Parent Involvement Committee Report

ShelbyCountyChildren’s Policy Council

December 9, 2010

8:30 AM

 
Updates: 
 

  • Joint Shelby County Children’s Policy Council Parent Involvement Committee and Shelby County Drug Free Coalition Services Committee will not meet in December due to new Executive Committee for the coalition being elected November 18, 2010.  The Executive Committee must meet before committee meetings resume.
    • 2010 committee meetings:  February 19, 2010, April 6, 2010, June 15, 2010, August 3, 2010, October 19, 2010

 
Proposed Activities/Goals/Updates of Committee:

Alcohol compliance checks and alcohol retailer support:  Assist ABC Board in alcohol compliance checks by providing funding for underage decoys to enforce established laws.  As of August 2010 additional focus is to provide materials and educational support to alcohol retailers. 

  • Provide signage for stores alerting adults that it is illegal to purchase or provide alcohol to minors.  Stickers that can be placed on windows or coolers have been developed and the distribution has started.  Zina Cartwell, committee member, is distributing in the Calera and Montevallo areas.  Agent Gautney has forwarded a request to Montgomery to see if the stickers can be placed in ABC Stores. 
  • Update:  Carol Williams, Shelby County Drug Free Coalition Coordinator, is developing an educational handout to show clerks the differences between a license for someone under the age of 21 and someone over the age of 21.  This will be the next step in supporting convenience stores and other alcohol retailers.
Educate elected officials:   Educate elected officials on the benefits of limiting location and density of alcohol retail outlets.  Educate elected officials on the benefits of Clean Indoor Air ordinances. 
  • February 16, 2010:  An informational handout on medical marijuana was mailed out to Shelby County State Representatives and Senators
  • March 29, 2010:  Elected officials on panel at the Town Hall Meeting and Mayor Don Murphy, Commissioner Corley Ellis, Commissioner Tommy Edwards, Commissioner Dan Acker, Judge Mike Joiner, Judge Hewitt Conwill, Judge Hub Harrington, Judge Dan Reeves and Judge Ron Jackson were in attendance; Mayor Mark McLaughlin sent a letter of support
  • July 16, 2010:  An informational handout on smoke-free ordinances and secondhand-smoke provided to Councilwoman Sophie Martin in Alabaster
  • October 19, 2010:  An informational handout on smoke-free ordinances and secondhand-smoke provided to Windy Rosenstiel, committee member from Pelham, to give to Pelham’s Mayor and Council members.

 

  • Parent Workshops:  Conduct Parent Workshops in the community to provide parents with tools they need to prevent substance abuse in their own home.  Topics may include communication, drug recognition, conflict resolution, teen issues, parent resources, coping skills, character building, school and community bonding.  Include Parents Who Host Lose The Most informationto educate parents about the health and safety risks of serving alcohol to teens and compliance with underage drinking laws.
    • PowerPoint presentation addressing issues relating to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, technology and teens, and communication tips completed and ready for presentations
    • Handouts developed for Parent Workshops and community events
    • January 4, 2010:  Faculty and staff training at Columbiana Middle School
    • January 5, 2010:  Chandalar Garden Club
    • February 18, 2010:  Alabaster/Pelham Rotary Club
    • March 1, 2010:  Buck Creek Civitan Club
    • March 2, 2010:  Helena Middle School Parent Academy
    • April 5, 2010:  Chelsea Civitan Club
    • April 15, 2010:  Wilsonville Civitan Club
    • April 22, 2010:  Calera Kiwanis Club
    • August 3, 2010:  Target National Night Out
    • September 14, 2010:  Chelsea Homemakers
    • October 4, 2010:  Columbiana Middle School faculty and staff training
    • October 5, 2010:  Alabaster Senior Center
    • October 12, 2010:  Columbiana Middle School Open House
    • October 14, 2010:  Silver Club Montevallo
    • October 21, 2010:  Cline Club
    • October 21, 2010:  Pelham High School Open House

     
     

    Signage (checks):  Provide and maintain “smoke free” signage in athletic fields. 
    • 54 signs have been delivered throughout Shelby County parks and recreation facilities
    • To supplement the signage in parks, the committee developed and recorded 30-second tobacco-free messages that have been provided to 7 Shelby County high schools (voiced by Superintendent Randy Fuller) and 3 Shelby County city youth leagues (voiced by their respective mayors)
    • 91 signs have been provided to Shelby County middle and high schools

     SmokeFree Shelby County:   Promote the activities of Smoke Free Shelby County through various outlets including media, brochures, website and presentations. 
     

