The national Training for Intervention ProcedureS (TIPS) will be held on Tuesday, October 23rd from 5-10 p.m. at the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) 97 Hawley Street, Northampton. The Massachusetts Package Store Association’s Beverage Alcohol Training (BAT) will be held on Wednesday, October 24th from 6-9 p.m. at the Amherst Police Station, 111 Main Street.

“We would like to see all bar, restaurant and package store employees in Hampshire County gain the skills they need to prevent underage drinking, so we are making these trainings as convenient and affordable as possible,” says Heather Warner, Prevention Specialist for the SPIFFY Coalition.

The TIPS and BAT trainings provide employees with skills to identify acceptable forms of identification, recognize fake and altered IDs, prevent 2nd-party sales to underage individuals, and handle intoxicated customers. Participants who pass an exam at the end of the 3-to-5-hour trainings receive a 3-year certificate.

The cost of the TIPS training is $15 and the BAT training is $10. Typically these trainings cost between $45-55 per person. A federal grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association allows SPIFFY to offer the trainings at a significantly reduced fee.

For more information or to register for the trainings, contact Heather Warner at hwarner@collaborative.org or 413-586-4998 ext. 115.

WWLP 22 News: http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampshire/parents-meet-to-discuss-teen-drug-use

Parents, teachers, city officials, youth, and other community members will learn about and discuss the impact underage drinking has on the community. SPIFFY Prevention Specialist Heather Warner said the event “is not just about educating parents, but about bringing the community together to reduce alcohol and marijuana use among young people.”

Last year in Hampshire County, 14% of 8th graders reported using alcohol in the past month, but nearly one-third of 10th and over half of 12th graders reported drinking. Marijuana use also increases dramatically throughout high school, with almost 40% using by their senior year.

Featured speakers will include:

• Assistant District Attorney Yvonne Pesce, who will talk about the social host laws that hold adults liable for any injuries or damage caused by youth drinking alcohol at parties in their homes.
• Easthampton School Resource Officer Alan Schadel, who will speak about the work he does with the Easthampton Prevention Task Force in helping retail stores, bars and restaurants stay in compliance with underage drinking laws.
• High school peer leaders from the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) program, who will discuss pressures young people face to drink and use drugs. The students will share what they each do to make sure they “stay above the influence.”
• Licensed Social Worker Meg Kroeplin, who will give parents tips for staying connected to their children as they move into their more independent teen years, and supporting their teens in making healthy lifestyle choices.

For more information about the Town Hall-Style Meeting, contact Heather Warner, SPIFFY Prevention Specialist, at hwarner@collaborative.org or 413-586-4998 ext. 115.

Download an event flyer (1-pg PDF) for more details. We appreciate your R.S.V.P. by March 23rd — it helps us plan.

Hope to see you there!

Recognizing young people who are making a positive contribution to their school, community or family is shown to be a protective factor against alcohol and drug use and other risky behaviors. The mini-grants are a way to draw attention to youth who are not typically noticed for their “best efforts” as well as their achievements.

“When young people feel noticed and recognized for their good efforts and actions they are more likely to succeed in school and make positive choices in their lives”, says Nancy Dunn, co-chair of the Easthampton Prevention Task Force. She also points out that recognizing youth doesn’t have to cost a cent. Each of us can:

• Greet young people by name in public
• Ask young people for their opinion,  for their help, and for their leadership
• Notify the press about youth achievements
• Tell a young person: “I’m proud of you”; “That’s a great improvement”; or “You make a difference in our town.”

“This funding allows schools, local government agencies, faith communities and non-profit groups to take youth recognition to the next level” says Heather Warner, Prevention Specialist for the SPIFFY Coalition.  “By creating reward systems and by celebrating youth efforts publicly, we demonstrate to family, friends, community leaders and –most importantly—to youth that we value their energy and determination”.

“Youth thrive on positive recognition from a trusted and respected family or community member as well as youth mentors.  The recognition awards will help foster the development of positive relationships between youth and their community” says Jana McClure the Director of Community Outreach and Education at the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office and Task Force member.

According to Easthampton Police Officer Alan Schadel, “To often we only read or hear about the negative things youth are doing. A very large majority of our youth are great kids making good choices that have a positive impact on our community. This is a fantastic way to recognize and reward those youths.”  Schadel is the Easthampton High School Resource Officer and a Task Force member.

Examples of how the funding can be used to recognize youth include:

• Establishing a reward or incentive system such as “Caught You Being Good” tokens;
• Creating a Youth Wall of Fame in your business, town, school or faith community;
• Holding an event to recognize youth and invite parents, friends, and neighbors.

The Strategic Planning Initiative for Families and Youth is a coalition whose mission is to foster collaboration between schools and communities, promote strong families, support positive youth development, and create a local culture where youth are supported to make healthy choices. SPFFFY is supported by funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant and the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse Services. SPIFFY is administered by the Collaborative for Educational Services.

For more information about the Easthampton Prevention Task Force and to obtain an application for youth recognition funding please visit www.spiffycoalition.org or contact Heather Warner, SPIFFY Prevention Specialist at hwarner@collaborative.org or 413-586-4998 ext. 115.

SPIFFY creates and supports a local culture that discourages risky behaviors and promotes positive opportunities for youth throughout Hampshire County. These initiatives include decreasing youth access to alcohol and other drugs, supporting parents in setting clear expectations around risky behaviors, and working with schools to develop effective and consistent policies around such issues as youth violence, bullying, and drug and alcohol use.

SPIFFY started the Northampton Prevention Coalition in 2008, and has been working with local partners including the Northampton Public Schools, Smith Vocational and Technical High School, Mayor Higgins, Northampton Dept. of Public Health, Northampton Police Dept, Community ACTION!, Tapestry Health, NW District Attorney’s Office and parents, citizens and youth to develop and implement strategies that reduce underage drinking and drug use.

Recent strategies include a Safe Homes Directory at Northampton High School, a bi-annual Prevention Needs Assessment Survey of teens in Northampton, compliance checks of local alcohol retailers, a social norms campaign targeting Northampton parents and a Youth Photovoice Community Assessment.

Karen Jarvis-Vance, Coalition co-chair, commented “We are thrilled to have funding to expand on SPIFFY’s work in Northampton….action at the community level—in schools, community centers, faith communities and at kitchen tables can help drive rates of substance abuse down.”