Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Interventions may mitigate underage student drinking, study suggests

The Daily Free Press (Boston, MA) January 26, 2014

"As educational leaders at schools such as Boston University ponder methods of mitigating the ever-present dilemma of underage student drinking, a study released Thursday suggests interventions may be an effective solution.
The study, which was conducted by professors at Brown University, evaluated the various methods of intervening in students’ excessive drinking habits in order to select which were the most effective at controlling student alcohol consumption, said Lori Scott-Sheldon, a psychiatry and human behavior professor at Brown University and author of the study." Read More

January recognized as National Mentoring Month

Bristol Press (Bristol, CT) January 25, 2013

"In honor of National Mentoring Month, Gov. Dannel Malloy has recognized the contributions of mentors statewide and the thousands of other volunteers improving children’s lives by declaring January as Connecticut Mentoring Month.
In Bristol, over 200 mentors 'volunteer and come into our schools to be a friend and positive role model,' according to Jeanine Audette, district coordinator for the mentor and School to Business Partnership programs.
At the 2013 Governor’s Prevention Partnership recognition event Bristol had seven individuals honored for their participation in mentoring for over 15 years, she said. 'Out of a total of 22 statewide, that means Bristol had 33 percent of them. That is an amazing accomplishment.'" Read More

Connecticut Teen Creates Bullying Short Film To Be Screened To the Public

Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT) January 27, 2014

"A teen made anti-bullying short film directed by 19 year old Nicholas Lamoreux is planned to be screened at Hamden's 'The Space' arts venue with the intention to bring about change among children and teenagers. The event will host two screenings; at 4 p.m. and 5:40 p.m., offering a band performance as the intermission. His short film 'Forgive Me' takes a "peer to peer" approach in an attempt to educate and empathize with students affected by bullying. All are welcome to attend, and tickets will be available upon entering.
John Rowland, former Connecticut governor and host of WTIC News Talk 1080, discussed bullying with Nicholas Lamoreux on his radio show. 'It's one thing to see an anti-bullying campaign with Hollywood stars talking about it in general terms', Rowland writes. 'But when 19 and 20 year old kids produce a film, with the first-hand knowledge and experience of what is actually happening in our schools and on the internet then it has a chilling effect.'" Read More

Thursday, January 23, 2014

State data quantify bullying in local schools

Norwich Bulletin (Norwich, CT) January 22, 2014

"During the 2012-13 school year, at least 177 students across Eastern Connecticut — including 28 in Killingly, 19 in Windham and 11 in Plainfield — fell victim to bullying, according to new state data.
They're among the more than 1,400 Connecticut pupils who were bullied by peers over the course of the academic year in districts large and small, newly released state Department of Education information shows." Read More

Dodgeball trauma: Gym class bullying turns kids off fitness, study finds

USA Today, January 23, 2014

"For the person who was always the first kid to get pegged in dodge ball, or the one who was mocked for being 'slow as molasses' in every race, two words likely bring up emotional scars: gym class.
A new study by researchers at Brigham Young University finds that kids who were teased in gym class were less likely to participate in physical activity one year later. And while obese kids were among those who suffered in health-related quality of life long term, even healthy-weight kids who were bullied during physical activity tended to exercise less after the fact.
Previous studies had correlated bullying with decreased physical activity, but 'finding that this applies to normal-weight kids also was novel,' says Chad Jensen, a psychology professor at BYU and lead author of the study published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology." Read More

Consider Mentoring

The Bank Roll, January 22, 2014

"Think quickly, who has been a significant influence in your life? I can guess that besides a parent there was a teacher, coach or other adult who helped you formulate what to do, how to do something or just listened and encouraged you to seek your goals. I can also guess that you felt good about that memory, and that that memory came from your youth.
Today there are thousands and thousands of children in the elementary, middle and high schools that good use a coach, a teacher about life choices and a trusted adult to just listen. These children are rich and poor, majority and minority, inner city and urban and from single parent and dual parent families. In other words, there are kids out there on the brink of success that need another adult to help influence their lives in a positive way." Read More

Monday, January 20, 2014

Bullying reports provide basis for change

CT Post (Bridgeport, CT) January 20, 2014

"In the first year in which a state law required school districts to report bullying, 1,431 incidents have been documented statewide, according to data the state released to Hearst Connecticut Newspapers.
The numbers, broken down by district and school, take into account all incidents in the 2012-13 school year in which an investigation was conducted and active bullying was concluded to have occurred, said John Frassinelli, a bureau chief with the state Department of Education, whose duties include school culture and climate." Read More

Parents updated on latest teen drug and alcohol trends

Reminder News (Glastonbury, CT) January, 17, 2014

"Parents at the Glastonbury Drug and Prevention Council's presentation on Jan. 15 got a large sampling of what drug and alcohol trends are affecting their teens. Rachel Bruno, program manager at The Governor's Prevention Partnership, headed the program that identified trends in the way substances – including alcohol, marijuana alternatives and others – are marketed toward younger people.
One example is 'flavored beer,' which includes malt beverages, hard lemonades and others. 'What's interesting is the manufacturing process,' Bruno said, explaining that the beverages are brewed like beers, but then the filtering process removes the flavor and alcohol, making it essentially water. Then, malt liquor and other flavorings are added." Read More

