The Alliance Executive Director’s Year End Report

Submitted by Debra Kehoe

August, 2011 

The Alliance has just completed its 8^th year as an official 501 (c) 3 organization.  Over the course of time we have adapted to the ever changing economic times, the needs of our school community and the ongoing challenge of raising awareness of the safety concerns that impact our children. During the 2010-2011 school year, The Alliance has undergone numerous changes to assure its sustainability while raising to the challenge of providing the region and our members with vital programs and web site resources.  Among the most significant changes: we downsized our office and operating expenses, gave our web site an important “face lift”, made improvements to our educational video program, opened our 7^th grade poster contest to include essay submissions and expanded our community programs to include cyber bullying and other related safety issue concerns. This past year, we honored our first “model member school” and presented an award to the Pine-Richland School District. Each year, as we continue to see an increase in school participation and  earnest attempt to reach out to parents that no school, no family and no community is safe or drug free, this award will recognize their supreme efforts. 

Alliance Board of Directors: 

During the 2010-2011 fiscal year, Dr. Al Wille, Tom Swan, Josie Morgano, and Sylvia Lynn terminated their board positions.  New members elected to our board are Elaine Surma, Michael Manko, Pat Mannarino and Leslie Quatrini.  

Board Officers:

Nicole Kurash, President

Elaine Surma, Vice President

Gail Korn, Treasurer

Leslie Quatrini, Secretary 

Operating Expenses: 

This past year, The Alliance downsized our office for a savings of $7,200/year. We eliminated our mobile broadband account for a savings of $750/year.  BX Video services were replaced with the Vimeo service to stream our videos at a savings of $2,400/year.  These changes will save us over $10,000/year.

 The Grable Foundation Grant that we had obtained paid for the employment of our Outreach Specialist, Kay Christ.  With the close out of that grant, Kay was released from our staff. Dr. Albert Wille, former Board President and a founder of The Alliance, has agreed to assist us with outreach work and web site maintenance on a part time basis. At the August Board of Directors meeting, I will make a recommendation to the Board to keep Dr. Wille on our payroll as a part time employee of our organization.  Salary to be determined based upon our current financial status.

 Alliance Web Site:

Upon the termination of consolidated communications serving as our web site administrator, we elected to hire Don Houk Consulting to update and maintain our site at a cost of $100/month.  With the web site improvements, we have been able to provide better and more efficient web services including the expansion of our newsletter and executive director’s blog. Navigating our site has become easier and more efficient.

According to Dr. Wille who tracks our web site statistics, as of August 8, nearly 10,000 unique visitors viewed pages on the Alliance website (page views are tracked).  In two months (June and July) over 200 visitors viewed the multimedia page, over 100 viewed the Executive Directors BLOG and over 100 viewed the Search for Services page.  Talking points for the videos are being downloaded to some extent.  This appears to mainly coincide with school or community program delivery.  For example, in May, 13 “talking points” documents were downloaded.  Web based statistics are also collected on how long visitors remain on the Alliance web site.  In June, 144 visitors stayed more than 15 minutes.  Of this group, 86 stayed an hour of more.

 Educational Video Program:

The combined efforts of both the Alliance and office of the PA Attorney General promoted the “video of the month” program throughout the school year. The majority of Alliance member schools and faith based institutions participated by advertizing and promoting each month’s featured video on their web sites. Videos featured each month included a synopsis on the video, age appropriateness for viewing, talking points for parents and a special monitored blog site for questions and comments.  The blog feature was not heavily used. 

Changes are in place for the 2011-2012 school year.  For the coming school year, videos will not be individually posted on a monthly basis.  Instead, the community will be encouraged to view any and all of the videos at any time of their choosing.  Plans are also being made to include 2 new videos to the library: a production on “Heroin” developed by the Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation and “Prescription Drug Abuse” by the office of the PA Attorney General.

