University/Schools Alliance Executive Meeting
April 14, 2010 3:15 PM
at Arcadia University

Attending:
Kristen Blanchard SODAT Delaware
Linda Brasel PA-Arcadia University
Rosemary Brooks Parent, Sanford School
Brian Callahan Aquila of Delaware
Liz Dubravcic Public Health
Cindy Genau UD Cooperative Extension
Howard Isenberg Open Door, Inc.
Fred MacCormack Wellness Centers
Yvonne Nass Parent Education Consulting
Tiffani Nibbs DSAMH
Isabel Rivera-Green DSAMH
Greg Snapp Delaware National Guard
Kathy Ward YMCA Resource Center

Staff Attending:
Roberta Gealt USA Director
Mary Perno USA Project Coordinator

Special Guest:
Lorie Tudor DPNA

Discussions:
Review of March Minutes-The minutes were e-mailed and approved at the meeting.

DFC Grant-USA finally received approval last week for use of carryover money from last fiscal year.

SFP-SIG- The Federal government’s goal in providing these grants is for the states to create a prevention infrastructure to address substance abuse problems long term. There should be a lot of capacity building during this grant—trainings, resource development, et cetera.

The DAC (Delaware Advisory Council), which oversees implementation of the grant, is trying to be inclusive in determining priorities, which may be counter-productive for being able to show measurable gains in addressing the priority. It might be possible to use a lot of money to change one thing than to spread the money around to many smaller efforts and hope to see measurable change in all of them.

Guest speaker-Lorie Tudor

Lorie Tudor from Delaware Prevention Network Alliance (DPNA), a coalition of Delaware community centers in high-risk neighborhoods, which has been around since the early 90's, addressed the group. DPNA currently has 10 community centers as members and a contract for prevention programs with the Office of Prevention & Early Intervention. They are implementing an evidence-based program called "All Stars". It is a 14-week program for middle school age children. It is not substance abuse specific.

DPNA would like to broaden the scope of their activities to include environmental strategies in order to have a greater impact on the participating communities. They are interested in the development of a Social Host law and recently found out that USA is also researching this type of legislation targeting parents providing alcohol in the context of teen parties. Mike Barbieri, State Legislator, hopes to introduce a Social Host bill this year. Such laws already exist in 20 states. While USA cannot lobby for such legislation, we can provide information and educate the public and legislators as to what the situation is in Delaware regarding underage drinking, what laws exist in other places and how effective they have been. A work group was requested to review laws from other states and municipalities and create a synopsis of strategies, which might be effective in Delaware. Howard, Yvonne, Kristen, Isabel, Lorie (DPN), Roberta and Cindy volunteered to participate.

USA and DPNA agreed to continue to seek ways to work together on common goals.

Town Hall meetings

See attached list with feedback comments

It was suggested that in coming years we need to advertise more, book speakers such as Milton Creagh, have smaller panels, possibly change the time of year to the beginning of the school year, and gear to smaller groups.

Attendance reported:

Dover 3/22 - attendance 25

Padua 3/22- attendance - 68

UD Wellspring 3/24- attendance – 150

Newark high 3/25- attendance – 15

Three more to be held

Ginny Corrigan from Think First was at the UD Wellspring meeting as well as Cindy Genau – worked with Wellspring to distribute designated driver information and promotion of “HERO” campaign at information table

Fed funding will be available for meetings in 2012

Policy summit

George, Howard, Yvonne and Roberta have formed a work group to plan the Policy Summit, which must be held by the end of September. There are carryover funds of $10,000 to support this meeting and a physicians’ conference.

State PTA Day

A State PTA Day will be held Apr 28, 2010 in Dover from noon – 1pm, and will provide an opportunity to meet with legislators to discuss issues relating to Delaware students. There will be a presentation on substance use in Delaware schools.

Governor’s Council on Substance Abuse and Mental Health and Kids Caucus of Legislature

USA/DDATA provided an educational presentation for both the Council and the Kids Caucus of the Legislature with an updated version of the Sophia slides.

DATA Trends

1. Alcohol fatalities—Alcohol is a factor in only 7% of total crashes in Delaware, but in 44% of traffic fatalities and 50% of pedestrian fatalities.

2. Inhalant use has increased among Delaware 5^th graders; students reporting being diagnosed with asthma are more likely to report cigarette, marijuana and inhalant use.

Teen pregnancy

There is a prevention grant available on this issue. A Delaware YRBS data show by the time a teen is 16-17 years of age- 1out of 5 has been pregnant at least one time.

Surveys - Aquila – representative, Brian, mentioned that they are using the community survey developed by USA and available on line and would like to use the YRB survey to gather data from the Aquila population. (Roberta advised that he would need parental permission to use surveys and would need YRB permission to use theirs.)

State Plan for Prevention

A committee is now working on a State Prevention Plan. They held a successful meeting on March 8^th, but would like to increase membership in the committee and possibly add representation from veterans, DAFB and NAMI members. The next stakeholders meeting will take place May 14, 2010 at the Appoquinimink State Service Center at 10am and will focus on creating the template for the DE state prevention plan. Isabel stated that the Stakeholders would vote on what the target priorities will be on August 13th.

Contact Isabel.rivera-green@state.de.us if you will be attending May 14.

The next USA Executive meeting will be May 12th at 3:30 PM at UD Cooperative Extension Office, Room 144.