November, 2005
Dear Educator,
We’re pleased to present you with the third edition of the Health Educator’s Resource Guide.
The guide was first created in 2002 in response to requests from educators in our service area and in the fall of that year was distributed to approximately 300 school-based health educators. An updated version followed last year and in 2005 we’re distributing this edition to school nurses and school administrators. Please note the additional resource included in this mailing: a list of HIV/STD counseling and testing sites located throughout the North Country. It’s included for distribution to the teens within your school system. Experience tells us that it’s essential for teens to have a working knowledge of available resources because teens often bypass adults in favor of peers for information. With correct information to pass on, teens are more likely to help each other.
Greater Adirondack Perinatal Network (formerly Upper Hudson Prenatal Services Network) was established in 1991 and serves families throughout seven counties in northeastern New York, including Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, Washington and Saratoga. The Network has played an important role in assessing the region’s maternal and child health needs and promoting collaboration for appropriate service development. For many years the Network co-sponsored a day-long conference to address issues on teen sexuality. More recently, we have held several localized trainings for groups of school-based health educators. Though health curriculums continue to evolve, educators acknowledge the importance of introducing students to some of the agencies and educators working in their region. We hope the enclosed guide will be helpful in connecting you and your staff with some of them.
We would welcome your feedback about this edition of the Health Educator’s Resource Guide. Please call (518)761-0300, Ext. 219, Monday-Friday.
Jackie Avignon
Program Coordinator
Greater Adirondack Perinatal Network
One Broad Street Plaza
PO Box 3253
Glens Falls, NY 12801
(518) 761-0300
Some of the services included in our Health Educator's Resource Guide:
AIDS Council of Northeastern New York Domestic Violence Project of Warren and Washington Counties
Behavioral Health Services North – “Stop DV” Eat Smart New York (Essex and Clinton Counties)
BirthNet Essex County Public Health HIV/AIDS Program
Catholic Charities of Franklin County Hamilton County Community Services
Captain Youth & Family Services (Youth Smoking Cessation) Northern Adirondack Planned Parenthood
Champlain Valley Center The Prevention Council
Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country, Inc. Rape Crisis Sexual Assault Support Services of Warren County
Clinton County Health Department Reality Check
Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services "STARS"
Council for Prevention of Alcohol & Substance Abuse Teen View
Domestic Violence Services/Saratoga Rape Crisis Washington County Community Maternity Services
Contact: Kelly Callahan
(518) 563-2437, ext. 113
M – F, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Serves: Clinton, Franklin, Essex, Hamilton counties
Topics: HIV/AIDS Prevention Education
Methodology: Programs will reflect behavior change models including group series based sessions and individual one on one behavior change counseling.
Audience: All. Kindergarten thru college students, businesses and health care professionals. Special focus will be on at risk populations such as substance users, men who have sex with men, and youth.
Charge: None.
Other: HIV/AIDS seminar topics include Communicating with pre-teens and teens, about making healthy choices and Popular Opinion Leader (“POL”) peer, prevention group.
Behavioral Health Services North – “Stop DV”
Contact: Susan Kelley
1(888) 563-6904, M – F, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Serves: People residing in, but not limited to Essex and Clinton Counties.
Topics: “DV 101”, Teen Dating Violence, “How Domestic Violence Effects Children”.
Methodology: Interactive format whenever possible. Methods vary, depending on audience.
Audience: Middle and High School students, faculty, childcare providers.
Charge: None.
Other: This agency offers a full range of services for victims of domestic violence.
Serves: Saratoga & Albany counties
Topics: Childbirth Education, Childbirth Options, Maternity Care Services, The Normalcy of Pregnancy & Birth, Natural Childbirth, Midwifery Care, Labor Support, Consumer information & advocacy for pregnant women.
Methodology: Speakers, films, demonstrations, posters, slides, Q&A, Open Sessions, “Information Nights.”
Audience: Young men and women, not yet pregnant, pregnant women and their partners, college and HS students, general public.