 

The Alliance Against Drugs & the Attorney General’s Office

Video Educational Series 

“Breaking the Code of Silence”

Produced by Michael Bartley for The Alliance, this video is suitable for middle and high school students and parents. Community leaders, parents, and teens describe the current status of the drug culture with emphasis on responsible reporting.

 “Deception”

Produced by Michael Bartley for The Alliance, this video is suitable for parents/guardian viewing.

“Deception” details the extent to which teens will go to support their addiction and hide it from parents; provides suggestions for parents on effective vigilance and intervention and addresses issues of deceit, denial and enabling. 

 “Listen”

Produced by Michael Bartley for The Alliance, this video is suitable for 5^th grade through high school students and their parents.  “Listen” details the traumatic effects of drug use and overdose as seen through the eyes of mothers who suffered the loss of their children, and  encourages parents/guardians and community members to address the real dangers and threats of drugs in our region. 

“Operation Safe Surf”

Produced by the office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General, this video is suitable for parent/guardian viewing.  Provides detailed explanations on how sexual predators target and gain access to minors; also provides suggestions for parents on how to better protect their children. 

“Signs of Trouble”

Produced by Michael Bartley for The Alliance, this video is intended for parent/guardian viewing (not children).  Specific description and demonstration of materials used to contain and use drugs; provides parents with knowledge about where and how to look for signs of usage. 

“Sticks and Stones: Cyberbullying”

Produced by the office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General, this video is suitable for middle and high school students and parents.  Addresses the realities of cyber-bullying and provides suggestions and resources on how to effectively protect students from being bullied. 

“Teen’s Talking: Sexting, Drinking, Drugs”

Produced by Michael Bartley for The Alliance, this video is suitable for middle and high school students and parents.  Local professional experts and students 8^th through 10^th grade discuss the safety concerns of sexting, drinking and drugs.  

 “Truth & Choices: Drug & Alcohol Abuse”

Produced by the office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General, this video is suitable for middle and high school students and parents.  Shane is the student who shares his story about drug addiction along with its effects through the views of his family, law enforcement and medical professionals. 

 “What Help Looks Like”

Produced by Michael Bartley for The Alliance, this video is suitable for parents/guardian viewing.  “What Help Looks Like” provides information from multiple area agencies who can help.

  

Alliance School and Faith Based Insitutions Membership Roster 2011-2012 

Ambridge School District                       Northgate School District                       St. Joseph High School

Avonworth School District                     Pine-Richland School District                St. Sebastians Parochial School

Beattie Technical School                        Quaker Valley School District               Sewickley Academy

Carlynton School District                        Shaler Area School District                   

Cornell School District                            South Fayette School District                Calvin Presbyterian Church

Cornell School District                            Bishop Canevin High School                  Fountain Park Church

Fox Chapel Area School District            Central Catholic High School                  Memorial Park Church

Mars Area School District                      North Catholic High School                    Northway Christian Community 

Moon Area School District                     Quigley Catholic High School                 Sts John and Paul Parish

Morth Allegheny School District             Serra Catholic High School                    Saint John Neumann Parish

North Hills School District                       St. Alexis Parochial School                    Victory Family Church

  

Alliance Programs, Presentations and Special Events 2010-2011 

September, 2010:

North Hills School District: Parent/Student Program

Carlynton School District: Open House Presentation

Alliance Member Administrative Training Luncheon

Alliance Resource Fair and General Meeting

Beaver Valley IU Meeting Presentation

  

October, 2010:

West Mifflin School District: Parent/Student Program

Serra Catholic High School: Student Program

Ambridge School District: Parent/Student Program

 

 November, 2010:

St John Neumann Parish: Parent/Student Program

Shaler Area School District: Parent/Student Program

 

February, 2011:

Quaker Valley School District: Parent Program

Northgate School District Board Presentation

North Allegheny Advisory Council Meeting Presentation

 

March, 2011:

Memorial Park Church: Parent Program

Quaker Valley School District: Counselor In-Service Presentation

Mars Area School District: Parent/Student Program

Fountain Park Church: Parent/Student Program

Pine-Richland Parent/Student Program

Parkway West Superintendents Consortium Meeting Presentation

Lutheran Cable Network Program Taping for UTube Airing

 

April, 2011:

North Allegheny Ingomar  Middle School: Parent/Student Program

St Sebastians Parochial School: Parent/Student Program

Ambridge School District: Town Hall Meeting

North Catholic High School: Parent/Student Program

Alliance Student Leadership Workshop: 8^th – 11^th grade

 

May, 2011:

USA Football Clinic Presentation, Heinz Field

 

June, 2011:

Alliance Award Luncheon

 

Student Leadership Workshop 8^th – 11^th Grade 

On April 7^th, 125 students and their sponsors from 17 member schools participated in a leadership workshop held at the Chadwick in Wexford.  The day’s activities began with a presentation on resiliency skills for adolescents delivered by Dr. Mark Lepore from Clarion University.  Students were then invited to participate in story boarding issues that impact their lives for use in creating group posters.  The theme for this event corresponded with the poster contest held for 7^th grade.  Student responses were collected by Special Agent Elaine Surma (PA Attorney General’s office).  This data was sorted and will be used for future funding opportunities.

 

7^th Grade Poster Contest & Award Luncheon 

The theme for this year’s poster contest was: “Welcome to My World: What Adults Need to Know About Drugs, Bullying and the Code of Silence”. 

* 19 member schools participated

* nearly 6,000 posters were created

* students submitted their posters in art form or composed a short essay, poem or lyrics to a song or rap

* 100 grand finalists, with the top 5 entries from each school, were submitted to The Alliance for an invitation to the annual     

  award luncheon held in early June

* The Alliance Board of Directors judged the entries and selected 10 grand winners who were recognized at the luncheon. 

* The 5 grand winners in the art category: North Hills Junior High School: 1^st place

                                                                           Ingomar Middle School: 1^st place

                                                                           Carson Middle School: 2^nd place

                                                                           Pine-Richland Middle School: 2^nd place

                                                                      Marshall Middle School: 2^nd place

* The 5 grand winners in the composition category:  Quaker Valley Middle School: 1^st place

                                                                                              Mars Middle School: 2^nd place

                                                                                              South Fayette: 3^rd place

                                                                                              Seneca Valley Middle School: 3^rd place

                                                                                              Mars Middle School: 3^rd place

 

* the Honorary Chairperson for the award luncheon was Phil Bourque from the Pittsburgh Penquins

* on June 4^th, 250 guests attended the award luncheon that was sponsored by the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office

 

Return of the Auto Dealer’s Campaign Drive 

With the assistance from Robert Wright, the local auto dealers held a campaign drive for The Alliance throughout the month of May, 2011.  For every new or used vehicle that was purchased, the dealers donated $9 to the Alliance.  This was the 4^th year the dealers undertook this initiative.  I have included the history of this very special campaign:

In April 2006 Dealers raised $15,092

In April 2007 Dealers raised $19,009

In April 2008 Dealers raised $24,500

 

During the May 2011 campaign the local auto dealers raised a grand total of $28,627.  A check presentation was made during the June award luncheon and each of the participating dealers was recognized and thanked for their efforts.

The Dealers that participated were:       Baierl Automotive

                                                                       Billco Motors

                                                                       Bowser

                                                                       Day Automotive

                                                                       West Hills Nissan

                                                                       Shults Ford

                                                                       Wright Automotive

 

Funding: Grants, Donatons and Community Support 

The Alliance depends on the continued support we receive from our foundation schools (the northern area consortium), our member at large school districts and private schools and churches. The annual funding we receive from this member group is detrimental to sustain our coalition and provide ongoing programs and services.  In addition to sustaining our community programs, these funds are vital for the management of our web site which is the foundation for the resource network we provide. Each of our member schools and churches receive a recap of the programs they requested and used during the school year along with a check list of services they wish to use for the upcoming year. We work very diligently to make sure we honor all member requests and make every attempt to remind them of important programs that are offered. Although we are not looking for further expansion at this time (for full memberships), we are and we will continue to encourage both the school and faith based community to join for a nominal cost  our educational video program.  Individual membership remains free and we will continue to encourage the community at large to become Alliance members. 