    • 9 Youth Empowerment Program students trained at Vincent High School for 2008-2009 school year and will present information to the Vincent Town Hall
    • April 8, 2009:  Kick Butts Day assembly at Vincent High School featuring speakers from American Lung Association and Alabama Department of Public Health
    • May 7, 2009:  Community event at Vincent Middle/High School reaching over 100 students and parents
    • May 14, 2009:  Sponsored a Public Service Announcement contest for World No Tobacco Day and announced the winner at Columbiana Middle School; PSA was recorded and played by Don Dailey with WZZK and affiliate stations
    • Completed LifeSkills for all 6thgrade students at Vincent Middle School, Columbiana Middle School and Cornerstone Christian School for the 2008-2009 school year
    • LifeSkills is not being taught for the 2009-2010 school year due to funding cut.  Tobacco cessation materials are still available for the community through Alabama Department of Public Health and tobacco prevention information is presented during youth and adult presentations

     

  • Educational Campaign:  Utilize media (Press releases/PSA’s), brochures, coalition website, parent handbook, city newsletters, and other outlets to provide accurate and reliable information on the hazards associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drugs. 
    • Billboards in Shelby County up for Alcohol Awareness Month in April 2009
    • Billboards in Shelby County up promoting the coalition in May 2009
    • Advertisements in the Shelby County Reporter about secondhand smoke and the Quit Line started April 22, 2009 (4 week run)
    • Advertisements in the Wednesday edition of the Shelby County Reporter, Saturday edition of the Alabaster Reporter, on the Shelby County Reporter website and in their daily e-mail updates starting May 25, 2009 (4 week run)
    • Full page advertisement in the Shelby County Reporter’s FYI magazine
    • Parent Handbooks being distributed to all Shelby County middle and high schools for all students
    • Spanish-language materials delivered to HICA office in Shelby County 
    • Coalition website www.shelbycountydrugfreecoalition.orgcontinuously being updated with resources and information
    • Three agencies (The Freedom Source, Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force and Shelby County Drug Free Coalition) partnered to set up a booth at the Shelby County Fair, September 21-26, 2009
    • Healthy lifestyle slogans and coalition developed handouts are being distributed through 4 high school and 1 middle school parent list serves and through three community newsletters
    • NBC13 News aired a segment on December 14, 2009 about alcoholic energy drinks utilizing three committee members. 
    • Local radio stations played 30-second PSA’s for the “Parents Who Host Lose the Most” campaign in April
    • Pelham High School’s D.A.R.E. Club and Oak Mountain High School’s Peer Assistants developed and recorded PSA spots for April for their prom activities
    • 2010 Parent Handbook distributed to all Shelby County Schools for 2010-2011 school year registrations through Student Services office

     Report Card/TIP Line:  Distribute and collect “Report Cards” throughout community to anonymously report suspicious activity.  Promote TIP Lines.
     

    • Permission received to promote Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Shelby County Schools Tip Lines and integrated into presentations and handouts
    • Full-size Tip Line posters have been delivered to all Shelby County middle and high schools and all 13 public libraries
    • Report Cards and Tip Line wallet cards have been distributed to several county Senior Centers, Juvenile Detention, Juvenile Court and all public libraries
    • Birmingham News and the Shelby County Reporter both ran articles about the project
    • 2010 Tip Line posters have been distributed to all middle and high schools in Shelby County
    • The coalition has received three tips regarding illegal activities in the community
    • Update:  Tip Line posters distributed to all Shelby County public libraries through Shelli Thomason, Shelby County Commission

     Prescription Drug Warnings:  Partner with pharmacies and encourage them to distribute prescription drug warning messages.
     

    • Prescription drug warnings are being printed.  8 pharmacies are participating in the campaign.
    • A total of 39,400 messages have been distributed to 30 pharmacies, community agencies and schools for the 2009 campaign
    • 2010 campaign:  Advertisement ran in the Shelby County Reporter, in daily e-mails and online for the month of May; 16 pharmacies handed out 41,400 messages during the month of June; Birmingham News and Shelby County Reporter are both working on articles;
    • The prescription drug boards for doctor offices are available and being distributed by Shelby Baptist’s network and other community agencies
    • Update:  Commonly abused medications identification posters provided to all middle and high school counselors and prescription drug boards provided for the offices

     
     

    Teen Driving Initiative:  Promote PAST message within Shelby County Community. (Passengers, Alcohol, Seat Belts, Text/talk).
    • April 2, 2009:  Presentation at South Shelby Chamber of Commerce
    • Contact made with Chelsea High School and Chelsea Middle School
    • New contact made with the Shelby County Schools Community Education Department that may lead to us being able to give out information to students in all driver’s education programs
    • The committee looked into the possibility of a program called “Every 15 Minutes”.  It does not appear financially feasible to complete the required training. 
    • ShelbyCountywill be utilizing their teen driving display again for the 2010-2011 school year.  The committee is looking into partnering with them.
    • Information on the Teen Safe Driving Initiative was added to the 2010 Parent Handbook 

