www.tricitypartners.org
Welcome to the Tri‑City Partners (TCP)
Monthly News
Tri-City Partners Mission:
To promote health, reduce substance use and other risk behaviors, and build assets in our youth in the communities of Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield
For September/October 2009
1. The next Steering Committee meeting - Thursday, October 22
New members are welcome!
2. Later this month - A special edition of TCP news revisits the evening with Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
3. Hot topic: Lower the drinking age?
4. Youth Action Crew updates
5. Youth say, "See us, hear us, engage us."
6. Back-to-school checklist - FOR PARENTS
7. Save the date: December 9, 2009 - Shutting Off the Tap to Teens
8. Nominate an outstanding coalition, student, or youth group
9. Regional workshop: "We Can Parent Together" - October 27
10. Community forums offered by Hazelden at Edina High School
11. Seminar: Get Smart . . . About Youth and Technology - October 22
12. The annual Teen Traffic Safety PSA Contest
1. The next Steering Committee meeting - Thursday, October 22
New members are welcome!
Location: St. Luke's, 1701 W. Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington 55431
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Read the September meeting minutes
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2. Later this month - A special edition of TCP news revisits the evening with Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
Check your email later this month for a special edition of Tri-City Partners e-news. It will include feedback, important messages, and pictures from the evening with Joseph A. Califano (pictured at right).
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3. Hot topic: Lower the drinking age?
There has been a lot of discussion about whether or not lowering the minimum legal drinking age to 18 would help reduce the amount of binge drinking among people under age 21. This report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) cites evidence from recent history and research that does not support this change. It also provides responses to arguments for lowering the drinking age. View the Web page and report on the MDH website.
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4. Youth Action Crew updates
Bloomington Youth Action Crew
The Bloomington Youth Action Crew (BYAC) recently compiled their youth survey results and developed a power point presentation highlighting their findings. The purpose of the youth survey was to learn what opportunities exist for Bloomington youth related to working, learning, belonging, volunteering, connecting, and hanging out. The survey was completed by 570 youth (41% age 11-14 years, 59% age 15 – 19 years). BYAC hopes to share the results of the survey throughout the community. If you are interested in learning more about this project, contact Denise Reese at 952-563-8984 or dreese@ci.bloomington.mn.us
Richfield Youth Action Crew
The Richfield Youth Action Crew continues to share their “See Us, Hear us, Engage Us” video with the community (see next item). They recently showed the video at a Richfield City Council meeting. A handout was developed to accompany the video and is a good reminder of how adults can be inclusive of youth. For more information about this project, contact Jenna Zirbel at 612-243-3003 or Jenna.zirbel@richfield.k12.mn.us
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5. Youth say, "See us, hear us, engage us."
The Richfield Youth Action Crew shares the following message with the community in their video "See Us, Hear Us, Engage Us." The message is important for all communities.
See us. “We’re great and so is our community. ”
- See us as individuals – get past the stereotypes
- Take the time to get to know us
- Look beyond our attitude or appearance
- Smile and say “hello” even if you don’t know us
- Greet us by name if you do know us
Hear us. “Youth leaders are here…we have a lot to say…it’s up to you to listen.”
- Show us you value us
- Ask for our input
- Listen to what we have to say and act on it
- Provide opportunities that we are interested in
- Get rid of some of the barriers that keep us from being involved
Engage us. “Youth are an asset that can transform our community.”
- Invite us to participate on boards, councils, etc. (but we don’t want to be the only youth present)
- Give us chances to belong
- Provide opportunities where we can contribute
- Make it a priority to involve us
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6. Back-to-school checklist - FOR PARENTS
This checklist, from the September 2009 Youthink Newsletter, reminds parents to add "discussions about substance use" to their back-to-school list of things to do. A new school year may bring many
new changes: new grade, new school, new teachers,
new coaches, or new friends. Don’t let these common ‘tween’ changes cause
your child to experiment with substances.
