ONLINE PREVENTION NEWS ARCHIVES

Volume 4, Issue 2- January 30, 2006

[return to Online Prevention News Archives page]
[go to Online Prevention News main page]
[subscribe to Online Prevention News]

__________________________________________________

ONLINE PREVENTION NEWS
Information from the Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Resources
__________________________________________________

Volume 4, Issue 2
January 30, 2006

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Table of Contents:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

RESEARCH UPDATES
2.2 Million Adolescents Experienced Major Depression Last Year
Good Neighbors Help Prevent More than Just Crime, Study Finds
Stress Related to Life in the U.S. Can Increase Latina Alcohol Consumption

HEADS UP!
March 2006 Town Hall Meetings to Curb Underage Drinking

FUNDING ALERTS
GoGirlGo! Ambassador Team Awards
Grassroots Exchange Fund
New York Life Foundation
CIGNA Foundation

TRAINING/WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES
Great Ideas Conference
18th Annual Adolescents and Families Conference

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

**RESEARCH UPDATES**

2.2 Million Adolescents Experienced Major Depression Last Year
In the past year, nine percent of all adolescents experienced one or more major depressive episodes, amounting to about 2.2 million young people between the ages of 12 and 17. The findings come from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in its analysis of the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Adolescents who did experience a major depressive episode were more than twice as likely as their peers to have used illicit drugs within the past month. "These new data serve as a wake-up call to parents. Mental health is a critical part of the overall health and well being of their children," said SAMHSA administrator Charles Curie. "Unfortunately, less than half of these children received any help for their depression." Read the full article at www.samhsa.gov/news/newsreleases/051229_teens.htm.
[BACK TO CONTENTS]

Good Neighbors Help Prevent More than Just Crime, Study Finds
Teens living in a close-knit neighborhood are more likely to delay having sex for the first time, according to a study conducted in Chicago. In interviews with 431 boys and 476 girls aged 11 to 16 and their caregivers, Ohio State University sociology professor Christopher Browning and colleagues found that the age of first intercourse was older among teens living in close-knit neighborhoods, where adults keep a collective eye on local kids. While previous research has shown that good neighbor relations help prevent crime, this is the first study to show how strong relationships among neighbors may affect teenage sexual behavior. For more information, read an article about the research at http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/teenneigh.htm .
[BACK TO CONTENTS]

Stress Related to Life in the U.S. Can Increase Latina Alcohol Consumption
A study in the December issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research shows that Latina women who move to the United States face what may be an unexpected health risk: alcoholism. Exposure to more favorable drinking norms, as well as significant social stressors, may be leading Latina women to consume more alcohol. In her article "Re-examining Whether and Why Acculturation Relates to Drinking Outcomes in a Rigorous, National Survey of Latinos," researcher Sarah E. Zemore reports, "Latina women who are highly acculturated to American society -- that is, women who tend to speak English more than Spanish... and feel comfortable in relationships with Anglos -- tend to drink more than those who are not so highly acculturated. Specifically, these women are more likely to drink, and tend to drink more if they do drink." Read an article about the findings at www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-12/ace-atl120705.php.
[BACK TO CONTENTS]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

**RESOURCES/MATERIALS**

Focusing Juvenile Justice on Positive Youth Development
A report by Chapin Hall Center for Children researcher Jeffrey Butts, Issue Brief: Focusing Juvenile Justice on Positive Youth Development , links new ideas in positive youth development to juvenile justice. An excerpt from the beginning of the paper says, "The concepts of positive youth development suggest that nearly all youth are capable of growing up properly and avoiding trouble if they can be attached to a variety of social resources that facilitate healthy development and discourage harmful behavior. Concentrating on positive youth development goals in working with young offenders may provide the juvenile justice system with a new and compelling framework for service delivery, especially in cases involving younger juveniles and those charged with less serious crimes. A coordinated program of innovation and evaluation is needed to test the viability of positive youth development as a new services model for juvenile justice." Find the full report on the Chapin Hall website at www.chapinhall.org/article_abstract.aspx?ar=1414&L2=62&L3=105 .
[Note: requires free registration to download full-text version.]
[BACK TO CONTENTS]

Indicators of School Crime and Safety, 2005
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has released Indicators of School Crime and Safety, 2005. A joint effort by BJS and the National Center for Education Statistics, this annual report examines crime occurring in school as well as on the way to and from school. It also provides current detailed statistical information on the nature of crime in schools, school environments, and responses to violence and crime at school. Information was gathered from an array of sources including the National Crime Victimization Survey (1992-2003), School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey (1995, 1999, 2001, and 2003), Youth Risk Behavior Survey (1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003), School Survey on Crime and Safety (2000), and School and Staffing Survey (1993-94 and 1999-2000). The report is only available online at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/iscs05.htm.
[BACK TO CONTENTS]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

**HEADS UP!**

March 2006 Town Hall Meetings to Curb Underage Drinking
As part of the federal government's national effort to curb underage drinking, the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD), comprised of 12 federal agencies, is encouraging states and communities to hold town hall meetings in March 2006. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is supporting this effort by providing stipends of $1,000 to 1,500 to community coalitions across the country. The stipends will be made available to all Drug-Free Communities Support Program (DFC) grantees, with remaining funds being offered to community coalitions identified by state teams that attended the ICCPUD and SAMHSA's National Meeting of the States on the Prevention of Underage Alcohol Use, held last fall. Communities that choose to receive stipends will be expected to do the following: host a town hall meeting on the topic of underage drinking on, or as close as possible to, March 28, 2006; involve representatives from the entire community including parents, youth, education, substance abuse prevention, other health entities, justice/law enforcement, highway safety, alcohol control, local government, and business; use "Reach Out Now" materials in their school system, and hold at least one "Teach In" in their schools; follow up the town hall meeting with other programs from a menu of activities supplied by ICCPUD agencies and with long-term activities that provide a continued emphasis on preventing underage drinking in the community; submit a description of the town hall meeting and planned follow-up activities; and participate in on-going discussions with other communities within their state on activities that are being planned as a result of the town hall meetings. In addition to the $1,000 stipend, all participating community coalitions will receive from SAMHSA guidelines on how to hold town hall meetings, a DVD containing a presentation on the extent of the problem and possible solutions, a facilitator's guide, and informational handouts. For additional information, coalitions should contact their single state agency. DFC grantees should contact their project officers.
[BACK TO CONTENTS]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

