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HomeMy WebLinkAboutProclamation 91- Joint Resolution to Foster and Maintain Healthy Behaviors for Children, Youth and Families in Gallatin County . . JOINT RESOLUTION TO FOSTER AND MAINTAIN HEALTHY BEHAVIORS FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN GALLATIN COUNTY WHEREAS, the health and well-being of our children and youth are at greatest risk in today's society due to behavioral issues; and WHEREAS, some Gallatin County children and youth lack an environment providing adequate supervision, economic and emotional stability; and WHEREAS, statistics on alcohol use among Montana and Gallatin County youth reveal use above the national average; and WHEREAS, among Montana 12th grade youth questioned about drinking behaviors, 49 percent of males and 39 percent of females report binge drinking (5+ drinks in a row during the two weeks prior to the survey); and WHEREAS, recent surveys reveal that approximately two of every three 7th-9th grade students consume alcoholic beverages with beer, wine coolers, schnapps and wine as the major beverages of choice; and WHEREAS, Montana youth are placed "at-risk" by riding with drinking drivers with approximately one-fourth of seventh graders, one-third of ninth graders and more than 40 percent of 12th graders reporting such behavior; and WHEREAS, alcohol and other drug usage is frequently related to other youth risk behaviors such as criminal mischief, premature sexual activity, suicide; and WHEREAS, during 1990, the Gallatin County Probation Office dealt with 595 youth offenses of which 28 percent were alcohol related; and WHEREAS, suicide among adolescents is the third leading cause of death following accidents and homicides; and WHEREAS, Gallatin County has experienced five teenage suicides within the past 16 months; and WHEREAS, locally available resources and services are sometimes unnecessarily duplicated while others are inadequate; and WHEREAS, a need exists for more effective coordination, communication and collaboration among Gallatin County children and youth serving entities; and WHEREAS, all Gallatin County children and youth serving entities have the desire to provide the finest of services to foster the healthy development of the county's children and youth; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT representatives from the following Gallatin County agencies, institutions and organizations work together to accomplish the below-listed goals. GOALS 1. Assist in the development of a Gallatin County Prevention Coalition whose purposes would be to: (A) Encourage community leaders, agencies, institutions, diverse organizations and/or interest groups in local communities within the county to: (1) assess needs of youth, (2) develop a well-defined county-wide philosophy of prevention, (3) more effectively coordinate prevention programs, and (4) develop multi-faceted, self-sustaining prevention initiatives. (B) Achieve measurable and sustained reductions in alcohol and other drug use among children and adolescents; reductions in drug related consequences (i.e. drug related deaths and injuries); a reduction in drug related crime; and a reduction in workplace related alcohol and drug abuse. (C) Coordinate activities with appropriate state agencies in order to contribute to the elimination of drug use and alcohol abuse. 2. Promote the addition of needed services for at-risk youth so that a full continuum of integrated services become available in Gallatin County. The parties also agree that time is of the essence in the accomplishment of the above and that a "Coalition" concept is vital to accomplishing the goals. , l MON~NA GALLATIN COUNTY PREVENTION COALmON :IEALTH Culbertson Hall, Room 308 IjOUCATION Montana State University Bozeman, MT 59717 I'E NTE R (406) 994-6001 Fax (406) 994-6993 __I v-.-'" ~uJ I~ 17 t,,~nr\..J t!.~-o!-LA~~h~ r '~_PQ ~ ~~ 6 ~~ ~'-- IJu~U;/ ~~ it t/ fJ~n' ~L1Z~ . ~L ~IJ-tlt};;~,;) ~ --r-~ ~L' e~~ aJ1;UJ-'lL. la- ~~/, ~ . - . ,.. ... Funded by the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention through the Montana Department of Institutions and the Montana Area Health EducationCenter na \j IOU ; MONrl1NA GALLATIN COUNTY PREVENTION COALITION 'HEALTH Culbertson Hall, Room 308 liDUCATION Montana State University Bozeman, MT 59717 ,<:E NT E R (406) 994-6001 Fax (406) 994-6993 ACTIVITIES OF THE GALLATIN COUNTY PREVENTION COALITION (9/1/90-5/16/91) * K-6 After School program in collaboration with Bozeman ParIes and Recreation * NITE CLUB (Academic Assistance program for junior and senior high students) in collaboration with the Bozeman Public Schools * NITE CLUB (Academic Assistance program for junior and senior high students) in collaboration with the West Yellowstone Public Schools * Parents and Adolescents Can Talk (family communication-health educa- tion) for seventh-ninth grade youth and their parents in col1abora tion ld th AAUW and other local groups * A series of seven parent education sessions held in conjunction with the Bozeman NITE CIJUB program * Arrangements for scholarship assistance and/or other referral assi.st- ance for students with special needs through the Coalition Referral Specialist * Youth Suicide Prevention Community Beeting in collaboration wi. th L.I.F.E. and the Bozeman Public Schools * Crisis Response