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, February 3, 1998, at 3:45 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, January 6, 1998 @ 3:30 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 January 1998 meeting are summarized below:

MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT: Please see attached "attendance log" for the January 6, 1998, 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 February 3, 1998, meeting at 3:45 PM.

1. Substance Abuse Prevention Canines Update - Sergeant Dale Fluharty II, West Virginia State Police

 Sergeant Dale Fluharty II explained the procedures used by the West Virginia State Police when deploying canines in the public schools for substance abuse prevention. Roane County Schools Director of Student Services, Steve Goffreda, noted that Board Policy provides for the use of "the dogs," and that Superintendent Joe Evans has renewed/signed an official letter of authorization for the 1997-98 school year. Center members expressed an interest in having "the dogs" visit the middle schools as well as the high school. Sergeant Fluharty commented that though this might be possible, it is difficult to schedule the canines because of limited resources.

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

(Please refer to attached memorandum from Connie Taylor, dated January 6, 1998, for a detailed report on her substance abuse prevention and cessation activities.)

• Responsible Students Program Staff Development - Friday, February 27, 1998 @ 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM/Spencer Middle School Library

Steve Goffreda reported that Dr. Marsha Carey, Coordinator of Student Services/West Virginia Department of Education, will present Responsible Students Program Staff Development on Friday, February 27, 1998 @ 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM in the Spencer Middle School Library. Each School Principal has been invited to send a "team of three" for training, preferably including an administrator, a counselor, and a teacher. State accreditation standards require preventive discipline programs such as the Responsible Students Program, so this training session may be valuable to schools. The special arrangement for a private/county session will save the school district travel costs and be more convenient to participants.

• Student Assistance Program Manuals

State Student Assistance Program Manuals have been distributed to school Coordinators; supplemental commercial resources have been ordered and are being forwarded to the schools this month.

• American Drug and Alcohol Survey

Steve Goffreda reported that he has entered into a partnership with Colorado State University to conduct the American Drug and Alcohol Survey during late winter/early spring in Grades 7-12. This survey provides valuable data required to renew the Safe and Drug-Free Schools grant. Though the purchase cost of the survey can be $1000.00-2000.00, Roane County Schools will be receiving the materials, scoring services, and survey reports "free of charge" this year, with Colorado State University absorbing expenses for research purposes. Connie Taylor will be asked to assist Student Assistance Program Coordinators with survey administration.

• Coalition for a Tobacco-Free West Virginia Tobacco Excise Tax Resolution

The Roane County Center for the Advancement of Youth & Communities (RCCAYC) has been invited by the American Lung Association of West Virginia and the American Cancer Society to support the "Coalition for a Tobacco-Free West Virginia's" tobacco tax initiative. Pros and cons of the proposal were discussed. An endorsement of the proposal was tabled until the February 1998 meeting. Mr. Goffreda will return with additional information, including an answer to the question as to what the new tax would be earmarked for. Center members wish the tax to be used for children's substance abuse prevention and cessation issues.

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

Spencer Middle Schools's Student Assistance Program Coordinator/Assistant Principal, Greg LeMaster, reported that his school is "revisiting" its Responsible Students Program to "fine tune" and improve upon it. The school has also assembled a new Student Assistance Team (with faculty/student input), sponsored a Fellowship of Christian Athletes assembly program dealing with substance abuse (featuring a professional basketball handler), and has invited Westbrook Health Services to work with students on positive decision making.

Reedy Elementary's Principal, Woody Wilson, reported his school's involvement in developing a new Student Assistance Program process, including regularly-scheduled meetings and new forms. Nurse Connie Taylor has been involved in substance abuse prevention and cessation activities at the school, and a dance with a Safe and Drug-Free Schools theme has been discussed.

Walton Elementary/Middle School's Student Assistance Program Coordinator/Assistant Principal, Roger Miller, reports interest in learning more about a "Just Say No Club." Mr. Miller also discussed the "community center" concept for providing students with safe alternatives for recreation.

The Alternative Learning Center's Student Assistance Program Coordinator, Thomas Barnes, described the composition of his center's new SAP team. He also provided a progress report on work to create an Internet presence for the Roane County Center for the Advancement of Youth & Communities (RCCAYC). (Please refer to attached memorandum.)

Roane County High School's Student Assistance Program Coordinator, Larry Greathouse, reports having hosted SAP training, providing staff development on the referral process for the school's Faculty Senate (together with Assistant Principal Dennis Carpenter), planning a Fellowship of Christian Athletes assembly, and considering a proposal for the purchase of "3-D" glasses for the Drivers Education Department which simulate the adverse effects of alcohol consumption on perception.

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

(Please refer to attached memorandum from Thomas Barnes, labeled "Rccayc," for a detailed report on his RCCAYC "links page.")

9. 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, February 3, 1998, at 3:45 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 2/98

E-mail me for additional information or comments.

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