BBCC's Replace Fed $$$ Fund Phase 1
Donation protected
Don’t you wish you could stand right beside your kids 24/7 and make sure they were safe? It’s so scary to think that during the tween and teen years, our kids will face life and death decisions.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was an organization right here in our community who’s purpose was to keep our kids away from danger and out of trouble? Well, there is. The Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition (BBCC) exists for that purpose.
Unfortunately, its primary funding source, the Drug Free Communities Federal Grant has expired and is no longer available to BBCC. This grant accounted for 53% of BBCC's funding.
Originally created in 1994 by a group of concerned Seaholm High School parents, the BBCC’s mission is to raise awareness and mobilize the entire community to prevent the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, with a primary focus on our youth.
In the years since, the BBCC has earned not one but two federal grants. With that money, they have educated us and our kids. Through their Youth Action Board have organized fun, drug-free events for our community. They have provided invaluable resources, been a positive influence and collaborated with organizations from local businesses to law enforcement, uniting our community in ensuring the best and brightest future for our youth. They have been saving lives.
What will they do when the money runs out? They could drastically reduce the scope and effectiveness of their efforts. But the dangers facing our kids today are only increasing.
They’ve had our back for so many years now, shouldn’t we have theirs?
What can you do? You can make a monetary donation here and then pass this along to people you know. Make a commitment to make a difference.
Go to http://www.bbcoalition.org/home.htm to learn more.
Join the BBCC in finding a way to survive and thrive. If we do, our kids will too.
-- Beth Tetrault, Derby Middle School parent
How have the federal grant dollars made a difference? With the federal Drug Free Community grant dollars, BBCC has been able to take a research-driven, evidenced-based approach to substance abuse prevention amongst youth. As a result, the BBCC has been able to laser focus directly on the youth in our community and achieve reductions in alcohol and tobacco use amongst our own teens as shown in BBCC's bi-annual teen substance use survey of 5,000 8th-12th graders. Of note are decreases in 30-day use of alcohol by 14.4%, tobacco by 6.4% and marijuana by 5.7% from 2009 to 2015.
But our data also shows quite a few areas of concern in terms of substance abuse among 11th and 12th grade students in terms of binge drinking, drinking and driving, smoking and driving and a low perception of harm associated with alcohol and marijuana use.
There is much more to be done, and the past 10 years of targeted programs and activities show that positive outcomes can be occur with adequate funding, that youth focused prevention works and needs to continue if we are to provide a safe, supportive, healthy environment for our children to grow up in.
Please note: All funds raised go directly to BBCC and the Youth Action Board's programs and services.
BBCC puts youth in the forefront of prevention efforts through its Youth Action Board (YAB), an inclusive group of area high school teens that volunteer their time to have a voice and presence on issues teens face.
BBCC and the YAB believe it is important to provide teens with a venue to showcase their unique talents and have fun all while enjoying an event free of substances and the pressures that come with that type of situation.
CHOICES Youth-led Dialogue Day is an annual event planned by the YAB and dedicated to educating students about the law by helping them understand the ramifications of decisions involving substance abuse. The live court sessions, from 48th District Court, and personal testimonial from a young person in recovery, demonstrate the real-life consequences that come with impulsive decisions to use drugs and alcohol. Over 125 high school teens attend and share their experiences, reactions and solutions to what they heard during the breakout group sessions.
Middle School Transitions Program “The Truths and Consequences of Substance Use,” is offered to middle schools to help clarify misperceptions about drug/alcohol use in high school, with compelling facts and data in an interactive format.
BBCC partners with Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA) and the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities (ACHC), to provide education to tobacco and alcohol retailers in the community to reduce the likelihood of these substances being sold to underage youth. With the Sticker Shock Campaign, BBCC partners with local alcohol retailers to put reminders in the store that providing alcohol to minors is illegal along with the associated penalty.
