Community Partners March 2014 Newsletter
Read about our Violence Prevention Coalition's $138k CHI grant, open positions on the Buffalo County Youth Advisory Board, board member Linda Muhlbach's 2014 commitment, Positive Pressure's stance on legalizing marijuana, and meet our new interns: Josh Arias and Marissa Bongers!
Content
March 2014
Violence Prevention Grant
YAB Recruitment
Nebraska Health Policy Academy
Violence Prevention Coalition Awarded $138,284 CHI Grant
We are excited to announce our Violence Prevention demonstrated to help reduce the incidence of youth violence Coalition has been awarded a $138,284 grant for the next in schools by teaching students to resolve differences and 18 months from the Catholic Health Initiatives Mission manage behavior without resorting to violence. and Ministry Fund. We want to thank Catholic Health Thirdly, another key component of the coalition Initiatives for their generosity and support in both the is mentoring. Students who work with adult mentors planning and implementation phases of our coalition, and are 46% less likely to use illegal drugs, 52% less likely to we want to share what the coalition will be doing. skip school, and 33% less likely to resort to violence in an Our Violence attempt to solve a Prevention Coalition is problem. The coalition working with a variety of local will work with the organizations to ensure our Buffalo County community maintains its status Youth Advisory as a safe place to live. It has Board to strengthen been developing projects, with and expand existing an emphasis on youth, to stop mentoring programs violence before it starts and by pairing high school will now begin implementing students with middle those projects. There are four schoolers to teach components to its strategy: them behaviors that trauma-informed care training, will enhance their social/emotional intelligence social and academic training, youth mentoring, and success. the PhotoVoice project. Lastly, through First, The traumaPhotoVoice, the informed care approach Violence Prevention This photo is by a participant of the winter 2014 PhotoVoice recognizes that the root cause Coalition is working class. It says, “Even in the darkness, the mic will still stand.” of inappropriate behavior with middle and is often past trauma. When trauma victims experience high school students, some of whom are referred by Buffalo “triggers” that recall traumatic events, it sometimes leads County Juvenile Services, to help youth develop a creative them to engage in self-defeating and anti-social behaviors. and constructive response to their environment. Participants By providing trauma-informed care training to those who take photos that reflect issues that concern them and share work with children, we can help individuals recognize and those photos with local policy makers, city council members, defuse trauma-induced and potentially violent behavior. school board members, and others. The program helps youth Secondly, to help prevent physical and “virtual” find their voice in the community and see that problems can youth violence, the coalition will work with area schools be solved through positive dialogue. to facilitate the implementation of social/emotional With this grant funding, implementation and intelligence training for K-8 students. This training has been expansion of these programs can begin. General Information 308-865-2284 [email protected]
Buffalo County Community Partners Contact Information
Denise Zwiener, Executive Director 308-865-2280 [email protected]
Lisa Reese Parish, Board Chair 308-237-6840 [email protected]
Visit bcchp.org/board for complete board member listing or bcchp.org/contact for complete staff listing and contact form.
Buffalo County Youth Advisory 2014 Board Commitment: Board Accepting Applications Linda Muhlbach
The Buffalo County Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is seeking applications from students in grades 7-12 in several area communities. Students interested in applying can obtain an application at bcyab.org/apply. The application deadline is May 1, with interviews Open YAB Seats beginning in June. Students’ Amherst........................ 3 seats board terms Elm Creek..................... 1 seat will begin in Gibbon.......................... 2 seats August. Kearney High School.... 2 seats YAB is governed Ravenna....................... 3 seats by a board of Shelton......................... 2 seats 30 youth and S-E-M............................ 2 seats seven adult mentors and staff, and is supported by grant funds and local donors. YAB members tackle a range of social problems that concern them, from our economy and environment to safety, tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. Members also provide grants for youth-initiated and youth-led community projects. Over 10 years ago, youth from across Buffalo County began developing a model to empower other youth. Today, their motto is, “Don’t do it for us without us.” YAB is a program and philosophy that recognizes youth as valuable resources in our community and empowers them as equal community partners to bring about positive change. For more information on applying for YAB, contact Youth Coordinator Mark Foradori at 308-865-2290 or [email protected] “To me, living a meaningful life and doing meaningful work means making a positive difference in lives. It’s often just doing the ‘right thing’. For me, Buffalo County Community Partners’ work towards developing and opening a free clinic to serve those in need is doing the ‘right thing.’ “My tile symbolizes those coming to the table to work toward the betterment of Buffalo County.”
