SCCUDD Newsletter
Ward Brower

Meet the New Project Coordinator! 

First of all, I hate talking about me, but here goes:
 
I am the proud father of five children, ranging from age 29 down to our twins at 17, and I am blessed to be married to the love of my life Lisa. We live here in Watkins Glen and all help with the family farm, Reisinger's Apple Country.   
 
There has not been a time that I have not worked with disadvantaged youth in some capacity since I was a child myself.  I grew up around my uncle who had cerebral palsy, who as a child, didn't have the programming and opportunities that there are today.  So, he lived out his days with my grandmother never being able to realize his full potential. He was one of the kindest people I have ever known, could sing like a bird, never forgot anyone's birthday, and made everyone that he came in contact with feel as though they were the most important person in the world.  Imagine if everyone did that.
 
Because of him, I began working at ARC summer camps as a teen. I then moved on to work at residential treatment facilities, a children’s hospital, maximum secure detention, the Schuyler County Youth Bureau, Watkins Glen high school and now as the new SCCUDD Project Coordinator.  While on this long and winding road I have coached various sports in many places, earned my BSED from SUNY at Cortland, and my MSEd from Elmira College.  I have made some great memories along the way working with children in many different capacities, and I hope to make more here.  Remember "We're all in this together!"
 
Ward Brower
SCCUDD Project Coordinator
Rethink Your Holiday Drinking

Preventing Underage Drinking during the Holiday Season  


Did you know that on the average December day, over 11,000 young people (ages 12-17) will try alcohol for the first time?1

Want tips to help prevent underage drinking this holiday season?

Tips for parents:

  • Lock up your alcohol. Don’t leave alcohol accessible to minors while they are at home on break and you are working.
  • Talk to your kids about drinking. Let them know that you have expectations about them not using alcohol or other drugs. Not sure where to start? SAMHSA offers 5 goals to get the conversation started. Find them at: https://www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking/parent-resources/five-conversation-goals.
  • Have an exit plan for holiday parties. If your teen is attending any parties, make sure they know you can come pick them up if there is underage drinking or drug use there. You can even come up with a code word they can text or call you, so their friends don’t know why they need to leave.
For community members:
  • Makes sure to do your part to help keep Schuyler County safe, even if you don’t have kids.
  • Own or work at a business that sells alcohol? Make sure you don’t forget to card this season, and all year, to prevent selling alcohol to those under 21.
  • Prevent Crime – Call the Tip Line. If you see adults providing alcohol to minors, underage drinking, or other illegal activity, call the Sheriff’s Tip Line at 607-535-8224. If you do not want to be identified, you can provide information anonymously.
Sources:
  1. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH080/NSDUH080/SR080InitiationSubstanceUse2012.htm
Corning Tabling Picture

Corning Tabling 

On Thursday, November 29th, SCCUDD members attended a Corning Community College event, Good in the Hood, that featured health and wellness organizations from Schuyler, Steuben, and Chemung counties. The event gave SCCUDD members an opportunity to talk to approximately 35 teens, young adults, and adults in the community about SCCUDD and the dangers of underage drinking and drug use. Fact sheets, information, and the Drunk Buster goggle activity provided an interactive experience for event attendees and helped them learn about what SCCUDD does in the community.

Announcements

Upcoming Meetings:

  • The Prevention Committee will hold its next meeting on Wednesday January 2nd from 10:00am-11:00am in the Public Health Conference Room.
  • The Implementation Committee will hold its next meeting Monday January 14th from 3:30pm-4:30pm in the Public Health Conference Room.
  • The Assessment Committee will hold its next meeting Thursday January 10th from 1:00pm-2:00pm in the Public Health Conference Room.

The next coalition meeting will be held Tuesday January 15th from 3:00pm – 4:30pm in the Shared Services Complex.
 
SCCUDD wishes you a Happy Holidays!

Schuyler County. All Rights Reserved.
105 Ninth St. Unit 37 Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Powered by CivicSend - A product of CivicPlus