Traini.ng in collaboration with the Belgrade Public Schools * After Prom Party at Bozeman Senior lIigh School in collaboration with the BSIIS Parent Advisory Committee and the High SChool * Support for the training of two police officers for implementation of the DARE program into the Bozeman Public Schools * Two County-wide "Community Involvement" meetings * Training of eight Gallatin County citizens in a five-day Community Par tnershi p-Team Bu i ld ing Worlcshop in Seattle, hfA * A County-wide Peer Development Training Retreat for Gallatin County teens * Support for 13 Gallatin County residents to participate in a National Prevention Teleconference scheduled for Helena Hay 23rd * Initiation of a Round Table for networking by chief la," enforcement officers, judges, school superintendents, chief probation officer, Dept. of Family Services supervisor and Hospital administrator * Net,vorIci.ng ",i th Shodair Hospi tal for arrangements for community-based after-care for a Bozeman boy following treatment at Shodair * Two Coalition newsletters distributed to nearly 2000 Gallatin County residents * Grant writing support to the Gallatin County Extension Service * An adult AOD attitude, kno",ledge and behavior baseline survey ~ ~ . . .. .. Funded by the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention through the Montana Department of Institutions and the Montana Area Health EducationCenter hil \J ,Of' , ~ , , 1 May 1991 BYLAWS OF THE GALLATIN COUNTY PREVENTION COALITION ARTICLE I TITLE The group shall be known as the Gallatin County Prevention Coalition. ARTICLE II MISSION The mission of the Gallatin County Prevention Coalition shall be to foster and maintain an environment throughout Gallatin County which encourages and reinforces healthy behaviors and lifestyles, specifically focusing on drug-free youth through a variety of prevention strategies. ARTICLE III PURPOSE The primary purposes of the Gallatin County Prevention Coalition will be to: (1) encourage community leaders, agencies, institutions, diverse organizations and/or interest groups in local communities to assess the needs of youth, more effectively coordinate prevention programs, and develop multi-faceted, self- sustaining prevention initiatives. (2) achieve a measurable and sustained reduction in alcohol and other drug use among children and adolescents; a reduction in drug related consequences (i. e. drug related deaths and injuries); a reduction in drug related crime; and a reduction in work place related alcohol and other drug abuse. (3) coordinate activities with appropriate state agencies in order to contribute to the elimination of drug use and alcohol abuse. ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP The Gallatin County Prevention Coalition membership will consist of a broad representation of youth service agencies and organizations and institutions from within the county. Agencies, institutions or organizations signing the Coalition Joint Resolution may annually appoint from one to three representatives to serve on the Coalition membership with one vote per organizational unit. Up to four at-large individual members of the Coalition consisting of adults and youth will be appointed annually by the Executive Committee. 1 ., . i t , ARTICLE X COMMITTEES Standing committees shall be responsible for carrying out the following specific functions of the Coalition: 1- Executive Committee a. Coordinate and facilitate activities of the various Coalition committees/task forces. b. Receive and review Coalition committee/task forces written monthly reports and act on recommendations. c. Plan the agenda for Coalition meetings. d. Monitor financial status of grants or other resources of the Coalition. e. Conduct business of the Coalition between regularly scheduled Coalition meetings. f. Approve equipment purchases greater than $1000. g. Appoint standing committee chairmen. h. Appoint ad hoc committees as necessary. i. Conduct an annual review of principal project staff. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Coalition President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and four to twelve members at-large elected by the Coalition membership. At-large Executive Committee membership terms are for two years; and one-half of the at-large members are to be elected on alternating years at the May Coalition meeting. Failure by an Executive Committee member to attend two consecutive Executive Committee meetings without prior notice to the Coalition office constitutes resignation. 2. Leadership Traininq/Peer Development a. Identify common county-wide needs for community leadership training. b. Work with schools, agencies and other organizations to coordinate and/or provide for county-wide training opportunities when and where possible. c. Assist in the identification of funding and human resources to address training needs. d. Oversee peer development programs funded by the Coalition. e. Establish and review policies related to Coalition funded peer development programs. f. Facilitate the development of peer development activities initiated through community task forces. 