Linda Muhlbach, Office Coordinator, Kearney eFree Church
Ariane Aten Luke Aten Dr. Steve and Mary Bennett Andrew Brackett Dale and Elnida Chandler Heather Cruise Phil and Corliss Dixon Scott and Nikki Gausman Lance and Sandra Hehner Paul and Tammy Jackson Kearney Area Community Foundation Jenni Klingelhoefer Doug and Helen Kramer Richard and Terry Krohn Kristin R. Lawson
Thank You to Everyone Who Donated During the Kearney Area Community Foundation’s Give Where You Live Fundraiser
Bruce and Menda Lear Scott Matteson and Kit Alff DeAnn McClellan Dr. Matt and Grace Mims Robert and Sandi Moncrief Dan and Linda Muhlbach Dennis and Linda Neemeyer Tom and Jana Peterson Stacy Plautz Dale and Janet Pohlmann Michael and Dr. Carol Renner Sue Reiber Richard and Karen Rhoads Kari Rodehorst Roger and April Roggasch Mark Rukavina Carol Schwarz Sentinel Health Care Dr. Kenton and Lynnda Shaffer Terry and Judi Sickler Shayne and Denise Zwiener
If you would like to partner with us through a financial donation, you may: Contact Denise Zwiener at 308-865-2280 or [email protected] Donate on our website, bcchp.org, by clicking the blue “Donate” button.
Positive Pressure Takes Stance Against Marijuana Legalization
Core team members include Heather Easton of Buffalo County Community Partners is working to Two Rivers Public Health Department, Myra Stoney develop a another public health policy as part of the of Southwest Public University of Nebraska Medical Health Department, Center’s Health Policy Academy. and Tammy Herskowitz Last year, Executive Director of Southwest Public Denise Zwiener and Health HUB Health Department. Coordinator Jessie Perez were They will also be assisted part of a team that wrote a policy regarding community health by members from the Buffalo County Youth workers. Their policy went on to Advisory Board and the help form legislative bill 1051. This Northeast Colorado year, Positive Pressure Coordinator Health Department. Tana Nelsen is working with a team The Nebraska to develop a position regarding Health Policy Academy marijuana legalization. seeks to strengthen “The Health Policy policy development Academy happened to line up and advocacy for the perfectly with the direction Positive public’s health through Pressure was headed,” said Nelsen. The group’s position takes aim at marijuana engaging state, local, and “The coalition has been discussing legalization, a growing trend across the country. tribal health leaders and the creation of a position paper on their key partners in a marijuana use, as it is one of the competency-based training initiative using collaborative main substances the coalition focuses on, and legalization leadership and action learning approaches. has become a hot-button issue over the past few years.”
Introducing Our New Interns, Josh Arias and Marissa Bongers
We are excited to introduce two interns who are working with us this semester: Josh Arias and Marissa Bongers. Josh is a junior at the University of Nebraska at Kearney majoring in social work. He is working with Youth Coordinator Mark Foradori on youthrelated programs such as PhotoVoice and YAB, as well as assisting with the Violence Prevention Coalition and other coalitions as needed. “I chose Buffalo Josh Arias. County Community Partners because I heard about the awesome people who work here and that it’s a great environment in which to learn,” Josh said. “I hope to learn how to work with youth more effectively and how to structure different youthoriented programs.” Marissa is a senior at UNK studying exercise science fitness and wellness. After graduation, she hopes to become a wellness coordinator. “I’m excited for my internship with Buffalo County Community Partners and being able to get great experience behind the scenes about what it takes to promote health and wellness and get Buffalo County active,” Marissa said. “I am excited to see what this internship has to offer and what I will be able to bring to Buffalo County!” She is helping develop and promote our Safe Routes to School program, which aims to Marissa Bongers. increase the number of children walking/biking to school and ensure school zones are safe. She is also working to develop and implement Activate Buffalo County’s Be Active, Unplug, ReThink Your Drink, and Lighten Up campaigns and helping plan and promote Healthy Kids Weekend, which will be April 26-27. Keep your eyes peeled for these amazing interns as we continue working towards the 2020 Vision this year!
