SCRATCH Meeting Minutes

February 11, 2015 Welcome and Introductions Old Business Meeting with Senator President Sweeney

In a recent training by the New Jersey Prevention Network it was recommended that regional coalitions make a focused effort to build relationships with local legislators. Legislators where contacted by Cory and as a result a meeting took place on January 15, 2015 at Senator Sweeney’s office. Beth, Amy, Michele, Gloria and Cory attended the meeting representing the coalition. Beth reported that Cory was very informative about SCRATCH and said the senator’s office was interested in SCRATCH and its efforts. An informational packet was given to the aide about SCRATCH and what SCRATCH does in the region. An invitation will be extended for Sen. Sweeney to come and join SCRATCH for any upcoming events. Senator Sweeney represents Salem and Cumberland counties. Thank you to all coalition members who attended the meeting! Any available SCRATCH members are encouraged to attend any other future meetings with legislators.

Drug Court Marijuana Presentation

Cory presented a Power Point presentation about the negative effects of marijuana on the body and potential negative effects of marijuana legalization at Drug Court in Bridgeton. A retrospective survey was given to participants after the presentation to gauge their understanding and acceptance of material. Positive feedback was given by participants and Drug Court staff. A copy of the presentation will be e-mailed to coalition members. Please contact Cory if you know of an opportunity to present this marijuana program in the future.

Funeral Home Policy Project Update

The three coalitions of The Southwest Council have teamed up to persuade funeral homes in Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester County to distribute information about how to properly dispose of medication and locations of prescription drop boxes. Unfortunately, some funeral homes are not interested in distributing the information. Initially packets were sent out to various funeral homes and follow-up phone calls were made. So far, three out of 10 funeral directors agree to participate in Salem County; three funeral directors in Cumberland County; and eight are on board in Gloucester County. Pennsville Guidance In-service Training

Cory will present at an in-service training for guidance counselors and nurses in Pennsville School District on February 12th for about 2-hour presentation. Information will also be presented about the PRIDE Survey for middle schools. Information about the survey will be sent out to middle school principals this month. Although the survey won’t be administered until the fall of 2015, it is helpful to get a principal’s approval before the summer so the permission slip to participate can be included in the back to school packet in the beginning of the school year.

Mark volunteered to help to contact schools about the PRIDE Survey. Beth asked for flyer about the pride survey to pass out her children’s school. Information about the PRIDE survey will be emailed to all coalition members. If anyone has any suggestions about getting in other schools please let Cory know. Marijuana Information Video

Cory recently contacted Salem Community College about collaborating on a 5 minute video about marijuana based on the Power Point presentation that was recently created. They said they were not equipped to do video production. The Salem County Vo-Tech School was then approached, but the students did not feel

confident enough in their skills to do the project. Cory will contact Woodstown high school to see if they would be interested. We hope to have the video done by the fall. Rx Drug Planning Committee Meeting

The SCRATCH Coalition continues its partnership with the Cumberland County Prosecutors Office, the CCHCC and Cumberland County College in an effort to reduce prescription drug abuse in the region. Our latest efforts will include participating in the upcoming Health Week during the first week of March. Mike from the CCHCC will facilitate two presentations about prescription drug abuse to the college students during Health Week. SCRATCH and the CCHCC will also table during Spring Fling, hosting a mocktail booth and a trivia booth where prizes will be awarded.

Quinn and Natalie expressed interested in hosting and/or presenting during Health Week at the college. Cory will put them in touch with the organizer of the events.

The planning committee will continue to meet monthly to advance its efforts. The next meeting will be held March 23rd at Cumberland County College. Please contact Cory if you’d like to attend. Community Involvement Agreement

Members were asked to complete a Community Involvement Agreement for coalition files. If you have not yet filled out an agreement, please complete the form attached and email/mail/fax back to Cory. This form is just for SCRATCH coalition records. Getting to know SCRATCH Members: Ryan McGuckin, Lumiere Detox Center

Ryan McGuckin introduced himself and spoke briefly about his family history and his prior employment. Ryan has previously worked as a crisis worker with Twin Oaks. Ryan gave a brief overall about his own personal recovery and what Lumiere has to offer. Lumiere has full time clinical staff with three licensed clinicians. All insurance is welcome and scholarships are also available. Call him if you would like any further information. Ryan provided a brochure and his business cards to members.

