Empower Tusc Coalition Meeting
- Friday, October 13, 2023
- Meeting Minutes
Present:
- Daniel Bennett, Ohio Suicide Prevention Facilitator
- -Robert Bray- WBTC Radio
- Kevin Cochenour, Leadership Tusc
- -Lakyn Craig, Tusc Co Health Dept
- *Joey Ellwood, Leadership Tusc
- -*Dick Gooding, TV School Board
- -Bill Harding, Citizen Member
- -*Brian Herzog, Tusc Co Public Library
- -Heather Hill, -Sayge Hill, OhioGuidestone TTS
- Sayge Hill, OhioGuidestone Intern
- -Bill Houglan, Citizen Member
- -Gail Houglan, Citizen Member
- -Peggy Leslie, Harcatus—RSVP Director
- -Connie Limbacher, Citizen Member; Coalition Secretary
- -*Katie Maurer, OhioGuidestone Access Navigator/Hope Line Tusc & Carroll Counties
- -Kerry Metzger, Coalition Chairman
- -Terry Miller, OhioGuidestone TTS
- Sarah Minnis, Country Club Nursing Home
- -*Jeff Neidig, Pharmacist/Owner Mediwise Pharmacy
- -Carson Norris, Youth to Youth (Y2Y) Student Representative–TCCC
- -*Miles Riley, Springvale
- -Jodi Salvo, OhioGuidestone, Dir of SUD Prevention
- -Gerald Sanders, Citizen Member
- -Sierra Schweitzer, OhioGuidestone TTS
- -Veronica Spidell, ADAMHS Board
- -Joe Svancara, Pastor
- -*Kane Tarrence, Brightview Health Community Outreach Mgr
- Angela Toth, Carroll Co Coalition
(-) Members
(*) Present Virtually
Meeting Summary: Meeting called to order at 9:00 AM by Kerry Metzger. 28 were present (21 physically & 7 Hybrid); (22 members & 6 Non-Members) Introductions made. Kerry thanked Connie for putting this month’s Agenda together for them. Approval of Minutes– Bill Harding made a motion to accept September 8, 2023 meeting minutes. Peggy Leslie seconded and all voted yes.
Committee Reports
Executive/Steering Committee –No Report. Committee has not met.
Alcohol Prevention Committee: Red Ribbon Week is 10/23/23-10/31/23—Sierra will have the Youth to Youth present the Proclamation to the Tuscarawas County Commissioners Office at the Court House on Wednesday, at 9:15 AM. Downloads in both Jpg and pdf were sent to the committee and Michaela to share. “Talk They Hear You”. Veronica shared that this campaign is still continuing throughout the fall on social media. “Communities Talk” Stipend-Tyler will be video the next presentation of the “Hidden in Plain Sight” trailer to use the $750 funds.
Faith Efforts –HOPE Sunday- Jody shared that 143 churches participated in Tuscarawas, Carroll and a couple of surrounding counties. Almost 8,000 bulletin inserts were distributed. These inserts had local prayer requests and directed people to the Hope Line for local assistance. Gerald reported that Pastor Larry Stitt has been talking with others throughout Ohio that would like to show the video. Connie thanked ALL those that helped. Between the fair volunteers and HOPE Sunday volunteers, there were 40 different people. Kerry and Jodi thanked both everyone, as well, explaining that we are a volunteer organization, so we depend on everyone!
Media Committee –Robert reported that he has been attending the marijuana presentations that Jodi and Kerry have been giving—Dennison, Newcomerstown, Dover, New Philadelphia, Zoar Rotary Clubs, Dover Exchange Club, New Philadelphia City Council, Kiwanis Club, Human Resources Association and Lawrence Township. Total people directly addressed through these presentations were 171. All seemed attentive and had questions. If each told 3 others, we may have affected 513 different people.
Prescription Drug Committee –October 28th 10am-2pm Drug Take Back-will still be held at Union Hospital Cleveland Clinic. Both Bill Harding and Brian Herzog have volunteered to help. Pharmacy Bags and Deterra Distribution—Jeff thanked Heather Hill for distributing these bags. They are all used up so we will need a new supply in April. Jodi reported that the Dover Exchange Club gave her $5,000 for Deterra bags which will replenish our supply. Generation RX presentations-Jeff and Bill Harding have been giving the presentations but anyone interested in presenting or know of a group wanting to here this, please let Jeff know.
