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Regular Meeting: The regularly scheduled meeting of the Ocean County (CAT) Community Partnership for a Tobacco-Free New Jersey was held on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at St. Barnabas Behavioral Health, Toms River, N.J. Albert Petroni called the meeting to order at 9:10 am.

Members Present:

George Cocking (2d VOICE Speaker’s Group)
Mark DeMareo (Plumsted Township School District)
Carol Dorn (Family Resource Network)
Jon Gaspich (OC Assn. of Student Assistance Professionals)
Zsanelle Hakspiel (REBEL Youth Corps)
Deb Levinson (Ocean County Cancer Coalition)
Helene Long (St. Barnabas Behavioral Health Quitcenter)
Dana Ann O’Connor (Long Beach Island Health Department)
Albert Petroni (Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Council of Ocean, Inc.)
Heather Scanlon (Lacey Township Municipal Alliance)
Joanne Schuh (Ocean County Municipal Alliance Coordinator)
Rosanne Sefick (Center for Kids & Family-CMC)
Vinny Smith (Horizon NJ Health)
Leslie Terjesen (Ocean County Health Department) See Attachment.

Correspondence: No correspondence was received.

Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting on January 12, 2010 was made, seconded, and carried.

Tobacco Presentation: Helene Long gave a presentation on the Institute for Prevention St. Barnabas Behavioral Health Tobacco Dependence Treatment Program Ocean/Monmouth. The Quitcenter serves youth and adults of all ages. Group sessions are conducted weekly and designed to meet the tobacco cessation needs of the community. Tobacco Specialists educate clients on the proper use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). Behavioral Modification Strategies are offered to help the client move through the stages of change. Statistical data was provided regarding cessation inquiries, face-to-face interviews, and assessments conducted. A question and answer period was provided.

Report of the Chair:

1). Albert distributed copies of ADACO’s Prevention Advocate. A new booklet is available at the resource center entitled, NET CETERA, Chatting with Kids about Being Online. The guide offers practical advice for parents on how to protect their kids by talking with them about the dangers of revealing personal information online.

2). Copies of a NJ Department of Health & Senior Services letter dated February 5, 2010 was distributed which outlines the school immunization requirements for new arrivals from Haiti who will be entering schools and child care centers.

1). Zsanelle Hakspiel distributed a copy of the REBEL (Reaching Everyone by Exposing Lies) Youth Corps activity report for January. She had recently attended the Elks Youth Peer Leadership conference on February 5-7, 2010. She is currently working with the Best South Academy, Lakehurst NAS and recently had a successful site visit from the state CTCP. A REBEL Youth Program entitled "Crossing Bridges Together" is scheduled for April 16^th at Toms River High School East.

2). Deb Levinson, the Ocean County Cancer Coalition (OCCC) will be hosting a Body, Mind, & Spirit program on May 4, 2010. The program focuses on surviving the breast cancer challenge. The dinner program is free however registration is required. The next regularly scheduled OCCC meeting is scheduled for May 3, 2010. For more information on cancer related issues and reports visit: www.njcancer.gov.

3). Helene Long, Institute for Prevention St. Barnabas Behavioral Health Quitcenter stated that the Joint Commission is reviewing all hospital intake processing to insure that smokers are being appropriately identified and referred to cessation services.. Quitservices continue to be available for individuals who want to stop smoking. Contact Helene at 732-886-4149 or hlong@sbhcs.com for more information.

4). Timelines for the "Choose to Be Tobacco Free" Education and Community Mobilization project was reviewed and updated. Currently 4-schools have registered totaling 210 students. The Cameo Cast has been contracted to present the educational component and Southern Regional Middle School Peer-to-Peer group (STYLE) will also participate. Vinny Smith, Horizon NJ Health has agreed to provide school teachers certification for 2-professional hours. The program is scheduled for Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at the Poland Springs Arena, Toms River, NJ.

Old Business:

1). A review and discussion regarding the development of the "Smoking in Cars with Minors Present" awareness brochure took place. Several comments and recommendations were made. A committee was formed to draft the final product and present it to the CP for approval. Jon Gaspich, Helene Long, and Joanne Schuh will comprise the review committee. The brochure is designed to heighten the awareness of the harmful effects of smoking in an automobile with children and minors aboard.

2). A copy of the letter that was sent to Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing units in Ocean County was presented for informational purposes. The letter encourages development of a Smoke-Free Tobacco policy for all tenants. The policy would restrict the use of tobacco products in public housing units and grounds. The letter was sent to all HUD unit managers and supervisors in January.

New Business:

1). A motion was made and seconded to recognize St. Barnabas Behavioral Health for their statewide tobacco-free campus initiative and for implementing employee cessation programs. After a brief discussion the motion was passed. Authorization to purchase a plaque not to exceed $100 was approved.

2). A discussion took place regarding the Community Partnership sponsorship of the Ocean County Cancer Coalition’s "Choose Your Cover" program. Community Partners agreed to obligate $550.00 in support of the program contingent upon the availability of funds.

Jon Gaspich mentioned the parental active consent form which requires specific parental consent to for a student to participate in any school surveys. Currently legislation is pending to change those requirements to a more passive approach. Carol Dorn stated that Family Resource Network is hosting a "Walk for a Brighter Tomorrow" shore area walk. The program is scheduled for May 16, in Seaside Park, NJ. For more information contact Samantha at 609-392-4900. Joanne Schuh reminded everyone that the annual "Safe Night" is scheduled for April 17 & 18, 2010 at the Ocean County College, Toms River. For information on more Ocean County Health Department programs contact Joanne at the Ocean County Health Department at 732-341-9700 ext. 7537. Dr. Mark DeMareo gave an update on events occurring in the Plumsted Township School District.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 9, 2010, at the Ocean Club Family Resource , Manahawkin, N.J. Meetings are scheduled to begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. unless changed by the Community Partnership. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Albert Petroni