A meeting of Partners for a Healthier Community was held on Friday, June 14, 2002 at Heritage State Park. Chairperson Karen Scott Statser called the meeting to order at 8:35 AM. The meeting started with the introduction of Dr. Susan Egan keynote speaker for the HYTF poster contest awards ceremony.

The minutes of the June 14, 2002 Steering Committee meeting were circulated in advance.

Financial Report for April-May 2002 was circulated. Karen Statser and Mike Coughlin discussed the financial report.

Debit

1. Troop 599 for the 2001 poster contest winner $25.00.
2. Carlos Pavao for consultant $158.39

Credit

1.SE MRI GRANT $5000.00

2.Stanley Street Treatment and Resources $40.00

REPORT OF WORK GROUPS

Robert reported that they are still working with Fire City Production/Paul Martin. They are in the process of fine-tuning. They did use all the funds that were accessible for this video and did not have to access any other funds.

The group submitted a grant request to Blue Cross/Blue Shield and have qualified for the second stage of the process. BJ will be probably be contacting agencies for letters of support. The poster contest awards ceremony was held after this meeting. The keynote speaker was Dr. Susan Egan, Psychology Department UMass/Dartmouth. She spoke of bullying. The Fall River Alternative Middle School had 1^st, 2nd, and 3^rd place winners. Community Development Recreation/Teen Activity program and Citizen for Citizen Family Planning "Young Parents Speakers Program" also had 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners. Girl Scout Council of Southeastern Massachusetts had one 1^st place winner one 2^nd place winner and three 3^rd place winners. Westport Elementary School had 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners along with 10 honorable mentions. Congratulations to all.

Karen stated they are still working out staffing through the Prevention Center. Things will remain as they are for now.

Karen sent a letter to Jim Smith the City Administrator.

Michelle reported that Fall River is a high priority at DPH. Fall River also has the 2^nd highest rate of women smoking in the whole state. On June 14, they had the softball game with the D.A.R.E kids between Patriots, Bruins and the Somerset Police. She was also on two radio stations that week which generated a lot of calls on treatment. The Fresh Air Network will also be at the Relay for Life on June 14^th and 15^th and the youth will be involved in that. At this time they are putting up billboards up in Somerset, Swansea and Westport to help promote second hand smoke.

Mike announced that DPH has completed an RFR to select a new group of programs to replace the Regional Prevention Centers. The services are similar as to what the Prevention Center provided, but will focus on substance abuse prevention and tobacco. As of July 1, they will be known as the Regional Centers for Healthier Communities. Healthcare of Southeastern Mass., Inc. was selected for the southeastern region. Florence will continue to represent them.

The MassCHIP training that was held on May 22^nd went well. Approximately 10-15 people from SSTAR, CFC, Southcoast Hospital groups, FRPD, Family Services, and PYCO attended.

The meeting adjourned at 9:40 am. The next meeting for Partners for a Healthier Community will be held on July 12, 2002 at the Charlton site of Southcoast Hospitals Group, in the Jackson Conference Room.