PO Box 1466 Kearney, NE 68848
Coalition Connection
Learn more about our Safe Routes to School program and how we’re promoting active transportation at activatebuffalocounty.com/saferoutes. Stay tuned for information on our Alzheimer’s community education sessions. It’s being funded by a Helping Humanity grant from UNK. Let a community health worker help you manage your diabetes in the free Health HUB program. Contact Sentinel Health Care at 308-865-6907.
Learn how other parish nurses are serving their faith communities by ministering to people both inside and outside their congregation.
In Buffalo County, 50.6% of residents reported always getting the emotional support they need. We’re working to bridge the gap for the other 49.4%.
Parents, a safe and sober prom starts with YOU! Talk to your kids about the dangers of underage drinking. Visit positivepressure.org for more information on talking to your kids. We’re recruiting new members! There are positions for students, grades 7-12, from Amherst, Elm Creek, Gibbon, Ravenna, S-E-M, Shelton, and Kearney High School. Visit bcyab.org/apply.
We are excited to begin working with schools to initiate the Second Step program and begin working on youth mentoring with the Buffalo County Youth Advisory Board!
TIPS is a beverage server training approved by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Contact [email protected] to register. Upcoming Classes: 4/10, 6-10p.m.-On-PremiseSales 4/27, 2 - 6 p.m. - On-Premise Sales 5/18, 2 - 6 p.m. - On-Premise Sales 6/5, 6 - 10 p.m. - Off-Premise Sales Check bcchp.org/tips for future classes.
Violence Prevention Grant
YAB Recruitment
Nebraska Health Policy Academy
Violence Prevention Coalition Awarded $138,284 CHI Grant
We are excited to announce our Violence Prevention demonstrated to help reduce the incidence of youth violence Coalition has been awarded a $138,284 grant for the next in schools by teaching students to resolve differences and 18 months from the Catholic Health Initiatives Mission manage behavior without resorting to violence. and Ministry Fund. We want to thank Catholic Health Thirdly, another key component of the coalition Initiatives for their generosity and support in both the is mentoring. Students who work with adult mentors planning and implementation phases of our coalition, and are 46% less likely to use illegal drugs, 52% less likely to we want to share what the coalition will be doing. skip school, and 33% less likely to resort to violence in an Our Violence attempt to solve a Prevention Coalition is problem. The coalition working with a variety of local will work with the organizations to ensure our Buffalo County community maintains its status Youth Advisory as a safe place to live. It has Board to strengthen been developing projects, with and expand existing an emphasis on youth, to stop mentoring programs violence before it starts and by pairing high school will now begin implementing students with middle those projects. There are four schoolers to teach components to its strategy: them behaviors that trauma-informed care training, will enhance their social/emotional intelligence social and academic training, youth mentoring, and success. the PhotoVoice project. Lastly, through First, The traumaPhotoVoice, the informed care approach Violence Prevention This photo is by a participant of the winter 2014 PhotoVoice recognizes that the root cause Coalition is working class. It says, “Even in the darkness, the mic will still stand.” of inappropriate behavior with middle and is often past trauma. When trauma victims experience high school students, some of whom are referred by Buffalo “triggers” that recall traumatic events, it sometimes leads County Juvenile Services, to help youth develop a creative them to engage in self-defeating and anti-social behaviors. and constructive response to their environment. Participants By providing trauma-informed care training to those who take photos that reflect issues that concern them and share work with children, we can help individuals recognize and those photos with local policy makers, city council members, defuse trauma-induced and potentially violent behavior. school board members, and others. The program helps youth Secondly, to help prevent physical and “virtual” find their voice in the community and see that problems can youth violence, the coalition will work with area schools be solved through positive dialogue. to facilitate the implementation of social/emotional With this grant funding, implementation and intelligence training for K-8 students. This training has been expansion of these programs can begin. General Information 308-865-2284 [email protected]
Buffalo County Community Partners Contact Information
Denise Zwiener, Executive Director 308-865-2280 [email protected]
Lisa Reese Parish, Board Chair 308-237-6840 [email protected]
Visit bcchp.org/board for complete board member listing or bcchp.org/contact for complete staff listing and contact form.
