Robin Mayo provided news on the status of the RFP process for the Healthy Maine Partnerships, noting that contracts will be extended one year from June 30, 2006, in order to allow the state more time for public health infrastructure planning. The state has proposed reducing the 31 HMPs down to 9 regions, and combining Piscataquis County with Penobscot. It was felt that Piscataquis would be a better fit with Somerset, if such geographic groupings come to pass.

Robin also provided updates on the following issues:

• The regional Healthy Dining Out guides have been distributed.
• Mayo Regional Hospital will be offering free tobacco session workshops on a monthly basis in 2006.
• PPHC is working with the Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce to explore whether a Worksite Wellness initiative might be launched with local employers.
• The PPHC mini-grant program's next deadlines are Feb. 15 and April 15.
• DeepInTheMaineWoods.org, a regional online events calendar, has been launched. Robin distributed information on usage.
• A Community Walking Trail is being developed on the Mayo hospital campus.
• Robin is working with the Mayo medical staff and Obstetrics Dept. on "Every Mother's Wish," providing tobacco cessation education for pregnant women.
• All Dexter recreation areas have been tobacco-free since November.

School health coordinators shared their efforts since PPHC's September meeting on improving school nutrition.

In Greenville schools, food service staff met with Penquis CAP's Chuck Leithiser and the school Wellness Council to discuss childhood obesity, serving sizes, etc. They are working on a local wellness policy.

In Guilford schools, a vending machine policy is being developed, and a year-long wellness policy revision is under way.

In Dover-Foxcroft schools, the food service director listed nearly 20 improvement to the school lunch program undertaken over the past two years.

In Milo schools, a wellness policy is being prepared for a first reading by the school board's policy committee.

Chuck Leithiser has met with cafeteria workers to talk about how children can benefit from school lunch programs, how lunches fit into dietary guidelines, the importance of addressing childhood obesity, and how schools can help children learn to eat healthy foods.

Dr. David McDermott provided an update on the Piscataquis County Youth Overweight Collaborative. He reported that area physician offices are routinely conducting Body Mass Index assessments on children, and are reinforcing the 5210 message. The PCYOC presented information to Education Commissioner Gendron and the Maine State Superintendents' Leadership Council on the issue of overweight youth and how healthcare providers are collaborating with Piscataquis County schools. The importance of getting school superintendents involved in this effort was emphasized.

Supt. Stearns noted there is the potential for presenting a mixed message on the 2-hour restriction on screen time in the 5210 approach, since screen time includes computer time and schools are also encouraging their students to use the state-provided lap top computers in their daily learning.

Greg Bellemare cited the need to more broadly project the message on childhood obesity for the audience of parents, since many families who need to be exposed to the issues are not being reached. It was suggested that a local showing of the movie "Super Size Me," about the dangers of fast food consumption, be arranged.

Catherine Hamel and Melinda Harris of Penquis CAP, coordinators for the Youth Ideas and Partnership Project (YIPP), gave a presentation on that program, which is based on the Developmental Assets Model created by the Search Institute. YIPP aims to increase youth assets through community service, bonding with adults and skill building for youth aged 12-18 in Piscataquis County.

Supt. Stearns remarked that the assets inventory is very data driven, and thus correlates directly to the academic performance measured by Maine Learning Results. Renee Tash said the inventory was used 5 years ago by Mayo's Counseling Program and pinpointed a lack of community support for youth, yet efforts to get the public involved in building youth assets went for naught.

YIPP intends to start with youth groups in Dover-Foxcroft, Milo, Guilford and Greenville and will target 8 specific developmental assets, with activities designed to build those assets. Schools in those four communities were asked to refer at-risk youths to the program.

Jane Conroy discussed starting a Walking Safely program that might help improve visibility of walkers by providing reflective tape for garments, flashlights, etc. It was agreed that PPHC might be able to support this concept through the mini-grant program in 2006.

Next meeting: Wednesday, March 15, 1-3 p.m. at Mayo Regional Hospital in the Sebec Room.

Minutes submitted by Tom Lizotte