Empower Tusc Coalition Meeting
- Zoom Meeting
- Friday, May 13, 2022
Present:
- *-Renee Adams, Trinity Twin City Healthcare
- *-Robert Bray, WBTC Radio
- *-Bridget Britton, 4-H Extension, Suicide Committee Chair
- *Kimberly Davis, Great Work Employment
- *-Dick Gooding, Citizen Member, Business Membership
- *Tayler Hamrick, COAD
- *-Bill Harding, Citizen Member
- *Bill Houglan, Citizen Member
- *Gail Houglan, Citizen Member
- *-Peggy Leslie, Harcatus, Civic Sector
- *-Nicole Lewis, Springvale Director of Pharmacy
- *-Connie Limbacher, EPT Secretary
- *-Michaela Madison, Newsymom, Media
- *-Alex McCarthy, Director of Tusc Co HS & EMA
- *-Kerry Metzger, Tuscarawas Co Commissioner, EPT Chairman
- *-Faith Nordine, OhioGuidestone Access Navigator/HopeLine Tusc & Carroll Counties
- *-Carol Penix, Harcatus Volunteer
- *-Tracey Penrod, Juvenile Court
- *-Miles Riley, Springvale Marketing
- *Joseph Roberts, Probation Officer
- *-Josh Sample, Tusc Co Health Dept
- *-Kane Tarrance, Brightview Health Outreach Manager
- *-Robin Waltz, Tuscarawas Co United Way Director
- *-Terry Wilcox, Community Hospice Chaplain
(*) denotes online
(-) denotes members
Meeting Summary:
Kerry Metzger called the virtual meeting to order at 9:03 AM on Friday, May 13, 2022. Introductions were made with 19 members & 5 visitors present (24 virtual). Peggy Leslie made a motion to accept the April 8, 2022 minutes. Michaela Madison seconded and all voted yes.
Executive: No report.
Youth: Jessica Codd-youth leader is on maternity leave. Kerry reported that 3 youth from Strasburg High School presented to the Tuscarawas County Commissioners on April 20th and passed a Proclamation starting their campaign on Parents Who Host, Lose The Most” (PWHLTM). This is to educate and hoping parents and other adults will not allow and/or give those under 21 years of age alcohol especially for prom and graduation parties and explained the legal ramifications of those that do so. Strasburg Youth to Youth students also put together a video that has been posted on our FaceBook page and Empower Tusc website. Josh Sample shared that they will be doing the Jeopardy to Claymont Middle School students on May 18th to reinforce what the students are being presented today in the Think Gast program that Autumn Poland & Jodi Salvo are presently at Claymont doing. Anyone wanting to see it can come around 12:45 PM to Claymont. Claymont Youth to Youth program is wrapping up for the year. Claudia Earhart has received an award from the Ohio Prevention Network.
Alcohol Committee: No Report.
Marijuana Committee: Kerry reported that it looks like we have a 99% chance of having a Medical Marijuana facility on West High Avenue in New Philadelphia at the old Pizza Hut building. The location is actually Goshen Township-just outside the New Philadelphia City Corp. He also reported on SB 261, to expand Ohio’s Medical Marijuana program that they are waiting to hear if there is a substitute bill. Kudos to Chris Lane who went to the Columbus State House and testified. We will try to post a link for anyone to hear that testimony. HS 628—There is no update at this time. They could have a ballot initiative as early as November, 2022. Kerry & Jodi both met with area Ministerial Association on vaping education. This went very well.
Media Committee: Michaela reported that press releases went out on the PWHLTM on April 18th and National Drug Take Back Day on April 30th. Pictures still are the best thing for social media as they get the most sharing and hits. There isn’t anything dated for May, so if your business or agency is having an activity, take some pics & send to Michaela. Facebook has changed our name to Empower Tusc so you should have seen that. The new website looks phenomenal! Empowertusc.com Anyone can share links and articles directly from the site. Josh Aul has done a great job and made it so easy to navigate.
Prescription Drug Committee: Kerry reported on National Drug Take Back Day on April 30th. Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital took in 224# and Trinity Twin City Healthcare collected 118#. Thank you to all the workers. The Older Adult Medication Safety Education thru Generation X is just waiting to connect with a trainer to train volunteers. Kerry thanked Bill Harding for handling the Drug Take Back at the Senior Expo that was held on May 6th at the Senior Center. He was surprised regarding the amount of meds collected.
Suicide Prevention Committee: Bridget reported that they Michaela did a great job with press releases and advertising. Currently working on acquiring tool kits. The Quaker Movie Events went well. Remembrance Walk is August 28th. Just in the planning stages and looking for a speaker. Met with Mary Wolff-Ohio Suicide Prevention Director. She explained what they could offer in guidance and would like to do an in person in the Fall. Discussed HB 492 that would require school athletic coaches to have Mental Health First Aid Training. Dick Gooding reported that he went to an Ohio School Board’s Board Leadership Institute in Columbus last week and the November of 2021 Survey, 552 counselors across Ohio responded. They showed 98.7% of students seen were dealing with stress/anxiety; 92.8% were dealing with depression; 80.1% had suicidal thoughts; 51.4% had attempted suicide & 67% were in treatment or hospitalized for those suicidal attempts/thoughts. This info is important to get out & we hope to be able to do that.
Tobacco/Vaping Committee—Josh reported that they did 3 more compliance checks this time in Newcomerstown. The first one did sell to a minor. It was the girl’s first day working there so it goes to show that they should train better. Autumn is looking into repeated offenders possibly getting a license revoked for a certain length of time of time like alcohol. As of now, they can keep breaking the law and paying a fine.
922 Initiative—No Report.
Faith Based—Kerry reported that Tuscarawas County National Day of Prayer was held at the courthouse on May 5th. Since it has been a couple of years since Covid, the attendance wasn’t as good, but hopefully will be in the future.
Old Business: Quaker Events—Movie nights went well.
New Business: Faith Nordine who is in charge of the HOPE Line will be sending out a survey to Tuscarawas County Community Persons that will help the Addiction Task Force Stigma Reduction Committee direct and inform stigma reduction efforts as well as shed light on what events and resources the recovery community might be lacking. Connie will email all members, as well. Note that this is a voluntary survey and contact info will only be shared if the individual chooses. We are also hoping that there will be individuals that are will ing to share their story, since this is so personal. Michaela will also put a press release out on this.
There are several Learning Opportunities for anyone wanting to take them. Ohio Prevention Conference will only be virtual on May 20th. Let Jodi know if you would like to be a part of it.
Parades are starting. Need people for the Canal Dover Parade on May 28th with line up at 11:30AM. It is really short and we are at the beginning. Let Jodi know if you can be a part.
Miles made a motion to adjourn and Robert seconded. All voted yes at 10:10 AM.
Next Board Meeting will be held on Friday, June 10th from 9:00-10:30 as a Hybrid meeting at the Tuscarawas County Convention & Visitors Bureau
