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Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition Newsletter
"BACK TO SCHOOL" ISSUE
September 17, 2012 |
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Donate NOW to
Keep Our Youth Safe &
Substance Free
As of August 2012.
Our fiscal year runs October 1 through September 30.
To sustain substance abuse prevention efforts
focused on our youth,
your continued financial support is needed.
Donations are
tax-deductible.
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Wanted:
P/T Office Administrator
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Shop & Support the Coalition
Click on the above link to Shop & Support the Coalition.
Thank you!
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Greetings!
Welcome back to another school year!
It seems the start of school has become a season, with a life all its own. As things have settled; forms completed, supplies gotten, schedules and directories updated, we now focus on getting into a routine and helping our kids through this transition. This is also a great time to assess the role each of us plays in keeping our youth safe and substance-free during this challenging and exciting time.
This "Back to School" issue is full of news and information that we hope you find useful as we work together to keep our kids safe, healthy and substance-free!
Starting with this issue, you will begin to learn results from our bi-annual teen alcohol & drug use survey which was administered to over 5,000 8th-12th grade teens in our public middle and high schools. By knowing substance use trends within our community, we are better able to remain informed and equipped to help our teens handle the stresses, influences and pressures we know they feel in social situations. This is critical, especially when you consider how influential our teens' social groups and their perceptions have on their behaviors.
Besides the surveys, we also talk to students on a regular basis and have formally done so for the last 10 years through our Youth Action Board (YAB). YAB is a standing board of unique and diverse students, representing the public and private high schools in Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills. Every other week they meet, dialogue on this issue, and plan opportunities and events for teens.
YAB teens have a voice and are willing to take a stand on this issue. They provide valuable input, insight and feedback on what's really happening with teens today, what they experience, how they cope with stress, social pressure, situations and influences, and how we as adults and parents can be more effective. More importantly they want YOU the parents/key adults in their lives to be more involved in BBCC's mission.
And, a great place to start with prevention efforts is at the dinner table. Check out our Family Day section in this issue to receive discounts to area restaurants.
Working together, with you, for substance free youth,
Carol Mastroianni & Kelly Michaud
Executive Director Youth Program Coordinator
cmastroianni@bbcoalition.org kmichaud@bbcoalition.org
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Did you know... Alcohol is the #1 drug of choice for teens in our community? | |
Overall, most of our students are making good choices. But, any drug and alcohol use is a problem, and our data shows that as our teens get older, they are increasingly making the wrong choices.
- 27% of 8th-12th grade students reported alcohol use in the last 30 days.
- 47% of 12th grade students reported alcohol use in the past 30 days - that's higher than the national average at 40%.
So.... where are teens getting the alcohol? From home. Yes that's right - at home. Students reported that they are getting alcohol primarily from their home or a friends' home. |
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Did you know... Parents and Friends are the top 2 influential factors in a teen's decision to drink or use drugs? | |
Nearly 49% of our teens reported that YOU - their parents are the most important adult they would want to talk to if they needed help with a drug or alcohol related problem. Research shows that kids who learn of the risks involved with substance use from their Parents are up to 50% less likely to use drugs or alcohol.
Our survey also shows that there is a strong correlation between teens actual substance use and what they perceive is happening among their peers and close friends. For alcohol, it is the strongest factor in teens who reported 30 day past alcohol use. Perceived parent disapproval was second. So, the teens who reported past 30 day alcohol use, also had a higher perception that their friends' drank alcohol in the past 30 days. The teens who reported past 30 day alcohol use, also indicated a lower perceived parent disapproval. What does this mean? If teens think their peers and close friends are drinking they are more likely to drink. If teens think their parents are indifferent or won't disapprove, then they are more likely to drink.
Don't underestimate the power of influence you have in your teens' life and on the choices they are making every day. |
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Did you know... there are things you can do, starting today, to make sure your teen knows where you stand on this issue? | |
First, have the conversation with your teen about drugs and alcohol. Be clear about your values, your expectations, and establish consequences. Second, continue the dialogue. Make sure you check-in often. It may seem as though your teen doesn't want to hear it. It may even be the case. But ultimately, it's our job as parent's to keep our kids safe and substance-free. This is not always an easy conversation, but it is necessary. Get to know your teens' friends, know where they are, who they are with and what situation they are in. Reach out and get to know their friends' parents. For more information and tips on how to connect with your teen and their ever-changing environment, see our Be a Parent Not a Pal Tool-kit
Be a part of the solution in our community. Find out how to join a Parents 4 Prevention (P4P) group in your school by contacting Carol Mastroianni at: cmastroianni@bbcoalition.org. |
| Family Day: A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children | | |
What is the ONE thing you can do to help your children get better grades, confide in you more and significantly lower their risk for substance abuse? Eat dinner... as a family.
Family Day is a national movement launched by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. More than a decade of research has consistently found the more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.
This year, Family Day is Monday, September 24. The Coalition is partnering with local area restaurants who are offering special Family Day Discounts, who dine in their establishment throughout the week from September 24 - September 28, including; Max & Erma's, Peabody's, Salvatore Scallopini, and Zumba Mexican Grille.
