Medford Health Matters participated in a soggy Tufts Community Day on Sunday, September 30 thanks to the willingness of CACHE to share their tent!

Community Day participants, including Mayor Michael McGlynn and City Councilor Rick Caraviello, were asked to write down things they do to be healthy. Here are the responses that came from a variety of people:

Medford Health Matters (MHM) has received Determination of Need (DoN) funds from Mt. Auburn Hospital designed to address gaps in community services and to promote wellness. MHM has identified Middle School youth as one of two groups within the community that could benefit from additional programs and services and as a result is inviting proposals from organizations wishing to to apply for a Middle School Social Emotional Well-being mini-grant.

Completed proposals are due by close of business on Tuesday, July 31 and may be submitted either electronically to medfordhealthmatters@gmail.com or mailed to Medford Health Matters, c/o Board of Health, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Room 311, Medford, MA 02155.

All applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed and evaluated on the criteria outlined in the application packet. Medford Health Matters reserves the right to reject any and all applications based on what it determines to be in the best interests of Medford Middle School students and reserves the right to negotiate with the applicant any items contained in the proposal.

Please click here to download an application.

The Medford Farmers Market and Medford Health Matters have teamed up to increase access to fresh, locally grown food in our community.

Building on the success of last year’s initiative, the Medford Farmers Market is pleased to announce the 2012 season will be the first full season the market will accept EBT/SNAP benefits. Thanks to the generous support of a grant from Medford Health Matters, EBT/SNAP users can double their buying power and receive up to $20 in matching “Market Bucks.” The grant through Medford Health Matters was made possible by funding from Mount Auburn Hospital.

By making the farmers market more affordable, this program not only stretches the dollars of EBT/SNAP recipients, but more importantly provides all residents with an opportunity to show their support for local businesses and take steps toward a healthier lifestyle.

How it works

Market Bucks are given to anyone wishing to use a plastic card at the farmers market, including credit and debit card users. All card users simply visit the Market Manager’s tent, say how much money they want to spend, have their cards swiped, and receive the amount in Market Bucks. EBT/SNAP users can double their money, up to $20, and will receive matching bonus Market Bucks.

About the Medford Farmers Market

The Medford Farmers Market, in its sixth season, brings farmers, crafters, and other producers together to provide community access to local goods. The Market features fresh produce, grains, bread, baked goods, prepared foods, wine, coffee, meat, eggs, and more! More information is available at www.medfordfarmersmarket.org.

The Medford Farmers Market is held every Thursday, June 7 – October 11, from 3-7pm. The market has a new location in Medford Square behind City Hall.

About Medford Health Matters

Medford Health Matters is a local non-profit whose mission is to foster an environment of wellness and healthy lifestyles for all those who live, learn, work and play in Medford. A significant grant from Mount Auburn Hospital has helped sponsor several health-related community projects, including programs for middle school youth and seniors and a project that is currently transforming traffic light switch boxes into public art promoting a healthy Medford.

Medford Health Matters will be holding a community Asset Builder Awards Celebration on Thursday, March 8, 2012. Nineteen organizations have been selected to receive recognition(s) for their contribution to helping make Medford a healthy community.

Individual awards will also be given and, in the spirit of community, we asked that each recognized organization put forth nominations for one or two individuals who are Asset Builders in their group. Everyone who is nominated by an organization will be acknowledged, and two individuals, one youth and one adult, will be recognized as the Outstanding Community Asset Builders of the year.

In advance, we would like to thank Bocelli’s Restaurant and Pizza, Salvatore’s Restaurant, and Whole Foods Market for their investment in our community and their generous contributions to this recognition and award reception.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, March 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Medford City Hall, when we celebrate the many assets in our community that make it a good place to live, learn, work and play.  If you have any questions, please contact Brooke Johns at 781-395-1815 or at bjohns@glfhc.org.

Turn Traffic Light Switchboxes into Art!

Medford Health Matters (MHM), in coordination with the City of Medford, is embarking on an exciting switchbox beautification project. Over the next few months we will be matching local artists and interested students to work together to develop a theme and draft a mural to be painted on the large electrical boxes around the City of Medford. We hope to engage several local artists to collaborate with us and our local students to turn our switchboxes into proud pieces of public art, much like similar successful initiatives in Malden and Somerville.

We will have MHM Project Managers to assist the artists and students in the coordination and development of each MHM Board approved project from start to finish. Local artists will be given a stipend for the supplies (TBD) and their time to complete the project and students will earn community service hours.

If you are interested in participating in this project please complete the attached form and return it to me at City Hall, Room 214, or via fax (781) 393-2105, or fill it out by going to this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LGW76JX, and return it no later than December 20, 2011.