**FUNDING ALERTS**

GoGirlGo! Ambassador Team Awards
Programs that help girls avoid physical and psychological health hazards by getting them involved in sports may apply for the GoGirlGo! Ambassador Team Awards, sponsored by the Women's Sports Foundation and Gatorade. The goal of the GoGirlGo! initiative is to get a million inactive girls in the U.S. involved in sports, and to keep another one million now involved in sports from dropping out. A total of $50,000 (twenty $2,500 grants) will be awarded to teams that "demonstrate leadership in their communities by inspiring girls to get involved in sports and physical activity." Teams that are affiliated with schools, amateur organizations, communities, or nonprofit groups may apply; teams must have female members enrolled in grades 9-12 and have members ages 13 or older. The application deadline is April 7, 2006. For more information, see the foundation website.
[BACK TO CONTENTS]

Grassroots Exchange Fund
Social-change organizations looking to create links with other grassroots groups may apply for funding from the Grassroots Exchange Fund (GXF), sponsored by the Common Counsel Foundation. GXF awards grants of $300-$800 to small, community-based groups that want to improve linkages with similar organizations, build collaborative campaigns, and benefit from technical-assistance opportunities. Grants can be used to pay for training, travel, or conference expenses. Typical grantees are groups that work on economic, environmental, and social-justice initiatives benefiting low-income people, women, youth, and minorities. The application deadline is open. See www.commoncounsel.org/ for more details.
[BACK TO CONTENTS]

New York Life Foundation
The New York Life Foundation – Nurturing the Children Initiative specifically focuses on safe places to learn and grow, educational enhancement, and mentoring children. Grants are made only to private nonprofit organizations that have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and are not private foundations. The foundation does not make grants to individuals or government agencies. Proposals from organizations are accepted and reviewed on a continuous basis during the calendar year. For more information, go to www.newyorklife.com/cda/0,3254,13090,00.html .
[BACK TO CONTENTS]

CIGNA Foundation
The CIGNA Foundation has identified four broad categories for grant consideration, including: Health and Human Services - Health is the foundation's primary concern and will receive priority. Proposals emphasizing women's health issues and women's safety issues receive top consideration. Education - Limited support is available to educational efforts and a select number of special projects at the college level. Community and Civic Affairs - Projects that address core community problems are given consideration. On a highly selective basis, activities related to public-policy issues of interest to the health care, insurance, and financial services industries are also considered. Culture and the Arts - The foundation prefers to support organizations in which CIGNA employees have expressed an interest, or that serve a significant component of the local population. The foundation also considers cultural institutions with national or international reputations. Requests for grants are received and reviewed throughout the year. 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations may apply. For more information, go to www.cigna.com/general/about/community/grant_information.html.
[BACK TO CONTENTS]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

**TRAININGS/WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES**

Great Ideas Conference
The Great Ideas Conferences, presented by ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership, are designed for CEOs, senior staff, association managers, and directors looking for practical, easy-to-implement ideas, and models of innovation that they can adapt to their organizations. The conference features two General Sessions; 45+ Idea Labs covering topics in marketing, professional development, and communications; and a new CEO track. The next conference will be held on February 26-28, 2006, in San Diego, CA. Visit www.greatideasconference.org/sandiego/home.cfm for registration information.
[BACK TO CONTENTS]

18th Annual Adolescents and Families Conference
The 18th Annual Adolescents and Families Conference, "Transforming Communities by Seeing Ourselves in Others," will be held on April 19-21, 2006, at the Lakewoods Resort in Cable, WI. Sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Continuing Education/Extension, the conference will introduce new ways to meet challenges and create solutions for safe and healthy children, families, and communities. This dynamic conference will also provide unique opportunities for networking with peers who share the same enthusiasm and concerns. Proven prevention strategies, pragmatic information, practical interventions, and innovative approaches from this conference will help to create an environment for success. Objectives include: increase positive behavior and interactions in our schools, families, and communities; understand the culture of at least one other group we consider different from ourselves; unlearn the "isms" that permeate our society; become an agent of positive social change and reach our unique potential; leave with practical tools, methods, and strategies to implement at your place of work; and experience new opportunities for networking with others from Northern Wisconsin and elsewhere in the state. For more information call (715) 836-3636 or (800) 893-2423, or go to www.uwec.edu/ce/adolfam/description.htm .
[BACK TO CONTENTS]

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

This update has been brought to you by the Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Resources.

Online Prevention News welcomes potential submissions of information, but the list owners reserve the right to make decisions regarding the information that is chosen. Submissions that are judged to fall outside the mission and scope of this update may be refused or edited based on content, relevance, and/or clarity.

Online Prevention News may direct users to resources and websites maintained by institutions over which the Wisconsin Clearinghouse has no control. WCH makes no representation that the information contained on such sites is accurate or current. Information provided on third-party web sites does not reflect any official policy or position of WCH. Web site links are provided as a convenience, and not as an endorsement by the Wisconsin Clearinghouse.

[TOP OF PAGE]