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Regular Meeting: The regularly scheduled meeting of the Ocean County Communities Against Tobacco (CAT) Community Partnership was held on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at St. Francis Community Center, Brant Beach, NJ. Dana O’Connor called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.

Members Present:
Gail Bott (Stafford Township Municipal Alliance)
George Cocking (2d VOICE Speakers Group)
Cathie Fisher (Barnegat Township Municipal Alliance)
Jon Gaspich (Association of Substance Awareness Professionals)
Zsanelle Hakspiel (REBEL Youth Corps)
Susan Lamela (Barnegat School District)
Deb Levinson (Ocean County Cancer Coalition)
Chris Lill (St. Francis Community Center)
Helene Long (St. Barnabas Behavioral Health Quitcenter)
Deb O’Chat (Family Resource Network/Epilepsy Foundation of NJ)
Dana O’Connor (Long Beach Island Health Department)
Albert Petroni (Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Council of Ocean)
Heather Scanlon (Lacey Township Municipal Alliance)
Carol Schoenberger (Southern Ocean County Hospital)
Joanne Schuh (Ocean County Health Department)
Michelle Smith (Family Resource Network/EFNJ)
Connie Becraft (St. Francis Community Center)

Correspondence: A congratulatory letter was received from Gov. Jon Corzine recognizing the efforts of the Ocean County Community Partnership and REBEL for its "Choose to be Tobacco Free" program. A copy of a Resolution passed by the Ocean County Board of Health proclaiming April 2, 2008 as "Choose to be Tobacco Free" Day in Ocean County was also received.

Tobacco Presentation: Chris Lill, St. Francis Community Center, introduced Ms. Connie Becraft as the new assistant executive director of St. Francis Community Center.

Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting on March 11, 2008 was made, seconded, and approved.

1). Dana read a press release published by the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services (NJDHSS). The press release mentioned the Ocean County REBEL Youth Chapters and the Community Partnership’s collaborative event "Choose to be Tobacco Free" among other statewide events held on April 2, 2008. .

2). Dana mentioned NicVac which is an inoculation that is currently being used to prevent and to diminish the effects of nicotine for smokers.

3). She presented each Community Partner with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of their "…outstanding contribution in support of the ‘Choose to be Tobacco Free’ program held on April 2, 2008"; whose "…dedication and professionalism reflects great pride upon yourself, your agency, and the Ocean County Communities Against Tobacco (CAT) Community Partnership"

1). Zsanelle Hakspiel distributed a list of REBEL Chapter activities held in March. She commented on the REBEL "Twilight Program" held at Lacey Township High School on Friday, March 28, 2008. The program was designed to promote leadership skills and by increasing student awareness to the harmful effects of tobacco use.

2). Debra Levinson, Ocean County Cancer Coalition (OCCC), distributed a report on Ocean County & New Jersey cancer incidence and mortality rates. Copies of this report are available on-line at www.njcancer.gov. Deb also mentioned that the OCCC will be reviewing applications for cancer prevention and treatment mini-grants. The funding has been provided by WOBM from proceeds of the "Pretty in Pink" fund-raiser. Also as a reminder the Governor’s Task Force on Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Summit is scheduled for May 9, 2008 at the Battleground Country Club, Manalapan, NJ. For more information call the UMDNJ-School of Public Health Office at 732-235-9452.

3). Helene Long reported that the Quitcenter met its "quota" of (20) new referrals during the 3^rd Quarter (January-March). This was the first time the Quitcenter has met its CTCP goal. St. Barnabas Institute for Prevention Tobacco Dependence Treatment Program brochures are available to anyone who wants them. Currently, the Quitcenter is working on its CTCP Grant renewal for FY-2008-09.

1). Albert Petroni solicited suggestions and recommendations regarding any "lessons learned" from the recent Community Partners program on April 2, 2008. Comments included but not limited to: program evaluation forms, publishing of a lesson plan for teachers, and asking bus companies to donate buses. All suggestions will be researched by next years committee.

New Business:

1). A $250.00 request for funding was submitted by the Stafford Township Municipal Alliance in support of the Southern Ocean Partners for Health "Healthy Families" Fun walk on April 12, 2008. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the request.

2). A $250.00 request for funding was submitted by Southern Ocean County Hospital in support of the Southern Ocean Partners for Health "Healthy Families" Fun walk on April 12, 2008. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the request.

3). A $250.00 request for funding was submitted by Lacey Township Municipal Alliance in support of the Southern Ocean Partners for Health "Healthy Families" Fun walk on April 12, 2008. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve the request.

Carol Schoenberger reminded everyone that SOCH’s "April Showers" program is scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2008. For more information contact SOCHConnect at 609-978-3400. George Cocking mentioned that he had made a tobacco prevention presentation at the REBEL "Twilight Program" on March 28th. Michelle Smith distributed information on the "Pregnant Pause" program being presented by the Family Resource Network. The program is scheduled for Thursday, May 29 from 5:00-8:00pm. Contact Deirdre Verdolino, Outreach Coordinator, at 732-262-8020 to register. Joann Schuh distributed a flyer on "Gangs in Ocean County, What Our Community Needs to Know" program. The program is being held on April 9, 2008 at the Upper Shores Branch of the Ocean County Library. Helene Long announced that her office has recently moved from Toms River to Lakewood. She can be reached at 732-886-4149.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2008 at Counseling & Referral Services of Ocean, Brick, NJ. All meetings are scheduled to begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. unless otherwise changed by the Community Partnership. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Albert Petroni

          Counseling & Referral Services of Ocean, Inc.
270 Chambers Bridge Road, Suite 10
Brick, NJ
732-920-2700

From the North: Take the Garden State Parkway South to Exit 91. Stay to right out of toll booth. You will go through four (4) traffic lights. Immediately after the fourth traffic light you will see the Brick High School on the right. Go one (1) block to the Brick Township Civic Plaza which is on your right. Counseling & Referral Services is located in the Plaza.

From South Jersey: Take the Garden State Parkway North to Exit 90. When you come off the exit ramp your will come to a traffic light. Go straight at the light (Chambers Bridge Road) and you will pass Brick High School. Travel one more block to the Brick Township Civic Plaza.

From West Jersey: Take route 70 East into Brick to the intersection of Route 70 and Chambers Bridge Road. Make a left turn onto Chambers Bridge Road. Travel past two traffic lights and continue to go straight. Stay in the left-hand lane until the third traffic light where you will make a left turn. On the corner you will see the Brick Township Civic Plaza.