The Grable Foundaton Grant that we received for a period of 2 years has come to a conclusion.  The funding we received from that grant enabled us to hire a part time outreach specialist.  With the lapse of those funds it became necessary for us to eliminate the position.  We are fortunate however to have obtained the part time services of Dr. Al Wille at a nominal cost. Dr Wille will assist me with managing our web site, composing newsletters that will continue to provide updates on current safety concerns and assisting with community programs we will provide throughout the school year. 

The Alliance is extremely thankful for the major funding received from the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office.  This year, in addition to the DA’s office sponsoring our award luncheon, we have also received a donation of $20,000 from Mr. Stephen Zappala.  Mr. Zappala has always been a very strong supporter of our efforts and needless to say this Alliance could not offer all the services we currently provide without him and the ongoing support from his office staff:  Deputy Director Tom Swan and Public Relations Coordinator Michael Manko. 

This past year, we received a $6,000 grant from the office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General.  Those funds were used for our student leadership workshop, our web site upgrade and the kick off of our 2010 fall general meeting. We have written another grant with this office for the upcoming school year and with those funds (if we obtain them), will schedule special training programs for our faith based leaders, youth counselors, school nurses and youth sport coaches. 

Another very significant Alliance contributor is the Gateway Rehabilitation Center.  In addition to their financial assistance with programs, they also offer special support and resources provided by Dr. Neil Capretto, Medical Director and Nicole Kurash, Adolescent Program Supervisor. 

Other important community members that support our Alliance efforts include; Don Houk Consulting who manages our web site, Alan Freed Photography who volunteers his time every year to capture our poster winners, Bob Wright  who assists with organizing the local auto dealers for a spring campaign drive, the KDKA radio network for their assistance with broadcasting timely messages concerning the youth and drug culture and the many community members that visit our web site, use our resources, view our videos and continue to hold dialog with their children concerning the serious consequences of drug use. If we continue to work as one, we can move mountains.

 

The Year Ahead: 2011-2012 

The Alliance Board of Directors has approved the change of our corporate name.  Henceforth, we will officially be called:

The Pennsylvania Alliance For Safe and Drug Free Children

We will still use our various alias (the alliance, the alliance against drugs) but for grant writing purposes, we felt it timely to broaden our name to include the state from which we serve. By inclusion of the word “safe” it suggests that the Alliance, in addition to raising awareness of drug use, prevention and addiction, must also address other safety concerns that impact our youth. We began to offer programs during the later part of last school year regarding cyberbullying issues. They  were well received.  We will continue to offer these programs during the upcoming school year. 

In the upcoming months, the Alliance will be working with the KDKA network  and Shelley Duffy to create and broadcast public service announcements.  The topics will include gift card dangers, synthetic marijuana, why it is important to talk with your child prior to leaving elementary school, prescription drug abuse and gold exchange centers.  We will also be taping a radio program with Shelley that will air in October. Dr. Neil Capretto will assist us with that program. 

In late October we will be offering a Drug Impairment Training for school nurses, guidance counselors and other community administrators.  This program will be co sponsored by UMPC Healthcare and Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation.  Act 48 credits will be provided. 

Other programs being scheduled for this coming year include:

* 3 town hall meetings to be held at various faith based locations

* general meeting to kick off the newest educational video on prescription drug abuse

* student leadership workshop that will be expanded to include 8^th through 12^th grade students

* training for youth leaders and ministers

*training for youth sports coaches

* 7^th grade poster contest and award luncheon

 

The Alliance For Safe and Drug Free Children

2011-2012

Calendar and Resource Guide 

 

Artwork, poems and lyrics from last spring’s 7^th grade poster contest are featured along with “tips” on how to use the Alliance website resources.  Just send with your name and address to dmkehoe14@gmail and we will send a calendar to you. Enclosed will be a stamped and pre-addressed envelope to the Alliance for any donation you can give to help keep our children safe and drug free.