    Updates: 
    • Joint Shelby County Children’s Policy Council Parent Involvement Committee and Shelby County Drug Free Coalition Services Committee will not meet in December due to new Executive Committee for the coalition being elected November 18, 2010.  The Executive Committee must meet before committee meetings resume.
      • 2010 committee meetings:  February 19, 2010, April 6, 2010, June 15, 2010, August 3, 2010, October 19, 2010
     
    Proposed Activities/Goals/Updates of Committee:
    • Alcohol compliance checks and alcohol retailer support:  Assist ABC Board in alcohol compliance checks by providing funding for underage decoys to enforce established laws.  As of August 2010 additional focus is to provide materials and educational support to alcohol retailers. 
    • Provide signage for stores alerting adults that it is illegal to purchase or provide alcohol to minors.  Stickers that can be placed on windows or coolers have been developed and the distribution has started.  Zina Cartwell, committee member, is distributing in the Calera and Montevallo areas.  Agent Gautney has forwarded a request to Montgomery to see if the stickers can be placed in ABC Stores. 
    • Update:  Carol Williams, Shelby County Drug Free Coalition Coordinator, is developing an educational handout to show clerks the differences between a license for someone under the age of 21 and someone over the age of 21.  This will be the next step in supporting convenience stores and other alcohol retailers.
    • Educate elected officials:   Educate elected officials on the benefits of limiting location and density of alcohol retail outlets.  Educate elected officials on the benefits of Clean Indoor Air ordinances. 
    • February 16, 2010:  An informational handout on medical marijuana was mailed out to Shelby County State Representatives and Senators
    • March 29, 2010:  Elected officials on panel at the Town Hall Meeting and Mayor Don Murphy, Commissioner Corley Ellis, Commissioner Tommy Edwards, Commissioner Dan Acker, Judge Mike Joiner, Judge Hewitt Conwill, Judge Hub Harrington, Judge Dan Reeves and Judge Ron Jackson were in attendance; Mayor Mark McLaughlin sent a letter of support
    • July 16, 2010:  An informational handout on smoke-free ordinances and secondhand-smoke provided to Councilwoman Sophie Martin in Alabaster
    • October 19, 2010:  An informational handout on smoke-free ordinances and secondhand-smoke provided to Windy Rosenstiel, committee member from Pelham, to give to Pelham’s Mayor and Council members.
     
    Parent Workshops: 
    • Conduct Parent Workshops in the community to provide parents with tools they need to prevent substance abuse in their own home.  Topics may include communication, drug recognition, conflict resolution, teen issues, parent resources, coping skills, character building, school and community bonding.  Include Parents Who Host Lose The Most informationto educate parents about the health and safety risks of serving alcohol to teens and compliance with underage drinking laws.
    • PowerPoint presentation addressing issues relating to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, technology and teens, and communication tips completed and ready for presentations
    • Handouts developed for Parent Workshops and community events
    • January 4, 2010:  Faculty and staff training at Columbiana Middle School
    • January 5, 2010:  Chandalar Garden Club
    • February 18, 2010:  Alabaster/Pelham Rotary Club
    • March 1, 2010:  Buck Creek Civitan Club
    • March 2, 2010:  Helena Middle School Parent Academy
    • April 5, 2010:  Chelsea Civitan Club
    • April 15, 2010:  Wilsonville Civitan Club
    • April 22, 2010:  Calera Kiwanis Club
    • August 3, 2010:  Target National Night Out
    • September 14, 2010:  Chelsea Homemakers
    • October 4, 2010:  Columbiana Middle School faculty and staff training
    • October 5, 2010:  Alabaster Senior Center
    • October 12, 2010:  Columbiana Middle School Open House
    • October 14, 2010:  Silver Club Montevallo
    • October 21, 2010:  Cline Club
    • October 21, 2010:  Pelham High School Open House
     
    Signage (checks): 
    • Provide and maintain “smoke free” signage in athletic fields. 
    • 54 signs have been delivered throughout Shelby County parks and recreation facilities
    • To supplement the signage in parks, the committee developed and recorded 30-second tobacco-free messages that have been provided to 7 Shelby County high schools (voiced by Superintendent Randy Fuller) and 3 Shelby County city youth leagues (voiced by their respective mayors)
    • 91 signs have been provided to Shelby County middle and high schools
     