3. Youth Proqram a. Oversee youth activities funded by the CYAP grant. b. Establish and review policies related to Coalition funded youth activities. c. Facilitate the development of youth activities 3 " . ; ; I. ". ARTICLE XI COMMUNITY TASK FORCES The Coalition shall facilitate and support the development of a task force in each community of the county in support of the Coalition mission and purpose. Each task force shall have representation on the Executive Committee as a voting member. ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS OF BYLAWS Following ratification of the bylaws by the Coalition, these bylaws may be amended, replaced, or altered, in whole or in part, by a majority vote at any duly organized meeting of the Coalition if the amendment alteration, addition, or repeal is proposed at a regular meeting of the Coalition and adopted at the next subsequent regular meeting. ARTICLE XIII LIABILITIES Nothing herein shall constitute members of the Coalition as partners for any purpose. No member, officer, agent, or employee shall be liable for the acts or failure to act of any other member, officer, agent, or employee of the Coalition. Nor shall any member, officer, agent, or employee be liable for his acts or failure to act under these bylaws, excepting only acts or omissions arising out of his/her wilful misfeasance. ARTICLE XIV FUNDS This Coalition is not intended as a profit-making organization, nor is it founded with the expectation of making a profit. This Coalition shall use its funds only for objects and purposes specified in these bylaws. The agency acting as fiscal agent shall upon request furnish an accounting of funds to any party involved as a partner in the Coalition agreement. ARTICLE XV STAFF A staff review will be conducted with principal staff members on an annual basis by the Executive Committee of the Coalition. ARTICLE XVI DISSOLUTION Upon written notice to the members, the Coalition may be dissolved by the vote of a majority of its active members at a regular Coalition meeting. S . :; N EWS LI N E Gallatin County Prevention Coalition MarchI April 1991 COALITION MOVES FORWARD While still in its infancy, the Gallatin County Prevention Coalition is continuing to move steadily forward with new people and groups W 1-1/\ I WOf7KS IN involved and the addition of new community COMMUNIlY PREVENTION activities. Recognizing that healthy com- On May 23, 1991, the U.s. Office for Substance Abuse Prevention's rust munities need healthy people, the focus is on National Teleconference, broadcast through a major videoconference broad- promoting and enhancing the health and cast service, will be downlinked to Montana. well-being of the county's children, youth, young adults and families. The purpose of this exciting National Teleconference Seminar is to have OSAP Continuing Coalition activities include a present their Community Prevention Systems Development Model as a promis- ing approach to empowering communities in addressing their alcohol and other weekday "after School Program for school- drug problems, as well as to have participants engaged in implementing that aged children; the NITE Club, an academic process. Noted experts in the field will present segments, as well as joining in assistance program; parent education; and a panel discussions. There will be opportunity for "down-link site" participants Resource Referral Program for youth. to interact via local facilitators and telephone communications. The day will In February a team of eight Gallatin County be a catalyst for people in action. citizens participated in a Community By the conclusion of the fmallocal segment of the Teleconference Seminar, Partnership Training Institute in Seattle participants will have what they need to: which focused on coalition building, com- munity development and strategic planning. "'Begin to replicate tbe processes involved in designing, implementing and Following tbe Institute, community meetings sustaining a community prevention system. are being held throughout the county to ex- "'Use model examples of communities with successful community prevention plore a county-wide "vision" related to al. systems. cohol and other drugs. Members of the Institute team available to work with com- '" Access State and local resources which will support their community preven- munity groups are: Alison Counts, tion system development. Belgrade; Karel Scott, Manhattan; Byrdeen "'Identify some of the experiences communities undergo in developing and Warwood, Dale Brotherton, Billie Trayn- implementing community prevention systems. ham, Penny Idland, Bill Carpenter and loye Kohl, all of Bozeman. Call 585-1341 or 994- The focus of the seminar will be to disseminate information regarding strategies 6001 to fmd out more about the Coalition. that have been proven effective in community prevention, as well as information Join a county-wide meeting April 16th in regarding those pitfalls which have hindered the progress of many prevention efforts. Belgrade to continue the process of com- munity involvement and help provide direc- Helena, Montana will be one of 15 down-link sites for the Teleconference. For tion to the goals, objectives and activities of registration information about this community prevention training opportunity, the Coalition. Working together we can contact Joye (994-6001) or Bill (585-1341) as soon as possible. make a difference! Funded in part by the Office of Sub5tance Abuse Prevention through the Montana Department of Institutions and the Montana Area Health Education Center