 Checks can be made out to “The Alliance” and sent to our office address:

Suite 2300 Building #2

2607 Nicholson Road

Sewickley, PA  15143                         

 

 

Ok, I know that this summer has been a very hot and humid one.  For those of us fortunate enough to have air conditioning, we can survive this sticky weather!  

I remember my youth and when school was out for the summer, so was I along with all of my friends! From morning till well after the dinner hour, we were out and about.  Riding bikes, playing games, building forts, playing school (what was that all about?) and finding creative ways to just be kids.  Anyone else have those great childhood memories?

I now live in a very nice neighborhood where there is only one way in and out of our plan.  Sidewalks throughout, great woods behind many of our homes, flat streets and LOTS of children!  But something I noticed: no kids to be found ANYWHERE so WHERE ARE THEY? OK, again I state that it's very hot out but what about when the sun goes down?  Still no kids out and about.......

One good thing to do during these hot summer days is to walk the shopping mall.  So that's when it all hit me one day as I was walking through the Ross Park Mall and had to dodge the many teens who were too busy "texting" and not watching were they were going!  Talk about a challenge: not only to avoid collisions but the urge I had to stop one or two of them and simply ask; "Just what the heck are you doing"?

Has our world become so "tech driven" that we can't survive a minute without constant contact with our electronic devices?

So maybe THAT"S where all the kids are this summer.........

Sitting in the comfort of their air conditioned homes improving their typing skills as they hold conversations with their friends for hours on end.  Forget picking up the phone and actually speaking live when it's so much more fun to send and receive via text.

Or maybe they are all busy playing their favorite video game and have only 30 something levels more to play before crowning themselves the champion!!!

Here's a challenge for all parents: can you get your kid's to take a break and go outside even if for just an hour or so?  It would be so nice to hear the voices of kids from time to time.  This neighborhood for sure is just too quiet!  Where's the sprinklers and the slip and slides and the street games and catching fire flies at night?  I MISS THOSE and would truly appreciate if we could bring just a little bit of that back to life!!!!

What say you all?

 

Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs

 

The Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs (BDAP) is urging our treatment and prevention professionals to take a formal stand against the release of an upcoming video game developed by Checkerboard Studios called "School Shooter: North American Tour 2012."

 

The purpose of the video game is to kill unarmed students on a school campus. Players use weapons modeled after those used in the shootings at Columbine High School and Virginia Tech, with the goal of preventing school shootings by satisfying violent urges in its players, according to the game's creator. Players have the option of committing suicide in the game at the end of their shooting spree. A clip of the game can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R4_mYYBO3s%3chttp://t.lt01.net/q/6NyvqHok07lwk6JI_y2n3r3D9tZgsKY3vo_9YQL3SqC4Fj0GOyCdL_db6> and additional information about the game's creator, Checkerboard Studios, can also be viewed: http://checkerboarded.com/schoolshooter/%3chttp:/t.lt01.net/q/waazQJuuwBgN8SkWsl7bJCS56GRrETwkz6sWwISWVFcO0XMGkpylSMlyS>.

 

The impending release of this game is already generating a great amount of concern among education professionals, as well as law enforcement and suicide prevention organizations. Given the increase of school shootings within the last decade, the release of this video game is particularly harmful to the efforts of schools and communities working towards decreasing violence and suicide rates.

 

We feel this is a serious threat to the health and safety of students and campuses. Acts of violence and suicide are linked to alcohol and substance use. We believe this game does not contribute to a safe learning environment, especially if students are experiencing any pre-existing mental health issues. As part of our mission, BDAP advocates for stronger prevention policies and this would include supporting efforts to prevent this harmful and dangerous video game from being released.

 

We strongly encourage you and your organization to contact your local, state, and federal representatives with your concerns.