There will be a special Family Day kids' craft at the Birmingham Farmers Market on Sunday, September 23. The Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition students from the Youth Action Board (YAB), will host the craft table at the Birmingham Farmers Market on from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please stop by and make a special Family Day craft or get your face-painted, and pick up a promotional flyer to enjoy the many discounts being offered at select are restaurants, to dine out with your family!
For a complete list of restaurants offering Family Day discounts, call the Coalition at 248-203-4615 or visit the website; www.bbcoalition.org.
Please remember, that wherever you are and whatever the meal, what your children really want is YOU at the table!
For more info visit: http://casafamilyday.org/familyday/
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The YAB Opportunity for High School Teens | | |
YAB Teens meet at and tour the Google Inc office in Birmingham
The Coalition's Youth Action Board (YAB) is a dynamic group of teens who are a vital part of the Coalition with representation from public and private high school in our community. The YAB is very involved in the community, working to create a positive voice and presence for themselves and their peers.
YAB teens are a volunteer group of students from Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills public and private high schools, serving the Coalition in its mission to raise awareness and engage the community in its substance abuse prevention efforts. They are students who want to address and do something about drug and alcohol use in their schools and community.
They come together at one table to dialogue with schools, community leaders and local law enforcement -- encouraging teens to make good, healthy choices. The YAB is one of the strongest groups the Coalition has - because it is student driven and has such strong school and community support.
The YAB had a busy summer with fun substance-free events and many community appearances to promote their positive message to the community. Their drug and alcohol campaigns can be seen in schools and the community and on our web-site: YAB Teens
The YAB meets regularly on Sunday afternoons at the Bloomfield Twp Library to talk about substance use and other important, relevant teen issues, and to plan substance-free events for their peers in the community. The YAB hosts a number of events including CHOICES, an annual youth-led dialogue day, Ultimate Frisbee Tournaments, Movie Nights in the Park, Band Jams and the ever-popular, annual Battle of the Bands -- showcasing the talents of local teen bands. There are also many leadership and training opportunities for teens who are interested in doing more in the community.
The YAB is totally flexible and easy to join. Now is the perfect time for interested students to jump in, as we are kicking off our school year planning. Just come to an upcoming meeting and get involved in one of our campaigns, or community events. For more information on the YAB,
a schedule of our upcoming meetings and events, please contact our
Youth Coordinator, Kelly Michaud at kmichaud@bbcoalition.org, visit our website at www.bbcoalition.org or call our office at 248.203.4615.
For more information on the YAB, meetings and events, visit our website: www.bbcoalition.org or find us on Facebook at http://tiny.cc/0k4zq |
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The Birmingham Community Coalition, a 501(c)(3),non-profit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and mobilize the entire community to prevent the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, with a primary focus on our youth! The Coalition's service area includes... Read On
The Youth Action Board (YAB) is a volunteer high school youth group representing the 12 public and private high schools in the Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills School Districts. YAB members meet on a regular basis to dialogue on substance use and abuse trends, as well as other important issues teens face today. Based on this information, they plan and organize safe, fun, alternative community-based and supported events and leadership opportunities for teens. |
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UPCOMING COALITION PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES, EVENTS &
VOLUNTEER/COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
- YOUTH ACTION BOARD (YAB) MEETINGS @ Bloomfield Twp Library
(unless noted for a different time and location), Meeting Room 3, Sundays from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. on the following dates: 9/9, 9/23 (@ Panera in Bham),9/30, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 12/16. For more info contact Kelly Michaud at kmichaud@bbcoalition.org. - CLUB 42, YAB partners with First United Methodist Church of Birmingham to bring teens substance free fun on the following Saturday's: 9/15, 10/13, 11/10, 12/15, 1/12/13, 2/9, 3/16, 4/18, 6/8
- Winter BATTLE OF THE BANDS/COALITION FUNDRAISER, January 2013. Details TBA. Substance Free Event & Volunteer/Community Service Opportunity
- COVEY 7 HABITS FOR TEENS TRAINING, open to 9th-11th graders, Spring 2013. Details TBA.
- CHOICES: YOUTH-LED DIALOGUE DAY, open to high school teens, March 2013. Details TBA. Substance Free Event & Volunteer/Community Service Opportunity
- ULTIMATE FRISBEE TOURNAMENT, open to 9th-12th graders, Spring 2012. Details TBA.
- MIDDLE SCHOOL TRANSITIONS PROGRAM, open to 8th graders. May - June 2013. Details TBA
- SUMMER BATTLE OF THE BANDS, June 14, 2013. Details TBA. Substance Free Event & Volunteer/Community Service Opportunity
- BIRMINGHAM MOVIE NIGHTS, June 21, July 19, & August 9, 2013. Details TBA. Substance Free Event & Volunteer/Community Service Opportunity
TO VOLUNTEER FOR LISTED OPPS contact Carol Mastroianni at cmastroianni@bbcoalition.org or Kelly Michaud at kmichaud@bbcoalition.org.
Pro-bono graphic designer internship. Opportunity to work with Youth Action Board teens on drug and alcohol messaging. Contact Kelly Michaud at kmichaud@bbcoalition.org if you would are interested. | | Visit calendar for more details
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