Students Showcase Artwork About Mentoring

Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT) January 17, 2014

"With support from First Niagara Foundation The Governor's Prevention Partnership joined together with the Judy Dworin Performance Project to showcase Parkville Elementary School students' artwork and performances, at the Parkville Senior Center in Hartford. The artwork and stage performances depicted the students' relationships with their mentors, as a part of the Bridging Boundaries Arts Intervention Program.
The Judy Dworin Performance Project is an award-winning, arts non-profit organization based in Hartford, whose work on stage, in schools and in prison communities sparks awareness about social issues and provides compelling experiences through multi-arts performance and residencies in the community." Read More

Friday, January 17, 2014

National Mentoring Month Awareness

CT Style (New Haven, CT) January 16, 2014 

"Jill Spineti, President and CEO of The Governor's Prevention Partnership, along with mentor Shelia Genias and mentee Janaa, discuss how to make a difference in the community by becoming a youth mentor." Watch the Interview

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Research-based strategies help reduce underage drinking

Medical Xpress, January 15, 2014

"Strategies recommended by the Surgeon General to reduce underage drinking have shown promise when put into practice, according to scientists at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health. These approaches include nighttime restrictions on young drivers and strict license suspension policies, interventions focused on partnerships between college campuses and the community, and routine screening by physicians to identify and counsel underage drinkers.
NIAAA researchers Ralph Hingson, Sc.D., and Aaron White, Ph.D., evaluated studies conducted since the 2007 'Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking.' A report of their findings appears in the January issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs." Read More

Lanterns Mentors Needed

Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT) January 15, 2014 

"There are children in the local schools in crucial need of adult role models and friends to help them navigate the sometimes tough job of being a child in the world today. They are waiting for an adult to step forward to help them. January is National Mentoring Month. In recognition of the important role mentoring programs play in Connecticut towns, Governor Malloy released the following statement: 'Mentoring is a proven, effective strategy that helps young people by matching them with a caring, responsible adult who can provide guidance and help build confidence. Mentors encourage success, lift expectations and expand the universe of a child, serving as friends, role models, teachers and sources of stability and support. Mentoring strengthens Connecticut's economic and social well-being by helping young people fulfill their potential, maintain healthy families, and promote more vibrant communities. Many residents of Connecticut, supported by private and public sector organizations, are making a profound difference every day in the lives of our young people by serving as mentors.'" Read More

Glastonbury Starts Alcohol Program After Fatal Crash

Fox Connecticut (Glastonbury, CT) January 15, 2014

"Glastonbury organizations are raising awareness about the dangers of alcohol and drugs.
Several organizations came together to put on 'Current Alcohol and Drug Trends Training' Wednesday evening at the Riverfront Community Center. Topics included drinking culture, street drugs, energy drinks, synthetic drugs, candy flavored tobacco and much more.
'Some of them are very discreet and can easily be hidden and can be purchased at convenience stores or online so it’s making sure the parents know exactly what’s out there in the market place,' said Rachel Bruno, The Governor’s Prevention Partnership." Read More

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Young People Link Mentoring to Significant Life Outcomes

PR Web (Washington, DC) January 13, 2014 

"Young people experience significant positive life outcomes related to academics, community involvement and leadership, and career development when they are mentored, according to a new report released today. The Mentoring Effect: Young People’s Perspectives on the Outcomes and Availability of Mentoring, the first-ever nationally representative survey of young people on the topic of mentoring, examines the mentoring effect on youth, their aspirations and achievements and the community around them; however, it also highlights a substantial mentoring gap that exists in America, especially for at-risk youth." Read More

Mentors Of The World, Sign Up!

New Haven Independent (New Haven, CT) January 13, 2014

"City workers, listen up!
You may get an hour off a week from the job to mentor public school kids.
Mayor Toni Harp said her mentor, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, implemented that idea when he served as mayor of Stamford. She said she will now consider bringing that idea to New Haven.
The occasion was a press conference Friday in the library of the Truman School in the Hill. City, state, and non-profits execs came out in force to kick off the tenth annual Connecticut Mentoring Month organized by the Governor’s Prevention Partnership." Read More

Gov. Malloy Celebrates Contributions of Mentors

Norwalk's HamletHub (New Haven, CT) January 11, 2014

"Governor Dannel P. Malloy, joined by state and local officials, students and volunteers, today kicked off Mentoring Month at Truman School by honoring the contributions of individuals who volunteer as mentors to improve the lives of children across Connecticut.
'We are grateful for the 21,000 citizens who provide a support system to the young people in our state who are in need of a positive adult role model,' said Governor Malloy. 'Although we have invested hundreds of millions in our public education system to narrow the achievement gap, we still see a need for more adults to take active roles in children’s lives – we know that youth who have ongoing relationships with caring adults are more likely to succeed in school and less likely to end up in the criminal justice system.'" Read More

Monday, January 6, 2014

Glastonbury Alcohol And Drug Council Sponsoring Drug Trends Program Jan. 15

Hartford Courant (Glastonbury, CT) January 6, 2013

"Are you in the dark when it comes to the current alcohol and other drug trends teens are using and being bombarded with today? 
The Governor's Prevention Partnership and Glastonbury Alcohol and Drug Council is sponsoring a "Current Alcohol and Drug Trends" training program for parents and other adults Jan. 15 so they will recognize the "red flags" of underage drinking and teen substance abuse." Read More