 

For a copy of our formal letter requesting your assistance regarding this matter, please access the following link: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1056729/

school_shooter_letter_pdf<http://t.lt01.net/q/1HEzpJ0u4lEusLfbsu7buUD5ImRrETwfz6s3wISWVF__0E-GcpJlS4lML> .

 

Contact Person(s): Kimberly Fitzpatrick, 717-783-8200 or mailto:kfitzpatri@state.pa.us%3cmailto:kfitzpatri@state.pa.us>

 

This morning, I received an article that offered a viewpoint on two schools concerning their school environment and the impact of bullying within their buildings. 

It brought to mind the years that I spent working as a student assistant counselor in both the North Hills and Fox Chapel Area High Schools. Since I have a strong opinion on this subject, I would like to share that with you.

I have witnessed the benefit of faculty presence in making a significant difference........

In the Fox Chapel Area High School, at the change of classes, every teacher is out of their classroom and in the hallways interacting with students and observing for any potential issues. I'm not sure if they are still doing this but certainly hope they are as I have sung their praises for supporting this initiative.  I believe that ALL schools should require their faculty to do the same. While standing in those hallways: can we help our students to feel safe while they walk the halls of their schools?  Can we intervene when we over hear discussion of weekend parties, students being harassed by their peers or mention of  other risky behaviors? The simple act of standing in the halls can make a significant difference don't you think?

But here is another initiative that our teachers and especially our school counselors could and should do:during the lunch periods, walk the cafeteria and interact with the students. Students who eat alone need to know that they are not alone.

Looking to create support groups?  The cafeteria is the perfect opportunity to gather students together that would benefit from participating in a supportive group.  The lunch hours are a critical time in which our faculty: teachers and counselors need to be seen among the student population and not sitting among themselves in a seperate location.

We all have the responsibility to take an active role in our student's lives.  Isn't that why we're in this business in the first place? 

Thank you for visiting my blog page on our newly configured website!  A very special thanks to Don Houk who has assisted us with improving and updating The Alliance’s web site.  Now that I have a forum in which to express my thoughts, I hope to provide updates that are beneficial to all that read them.

Both Kay and I had a busy summer season preparing for this year’s Alliance programs.  We had an opportunity to visit most all of our member schools and faith based institutions to schedule parent/student programs we will be offering over the course of this school year.  I am very pleased to announce that the majority of our member schools will be offering our “Listen” parent/5thgrade student program, and our faith based community will be offering parent/middle and high school students with Alliance programs as well.

With the introduction of our newest prevention video: “Teen’s Talking”, we will create a special workbook for parents and students along with talking points for continued discussion at home.  These new tools will be the focus for our student leadership workshops later this school year and for a parent/middle and high school student program (currently a work in progress) that will become a follow up to our “Listen” program.

Also being developed this coming year is a new prevention video being created by the office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General addressing prescription drug abuse.  This video will be an excellent addition to our video of the month program.  Speaking of which, we will be kicking off the video of the month program mid October.  All of our member schools and churches will be participating in this program by providing their families with a direct link from their website to ours.  We anticipate that during this year’s video of the month program, thousands of families will view our library of prevention videos.  Dr. Wille will monitor the “hits” to this site and I’ll keep you updated on its progress.

We kicked off this school year with 2 special Alliance programs in September: an Administrators training lunch and a community resource fair.  Both were well attended and hopefully will become programs that are offered annually.  I wish to give a very special thanks to the community agencies that supported our fair by providing a booth, and to Mr. Bill Sanders for his uplifting keynote address that was an inspiration to all.  I would also like to thank the many school and church leaders and faculty, as well as the parents and student leaders that attended as our guests.  I’m hopeful that you all found the day’s program rewarding.

Thank you for visiting my page.  I hope you will return often to our website to watch for updates on programs the Alliance will be hosting across our communities, and will take a few minutes to read my updates.  I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community and always have an ear for those in need.

God bless!

Debbie