We will have an orientation meeting to begin our planning process in early January and ultimately have the box project complete by early Spring. Artists and students can be a part of as many box projects as they like. We have 21 switchboxes throughout the city than will be painted. We hope you will be part of this fun and educational city project.

If you need more information and/or have questions please contact me at 781-393-2501 or at dmcleod@medford.org

Sincerely,

Diane McLeod

MHM Member

Community Invited to Participate in Evening Event

The evening of September 29th, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the Caron Theater at Medford High School, the Rachel’s Challenge speaker will conduct a powerful session with parents and community leaders. This session is similar to the assembly program and ends with a specific challenge to parents and community leaders, showing them how they can reinforce the positive decisions Medford youth are making.

Entertainers, politicians, sports celebrities, educators, and even two Presidents of the United States have been impacted by Rachel’s Challenge. However, students are the target audience and, based on many reviews of the program, students have proven that they will respond with positive words, attitudes, and actions. My hope is that the Medford High School community will feel a tremendous positive impact as a result of the Rachel’s Challenge program.

Support Specialist David Blauch would like to invite all members of the community, including members of the School Committee, to attend the Rachel’s Challenge community event on Thursday, 9/29/11 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the Caron Theater at Medford High School. There are about 350 seats in the Caron Theater. Let’s fill the place and take what we can from this program to make a significant difference for our kids.

Rachel Joy Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Rachel was known for her kindness and compassion and positive ways of interacting with peers; the contents of her six diaries have become the foundation for the “Rachel’s Challenge” program.

Rachel’s Challenge is coming to Medford High School on Thursday, September 29th. The program will begin with two assemblies at Medford High School. Powerful video/audio footage of Rachel’s life and the Columbine tragedy will characterize a one hour school presentation that motivates students to treat others in more positive, empathetic ways. All grade 9 and 10 students at Medford High School will attend the assemblies.

The assemblies will be followed by a separate interactive 90 minute training session involving both adult and student leaders that shows how to sustain the momentum created by the assembly. The assembly creates the “want to” or desire for positive change. The training session teaches the “how to” and ensures that the positive impact will continue.

For more information, please contact Support Specialist David Blauch at Medford High School at 781-393-2303, or visit www.rachelschallenge.org.

Call to Action!

In light of the recent arrest of a local pizza shop owner for possessing over 250 pounds of Marijuana. Team Medford believes this is an indication for our community to come together and talk about the issues of marijuana, which many communities are facing. Team Medford is a group of concerned community members that are committed in preventing Medford’s youth from drinking and other drugs, we are holding an immediate forum to asses the issue of marijuana. Our focus will be on the perception of marijuana use, risk, access and enforcement. We will hold a youth session and an adult session in different spaces at the Senior Center on Monday, September 12th from 6-8pm. Please come and voice your concerns. Light refreshments will be provided. Contact Brooke Johns- bjohns@glfhc.org with any questions.

Tuesdays in October 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th
Marilyn Belmonte will present four 2 hours sessions APPLAUDD – A Prevention Program Learning About Underage Drinking & Drugs.  For Parents only (see below for details about each night)

Tuesday November 1st

Eileen DiBattista will present one 2 hour presentation on Medford Public Schools drug and alcohol policy, school health policy and procedures for identifying if students are under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Location: Medford High School in the Caron Theater

Time: 6:30 to 8:30 each night

To access resources now

APPLAUDD descripition:

October 4th- An introduction to the latest in research about adolescent brain development and how drugs affect the brain during this period. It discusses the current teen drug trends in this part of the country and how parents can influence substance abuse. This session covers many plant-based and traditional drugs including Heroin, Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Crystal Meth, Ecstasy, LSD, Salvia Divinorum, Jimsom Weed.

October 11th- includes the fastest growing drug trend of prescription drug abuse. Percocet, Vicodin, OxyContin are explained and the connection to heroin abuse is illustrated. ADHD medication abuse as academic enhancers, Klonopin, Xanax, Ambien and Steroids are also discussed. Over the counter medicines such as Dextromethorphan are included. This session also covers inhalant abuse.

October 18th- is a non-political, scientific-based presentation on the effects of marijuana on the adolescent brain, grades, driving, depression, suicide and addiction to other drugs. K2 is included. Along with discussion about the new MA law decriminalizing marijuana and school policies.

October 25th- covers the affect of underage drinking on adolescent brain development, the myth of teaching children to drink responsibly and social host liability as related to MA state law. Prevention strategies and protective factors discussed include communication techniques, parenting styles, parent involvement, monitoring teens, family dinners, youth activities, reading selections, teaching proper use of medications vs. abuse, role modeling, building self-esteem, healthy stress relief, developmental asset building. Parents leave with an Action Plan for continued implementation.