Charge: None. Donations are accepted toward travel and photocopying expenses.
Other: BirthNet provides education about the normalcy of birth. This includes giving accurate and evidenced-based information to younger women and girls as part of their education about reproduction and reproductive rights.
Catholic Charities of Franklin County
Contact: Jason Dumas
(518) 483-1460 or 483-6113
Serves: Franklin, Clinton, Essex and St. Lawrence counties
Topics: Program called “Healthy Choices Healthy Lives”
"Waiting ‘Till Marriage", "Relationship Building Skills", "Love vs. Lust", and "Media Influence".
Methodology: Many hands-on activities, games and props.
Audience: 7th –12th grades, parent groups, clubs, camps, churches, youth groups and social services.
Contact: Christina Campagna
(518) 3584-6042 (youth home)
Serves: Saratoga County
Topics: Discussion of specific triggers and pressures of youth smoking. Program discusses health hazards of smoking, also making healthy lifestyle choices, developing problem solving and communication skills.
Street Smart Program targets at risk youths with HIV prevention and education. This free 8 session course also discusses coping and decision making skills.
Methodology: Interactive group sessions involving role play, activities and worksheets.
Audience: Ages 12 and up who are at risk or currently involved in high risk behaviors. Groups limited to 12 students. Minimum of 6 participants.
Charge: None.
Champlain Valley Family Center
Contact: Chrisa O'Connell
(518) 561-8480
Serves: Clinton (primarily)
Topics: All topics related to substance use/abuse. Sample topics: Alcohol & Family Dynamics, Marijuana’s Impact On The Individual, Ecstasy and Other Club Drugs, Danger of Inhalants (Parent’s Program), Overview of Current Trends.
Methodology: Variety of presentation formats depending on audience, education and professional training (for professional contact hours) available.
Audience: Students, parents, faculty, community members, professionals.
Charge: None.
Other: Individuals encouraged to contact CVFC for information/resources on substance abuse issues.
Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country, Inc.
Contact: Jamie L. Basiliere
(518) 561-4999 & (800) 540-2273, M – F, 8:00am – 4:00pm, Tuesdays till 6:30 pm
Serves: Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties
e-mail: cccouncil@primelink1.net
Topics: Variety of presentations on topics such as positive discipline, cooperative games with children, utilizing community resources, and other workshops focused on child development and families’ strengths.
Methodology: Workshops, presentations, table displays etc.
Audience: Teachers and other school personnel, parents of children in school
Charge: None. Donations are accepted.
Clinton County Health Department
(518) 565-4840, M – F, 8:00am – 5:00pm
(518) 565-4490 health info line
www.clintonhealth.org
Serves: Clinton County
Topics: Variety of health topics ranging from prenatal to elder care.
Methodology: Varies with audience, grade level, topic etc.
Resource (one time presentations)
Audience: All ages.
Charge: None.
www.realitycheckny.com
Clinton & Essex County – Dana Isabella (518) 561-8480 cell: 570-7784
Franklin County – Linda LaFave (518) 483-8980
email: youthempowerment@citizenadvocates.net
Fulton & Hamilton County – Denise Benton (518) 762-8313
Saratoga County – Greg Stevens (518) 885-8995
Warren County - Rachel Heym, (518) 746-0200 or 746-1527
Washington County – Abby Sharpe (518) 746-2560
Topics: The tobacco industry’s manipulative marketing techniques, Youth Empowerment.
Methodology: Plan events and meetings for teens. Educate teens about Big Tobacco and the manipulative tactics used against kids to get them to smoke.
Audience: Teens, 13-18 (regardless of smoking status).
Charge: None.
Other: Reality Check is “a Branded Movement.” At events, Reality Check hands out gear with their logo on it so teens will sport their brand, rather than Big Tobacco’s. Reality Check does not focus on cessation or the health risks of tobacco use but rather the unfair and deceptive practices of tobacco companies.
