Those Present: Zandra Garcia, Monique Heilemeier, Jennifer Samaritan, Michelle Christensen, Kathy Hicks,  Brianne Noll, Lindsey Katz, Karen Orser, Aaron Lockhart, and Sheryl Frye.

 

 

A. Enough is Enough: Sheryl thanked everyone who attended and/or helped to make this a success. Cease Fire from Chicago came and spoke to the students. They help with the after affects of emergency situations for the involved persons. Sheryl would love to have them again. 

 

B. CAC Fundraiser:  Monique shared the finished posters, which are ready for distribution. Kris Povlsen is their champion speaker for this event. Tomorrow she is doing a presentation to law enforcement on child abuse and violence prevention. On April 27, they have a radio spot on WLBK, and on April 28, they will guest DJ on B95. They will talk about the upcoming CAC walk and violence prevention. 

C. Plan for Strategic Planning Mtg in March: DCP/SAFE is in the middle of reconfiguring the Action Plan used for the grant. With the retooling there are many areas of opportunity one being Public Policy dealing with alcohol. Another is working with parents in resilience. They are expanding it to include environmental policy. Kathy would like to postpone our Strategic Planning once again until the grant funding issues are resolved. DCP/SAFE can provide technical assistance and help set goals. Discussion took place for a good time to start. Group decided to determine the exact planning date at the June meeting. 

 

D. Website updates: The site calendar is now interactive. You should be able to sink our calendar with the Google calendar. If you have any events you would like to advertise on our website please email them to jacque@bengordoncenter.org.

E. Email updates: Kathy sent around an email list for members to verify their address.

F. Hands Around the Courthouse: The fliers are ready for distribution. Discussion took place as how to set up for the event, which will take place in the courtyard of the courthouse. Those attending will hold hands around the courtyard and not the entire courthouse. There will be four double sided banners with the hand pledges collected from the students attached, that persons could hold and encompass those attending. A press release will go out today. There will be Blue Bows from Children’s Home + Aid, Pin wheels, a banner for the Champion Children’s Walk, and Scott will check with the kids Karate class to see if they can come out. If there is bad weather, we have clearance to go inside of the courthouse.

G. Say it Out Loud Campaign: They are currently strategizing plans for the event. They have a new brochure to promote positive mental behavior. There are more available for those in need. They plan to attend four major events. This grant is primarily for the Latino community. They plan to speak to all of the ESL classes. They will speak with School Principals, Superintendents of schools, and finally parents. They will attend the Kish Health Fair in October. They have also, partnered with YSB doing a Suicide Prevention Walk on April 24, 2010 from  9:00 – 12:00 to bring awareness on suicide. Participation for this walk does not require fundraising, but it is accepted. They plan to promote this walk through posters, brochures, and activities.                                                  

 

 

Review of Calendar of Events: Kathy found a calendar that we can use.

Media Action Plan for April: Jill submitted an article aboutchild abuse awareness.

Newspaper Meeting Announcement: Kathy will advertise our meeting date and time in the newspaper to inform the community on our group and to generate new members. 

 

Safe Passage: They are in the process of hiring an Executive Director. They are now conducting interviews and hope to hire by May 1. For Sexual Assault Awareness month, they will do a Women’s Health Defense Class this Wednesday at the YMCA.

 

Children’s Home and Aid: As stated above.

                FSA: The CAC Walk is coming soon. They are doing little fundraisers for each  

department.

 

YSB: Their Annual Bike Auction is coming soon. They are still taking bike donations. They just finished an Anger Management Class with a high school group. They are in the 3^rd or 4^th week with student group of HMS. Brianne announced she will leave the agency in June. Her replacement will be an in house person and anticipates a smooth transition. Please contact the agency with any questions. We wish Brianne good luck and will miss her.

 

Sycamore PD: No one present to report.

 

De Kalb PD: Aaron along with FSA is currently working on a case involving an 18 yr male, which they arrested with charges of Criminal Sexual Assault. Discussion took place on how to educate youth and parents on issues involving sexting, Facebook, MySpace, cyber bulling, etc., the dealings of legal ramifications of these actions, and how to enforce them. Monique suggested incorporating education classes/presentation for parents to the 7 Steps Programs and through other programs in the area.

 

4C:  No one present to report.

DeKalb Schools: Bulling has been in the local media recently. Prom is coming on May 8 with Post Prom following at NIU with a let out time of 3:00. Aaron will be present at NIU with a breathalyzer. Last year three students failed the breathalyzer. Much discussion took place on the issue of underage sex and how can we educate parents. Group felt that a plan of action is in great need in the media about these issues.

Elder Care Services: They too, are looking for an Executive Director.   

CASA: No one present to report.

Prevent Child Abuse Illinois: Just completed four major kick offs. They have a new Sex Abuse Prevention Brochure that she shared with the group. Group asked if the brochure is available in Spanish. It currently is not. DCP/SAFE offered to bring the brochure to the next Latino Action Group meeting to ask if someone would like to volunteer to translate this brochure in Spanish.

Conexion Comunidad: No report.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Michelle Christensen