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For information on what to do if you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, click here.

Report underage drinking before it happens!
1-866-TEEN-USE
(1-866-833-6873.)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK

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Seeking treatment services for adults?

Click on the logo for Howard Center's new brochure.

 
A drug-free community coalition supporting positive youth development in Franklin County.

Be careful of your thoughts, for they become your words. Be careful of your words, for they become your deeds. Be careful of your deeds, for they become your habits. Be careful of your habits, for they become your character. Be careful of your character, for it becomes your destiny. Frances Hesselbein

Our vision: A safe and healthy community in which all people feel valued.

Check out all the events in June and beyond! Our calendar is updated frequently, so please check back regularly and contact us if you'd like to add an event.

Caring Communities Annual Meeting

Twenty-two coalition members, partners, and staff attended the annual meeting, which featured a brief presentation by board president Jeff Benay, Positive Prevention Champion awards to Sharon Lawyer of Bakersfield and Ashley Wetherby of Richford, and sharing of accomplishments, challenges, and ideas by staff and community partners, and display of Sally Krupp's stunning quilt, which Caring Communities will raffle to benefit prevention work (see below). Finally, all enjoyed delicious hors'doeuvres thanks to Jamie West and the crew at Jeff's, sponsored in part by our generous board members Jeff Benay, Kaki Hutchinson, and Judy Kennedy.

Vermont Department of Health/Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs Welcomes New Regional Prevention Consultant
Marcia LaPlante of ADAP writes: "I am pleased to announce that Mary Pickener has been hired as the Franklin/Grand Isle Regional Abuse Substance Abuse Prevention Consultant. Mary has a masters degree in social work, has served as a Program Coordinator for ADAP's Treatment Unit and contributed to Vermont's Integrated Services Initiative. In addition to her strong background in mental health and substance abuse issues, Mary also brings to the prevention unit experience in organizing school and community-based intervention programs, and a knowledge of the Franklin/Grand Isle region." Please join Caring Communities in welcoming Mary to her new role as a prevention consultant. Mary began her new position June 8.

"Remembering My Sara"

Sally Krupp has donated a beautiful quilt in memory of her daughter, Sara. This quilt will be raffled off at the end of "Red Ribbon Week" this fall to benefit Caring Communities' work to prevent substance abuse. Details coming soon!

Say It Straight!

Thanks to the staff of Vermont Adult Learning, the Family Center, and the young women of the Learning Together Program for their participation in a "Say It Straight" pilot program this week in St. Albans. Say It Straight(TM) (SIS) is a research-based education and training program that results in empowering communication skills and behaviors, increased self-awareness, self-efficacy, personal and social responsibility, positive relationships and quality of life; and decreased alienation, risky or destructive behaviors, such as alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, eating disorders, violence, precocious sexual behavior and behaviors leading to HIV/AIDS. Is this a tool you could use? Contact Cindy or Beth for more information about Say It Straight.

Survey still open!
Franklin County Caring Community (FCCC) would like to hear from you - If you haven't already had a chance, please take 5 minutes to complete the Franklin Grand Isle Community Partnership Regional Report Card 2009 Survey. Click here to complete the secure and anonymous online survey. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=5ExnNS_2b4s77RR2CpCmKqSQ_3d_3d The information you provide will contribute significantly to improving and expanding the range of programs and services we offer. We value your thoughts and appreciate the time you take to provide feedback.

Watershed Mentoring Update

Watershed Mentoring has had a busy month making matches! If you or someone you know over the age of 18 would like to spend a couple hours a week being a friend to a youngster, please contact Cindy or Beth at 527-5049.

Many thanks to our new funding partners and contributors: the Key Foundation, Northwestern Medical Center, Union Bank, the New England Federal Credit Union, People's Trust, Northern Valley Eyecare, Dr. Molly Keefe, Enosburg Pharmacy, and Parent's Photos for their financial support of Watershed Mentoring. This local support is vital to the sustainability of adult-youth mentoring in Franklin County. We are grateful for your faith in Watershed Mentoring!

Coming events

The Big Shabang!
This free fun family event, promoting prevention and wellness happens this Saturday at Knight Point State Park. Sponsored by the Grand Isle County Clean Team, Northwestern Medical Center,and Northwest Counseling and Support Services in collaboration with a wide range of organizations, The Big Shabang features fun, games, a Picnic Barbeque in the Park, and information on all kinds of healthy topics. Date and time: June 13, 11 AM-3 PM. Join us!!

Volunteer Opportunities

Missisquoi River Basin Association
Looking for an outdoor activity? Community service? Quality mentor time with a young friend? The Missisquoi River Basin Association (MRBA) has a number of spring work days planned to stabilize river banks, prevent erosion, and improve water quality along the Missisquoi River and its tributaries. Next work day: Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - river cleanup in Richford
Call Cynthia Scott at 933-9009 or mrba@pshift.com for more information.

Board members - Franklin County Caring Communities
Caring Communities is seeking board members. Duties include attendance at montlhly board meetings and participation in coalition meetings and events. Please contact Beth Crane if you are interested in serving on our board.

Reparative board members
The St. Albans Community Justice Center is seeking volunteers for the Reparative Boards. As a volunteer, you will receive training, support, plenty of snacks, and a whole lot of appreciation! You also will learn about Restorative Justice, and you will help people to get back into the good graces of their community. If you would like more information about volunteering, please call Marc Wennberg, Interim Director, at the St. Albans Community Justice Center at 524-1500 X268

Advisory Board - Common Ground Youth Center
Get involved in supporting the longest-running teen center in Frankln County! Director Colleen Kelly is seeking advisory board members to help plan and implement programs, raise funds, and support the terrific Common Ground staff. Contact Colleen at 782-1811 for more information.

