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May was an exciting month for tobacco prevention!
On May 4, Governor Jerry Brown signed a series of tobacco-related bills that include: raising the tobacco purchase age to 21, reclassifying e-cigarettes as tobacco products, and restricting use of tobacco at schools. Read more... The next morning, the FDA announced that they will extend their regulatory power over all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, cigars, and hookah and pipe tobacco. Read more...
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Stephanie accepts award from Alcohol & Other Drugs Advisory Board Chair, James Ryan.
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At the local level, on May 24 Stephanie Ugalde, CourAGE Youth Health Coalition member and Pittsburg High School TUPE Peer Educator spoke to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors (BOS) about the impact of flavored tobacco and e-cigarettes. The BOS voted unanimously to direct staff to
write an ordinance that includes prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products. Video (Stephanie is ~1:09:00) Also at the meeting, Stephanie accepted a 2016 People Who Make a Difference award on behalf of CourAGE. Congratulations CourAGE, Linda Pete from Mt. Diablo Unified School District, and all of the other awardees!
As always, if you have any questions, please contact me.
Emily Justice TUPE Manager Contra Costa County Office of Education
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CourAGE PSA Film Festival
On May 20 over 60 people gathered to celebrate the top 10 entries in CourAGE Youth Health Coalition's first annual PSA contest!
As Nya Taylor (Dozier-Libbey Medical High School) said during her welcoming remarks, "We planned the PSA contest to encourage other young people to explore the impact that tobacco and other drugs have on us and our communities. This is also a chance to share this important information with others."
And the winners are... (click on the title to view)
Cesar Barros, Carlos Cortez, & Noah Waters, Orchard Park
3rd Place: "#NoNeedforWeed"
Tyler Johnston & Jake Perry, Orchard Park
Amber Flannagan, Amaris Guerrero, Juan Mora, & Emma Recinos, Black Diamond Middle
At the event the CourAGE Youth Health Coalition also premiered a short video that they created about their group. Check it out!
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Supporting Transgender Students in Schools
The U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice released guidance on how schools can ensure safe and non-discriminatory learning environments for transgender students.
Student safety remains a top priority for our districts and schools. Below are resources to assist our continued efforts to ensure that all young people feel safe, supported, and included.
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CA policies that protect LGBTQ students Fact Sheet (pdf) - National School Boards Association's FAQs (pdf)
- Transgender Students & School Bathrooms FAQs (pdf)
- Afterschool Programs Briefing Paper: Understanding Gender Identity in Young People
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Please mark your calendar for the 2016 Contra Costa Welcoming Schools & Communities Summit on Saturday, September 10. This event will coincide with Rainbow High, an event for LGBTQ young people and allies.
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AB 9 X2 -- Impact on Schools
AB 9 X2 amended Health and Safety Code (HSC) to prohibit the use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, on all County Office of Education, charter school, and school district property, regardless of if they have a Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) grant.
HSC Section 104559 also requires that signs be posted at all entrances that state that "Tobacco Use is Prohibited." One resource for signs is TECC. LEAs can also seek out a local vendor.
The implications of this law for most LEAs is negligible. However, LEAs that wish to apply for TUPE funds must still adhere to HSC Section 104420 (n), that requires the adoption of policies.
The full text of AB 9 X2 can be downloaded here.
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Professional Development Needs Survey
In our ongoing efforts to meet current needs of our district, school, and community-based organization partners, we invite you to respond to our School Climate & Student Engagement Professional Development survey.
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Thank You
We hope you enjoyed this month's Health & Wellness Matters e-newsletter! If you have suggestions for future articles or resources to share, contact Emily Justice.
CCCOE Educational Services
Emily Justice, M.A., Manager, Tobacco Use Prevention Education
Pamela Comfort, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent Pam Tyson, Ph.D., Director, Educational Services
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| Upcoming Meeting & Events | |
Welcoming Schools & Communities Summit
Saturday, September 10
Contra Costa County
2016 TUPE Site Coordinators Training
Friday, September 16
Concord
Questions about an upcoming meeting or event? Contact Emily for more information.
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| Useful Resources | |
Information, Upcoming Trainings, & Resources
E-Cigarette/Vape Pens
Protect Your Family from E-Cigarettes: The Facts You Need to Know
CA State Health Officer's Report on E-Cigarettes: A Community Health Threat
Marijuana
Project ALERT has published a new marijuana supplement, that includes information and facts for educators and young people.
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| Fast Facts & Articles | |
According to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health study, 11.4% of the U.S. population aged 12 to 17 had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. You can help by informing youth about mental health and wellness. Flyer
Article: Scientists warn about mental health consequences of using marijuana DrugFree.org
Article: Chasing bigger high, marijuana users turn to 'dabbing'
Article: Bullying is a serious public health problem, report says
Article: Building school connectedness to foster resiliency in children
Article: E-cigarette poisonings skyrocket among young kids
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