What is the Minnesota Star of the North Prevention Coalition? The answer to that question, is many things. One aspect of the Coalition that we would like to highlight in this issue, is its regional activity. Minnesota Star of the North is organized into seven regions of the State. In each of these regions, Prevention Specialists are contracted to accomplish the outcomes identified by the Steering Committee in its annual workplan. We would like to share a small sample of the success stories in each of these regions.
West Metro This region supported efforts to curb youth access to alcohol with the primary authors/sponsors of ground-breaking legislation in both the MN House and Senate coming from Hennepin County legislators. Staff also provided technical advice and letters of support which aided the Tri-City Tobacco Use Prevention(Bloomington, Richfield and Edina) obtain grant funding to expand their efforts into reducing youth alcohol problems through building greater community assets which support youth development. Contact: Mark Lucas, Jeyn Hofacker or Jaime Martinez, 612-348-9844.
Southeast After a full year of planning in the region, "Voices of Change Prevention Partnership" in New Ulm, was gratified to have 1,200 people attend a presentation by Dr. Peter Benson of the Search Institute. This presentation was followed up two weeks later by the first of several town meetings. The meetings are designed to implement strategies that address the communities' ATOD problems and to build assets for Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth. Over 100 interested persons were present at this meeting, including several high school students. Contact: Barb Lamson, 507-389-8877 or 800-450-5643.
East Central The East Central Region coordinated a major project in the Rush City area, Health Fair '97. (See page 5 for more coverage of this event.) The Community Partnership has also begun a quarterly networking and educational opportunity for service providers and community members in east central Minnesota. The session, entitled Link and Learn, will be offered once every three months in different communities in Chisago County. Contact: Tom Koplitz, 612-674-4085.
Northwest/ West Central This region received a small grant from the Central Minnesota Initiative Fund to provide scholarships of $50 to American Indian parents who attend the Regional Indian Advisory Council to discuss programs and services that are culturally appropriate. The scholarships are to help with travel and day care expenses. Staff also offered to schedule "When the Bough Breaks, The Legacy of Addiction," a presentation by the Healthy Roots Coalition in the county so that all schools will have an opportunity to have someone trained in this program. Also, all Family Center Directors will be invited to be trained and will then present the program at all WIC, Head Start and Early Childhood Family Education sites throughout the county and the Leech Lake Reservation.Contact:Ardyce Pederson, 218-894-1930 or 800-569-1307.
East Metro Sue Gehrz reported that teens who participated in a three day Teen Improv training through Star of the North got much more than they expected. The African American and Caucasian teens from the east side of St. Paul found, to their surprise, that they had much in common with the teens from the United Cambodian Association who were also being trained through a grant targeting prevention of teen pregnancy. They found they share similar issues and challenges with parents, school, friends, etc. The two groups have continued to get together for social and cultural events since completing their training. As a result of the training, the "Teens in the Spotlight" group from St. Paul completely redesigned their performances and now can recruit and accommodate many more teens in their program. The teens from Forest Lake who participated in the same three day training have since performed for over 300 adults and youth. Contact: Individual to be named soon.
Southwest A forum focusing on "How Do You Go From the Grassroots Level to Policy Change?" was held. Participants heard from an experienced coalition member on making change possible and from a public administrator who spoke on the policy making process in local, county and state government. There was an opportunity to dialogue with panelists. Contact: June Nichols, 507-537-6097.
Northeast Staff conducted a training for all of their Kids Plus Coordinators. High school students learned techniques to teach younger students about the dangers and consequences of smoking. As a result of this training, McGregor's Kids Plus coordinator who also works for the Aitkin Sheriff's Office, will be implementing this training for high school students who are in violation of the smoking laws. Contact: Mary Robillard, 218-723-4040.
We are excited about all that is going on in the regions. Our progress is steady and sure and we believe that together we are making a difference.