Court Diversion Review Board
Contact Pat at 527-1112, or pat@fccd-cjp.org. She will send a packet of information, including confidentiality form,and set a date for an interview. New board members observe a case review, after which they may join in the conversation in subsequent cases.

Mentors
Mentoring is a very effective way to help young people develop the resiliency and assets they need to succeed in school, avoid risky choices, and prepare for adulthood. Consider becoming a mentor in 2009. There are more than 60 young people waiting for mentors in Franklin County. Contact Watershed Mentoring at 527-5049 x 1 for more information on becoming a mentor.

Underage drinking-- it's not just a minor problem.

How are our local liquor outlets doing? Visit http://liquorcontrol.vermont.gov/enforcement/ to see which stores and restaurants have passed compliance tests and which have not.

Spring cleaning? Start with clean lungs and tobacco-free breath
Click here to check out the Vermont Quit Network.

RESOURCE CORNER

For information about mentoring in Vermont, click here.

Training Opportunities
Multijuristictional Counterdrug Task Force Training
Check out MCTFT's webcasts on a wide range of topics related to prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery by clicking here.

Training opportunities through Center for Health & Learning: Link to Center for Health and Learning training calendar and registration or click here for a flier listing their 2009 prevention trainings.

Second Growth Trainings
Wed. 6/17/09 BETTER CHOICES - Early Intervention Activities for Adolescent RiskTakers and Rule Breakers
9am - 4pm Burlington, VT

Tues. 6/23/09 MAKING CHANGE - Dealing with Addiction
9am - 4pm Waterbury, VT

*Cost: $85 includes lunch
These trainings are for professional and volunteer staff working with youth: Social Workers, Counselors, School Based Professionals, Community Justice Workers, Health Care Providers, Case Managers, Clergy and others.

Criminal Justice Capable Workshop
Improving Practices and Systems of Care for individuals with mental health, substance abuse, and other co-occurring disorders.
July 9, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 PM
Elks Club, Montpelier
Click here for more information.

Call or e-mail: vlang@vffcmh.org 802-595-5159

Advocacy
Recovery Community Forum
Meets monthly on the second Wednesday at Church of the Rock, 1091 Fairfax Rd., St. Albans
6-8 PM
For members of the recovery community and their allies
Got Recovery? Get Active!
Monthly Discussions: · What’s working, What’s not · Recovery Supports needed · New initiatives · Starting a recovery community center · Transitional housing · A grassroots effort
Suggested potluck dinner- Bring a dish to share if you’d like For more information please call Friends of Recovery-Vermont at 1-800-769-2798 This is a substance-free event

Support for Parents
Guiding Good Choices (TM) for parents
In five two-hour sessions, Guiding Good Choices (TM) helps parents understand the risks of substance use and the skills needed for communication, setting boundaries, positive discipline, and family organization. Contact Cindy Cook at 527-5049 x 2 for details.

Nurturing Parenting Program in Richford
For Families with Children aged 5-11
Meeting once a week for 2 ½ hours for 15 weeks - in Richford, VT
For more information or to sign up, contact Jessie at (802) 498-0607 or
1-800-CHILDREN (244-5373) Email: jlacroix@pcavt.org
Click here for Richford flyer

Nurturing Parenting Program for Families in Recovery
Starting in JUNE: Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30 in St. Albans
Meeting once a week for 18 weeks
For more information or to sign up, contact Jessie at (802) 498-0607 or
1-800-CHILDREN (244-5373) Email: jlacroix@pcavt.org
Click here for flyer

Available now at the web site of the Partnership for a Drug Free America, New parent resource: "Time to Act"

The Parent Chronicles
Check out this interactive resource for parents and give your child the gift of your knowledge and involvement: http://www.theantidrug.com/advice/chronicles-home.aspx

Available NOW: Red Flags and Resources
Red Flags & Resources: Northwestern Vermont Edition is available in both print and PDF. Please contact Sally Bortz at the United Way (527-7418) or Beth Crane/Cindy Cook (527-5049) to obtain print copies.
Red Flags and Resources is available in PDF by clicking HERE!

New treatment resource from Hazelden: Co-occuring disorders website.

Links to Prevention Program Planning
Find youth info: Check out this new website: http://www.findyouthinfo.gov/ for federally developed interactive tools and other resources to help community organizations' and partnerships' efforts to support youth.

Community Guide to Helping America's Youth
NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) Preventing Drug Abuse

Preventing underage drinking using the SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework and Getting to Outcomes

State of Vermont Primary Prevention Plan available here.

New Tool Available to Educate Teens About Dangers of Substance Abuse Click here for:
Stay Smart: Don't Start: The Truth about Drugs & Alcoho
l

Sustaining Grassroots Community-Based Programs: A Toolkit for Community- and Faith-Based Service Providers - Click here

Concerned about substance abuse in your place of business? Click here for a link to the NEW Drug-Free Workplace Kit.

Prevention year round: click here for a prevention planning calendar.

Franklin County, get your ASSETs in gear!!

Check resource archives for information previously found here.

How much is too much?

Click on the icon to the left to participate in free, on-line screening for alcohol.

 

Click on the image to the right to participate in free, online screening for substance abuse or dependency.

I think someone I know has a chemical dependency problem

- How Can I Help?
Check out local recovery resources.

Drug Calculator How much do alcohol, tobacco and drugs really cost a person?

Check out the alcohol cost calculator for Vermont


Franklin County Caring Communities
39 Barlow Street
St. Albans, VT 05478

(802) 527-5049 (voice) ~ (802) 524-3952 (fax)
e-mail: info@fcccp.org