Ultimately, a young person's chance of abusing substances can be reduced by focusing on their overall mental health and wellness. BBCC has taken several steps to build awareness through education and support for teens, parents and others supporting our youth.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was an organization right here in our community who’s purpose was to keep our kids away from danger and out of trouble? Well, there is. The Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition (BBCC) exists for that purpose.
Unfortunately, its primary funding source, the Drug Free Communities Federal Grant has expired and is no longer available to BBCC. This grant accounted for 53% of BBCC's funding.
Originally created in 1994 by a group of concerned Seaholm High School parents, the BBCC’s mission is to raise awareness and mobilize the entire community to prevent the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, with a primary focus on our youth.
In the years since, the BBCC has earned not one but two federal grants. With that money, they have educated us and our kids. Through their Youth Action Board have organized fun, drug-free events for our community. They have provided invaluable resources, been a positive influence and collaborated with organizations from local businesses to law enforcement, uniting our community in ensuring the best and brightest future for our youth. They have been saving lives.
What will they do when the money runs out? They could drastically reduce the scope and effectiveness of their efforts. But the dangers facing our kids today are only increasing.
They’ve had our back for so many years now, shouldn’t we have theirs?
What can you do? You can make a monetary donation here and then pass this along to people you know. Make a commitment to make a difference.
Go to http://www.bbcoalition.org/home.htm to learn more.
Join the BBCC in finding a way to survive and thrive. If we do, our kids will too.
-- Beth Tetrault, Derby Middle School parent
How have the federal grant dollars made a difference? With the federal Drug Free Community grant dollars, BBCC has been able to take a research-driven, evidenced-based approach to substance abuse prevention amongst youth. As a result, the BBCC has been able to laser focus directly on the youth in our community and achieve reductions in alcohol and tobacco use amongst our own teens as shown in BBCC's bi-annual teen substance use survey of 5,000 8th-12th graders. Of note are decreases in 30-day use of alcohol by 14.4%, tobacco by 6.4% and marijuana by 5.7% from 2009 to 2015.
But our data also shows quite a few areas of concern in terms of substance abuse among 11th and 12th grade students in terms of binge drinking, drinking and driving, smoking and driving and a low perception of harm associated with alcohol and marijuana use.
There is much more to be done, and the past 10 years of targeted programs and activities show that positive outcomes can be occur with adequate funding, that youth focused prevention works and needs to continue if we are to provide a safe, supportive, healthy environment for our children to grow up in.
Please note: All funds raised go directly to BBCC and the Youth Action Board's programs and services.
BBCC puts youth in the forefront of prevention efforts through its Youth Action Board (YAB), an inclusive group of area high school teens that volunteer their time to have a voice and presence on issues teens face.BBCC and the YAB believe it is important to provide teens with a venue to showcase their unique talents and have fun all while enjoying an event free of substances and the pressures that come with that type of situation.CHOICES Youth-led Dialogue Day is an annual event planned by the YAB and dedicated to educating students about the law by helping them understand the ramifications of decisions involving substance abuse. The live court sessions, from 48th District Court, and personal testimonial from a young person in recovery, demonstrate the real-life consequences that come with impulsive decisions to use drugs and alcohol. Over 125 high school teens attend and share their experiences, reactions and solutions to what they heard during the breakout group sessions. Middle School Transitions Program “The Truths and Consequences of Substance Use,” is offered to middle schools to help clarify misperceptions about drug/alcohol use in high school, with compelling facts and data in an interactive format.BBCC partners with Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA) and the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities (ACHC), to provide education to tobacco and alcohol retailers in the community to reduce the likelihood of these substances being sold to underage youth. With the Sticker Shock Campaign, BBCC partners with local alcohol retailers to put reminders in the store that providing alcohol to minors is illegal along with the associated penalty.Ultimately, a young person's chance of abusing substances can be reduced by focusing on their overall mental health and wellness. BBCC has taken several steps to build awareness through education and support for teens, parents and others supporting our youth.Organizer and beneficiary
Carol Mastroianni
Organizer
Bloomfield Hills, MI
BBCC & the YAB
Beneficiary
