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.

Fun… Fun is what you create and you bring with you

The Medford Family Fun Contest is making this summer even hotter. Join the summer fun and share what your family does to spend time together. Fun is everywhere; fun is going for a walk with a grandparent and sharing stories, fun is sharing a meal with loved ones, fun is having your aunt and uncle come to your sporting event. Any positive activity that is important to you is what Team Medford wants to hear about.

Team Medford is all of us, everyone in Medford that cares about the health of our community and promotes positive attitudes and activities for youth. Team Medford wants you and your family to share their story. How does your family spend time together? What is fun for you? What experiences have you had with family? What positive activities or interactions do you have with family members that are special to you?

Relationships and bonding are important to building healthy and happy youth. Team Medford promotes these assets that are caring and supportive.

Medford Family Fun Contest is intended to recognize families in our community who spend time together in different ways. How you define family may be different from someone else and we value your interpretation of what positive relationships you have.

Team Medford invites children and parents to share their families’ experience with Medford.  There may be an annual trip taken as family or weekly dinners enriched with conversation that is inspiring and valuable to your family. Please share your story…

Each winner- 5 families from Medford will receive a $20 gift card for each member of the family and have their story featured in an article.

To share your story click here.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Our selection committee will be looking for:

*Family activity demonstrates healthy and happy lifestyle

* Importance of family and connectedness

*Values of integrity, honesty, and responsibility

*Displays a bonding to family

ENTRY DEADLINE:

Thursday, September 27^th, 2011

Winners Notified: Friday, September 30^th, 2011

Winners Posted: Friday, October 7^th, 2011

Official Rules

1. ELIGIBILITY: Open only to residents of Medford Massachusetts. Parent and youth must submit their story together, youth may submit their story, of if youth has a story that is experienced outside of the immediate family. Sorties may be submitted by youth ages 5-18 with assistance of parent.
2. ENTRY: Please submit your story within the deadlines given. Share your story by going to www.medfordhealthmatters.org and completing the online entry form. Incomplete entry forms may not be considered for a prize. Entry deadline is September 27th, 2011. Winners will be contacted on Friday, September 30th, 2011.
3. WINNER: The selection committee will take full responsibility in selecting the winners of the Family Fun contest. There will be 5 families that are selected for prizes and must all be willing to share their story with the community. Each member of the family will receive a gift card and have their story published on face book, local newspapers, and flyers. There will be an optional opportunity to share their story on camera with written contest.
4. PRIZES AND RESTRICTIONS: Two (2) Prizes for families: 1) $20 gift card for each member of the family 2) Your submitted story will be shared with the Medford community. Team Medford is not responsible for replacing any gift card that is lost, damaged, or stolen.
5. PUBLICITY: Participation in the Family Fun contest does not imply winner’s consent to use of a photograph, name, or other personal information received by Team Medford. Before the name or photo, if received, is used on the website or publicly in any way Team Medford must get his/her written consent and release. When Team Medford has written consent, they can use the winner’s story, name, and other personal information to share with the Medford Community.

Contact Brooke Johns for any questions:

Team Medford

146 Exchange Avenue Medford, Ma 02155

781.395.1815

bjohns@glfhc.org

Please join Team Medford in recognizing 2011’s Alcohol Awareness Month. Alcohol Awareness Month is nationally observed and focuses on all aspects of alcohol use from prevention to recovery. Team Medford’s charge is to prevent underage drinking however, we view the problems associated with alcohol use/abuse to be holistically connected to underage drinking.

To join Team Medford in supporting Alcohol Awareness Month we ask that you thank the businesses who have committed to posting our awareness decal in their store, school, or home for the month of April. Team Medford is engaging the school community as well:

• April 7^th at the McGlynn Middle School Presentation to all 6^th graders including the parochial schools called “Sober Thoughts” where youth learn skills to resist negative pressures and perceptions about their peers and underage drinking
• Participating teachers, clubs and teams at the middle and high schools are taking part in the Above the Influence Campaign. This campaign is for all teens willing to stand up and say they are above the influence of drugs, alcohol and the many other negative influences they are faced with day to day. We plan to have staged photos of these youth presented in collage posters in our schools and the school website. Project will be presented after April vacation.

In addition to these activities we ask Medford residents to visit our website http://medfordhealthmatters.org/campaigns/underage-drinking-campaign/ where you can find a variety of resources to help your child/teen with underage drinking. Also friend Team Medford on Facebook, and look out for announcements happening in Medford as well as obtaining news about underage drinking and drug use.

Team Medford focuses on finding ways to prevent alcohol use amongst youth. It is our hope that by promoting healthy attitudes and activities that we will draw in more adults to the table in Medford. If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering their time to this invaluable cause please contact me. All ideas are welcome.

Please join Medford Health Matters at our next members’ meeting.

Medford Health Matters’ members meeting will be held on Thursday, March 3 2011, from 7pm to 8:30 pm at Medford City Hall in the Council Chambers, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford.

There is a change in our meeting presentation.  Our meeting highlighting the Medford Census data for 2010 will be postponed since the Census Bureau may not have released Massachusetts data by March 3.  Please watch this space for information regarding the census presentation, and join us for the March rd meeting which will include highlights of Medford Health Matters partnership projects.

*   Team Medford, Penny Bruce Medford Substance Prevention Task Force
*   Science to Service Award for I’m Allergic to Stupid Decisions, Medford Substance Prevention Task Force
*   Environmental Justice and the Mystic Watershed, Nick Cohen Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. (Tri-CAP)
*   “Voices of Medford,” Diane Mcleod Human Diversity Director for the City of Medford

Come and learn about  Medford Health Matters and how you can participate.  Medford Health Matter’s board meets on the first Thursday of each month at 8:00 a.m. at Medford City Hall.  Member meetings are held every other month and alternate between morning and evening meetings.  Please watch this space for details.

Medford Health Matter’s mission is to foster an environment of wellness and healthy lifestyles for all those who live, learn, work and play in Medford.

MA Drivers License

By Alix Roy, Town Correspondent

A local ordinance requiring all purchasers of alcohol to be carded – regardless of age – took many residents by surprise, but advocates for preventing underage drinking say the rule has been received positively by many retailers and restauranteurs.

For full text article go to:

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/medford/2010/06/liquor_stores_restaurants_rece.html?s_campaign=8315

MHM and the Northeast Center for Healthy Communities welcome Tiana Wilkinson to the position of Drug Free Communities Grant Coordinator. Ms. Wilkinson earned her BA in Cultural Anthropology from Mount Hoyoke College in South Hadley, MA and is working toward her Masters in Public Health at Boston University. Ms. Wilkinson brings expertise in substance abuse prevention and partnership development to reduce youth substance abuse and other risk taking behaviors among Medford youth. When asked about her new position, Ms. Wilkinson stated,” I am thrilled to be joining Medford Health Matters as the DFC Coordinator.  I am eager to collaborate with community members in finding effective ways to reduce the rates of substance abuse among youth in Medford.” Ms. Wilkinson will work out of MHM’s office space at 146 Exchange Ave.  To reach Ms. Wilkinson please call 978-688-2323 x8616 or email her at twilkinson@glfhc.org.

Hey parents and caring adults – check out the latest article in the Medford Transcript by Tami Gouveia-Vigeant, Medford Health Matters’ Drug Free Communities Director!