FACES Pressroom
The long a waited FACES Website is now up and running! Please give it a long glance and let us know what you think! We are adding more everyday, so if you do not see what you want now, please check back periodically! Feel free to give us suggestions in our contact us area of the site.
The Pressroom is where we will list things of importance to the FAB and any other interested parties.
Other News
ChittendenSpectrum's Youth & Family Wellness Project
Youth and Family Wellness Project
Support for parents, family members, and caregivers
Help a young person in your life overcome substance abuse:
Research on adolescent substance abuse treatment shows us that the greatest success is achieved when young people have a support system involved in the recovery process. At Spectrum, we know that this support system may be made up of friends, family, and caregivers, and that you in turn need support and resources to help the young person in your life through recovery.
The Youth & Family Wellness Project (YFWP) is a free, comprehensive recovery program that provides outreach, support, and education to parents and caregivers who are helping to support a young person’s recovery.
Who can participate?
The YFWP provides continuous, personalized support to parents, family members, and caregivers that are instrumental in the recovery of a young person with substance use issues. Anyone who wants to help a young person overcome substance abuse may make use of the services provided by the YFWP. YFWP services are not limited to people connected to youths currently enrolled in Spectrum services.
What kinds of services are offered?
∙ A full-time Family Wellness Coach (FWC) is available to provide individual, group, and family support. The FWC can also help develop a Family Wellness Plan that will help guide the family and youth through the recovery process.
∙ Support services, including educational groups, adult support groups, and family recovery support skills groups.
∙ Recovery role models and mentors available to meet and talk with adult allies.
∙ Access to the educational materials in the Family Resource Room at Spectrum, which include emotional and skill-based information.
In addition to the services offered by the YFWP, parents and caregivers may also seek counseling from Spectrum throughout the substance abuse recovery process.
How do I get started with the YFWP?
For more information, to make a referral, or to sign-up for the Youth & Family Wellness Project, please contact:
Mary Laskowski, Spectrum Family Wellness Coach
(802) 864-7423 ext. 390
mlaskowski@spectrum.org
www.spectrumvt.org
Out of StateFaces and Voices of Recovery
Faces & Voices of Recovery is committed to organizing and mobilizing the millions of Americans in long-term recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction, our families, friends, and allies to speak with one voice. Join Together
Join Together leads initiatives to help communities respond to the harms caused by excessive alcohol and drug use and provides free internet services supporting their efforts. Learn about Join Together's current web-based services and other programs. TIME TO ACT!! How to Tell if Your Teen is Using and Taking Action to Intervene
-From the Partnership for a Drug Free America
Don't panic. You can do this.
If you suspect or know your child is using drugs or alcohol, it is important to take action right away. You have already taken an important step by visiting this website to learn more. So don't give up.
Please visit the interactive website by clicking the title above WashingtonVADAAC's Letter to Governor Douglas
State of Vermont
Vermont Department of Education
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-2501
August 31, 2009
Honorable Governor James Douglas
109 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05609-0101
Dear Governor Douglas,
I am writing to you to inform you of pending federal legislation that could have catastrophic effects for students in Vermont. Our understanding is that Congress has taken action to zero out the State Grants portion of the Safe and Drug- Free Schools Program (Title IV Part A of NCLB). This has been passed by the full House and approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee under appropriations bill HR 3293. It has not yet been passed by the full Senate and awaits action upon the Senate’s return from recess. All indications from our Congressional delegation are that the budget will be up for floor action in early October.
The concern about eliminating this program is that it supports important infrastructure in our state and school districts that provide support, technical assistance, mentoring and guidance. This program is presently designed to be distributed by formula. Virtually all school districts in the United States receive funds to target issues that involve drug and alcohol abuse, school violence, delinquency and discipline problems, hazing, harassment and bullying. These funds help create a well-disciplined environment conducive to learning, which includes consultation between teachers, principals and other school personnel to identify early warning signs of drug use and violence and to provide behavioral interventions as part of classroom management efforts. They promote the involvement of parents and coordination with community groups and coalitions. Results are measured and evaluated to assess progress toward achieving performance measures based on scientifically based research. These measures are proven to reduce violence and illegal drug use. In fact, many of our districts use these funds to help support SAP counselors and School Resource Officers.
The effort undertaken by Congress comes at the request of the Administration to turn this program from formula grants to competitive grants. In fact, the current program is funded at $295 million and would be reduced to $100 million. Vermont received $1,138,678 in federal FY 2009. This approach flies in the face of Vermont’s commitment to equal educational opportunity. Competitive grants would pit school district against school district. Only the wealthier and larger districts would potentially have the resources to hire grant writers to formulate proposals. In truth, Vermont (and all small rural states) would be at a huge disadvantage to large urban districts in its ability to access any of these funds if the process changes as is proposed.
Our staff has been in close contact with Vermont’s Congressional delegation. We have been assured that they will do all they can to fight this proposal. However, they have stated that they can not do this alone and will need the support of a broad coalition and considerable effort to fight the inequity of this proposal.
Governor Douglas, I ask you in your capacity as Chair of the National Governor’s Association to seek the support of your organization and reach out to your membership in attempting to return formula funding to the Safe and Drug-Free Program.
I thank you in advance.
Sincerely,
Armando Vilaseca
Commissioner
Vermont Department of Education
Cc:
Jeff Francis, Vt. Superintendents Association
John Nelson, Vt. School Boards Association
Ken Page, Vt. Principals Association
Joel Cook, Vt. NEA
Kathryn Toomajian, Staff to Senator Leahy
Emily Bishop, Staff to Senator Sanders
Stephanie Krenrich, Staff to Congressman Welch
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Aug. 26 - Wit's End Support Group in Burlington, VermontSep. 1 - Clergy Training: Understanding the Impact of Addiction and Supporting RecoverySep. 2 - Kingdom Recovery Center's Recovery Walk & Candlelight Vigil See the full list!
COMMENT ON THE CLASSIFICATION, DEFINITION, MARKETING, SALE, AND TAXATION OF FLAVORED MALT BEVERAGES AND ALCOHOL ENERGY DTIME TO ACT!! How to Tell if Your Teen is Using and Taking Action to Intervene- From the Partnership for a Drug Free AmeFACES Project is now VT FACES NETWORK See the full list!
