Foxcroft Academy staff presented information on the "Every 15 Minutes" program, designed to demonstrate to teens the consequences of drinking and driving. FA is planning this community program for the end of the school year, as Greenville schools did in 2005. Robin Mayo said the goal will be to offer the program in the future in other communities in our region: Milo, Dexter and Guilford.

Andrew Harmon discussed the American Cancer Society's efforts to promote colon cancer screening through the use of informational paycheck stuffers. The goal is to encourage more people to have screening colonoscopies, so that prevention and early detection rates improve. The Society would like to increase the colon cancer screening rates from 40-50% up to 75-80%, on a par with breast cancer screening.

Dawna Blackstone, Greenville school health coordinator, shared her school wellness policy, which is in final draft form. The document focuses on nutrition and physical activity. The SAD 41 draft wellness policy was also shared, although still under review by the board's policy committee.

Dr. McDermott reviewed the "Weighing Action" initiative supported through the Maine Center for Public Health. This effort takes the youth overweight collaborative model and extends it to the adult population. Mayo was one of 10 healthcare organizations statewide to be recognized recently for leadership in the management of obesity. Mayo Regional Hospital will also promote BMI awareness at its health fair to be held April 1 at the Chamber of Commerce spring Expo.

Council members also felt that acquiring the educational version of the "Super Size Me" video would prove valuable in getting across the message on the need to promote healthy weight and proper nutrition.

Robin discussed the recent review of mini-grant applications, noting approval was given to support a wellness event in SAD 41 and for a senior health fair. She noted future mini-grant awards will be based on HMP goals and objectives, and that a major area of emphasis will be on worksite wellness in order to engage area employers.

Robin distributed The University of Maine Cooperative Extension's Wellness Matters newsletter. This is a quarterly publication that is provided free of charge to area businesses, schools, or individuals. If individuals or groups are interested in receiving copies of the newsletters they can be requested by calling 564-3301 or 1-800-287-1491. Enough copies can be requested to give to all employees in a particular business or several individuals belonging to a group or individuals can request to receive copies.

On April 3, 2006 Healthy Maine Partnerships will be celebrating 5 Years of success at the Augusta Civic Center. The Piscataquis Public Health Council will be recognizing the Piscataquis County Youth Overweight Collaborative for the efforts this group has made in promoting healthy weight awareness by involving physicians and their office staff, school nurses, superintendents, physical education teachers, school nutrition service staff, community members, families and youth. Individuals recognized include: David McDermott, MD, Gretchen Huot, MD, Debbie Dyer, John Dirnbauer, Tom Lizotte, Sherry Gaudet, also recognized were the great work of the school health coordinators and school staff that helped make this initiative such a great success. The PPHC will also have a display board at the event that will highlight some of the great achievements that have been made over the existence of Healthy Maine Partnership. School Health Coordinators were asked to submit pictures and/or items to be displayed that will highlight their achievements. Robin and each school health coordinator have completed portfolios that summarize the accomplishments achieved to date; these will be submitted to the State as a reporting tool.

Robin with the collaborative help of the school health coordinators submitted and was awarded a Maine Nutrition Network Minigrant in the amount of $6,665 to conduct four nutrition educational school events that will involve youth and families. Highlights to the educational events will involve 5-2-1-0, food safety, food preparation, stretching the food dollar, and increasing fruits and vegetables. Community partners that will be invited to participate include WIC, Cooperative Extension, Food Stamp representatives, and local area food cupboards.

The Piscataquis Public Health Council has been successful in receiving an additional $21,273 over this past year to address tobacco related health disparities, diabetes awareness, and nutrition education.

The Piscataquis Public Health Council in collaboration with Workwise, Southern Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce, and the Business Alliance are working to promote worksite wellness. Presentations have been made to the Board of Directors of the Southern Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce and the Business Alliance. There are some great Worksite Wellness Initiatives being done at the larger employers in Piscataquis County. The goal of the Worksite Wellness Initiative is to assist smaller employers in promoting worksite wellness. To develop a Piscataquis County Worksite Wellness Network where local businesses can support one another in initiating successful worksite wellness initiatives. Plans are to hire a Worksite Wellness Coordinator that will work with local business representatives to promote Worksite Wellness.

Robin encouraged applying for the Carol White Physical Education Grant; she has been exploring the possibilities of multiple districts applying together. Both Union #60 and MSAD #68 are interested in applying, discussions are on-going as to whether they will be applying jointly or separately.

Robin asked for volunteers on planning a local recognition event. Michele Janes and Dawna Blackstone volunteered to work on this project.

Amelia Butman, a member of the Greenville Mentors Offering Anti-Smoking Education (MOOSE) Group, is one of six being recognized across the State by WLBZ Channel 2 to receive the “Teens Who Care Award.” A celebration is planned in Portland and TV spots will air that will highlight their achievements. Congratulations Amelia, we are proud of her accomplishments.

Robin distributed several handouts that provided an update on the utilization of the Tobacco Settlement Dollars, description of the new reporting tool, and identified the new HMP goals for 2006-2007 for community and schools. Robin also provided an update on the Tobacco Helpline, calls have increased since the tobacco tax increase. The Maine Tobacco Helpline has provided services to 24,820 callers from August 2001 through June 2005. In 2005, the Helpline is serving about 5% of adult smokers in Maine – one of the highest percentages in the nation. Smokers who use the Helpline are significantly more likely to quit than smokers who attempt to quit on their own without treatment. Maine retailer cigarette sales to minors is still an issue that needs intervention. Robin requested that all SHC's have their workplans and budgets into her by March 20. The draft workplan and budgets are due into the State Bureau of Health by March 27.

The Guilford Expo is planned for March 31-April 1 at the Guilford High School. The PPHC will have a booth at this event. All were encouraged to come to the Expo and see the many exhibitors.

Next meeting: Wednesday, June 7, 1-3 p.m. at Mayo.

Minutes submitted by Tom Lizotte