Hernando County Community Anti-Drug Coalition

Meeting Minutes

August 30, 2006

Present: Sandra Marrero (The Harbor), Lisa Hammond (BHERGroup), Major Alan Arick(HCSD), Harry Hill(DJJ), Tresa Watson(CENAPS), Tara Oliver(The Harbor), Beth Lord(The Harbor), Dpty. Sabrina O’Banner(HCSD), Dpty. Ricardo Ruiz(HCSB), Dpty. James Dean(HCSB), Dpty. Ken Keeney(HCSB), John Flemming (DJJ)

Meeting called to order at 3:35 p.m.

Tresa presented a motion to accept meeting minutes from previous HCCADC meeting. Corrections made to Major Alan Arick’s name. Lisa made a motion to accept minutes with corrections. Motion was seconded by Major Arick. Motion carried

Chill Smart Dance Party

Tara Oliver reported over 100 youth attended the dance party held at the Jerome Brown Community Center on 8/19/06. A request was made to include a deputy at future events. There were a couple moments of tension. The chaperones handled the problems, but insist that a uniformed presence may deter future incidents. Tara publicly thanked all persons who helped. A few parents stayed to enjoy the event. Pizza Hut, Dominoes, Dairy Queen and Publix gave donations. Some funds were raised between admission and pizza sales. Three new youth became Chill Smart members at the event.

Operation Back Pack

Tara Oliver reported Operation Back Pack is sponsored by the City of Brooksville. Bookbag and school supplies are distributed from 10am-12pm on 8/4/06. Chill Smart members will volunteer to stuff the back packs this year.

Underage Drinking Prevention Conference

Lisa Hammond, Tara Oliver, Dpty. Sabrina O’Banner, and Donna Burchfield were the 4 adults to attend the 4 day conference in Baltimore, MD. Lisa reported the conference was unorganized. However she attended a presentation entitled “Drug-Music Connection” which made the entire conference worthwhile. She has contacted the speaker for a copy of the presentation. Lisa would like to present it o HCCADC and later show it to parents at a private viewing at Springstead Theatre. She reported it would be of interest for parents to see the violence, sex. alcohol and pornography connected to the music.

Tara reported on the seminar she attended entitled “Take Back” Which is a movement presented in the Youth Track. The youth had an opportunity to practice how they would ”Take Back” their communities. The youth also viewed the dance group called “Risqué” who used music to show positive messages regarding alcohol, drugs, pregnancy etc. Lisa reported Sheriff Gee of Hillsborough County received the National Leadership in Prevention Award. She suggested the coalition send him a letter of congratulations. Tara reported Miss America’s speech was dynamic. Chill Smart youth wore their t-shirts and received many positive comments from public. Deputy O’Banner thanked HCCADC for the opportunity to participate in the conference. She also reported on an interdenominational coalition entitled ”Life Choices”. They offer 6 weeks of classes for teens. Dpty. O’Banner made copies of website information and resources. She shared information with fellow SRO’s. Finally, O’Banner supplied coalition members with data of alcohol related incidences per schools in Hernando County.

Family Day

Family Day will be held at Kennedy Park on September 30, 2006. The official Family Day is September 25, 2006. Tara reported planning to send letter to schools. An application was submitted to Ruby Turner of Parks & Recreation in order to waive the fee for the park. Flyers will be sent home asking each student to sign pledge to eat dinner with their family.

Kiwanis Kids Day

Kiwanis Kids Day is Sept. 16, 2006. Chill Smart youth will wear their t-shirts and supply literature on the coalition and prevention. The night vision goggles will be a display. Major Arick made sure coalition name is on flyer. It goes out to four elementary schools. HCCADC is responsible to set up equipment at 9:00a.m. A tent is advisable.

Prevention Conference

The statewide prevention conference will be held on Orlando from September 20-22. Beth, Harry, John, Lisa, Tara, and Sandra are attending. Tresa notified Major Arick that the coalition can sponsor 2 SRO’s. He noted he may not be able to send 2, but 1. He will reply.

Projects

Lisa distributed business plan projects and described need to focus on fundraising in future. Membership ideas were outlined. One idea to facilitate access to schools is to utilize SRO’s more as school entry. The use of senior population is necessary to demonstrate youth are not all bad. The website can be taken to a higher level as a communication medium for kids by kids. Main 2 priorities are fundraising and community outreach. Lisa revealed description of project activities and community mobilization. Town hall meetings will be held at the end. Then the coalition can evaluate how well the message got out.

FSU Mini-grant

Lisa reported the mini-grant will fund three projects. A “Youth Speak Out”, listening sessions held in county schools and Boys & Girls Clubs. The youth will inform adults about their issues. Questions will be prepared ahead of time. However, we want to hear what youth think. Ideally, the sessions will be held before and after the community mobilization to gauge if youth’s perceptions changed. A second Youth Summit will be held. Finally, the Mini- grant will fund the CADCA membership for another year.

Banner

Deputy Ruiz reported that Nature Coast Technical school is printing banners, t-shirts, and decals. Lisa stated it would be nice to get trademark for Chill Smart and to buy Chill Smart domain for website. Shari presented a motion to buy domain, Tresa seconded the motion. Motion carried; HCCADC will purchase website domain.

MADD

Sandra informed members that MADD contact HCCADC to offer school assemblies program under a grant they received. Normally the cost of each assembly is $2,000 for a 90 minute presentation. Deputy Ruiz of Nature Coast School and Deputy O’Banner of Powell Middle School came forward as interested. Sandra will contact MADD and follow up with the deputies.

Shari presented a motion to adjourn the meeting. Tara seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 4:42 p.m.