January 25, 2006

Hernando County Community Anti-Drug Coalition

Meeting Minutes

Present: Mearl Letts, Jessica Fernandez, Shaunna Knierim, Mary A. Staib, Debra A. Miles, Jean Rags, Lisa Hammond, Tara Oliver, Beth Lord

Meeting was called to order at 3:40.

Minutes of last meeting were distributed for review. Mary requested that her middle initial, “A”, be included in written documents. Tara motioned to accept the minutes. Mary seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Lisa discussed status of several grants. One is to develop a business plan and an educational campaign to educate the community about the substance abuse problems in Hernando County. This project would culminate in a town hall meeting. We received the funding to continue the YAPPI grant for the second year. It will allow us to continue Chill Smart and have a second Family Fun Extravaganza.

Lisa is meeting with local politicians to make them aware of the substance abuse problems in the county and the existence of the HCCADC. Lisa met with Commissioner Rowden and requested a letter of support. The county is granting a Resolution on February 28 at 9:00 at the Commission Chambers. Members, including Chill Smart kids, are encouraged to attend. Local newspapers will be on hand to cover the event.

Tara discussed current activities of the Chill Smart group. Membership is stable and the kids remain committed and enthusiastic. They have chosen a media campaign as there advocacy program. They will have t-shirts made with numbers and statistics that they will wear to school to generate dialog. They also hope to have tray liners made with alcohol facts for use in the school cafeterias. The next Chill Smart meeting is 2/7 at 6:30 at The Harbor.

We will have two booths at The Week of the Young Child. The Chill Smart kids will man one booth and have the night vision goggles available for older kids and another activity for the little ones. Members are needed to man the HCCADC booth.

Chill Smart is planning a youth summit either 3/25 or 4/8 at Hernando High or Nature Coast. It will feature a Prevention Education group that Nancy and Tresa have seen and found to be fabulous. It will be a joint venture between Chill Smart and Project Stand. We will be providing lunch for the participants and members were asked to help find sponsors for the lunch. The target population is kids 12-17. Commissioner Rowden will open the event. Lisa asked Major Letts to see if the Sheriff and DARE might also be able to attend. It is hoped that 300-400 kids will attend and another event will be scheduled in the fall at the school not chosen for the initial event.

Lisa will represent the HCCADC at the World’s Greatest Baby Shower on February 25^th at St. Joan of Arc from 10 – 2.

Beth and Lisa discussed the FSU mini-grant. One project is the CADCA conference in Washington D.C. in February. Two slots are still open. The second project is to increase community awareness and will fund the printing of the Scorecard, developing a Chill Smart website and PSAs. Lisa will get with Sandra to complete the Scorecard that Doris Bedell started.

Lisa reported that as part of the Strategic Prevention Grant, we got a quote to do 30-second TV PSAs as they are more effective than radio in this community. Jean suggested we look into the Hispanic newspaper and radio stations and local government TV stations. Major Letts suggested we get some members to speak on Channel 19.

Beth thanked Tresa, Lisa and Sandra for all their hard work on the grants.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:15.