Cumberland County Employers Legislative Committee Meeting with Assemblyman Fiocchi

Cory attended a breakfast for business owners sponsored by the Cumberland County Employers Legislative Committee. A packet was presented to the Assemblyman Fiocchi and he was interested to be invited to upcoming events. Meeting with Assemblyman Andrzejczak A meeting with Assemblyman Andrzejczak will be held on Wednesday, February 18 at 12:30 pm at the Cape May Courthouse. All coalition members are encouraged and invited to attend. Members who would be interested in attending the meeting please contact Cory. Beth volunteered to attend the meeting. Chamber of Commerce Speed Networking Mixer

Gloria and Cory will attend an upcoming mixer sponsored by the Salem County Chamber of Commerce. The mixer will be in the style of speed dating, where participants sit down with people within the community for a short amount of time and then switch. We will be introducing SCRATCH Coalition to other participants and inviting them to join. Prescription Monitoring Program Training

SCRATCH has recently partnered with Inspira and the Cumberland County Prosecutors Office to plan a Prescription Monitoring Program Training to be held at the Luciano Conference Center at the Cumberland County College April 21st from 7:30-9am. The training is for all prescribers in the region and will target workers in the Inspira Network as well as private health care workers (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, etc.). The training

will be free and include breakfast, provided by SCRATCH, and a training by Doug Collier. Participants will earn 1 CME credit for the training. We hope to have about 80 people attend the event. Shop Questionnaire and PFS, Gloria McCoy

Gloria has launched a new senior task force through the PFS called SHOP. A survey was presented that Gloria will be distributing among senior groups she presents to in order to gauge knowledge and collect data about prescription drug abuse in the region. She gave coalition members a copy of the survey as well as a flyer with the link to a digital version of the survey to make it easier for people to access. Coalition members are encouraged to pass the survey along to any seniors you know or people you know who work with seniors. It was also suggested that Gloria reach out to health clubs to get participation in the survey. The survey for seniors can be found at fluidsurveys.com/s/rxdisposalsurvey.

Gloria also passed out small posters displaying the prescription drop box locations for coalition members to post throughout the region.

Prom Initiative

With prom approaching, it’s time to put into action ideas from the prom work group from months ago. The group previously discussed distributing the Parents Who Host Lose the Most cards to students, but also include coupons for local businesses on the back of the card so people won’t throw the card away instantly. As an extension of that idea, SCRATCH will be doing a giveaway raffle instead. So, we will print on the back of the Parents Who Host Lose the Most cards a link to a website that leads parents to a brief survey consisting of our Key Informant Interview questions. In return for completing the survey, parents can enter their child to win a free tux rental, free hair style or free flowers for their prom date.

SCRATCH may focus on one school in Salem and one in Cumberland to pilot this initiative. Pennsville was chosen as the town to focus on in Salem County, since we have worked with them in the past. The principal of the school has agreed to distribute the cards to the students at Pennsville Memorial High School. If anyone has any connections to businesses in Pennsville, please let Cory know.

Coalition members also suggested that maybe during prom session we can get the information posted on school websites or sent home in emails to parents. Hospice Brainstorming

Last meeting a coalition member suggested doing an initiative educating hospice workers on proper disposal of medications and to distribute information to families. Right now our focus is on the funeral home initiative, but hopefully next month we can switch to focus on hospice care centers.

Key Informant Interviews Review

A quick overview was given about the importance of Key Information Interviews and how to conduct them. These will be conducted every four months. There are three interviews: one for marijuana, one for underage drinking and one for prescription drug abuse. Key informants include anyone in the community with experience on the topic, law enforcement, drug court personnel, school personnel, parents, students and community members. There are two major changes to the interview form: there are now more direct instructions that should be read when giving the interview; there is now a box that can be checked that says “I have no experience in this area” to discourage people from guessing or making up answers.

Each coalition member is expected to interview two people. Each interview can last form 5-15 minutes. Let them know if the interview will be recorded and make sure you read the instructions to them. Cory will also send the Key Informant Interview forms to members via e-mail. Members present committed to doing at least two or more interviews during February that can be turned in to Cory anytime via email, fax or snail mail or will be collected at the next STRATCH meeting in March. Member Roundtable

Theodora Isekenegbe (Inspira): Inspira will soon be conducting focus groups in Salem County about health care. Theodora asked for suggestions about where to conduct focus groups. Kim Burns (Tobacco Free for a Healthy NJ): Kim reminded the group that there will be an IMAC meeting immediately following the SCRATCH meeting. A non-smoking ordinance is moving forward in Pittsgrove, which will have a first reading of the ordinance soon. Kim read from an article posted on NJ.com saying that a new vaping store will open soon in Millville. The mayor and council will be joining in the grand opening celebration, endorsing the store. Don Palmucci said that Pennsville Memorial High School recently sent out an informational letter to parents about the dangers of e-cigarettes. Beth asked for the letter to share with other schools. Kim said that although grant funding for her programming is ending soon, that NJ Quitline will continue.

Natalie Milstein (Mom’s Quit Connection): Natalie distributed information about Mom’s Quit Connection and

let the group know that she is available to give presentations. If you are interested in having a presentation

made or having her table at an event, please contact Natalie at 856-675-5303 or nmilstein@snjpc.org.

Quinn Ingemi (Perinatal Cooperative): Quinn is interested in doing presentations at schools and events. If

anyone knows an insider in a school that can book her for a presentation or if anyone would like a presentation

for a different group, please contact Quinn at 856-685-4271 or qingemi@snjpc.org.

Adjournment