    SmokeFree Shelby County:   
    • Promote the activities of Smoke Free Shelby County through various outlets including media, brochures, website and presentations. 
    • 9 Youth Empowerment Program students trained at Vincent High School for 2008-2009 school year and will present information to the Vincent Town Hall
    • April 8, 2009:  Kick Butts Day assembly at Vincent High School featuring speakers from American Lung Association and Alabama Department of Public Health
    • May 7, 2009:  Community event at Vincent Middle/High School reaching over 100 students and parents
    • May 14, 2009:  Sponsored a Public Service Announcement contest for World No Tobacco Day and announced the winner at Columbiana Middle School; PSA was recorded and played by Don Dailey with WZZK and affiliate stations
    • Completed LifeSkills for all 6thgrade students at Vincent Middle School, Columbiana Middle School and Cornerstone Christian School for the 2008-2009 school year
    • LifeSkills is not being taught for the 2009-2010 school year due to funding cut.  Tobacco cessation materials are still available for the community through Alabama Department of Public Health and tobacco prevention information is presented during youth and adult presentations
    Educational Campaign: 
    • Utilize media (Press releases/PSA’s), brochures, coalition website, parent handbook, city newsletters, and other outlets to provide accurate and reliable information on the hazards associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drugs. 
    • Billboards in Shelby County up for Alcohol Awareness Month in April 2009
    • Billboards in Shelby County up promoting the coalition in May 2009
    • Advertisements in the Shelby County Reporter about secondhand smoke and the Quit Line started April 22, 2009 (4 week run)
    • Advertisements in the Wednesday edition of the Shelby County Reporter, Saturday edition of the Alabaster Reporter, on the Shelby County Reporter website and in their daily e-mail updates starting May 25, 2009 (4 week run)
    • Full page advertisement in the Shelby County Reporter’s FYI magazine
    • Parent Handbooks being distributed to all Shelby County middle and high schools for all students
    • Spanish-language materials delivered to HICA office in Shelby County 
    • Coalition website www.shelbycountydrugfreecoalition.orgcontinuously being updated with resources and information
    • Three agencies (The Freedom Source, Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force and Shelby County Drug Free Coalition) partnered to set up a booth at the Shelby County Fair, September 21-26, 2009
    • Healthy lifestyle slogans and coalition developed handouts are being distributed through 4 high school and 1 middle school parent list serves and through three community newsletters
    • NBC13 News aired a segment on December 14, 2009 about alcoholic energy drinks utilizing three committee members. 
    • Local radio stations played 30-second PSA’s for the “Parents Who Host Lose the Most” campaign in April
    • Pelham High School’s D.A.R.E. Club and Oak Mountain High School’s Peer Assistants developed and recorded PSA spots for April for their prom activities
    • 2010 Parent Handbook distributed to all Shelby County Schools for 2010-2011 school year registrations through Student Services office
     
    Report Card/TIP Line: 
    • Distribute and collect “Report Cards” throughout community to anonymously report suspicious activity.  Promote TIP Lines.
    • Permission received to promote Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Shelby County Schools Tip Lines and integrated into presentations and handouts
    • Full-size Tip Line posters have been delivered to all Shelby County middle and high schools and all 13 public libraries
    • Report Cards and Tip Line wallet cards have been distributed to several county Senior Centers, Juvenile Detention, Juvenile Court and all public libraries
    • Birmingham News and the Shelby County Reporter both ran articles about the project
    • 2010 Tip Line posters have been distributed to all middle and high schools in Shelby County
    • The coalition has received three tips regarding illegal activities in the community
    • Update:  Tip Line posters distributed to all Shelby County public libraries through Shelli Thomason, Shelby County Commission
     
  • Prescription Drug Warnings: 
    • Partner with pharmacies and encourage them to distribute prescription drug warning messages.
    • Prescription drug warnings are being printed.  8 pharmacies are participating in the campaign.
    • A total of 39,400 messages have been distributed to 30 pharmacies, community agencies and schools for the 2009 campaign
    • 2010 campaign:  Advertisement ran in the Shelby County Reporter, in daily e-mails and online for the month of May; 16 pharmacies handed out 41,400 messages during the month of June; Birmingham News and Shelby County Reporter are both working on articles;
    • The prescription drug boards for doctor offices are available and being distributed by Shelby Baptist’s network and other community agencies
    • Update:  Commonly abused medications identification posters provided to all middle and high school counselors and prescription drug boards provided for the offices
  •  
    • Teen Driving Initiative: 
    • Promote PAST message within Shelby County Community. (Passengers, Alcohol, Seat Belts, Text/talk).
    • April 2, 2009:  Presentation at South Shelby Chamber of Commerce
    • Contact made with Chelsea High School and Chelsea Middle School
    • New contact made with the Shelby County Schools Community Education Department that may lead to us being able to give out information to students in all driver’s education programs
    • The committee looked into the possibility of a program called “Every 15 Minutes”.  It does not appear financially feasible to complete the required training. 
    • ShelbyCountywill be utilizing their teen driving display again for the 2010-2011 school year.  The committee is looking into partnering with them.
    • Information on the Teen Safe Driving Initiative was added to the 2010 Parent Handbook