Suicide Prevention Committee- Tuscarawas & Carroll County Suicide Prevention & Memorial Walk—Lakyn and Jodi reported that it will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 4pm. Registration begins at 3:30pm. The event will be located at the New Philadelphia Southside Community Park (989 Perry Dr SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663) and Shannon Ortiz, LPCCS, CCTP, Founder of Light After Loss will be speaking. There will be a VA S.A.V.E training on November 17th from 11am-12pm facilitated by Vivian Winters. The training will be located at the Access Tusc conference room (United Way Building, 1458 5th St NW, New Phila). The VA S.A.V.E. training is a one-hour gatekeeper training that highlights facts about suicide within the Veteran population, dispels suicide myths, and outlines the four step model for identifying veterans who may be at risk for suicide and assisting them in getting to the care they need. The components of the VA S.A.V.E. model are as follows: ▪ Signs of suicidal thinking, ▪ Ask the most important question of all….., ▪ Validate the Veteran’s experience, and ▪ Encouraging treatment and expedite getting help. There are also virtual sessions of this training scheduled every third Friday of the month at 11am. Virtual dates: December 15, January 19, February 16, March 15, April 19, May 17. Virtual VA S.A.V.E. trainings link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MTNhMzI3MmQtNDM1ZC00ZDRjLWIyOTgtODEyZjk1ZGEyNjFk%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22e95f1b23-abaf-45ee-821d-b7ab251ab3bf%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22419d3447-1323-443b-a5fe-d2a53b90cf48%22%7d
Leadership Tusc Project–They had their first meeting to select and begin discussion of their projects on October 10th. The SPC project proposes the development and implementation of a suicide prevention messaging campaign specifically targeting men aged 50+ in Tuscarawas County. The project group has 7 members, and they are going to begin by hosting a focus group for them. Two of those members, Joey Ellwood and Kevin Cochenour are with us today.
Tobacco/Vaping Committee– Recruitment for Health Equity Work in Southern Tuscarawas County – The tobacco and vaping committee is working to implement a 5-year strategic plan for targeted work across the Southern portion of Tuscarawas County (encompassing the three school districts of Claymont, Indian Valley, and Newcomerstown). We are looking for additional community members to join our committee to help put our strategic plan into action. The committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 9AM at the Tuscarawas County Health Department with a virtual option. Please reach out to Katelyn or Jodi if you have questions or would like to join. Anti-Vaping Video Contest – During the 2023-2024 school year, TCHD will partnering with Youth-to-Youth students again at Strasburg, Claymont, and TCC. The students will be participating in a anti-vaping video contest this year. The structure and rules will be very similar to last year’s Advocacy Through Art contest. We will be facilitating an advocacy and vaping education training with the students at each school before they begin working on their video projects. The projects will begin at the end of this month and be due around the first of the year. TCHD is planning on developing a panel of judges again and having plaques for the winner(s).
Youth Sector –Red Ribbon Week– Sierra reported that students from Claymont, Strasburg, and TCC Youth to Youth (Y2Y) groups are all working on efforts for Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week will be October 23rd-31st. Students have been hanging up posters around their schools, having a “wear red” day, door decorating, and having announcements about drug awareness everyday that week. There is a Red Ribbon Week Proclamation next Wednesday, October 18th, at 9:15am with the county commissioners. Students from all Y2Y groups will be attending. Y2Y Conference–Carson, a senior at TCC and a Y2Y member, talked about the Kalahari conference the previous weekend. Himself along with three other male students from TCC’s Y2Y attended. They discussed leadership skills and the qualities of a good presentation. Carson and the boys made up a game where the audience would gather into groups of 4, anyone in the auditorium. Odds are, they would stay with those they are comfortable with. The audience would be challenged with a range of different scenarios and must choose whether they would stay with their friends.
Marijuana Committee – Monday, October 9th PAC Update-Laura Stack-There were 2 sessions for students, one was at 9:00AM with about 600 students in attendance—Indian Valley, Newcomerstown, and only the freshmen class came from New Phila with Claymont canceling. Buckeye Career Center walked their 1,000 students over about 1PM for the second session.. The adult presentation at Founders Hall-Kent State only had 45 in attendance but well received. Tuscarawas County Fair/Survey Cards-We collected 899 survey cards with 761 being in Tuscarawas County. The data was sent to Alex McCarthy to compare from prior years. Thanks to everyone who volunteered! Press Conference–The press conference to show our concerns with the passing of Issue 2 will be held at the New Philadelphia Fire Dept on October 20th at 1PM. Anyone able to attend is asked to do so. Marijuana Training—Jodi shared the Marijuana Powerpoint presentation that she does at the various civic groups. Connie will email the powerpoint to all those present and anyone else wanting it.
Old Business – no update
New Business/Upcoming Coalition Events
- October 15—Suicide Prevention & Memorial Walk-3:30PM Registration New Philadelphia Southside Park
- October 17th—Movement Center (Weed out the Facts) 6:30PM
- October 18th—Commissioner Proclamation for Red Ribbon Week—9:15AM
- October 23rd-31st—Red Ribbon Week
- October 25th—Dover Halloween Parade—Line-up behind Dover High School @ 6:15PM; Parade starts @ 6:45; Will be pulling “HIPS” Trailer so “Walkers” ONLY–very short parade.
- October 28th—National Drug Take Back Day—Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital—10AM-2PM
- November 17th—VA S.A.V.E. Training—11AM—(EPT meeting online prior 9-10:30am)
Adjourn– Robert made a motion to Adjourn at 10:44 A.M. Bill Houglan seconded and all voted yes.
Because next meeting would fall on Veteran’s Day–Next Board Meeting – ZOOM ONLY!– Friday, NOVEMBER 17th, 2023—9-10:00AM.
Our December meeting will be our Christmas Party on Friday, December 15th, 2023 at the Visitor & Convention Bureau. 124 E High Ave, New Philadelphia—Parking available in the back & then ring the back doorbell!