Buffalo County Youth Advisory 2014 Board Commitment: Board Accepting Applications Linda Muhlbach
The Buffalo County Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is seeking applications from students in grades 7-12 in several area communities. Students interested in applying can obtain an application at bcyab.org/apply. The application deadline is May 1, with interviews Open YAB Seats beginning in June. Students’ Amherst........................ 3 seats board terms Elm Creek..................... 1 seat will begin in Gibbon.......................... 2 seats August. Kearney High School.... 2 seats YAB is governed Ravenna....................... 3 seats by a board of Shelton......................... 2 seats 30 youth and S-E-M............................ 2 seats seven adult mentors and staff, and is supported by grant funds and local donors. YAB members tackle a range of social problems that concern them, from our economy and environment to safety, tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. Members also provide grants for youth-initiated and youth-led community projects. Over 10 years ago, youth from across Buffalo County began developing a model to empower other youth. Today, their motto is, “Don’t do it for us without us.” YAB is a program and philosophy that recognizes youth as valuable resources in our community and empowers them as equal community partners to bring about positive change. For more information on applying for YAB, contact Youth Coordinator Mark Foradori at 308-865-2290 or [email protected] “To me, living a meaningful life and doing meaningful work means making a positive difference in lives. It’s often just doing the ‘right thing’. For me, Buffalo County Community Partners’ work towards developing and opening a free clinic to serve those in need is doing the ‘right thing.’ “My tile symbolizes those coming to the table to work toward the betterment of Buffalo County.”
Linda Muhlbach, Office Coordinator, Kearney eFree Church
Ariane Aten Luke Aten Dr. Steve and Mary Bennett Andrew Brackett Dale and Elnida Chandler Heather Cruise Phil and Corliss Dixon Scott and Nikki Gausman Lance and Sandra Hehner Paul and Tammy Jackson Kearney Area Community Foundation Jenni Klingelhoefer Doug and Helen Kramer Richard and Terry Krohn Kristin R. Lawson
Thank You to Everyone Who Donated During the Kearney Area Community Foundation’s Give Where You Live Fundraiser
Bruce and Menda Lear Scott Matteson and Kit Alff DeAnn McClellan Dr. Matt and Grace Mims Robert and Sandi Moncrief Dan and Linda Muhlbach Dennis and Linda Neemeyer Tom and Jana Peterson Stacy Plautz Dale and Janet Pohlmann Michael and Dr. Carol Renner Sue Reiber Richard and Karen Rhoads Kari Rodehorst Roger and April Roggasch Mark Rukavina Carol Schwarz Sentinel Health Care Dr. Kenton and Lynnda Shaffer Terry and Judi Sickler Shayne and Denise Zwiener
If you would like to partner with us through a financial donation, you may: Contact Denise Zwiener at 308-865-2280 or [email protected] Donate on our website, bcchp.org, by clicking the blue “Donate” button.