Washington County Community Maternity Services
Contact: Dahlia DelDebbio
(518) 642-1471, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Serves: Washington county
Topics: relationships, sexuality, teen pregnancy, abstinence centered family life education, peer pressure, self esteem and decision making.
Methodology: Presentations, role-playing, audiovisual aids- depends on topic, audience and age of participants.
Audience: Junior and Senior high school students, school personnel and parents of adolescents.
Charge: None.
Other: Flexible scheduling-available evenings and weekends.
Rape Crisis Sexual Assault Support Services of Warren County
Contact: Leigh Anne Healy, Coordinator
(518) 792-4305
Serves: Warren & part of Hamilton counties
Topics: Healthy relationships, sexual abuse, rape, dating violence, sexual harassment, parent education re: child sexual abuse, and bullying.
Audience: Children, teens, adults, parents & professionals.
Charge: None.
Contact: Amy Wise, Director
(518) 747-8849
Serves: Washington county
Topics: K-6, Safe Touch Program, 7 – 12, sexual harassment, date rape, child sexual abuse, dating violence.
Methodology: Interactive discussions, videos, storyboards and puppets (K-6)
Audience: K-12
Charge: None.
Tammy Dunckley (518) 374-5353, ext. 3260
Serves: Warren, Washington & Saratoga Counties
Topics: abstinence, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, dating violence, sexual harassment & sexual orientation.
Methodology: interactive role play; theater skits.
Audience: Public & private schools, parent-teacher organizations, youth groups, church/faith communities, HHS agencies.
Other: To date it’s had 145 trained peer education members, presented over 250 public presentations in our 13 years. In addition, Teen view has educated approx. 26,200 audience members.
Council for Prevention of Alcohol & Substance Abuse
Contact: Jen Wood, Coordinator of School Based Services
(518) 746-1527, M – F, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Serves: Warren & Washington Counties.
Topics: Alcohol and substance use awareness and education. Prevention education including; good decision making, refusal skills, specific substance education, positive alternatives to alcohol & substance use, peer leaderships & prevention issues, parenting & prevention.
Methodology: single or multiple session presentations using a structured format and clear learning objectives. Presentations may include research-based curriculum that target alcohol and other substance use and additional prevention education strategies.
Audience: K-12, Faculty, Administrators, Parents, Communities, Organizations.
Charge: None for Community Departments, schools may have a charge.
Domestic Violence Services/Saratoga Rape Crisis
Contact: Anne Winter
(518) 583-0280, M – F, 9:00am – 5:00pm
24 hour Hotline – 518-587-2336
Serves: Saratoga County
Topics: Dating Violence, Dynamics of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Prevention Education, Healthy Relationships, Personal Safety, Legal Issues.
Methodology: Videos, lectures, audience participation, role-play and handouts.
Audience: Middle and High School, college students, adults and professional trainings.
Charge: None.
Domestic Violence Project (of Warren & Washington Counties)
A program of Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties
Contact: Sharon King, Youth Services Coordinator
(518) 793-9496, M – F, 9:00am – 5:00pm 24 hour hotline (518) 793-9496
Serves: Children and young adults in Saratoga, Warren & Washington counties
Topics: Relationship abuse prevention programs
Methodology: Specializing in multi-session, prevention focused, engagement based programs to prevent relationship abuse. Topics include deconstructing gender stereotypes, media literacy and understanding sexism: Activities, videos and facilitated discussion are used to help young people understand how cultural attitudes and beliefs perpetuate inequality in relationships. Special attention is given to exporting how mass media influences gender roles, power and control. Creative and flexible programs are created for any youth setting.
Audience: Middle School through young adult ages.
Charge: None.
Other: Presentations are available to professionals and others who interact with children. Topics include how children are affected by living with an abuser; how adults can foster resiliency in children.
*Eight weekly education based groups are available for women who want to learn more about the effects of domestic violence on their children including parenting support, information about power and control, how to respond to children’s needs after witnessing abuse, and other domestic violence related subjects.
*Crisis intervention, safety planning, supportive counseling and advocacy available to youth who have witnessed abuse at home or are experiencing abuse from a dating partner.
