RVMP General Meeting
June 24, 2009
Chambers East Cafeteria-ATU
7-8:30 a.m.
Minutes
Submitted by: Amanda Paterak, Research Assistant.
18 members from 10 community organizations were in attendance.
Note: The general meeting expenses were paid for by the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and ARVAC.
Marti Wilkerson welcomed members and reviewed the agenda. A certificate of recognition/appreciation was presented to Janet Cook for her outstanding service to the RVMP.
Marti Wilkerson stated that in addition to the 3 minute video preview made by Maggie Fitch, Bob Adkison/ARVAC Research Scholarship, there is also a 12 minute full length video that is available for schools and other venues to help with methamphetamine and other drug awareness. She stated that the video can be previewed by members at the end of the meeting.
Angie White, Child Development Prevention Specialist, discussed her work with a grant that evaluates strengths and weaknesses of Pope County in the area of drug and alcohol awareness and prevention. She stated that she and Marti Wilkerson will be working on a Prevention Grid to help establish the extent of prevention programs in Pope County. With this grid they would like to illustrate community festivals, prevention and gaps in alcohol and drug programming in the community. Marti Wilkerson requested that RVMP members fill out the distributed prevention grid form in order to begin the grid development process.
David Gibbons discussed the work of the steering committee. He overviewed how the project was created and the extent of the methamphetamine epidemic. He discussed how the focus of the project has now shifted and the value of the monthly meetings. He recommended that the project meet on a semi-annual basis. In the months between meetings, workgroups can meet and work on a project that relates to their organizations and then meet with the larger group to report out on what work has been done in the group. Workgroups can also identify problems they are encountering and ideas that members have about the project.
Discussion ensued about the proposal to meet semi-annually. Concerns and support were expressed and it was decided that the meetings would be scheduled semi-annually with the next meeting being in January 2010. It was stressed how important it is to meet outside the general RVMP meetings in the workgroups.
Marti Wilkerson asked members to fill out the “Diagnosing Your Coalition: Risk Factors for Participation” evaluation form to rate the RVMP to help give an idea of what members think. She requested input for compiling an online survey if anonymity could be established. Amanda Paterak will be working on how to get the “Diagnosing Your Coalition” Evaluation online to where participants can answer anonymously.
Sheriff Aaron Duvall discussed Teen Challenge for women. He invited members to be a part of this program. Sheriff Duvall also discussed the importance of education and Alcohol and Drug training. He introduced Belinda Shelton.
Belinda Shelton, School Resource Officer, reported about her work in the schools with alcohol/drug classes and also doing parenting classes. She talked about her work with Boy Scout’s and Church Youth group programs. She stated that the biggest problem in the schools right now is prescription drugs. Whether it be for selling or taking the drugs. She also stated that a lot of burglaries around the area have been the stealing of medications. She targets 5th and 6th graders. She discussed a 6 week alcohol education class for 6th graders called “Be a Winner.” Angie White and Amanda Paterak discussed some tools that would aid Belinda in her education of school children.
Marti Wilkerson discussed tying in Belinda’s trainings with the realtors. Angie White proposed going at the partnership from a property damage side. Sue Ann Strait, Century 21, stated that this may be a great idea to partner with the Property Management department. Marti also discussed a training that was done for Superior Graphite management personnel. Marti Wilkerson reviewed the workgroups and their projects that can be worked on during these six months before the next RVMP General Meeting in January 2010.
Sean Huss, ATU, discussed research aspects of the RVMP. He stated that all survey data has been compiled and more information will be collected regarding information about counties such as geographical clusters of arrests, etc.. The relationships between areas will also be compared for data purposes.
Glenda Hubbard, Drug Court, discussed the $200,000 grant that Drug Court has received. It is a Drug Court Discretionary Expansion Grant and it will help Drug Court focus on the family by employing a social worker to provide family counseling. It will also have a backpack food program and a day care module for drug court participants with children who need that assistance. There will also be a community awareness event included in the grant. The grant will be for two years (2010-2011). Marti Wilkerson congratulated Glenda for her success in writing this grant. J
Marti Wilkerson also thanked Mr. Bob Adkison and Prosecutor David Gibbons for their support and funding of the RVMP General Meetings.
The 12 minute full length video “The Path to Destruction” by Maggie Fitch and Jessica Parmain was previewed. Freedom House clients granted permission to be interviewed. A physician was interviewed. The video featured the path that lead to drugs and addiction. The video received favorable reviews. Belinda Shelton requested a copy of the DVD to use in her classes. Kari Powers borrowed the video for a training session during the afternoon.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.