Positive Pressure Takes Stance Against Marijuana Legalization
Core team members include Heather Easton of Buffalo County Community Partners is working to Two Rivers Public Health Department, Myra Stoney develop a another public health policy as part of the of Southwest Public University of Nebraska Medical Health Department, Center’s Health Policy Academy. and Tammy Herskowitz Last year, Executive Director of Southwest Public Denise Zwiener and Health HUB Health Department. Coordinator Jessie Perez were They will also be assisted part of a team that wrote a policy regarding community health by members from the Buffalo County Youth workers. Their policy went on to Advisory Board and the help form legislative bill 1051. This Northeast Colorado year, Positive Pressure Coordinator Health Department. Tana Nelsen is working with a team The Nebraska to develop a position regarding Health Policy Academy marijuana legalization. seeks to strengthen “The Health Policy policy development Academy happened to line up and advocacy for the perfectly with the direction Positive public’s health through Pressure was headed,” said Nelsen. The group’s position takes aim at marijuana engaging state, local, and “The coalition has been discussing legalization, a growing trend across the country. tribal health leaders and the creation of a position paper on their key partners in a marijuana use, as it is one of the competency-based training initiative using collaborative main substances the coalition focuses on, and legalization leadership and action learning approaches. has become a hot-button issue over the past few years.”
Introducing Our New Interns, Josh Arias and Marissa Bongers
We are excited to introduce two interns who are working with us this semester: Josh Arias and Marissa Bongers. Josh is a junior at the University of Nebraska at Kearney majoring in social work. He is working with Youth Coordinator Mark Foradori on youthrelated programs such as PhotoVoice and YAB, as well as assisting with the Violence Prevention Coalition and other coalitions as needed. “I chose Buffalo Josh Arias. County Community Partners because I heard about the awesome people who work here and that it’s a great environment in which to learn,” Josh said. “I hope to learn how to work with youth more effectively and how to structure different youthoriented programs.” Marissa is a senior at UNK studying exercise science fitness and wellness. After graduation, she hopes to become a wellness coordinator. “I’m excited for my internship with Buffalo County Community Partners and being able to get great experience behind the scenes about what it takes to promote health and wellness and get Buffalo County active,” Marissa said. “I am excited to see what this internship has to offer and what I will be able to bring to Buffalo County!” She is helping develop and promote our Safe Routes to School program, which aims to Marissa Bongers. increase the number of children walking/biking to school and ensure school zones are safe. She is also working to develop and implement Activate Buffalo County’s Be Active, Unplug, ReThink Your Drink, and Lighten Up campaigns and helping plan and promote Healthy Kids Weekend, which will be April 26-27. Keep your eyes peeled for these amazing interns as we continue working towards the 2020 Vision this year!
PO Box 1466 Kearney, NE 68848
Coalition Connection
Learn more about our Safe Routes to School program and how we’re promoting active transportation at activatebuffalocounty.com/saferoutes. Stay tuned for information on our Alzheimer’s community education sessions. It’s being funded by a Helping Humanity grant from UNK. Let a community health worker help you manage your diabetes in the free Health HUB program. Contact Sentinel Health Care at 308-865-6907.
Learn how other parish nurses are serving their faith communities by ministering to people both inside and outside their congregation.
In Buffalo County, 50.6% of residents reported always getting the emotional support they need. We’re working to bridge the gap for the other 49.4%.
Parents, a safe and sober prom starts with YOU! Talk to your kids about the dangers of underage drinking. Visit positivepressure.org for more information on talking to your kids. We’re recruiting new members! There are positions for students, grades 7-12, from Amherst, Elm Creek, Gibbon, Ravenna, S-E-M, Shelton, and Kearney High School. Visit bcyab.org/apply.
We are excited to begin working with schools to initiate the Second Step program and begin working on youth mentoring with the Buffalo County Youth Advisory Board!
TIPS is a beverage server training approved by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Contact [email protected] to register. Upcoming Classes: 4/10, 6-10p.m.-On-PremiseSales 4/27, 2 - 6 p.m. - On-Premise Sales 5/18, 2 - 6 p.m. - On-Premise Sales 6/5, 6 - 10 p.m. - Off-Premise Sales Check bcchp.org/tips for future classes.