• Each session ends with breaking into small groups to plan actions and discuss specific questions.
• October 25th ends with a Q&A between parents and community leaders to provide parents with community-specific policies and treatment resources.
• APPLAUDD includes the “What Now?” Action Plan, a checklist for implementation of newly learned strategies, continued education, community involvement and resources.

Initial and Short Term Outcomes are:
*Increased parent knowledge of drug impairment, including drug paraphernalia
*Increased parent efficacy to talk with child about alcohol and drugs.
*Increased parent intention to take action.
*Increased knowledge of barriers to parent-child communication and how to break through these barriers.
*Changed parent perceptions regarding underage drinking and drug “experimentation”.
*Increased awareness of need for ongoing information regarding risk factors.
*Sign up for monthly parent newsletters that provide up to date information and suggestions for parenting tools.
*Increased recognition of drug abuse and related early intervention
*Increased frequency of parent-teen communication
*Parents take steps to secure the home (i.e. proper disposal of prescription medications)
*Increased monitoring and rule enforcement
*Increased parent access/use of prevention materials.
*Increase engagement of parents in school or other community prevention efforts (changes in policies, bylaws, school rules).

Long Term Outcomes are:
*Reduced underage drinking.
*Reduced drug use among youth.
*Long-lasting, increased parent involvement with teens, monitoring of adolescents and parent-teen communication about substance abuse.
*Informed parents who are actively involved in community engagement.

Medford Health Matters (MHM) has awarded two grants to community-based organizations to provide new services for middle school students in the city.

The Medford Family Network will present a series of programs for the parents and teachers of middle school students. The series will be open to parents across the community and include “Stepping into Adolescence,” “STEP/Teen” and “Parenting with Style.” A special program will also be offered for Haitian families. Teachers will be welcome at all of these offerings in the hopes that discussion will emerge between parents and teachers that make school and home life for adolescents in Medford better for everyone.

“The Medford Family Network is well respected for its work with families of young children. Now parents of middle school age children will be offered a program to learn more about social/emotional growth, setting limits, and improving communication with their middle schoolers,” said Jean Barry-Sutherland, a board member of Medford Health Matters.

The second grant has been awarded to Hallmark Health for “Healthy Kids in Motion.” This program will be offered to every sixth grader in the Medford Public Schools. It will combine nutrition and fitness information with activities. Principles of the five-week program will be carried on through regular health and physical education classes throughout the year so that students have the chance to make changes in eating and fitness practices.

“Hallmark Health’s “Healthy Kids In Motion” program puts talk about healthy lifestyle into practice for every sixth grader at the Andrews and McGlynn Middle Schools. The program also includes a couple of evening meetings that will allow parents and teachers to be actively involved and improve their own healthy lifestyles. The adult piece encourages the whole family to get moving!” said Barry-Sutherland.

Collaborating partnerships were a requirement of the grant applications and each of the winning teams will involve other community and school organizations in their efforts.

These grants came out of a strategic planing effort that MHM engaged in last year. Funding for both of these efforts comes from Mt. Auburn Hospital and the state’s Determination of Need process. In addition to the middle school initiative, MHM is also planning to award grants that will provide new opportunities for seniors. We are very excited about this new effort and will report to the community on how these programs are progressing.

Medford Health Matters addresses many different issues that affect the health and well-being of everyone who lives, works, studies or plays in Medford.

Medford farmers’ market photo courtesy InsideMedford.com

Officially halfway through the 2011 summer season, the Board of Directors of the Medford Farmers Market is excited to announce new support behind its efforts to increase access to the Market. The Market recently received a generous grant from the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture (MDAR) and the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) that has allowed it to begin a more aggressive outreach campaign focused on encouraging EBT/SNAP users to embrace the benefits of their local farmers market. The grant has enabled the all-volunteer Board to hire a Coordinator for the project, dedicated to spreading the word about the Market’s unprecedented incentive program for SNAP recipients through active contact with various community organizations.

The MDAR and DTA grant is also funding The Medford Farmers Market Bucks Program which allows shoppers to swipe any amount on their EBT/SNAP card and receive a bonus of $10 in “Market Bucks” to be used during that visit. By making the Market more affordable, this program not only increases the purchasing power of SNAP recipients, but most importantly provides all residents with an opportunity to show their support for local businesses and take steps toward a healthier lifestyle.

At a time when many markets are relaxing their initial outreach efforts, the Medford Farmers Market is especially grateful to MDAR and DTA for making this new opportunity available to the community. Please show your support by spreading the word about this program! If you or your organization would like more information on the Medford Farmers Market Bucks Program, or would like to participate in promoting its use, please contact Robyn Lightner at medfordfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

The Medford Farmers Market is held every Thursday through Oct. 13 from 3-7 pm in the Whole Foods Market parking lot at 2151 Mystic Valley Parkway (Rt. 16).

- Submitted by Robyn Lightner, EBT/SNAP Outreach, Medford Farmers Market