Other programming includes: crisis intervention, supportive counseling, advocacy, temporary emergency shelter, 24-hour hotline. General support groups and services for elder abuse victims are also available.
Eat Smart New York (Cornell Cooperative Extension - Essex and Clinton Counties)
Contact:
Dottie Wehnau
(518) 962-4810, M - F, 8:30am - 4:30pm
Serves: Essex
Topics: Community Nutrition - Diabetes Support Group, Diabetic and Heart
Healthy meal planning, food safety, label reading, senior nutrition, smart food
shopping, physical activity and healthy eating for weight maintenance.
Methodology: Hands on
approach.
Audience: Resource limited individuals, families, youth and
teen groups, senior and adult groups, school groups serving students qualified
for free or reduced price school groups, WIC participants, EBT participants (food
stamps), breastfeeding moms.
Charge: None.
Contact: Sue Allott, RN, MS
(518) 873-3511, or 1-800-797-5772 8:00am – 2:30pm www.hived@co.essex.ny.us
Serves: Essex County
Mission: To increase HIV awareness through education, outreach, counseling and testing services.
Topics: HIV/AIDS and the immune system, transmission and stages of infection, counseling and testing, peer pressure and bullying, substance use and HIV risk, self-esteem and resilience, prevention of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, relationships, tattooing & body piercing, decision-making, goal setting and value clarification, harm reduction techniques, communication and negotiation skills, viral hepatitis, healthy alternatives, bloodborne pathogens, HIV testing consent requirements, HIV confidentiality law, partner notification and standard precautions.
Methodology: Interactive programs are tailored to the specific needs of the individual or group, and are free of charge. Peer education training and support is also available. Parent opt out forms and demonstration of latex barriers are optional.
Audience: Health care agencies, students, health care workers, law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, service organizations, mental health organizations, educators, businesses, parent groups, individuals, substance users and youth organizations.
Other: Agency also provides anonymous and confidential HIV counseling and testing.
Contacts: Brandy Richards, Prevention Educator
Ellen Craig, Prevention Educator
Kevin Elkin, Prevention Educator
Phone: (518) 648-5355 or 1-888-825-9077 Fax: (518) 648-6437
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Serves: Hamilton County
E-mail: hccs.frontiernet.net
Topics: Variety of research-based prevention programs on topics such as substance abuse, life skills, character education, decision-making, goal setting, parenting, sexuality, anger management, peer pressure, refusal skills and mentoring.
Methodology: Workshops, presentations, fairs, table displays,
Audience: Students, teachers and other school personnel, parents, community members.
Charge: None.
Contact: Cyndi Topnick, Director of Education and Sexual Assault Services or Rory Dumas, Education Services Coordinator
Phone: (518) 825-6277, ext 102 (Cyndi) or ext 104 (Rory) Hours: M – F, 8:00am – 4:00pm
Serves: Clinton & Franklin counties
Topics: Sexual abuse prevention, sexual assault prevention, sexual harassment, personal safety.
Methodology: Puppet shows, role-plays, literature, interactive activities, discussion group, videos.
Audience: Head Start/Preschool, K-12, college adult.
Charge: Free
Other: Education staff are available to provide educational programs in school settings, colleges and universities, and community organizations.
Serves: Saratoga County
Topics: Substance abuse prevention-both school and community based.
Methodology: School prevention curricula, pre-K through high school, Student Assistance Program, prevention counseling for teens in school, Safe Spring Campaign and county-wide SADD, Cool Out of School, summer and after school prevention services, Adirondack Tobacco Free Network, Saratoga County Youth Court, DWI prevention and victim impact panels, Saratoga Partnership for Prevention, Strengthening Families, and TIPS.
Audience: Community Education for all ages.
Charge: Varies, depending on the program & training budget.
Link to the Southern Adirondack Tobacco Free Coalition
Also available is a Resource Guide that the Adirondack Rural Health Network has put together. You may access this page at http://arhn.adk.biz/.