added that the schools would be contracting with Colorado State University for our fourth administration of "The American Drug and Alcohol Survey," this time aimed at Grades 7-12 and at no cost to the schools. This survey, as well as "Reality Check" will provide valuable data in stimulating greater awareness and action regarding substance abuse in Roane County. Data can also be used for future grant writing. We will be saving over $1,000.00 on surveys this year, if all goes as planned.
 

The next meeting of the Roane County Center for the Advancement of Youth & Communities (RCCAYC) has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 6, 1998, at 3:30 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.

E-mail me for additional information or comments.

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SFG 12/97