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7. Save the date: December 9, 2009 - Shutting Off the Tap to Teens
 Shutting Off the Tap to Teens and Young Adults is a skill-building conference to prevent underage drinking and alcohol use.
Keynote speaker: Jim Mosher, Senior Policy Advisor, The CDM Group, Inc. - a National expert on policy and environmental policies to prevent high-risk alcohol use.
Conference: The day will feature a panel discussion and breakout sessions addressing a wide variety of environmental strategies including: social host ordinances, festival and public event’s policies, youth engagement strategies, Zero Adult Providers (ZAP), and much more.
This year a skill-building and networking session just for youth will be offered!
When: December 9, 2009 / 9:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Where: Ramada Plaza Minneapolis / 1330 Industrial Blvd., Minneapolis
Registration fee: $30 adults, $10 youth
Information:
Molly Malone, Minnesota Prevention Resource Center
763-427-5310 x180, mmalone@miph.org, or visit
www.emprc.org/SOTT2009
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8. Nominate an outstanding coalition, student, or youth group
Two awards will be given at the 2009 Shutting Off the Tap to Teens Conference on December 9, 2009. One award will be for an outstanding coalition and the other for an outstanding student/youth group in the area of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) prevention. Nominate your group, or encourage someone you know to nominate your group!
The coordinator of the selected coalition and a representative of the selected student/youth group will be honored at Shutting Off the Tap to Teens on December 9, 2009 and will receive free attendance to the workshop.
To make a nomination, download the application and follow the instructions. The deadline for submitting nominations is October 23, 2009.
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9. Regional workshop: "We Can Parent Together" - October 27
When parents are consistent and support each other in the task of parenting, children benefit. This workshop presents the basics and benefits of co-parenting, and offers strategies and best practices to utilize in supporting any family working to raise children in a healthy, safe environment. Specific focus will be given to the unique challenges of divorcing and never-married parents, adolescent parents, or those with substance abuse/dependence-related concerns.
When: October 27, 2009 / 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Dakota County Northern Service Center / 1 Mendota Road West, Suite 110
West St. Paul, MN 55118
Cost: $30 adults, $10 youth
Questions/information: Ka Youa Vue at 651-523-0099 / www.pcamn.org
CEU's available
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10. Community forums offered by Hazelden at Edina High School
Dates:
| October 7 |
"Video Game and Internet Addiction"
presented by David Walsh, Ph.D. |
| October 21 |
"Setting and Maintaining Limits for Adolescents
presented by Daniel Frigo, Ph.D. |
| November 17 |
"Just Say Yes. Alcohol, Drugs, Kids, and You"
presented by William C. Moyers |
Where: Edina High School / 6754 Valley View Rd. / Edina, MN 55439
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Cost: No cost
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11. Seminar: Get Smart . . . About Youth and Technology - October 22
This seminar is designed for parents and educators who want to lean about: 1) trends in technology, 2) realtime social networking (texting, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, etc.), 3) gaming, and 4) technology's benefits and dangers. It is sponsored by Hennepin South Service Collaborative Schools and Community Partnerships Coordination Team.
When: Thursday, October 22, 2009 / 6:15 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Southdale Library / 7001 York Ave. S. / Edina, MN
Cost: No cost
Registration: Pre-register by October 19 to Laurie Pennebaker at 952-922-5999, x0
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12. The annual Teen Traffic Safety PSA Contest
Minnesota teens in grades 9 through 12 are challenged to submit a 30-second video PSA that communicates the importance of not texting while driving. The top spots will be posted on the DPS Web site for online viewing and voting to determine the top three winners.
The top producer will receive $1,000 from AAA Minnesota/Iowa, the second will receive $600, and the third-place winner will receive $400.
Entries are due April 19, 2010. Complete rules and entry forms can be found on the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety website.
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Please feel free to pass this on to others you think would be interested in or would benefit from the information.
Have a good month!
Laurie Masanz
Health Communication Specialist
Bloomington Public Health
952‑563‑8904
lmasanz@ci.bloomington.mn.us
TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Make your request to lmasanz@ci.bloomington.mn.us
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