The meeting began with a discussion led by a contact named Ria, who provided updates on the Teen Mental Health First Aid program. Ria recounted that an initial review meeting had taken place in June, which received positive feedback, and the committee intended to reschedule the program for the current year. However, staff absences over the summer posed challenges in coordinating the program’s schedule. Ria explained the program’s structure, noting that classes must be spaced out, with each session lasting 30 to 45 minutes over six sessions per group of students. The committee discussed the possibility of introducing the program to 8th graders and conducting a one-day assembly to prepare students for the full program in 10th grade.

Logistical challenges, such as fitting the program into students’ schedules and dealing with absenteeism, were highlighted. A participant suggested utilizing the ESL program to reach Spanish-speaking students, prompting a discussion about the need for translation support. Ria mentioned the importance of conducting the program by December to secure current year’s funding and planned to schedule the introduction in late November or December.

The committee also discussed World Mental Health Day on October 10th, coinciding with the Mayor’s Wellness Committee’s event at the library on September 25th. Ria expressed the desire to set up mental health resource displays and sought volunteers for the event. Additionally, a self-defense class and chair yoga sessions were mentioned as part of ongoing community programs.

The National Night Out event was another significant topic. Originally planned to feature a large tent with various resources and activities, the event was canceled due to severe weather. Despite the disappointment, participants expressed gratitude for the police department’s efforts in planning the event. A banner contest had also been organized, with selected student artwork promoting drug prevention messages. The committee discussed the potential for rescheduling the event but confirmed that no new date had been set due to the circumstances.

During the meeting, the committee reviewed the budget for community outreach programs, including allocations for student education, mental health support, parent outreach, and community initiatives. Specific figures were mentioned, such as $4,875 for student education and $8,000 for mental health support, including Teen Mental Health First Aid. A consensus was reached to maintain the current budget without seeking additional funds for the next year, as the existing funding appeared sufficient to cover planned programs. A motion to keep the budget the same was unanimously approved.

Red Ribbon Week, scheduled from October 23rd to the 31st, was also discussed. The theme “life is a movie film drug free” aimed to raise awareness about substance abuse prevention. School counselors proposed a buddy class activity for students to discuss alternatives to drug use, and the committee considered providing gifts such as bookmarks, stickers, and pencils with drug-free messages. A motion to approve the $400 expenditure for these items received unanimous support.

The committee also explored a Halloween initiative, planning to distribute packages of Smarties with drug-free messages during trick-or-treating. Last year’s success prompted the committee to order five packs of Smarties, totaling approximately $125. A motion to secure this order passed unanimously. Additionally, the committee discussed a middle school public service announcement contest on the dangers of substance misuse, with a potential $1,000 prize for the winning school.

Updates on educational programs, such as webinars on opioid abuse and ways to empower parents in prevention and recovery, were provided. The importance of regular screenings by healthcare professionals and securing medications was emphasized. The committee also mentioned a new bookmark contest for fourth graders, replacing a previous folder contest, with a deadline of December 13th.