Community Alliance for Teen Safety

Annual Report 2014

Promoting safe homes & communities since 1996!

Community Alliance for Teen Safety www.catsnh.org

1 Hood Road | PO Box 1225 | Derry, NH 03038 | 603.434.5251 | info@catsnh.org

Board of Directors

Frank LeBlanc, President

Phyllis DiPrima-Johnson, Vice President

Kathleen Marino, Treasurer

M. Kathryn McCarroll, Secretary

Patricia DiMeo

Kim Kilpatrick

Aaron Mohammed

Abrielle Plummer

Elizabeth Verity

“We have looked to Community Alliance for Teen Safety (CATS) to coordinate with many entities in our

community to facilitate attempting to prevent injury and death associated with texting and driving.

CATS has a long history of supporting our communities’ needs related to youth health and safety”.

Chief George Klauber, Derry NH Fire Department

“CATS has been an integral part of the formula to protect our youth”

Chief Edward Garone, Derry NH Police Department

Our mission is to promote safe habits for all youth by

increasing awareness of high-risk behaviors, encouraging

healthy choices, and fostering community alliances in

the greater Derry region of New Hampshire's Rockingham

County.

Staff

Sue Centner, Director

Kaitlyn Clarke, Youth Coordinator

Paula Galvin, Special Projects

Community Alliance for Teen Safety Promoting safe homes & communities!

Welcome and thank you for your interest in supporting the Community Alliance for Teen

Safety (CATS). Since 1996 the Community Alliance for Teen Safety has responded to the

needs of the greater Derry community. Our mission is to promote safe habits for all youth by

increasing awareness of high risk behaviors, encouraging healthy choices and fostering

community alliances.

We’ve been able to honor our mission by working with organizations and individuals like you.

As CATS continues to grow we invite you to grow with us. Please consider some of the many

ways you can support CATS. Subject matter expertise, dedicated interest in issues facing

youth and families, time to volunteer, and in-kind or financial contributions are all im-

portant and some of the ways you can be involved.

The Community Alliance for Teen Safety Staff and Board of Directors thank you for your

support.

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“My 2 girls are in the ProFuture/CATS club at Hood Middle School in Derry. I think this after school club is

absolutely wonderful. It teaches the kids so much, from community responsibility to the danger of drugs/alcohol.”

Jan Choiniere, Derry NH parent

History

Community Alliance for Teen Safety was founded in 1996 after

the greater Derry area experienced 11 fatal crashes involving

teen drivers during an 18-month period in 1995 and 1996.

Dr. Joseph Sabato, an emergency room doctor at Parkland Med-

ical Center, began to look at the crash epidemic while treating

some of the victims and counseling their families. Dr. Sabato

initiated the first taskforce meeting with the Derry Police De-

partment, Derry EMS and the NH Medical Examiner’s Office to

look for causes and solutions. According to data compiled from

the Derry Police Department, Department of Safety Fatal Acci-

dent Reporting System and Statewide Crash Data teen drivers

were involved in more than 40% of all crashes during this time.

Follow-up taskforce meetings attracted more individuals and organizations from surround-

ing communities to the table. Lack of seat belt use was identified as a common factor in

the deaths of the teens. In addition, risky behavior and the need for increased parent in-

volvement in their children’s driver education were also identified.

CATS focused on public outreach and education about safe driving as well as spearheaded

legislation to support a graduated licensing bill for teens, to increase the mandatory seat

belt age from 12 to 18, to review driver education programs, and to enact mandatory li-

cense suspension for moving violations of individuals under 20.

All four pieces of legislation passed and were signed into law in 1997. Then Governor

Jeanne Shaheen came to the Pinkerton Academy campus in

Derry to sign the legislation into law. The Community

Alliance for Teen Safety (CATS) was formed as a result of this

grassroots effort. After its first year of operating with volun-

teers and donations, CATS received a 4-year seed grant from

the NH Highway Safety Agency to support continued safe com-

munities efforts. In recognition of its safe communities efforts,

CATS was awarded the International Safe Communities Special

Achievement Award in 2000.

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Today

Community Alliance for Teen Safety

continues to be a force in the com-

munity that addresses high-risk be-

haviors. In addition to driving safe-

ty, CATS focuses on teen substance

misuse prevention, bullying preven-

tion, internet safety and media lit-

eracy, prescription drug disposal

and misuse awareness, as well as

issues related to the health and

safety of youth and families. CATS

sponsors a Safe Homes Network for

parents and produces studio roundtable discussions aired on Derry Cable Television as well

as PSAs and other media created by youth and community members.

CATS has maintained its fiscal sustainability over the years through diverse funding includ-

ing federal, state and municipal contracts and grants, foundation grants, fundraising activ-

ities, and donations.

The greater Derry community has grown in its responsiveness to concerns and issues as

they emerge. Ongoing collection and analysis of data, effective collaboration and sharing

of resources helps community members identify issues and emerging trends. This enables

increased participation in being informed and determining solutions.

Community Alliance for Teen Safety has effectively served as a central hub – connecting

the various ―spokes of the community wheel. Outreach to the community and in-reach to

CATS has been simultaneous and dynamic, establishing a prototype for looking at solving

community issues going forward. Whether it is the combined support of law enforcement

and the business community to support youth prevention activities such as Buyers Beware

Sticker Shock or working with other coalitions to plan regional prevention trainings, events

and activities, CATS has facilitated the growth of new and expanded linkages among the

various sectors of the community. This growth supports a sustainable approach to solving

problems and identifying measurable change at the community level.

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2014 Highlights

Community Project for Derry’s Middle Schools

American Pride Woodworking teamed up with the Community

Alliance for Teen Safety (CATS);

residents of the Granite House; and members of the Fostering

Student Connections (FSC) group at

Pinkerton Academy to create and decorate one-of-a-kind

wooden bins. Donations of school supplies from community

were collected for West Running Brook and Gilbert H. Hood

middle schools.

Child Passenger Safety and Seat Belt Education

The Derry Buckle Up NH coalition focused on driving safety,

youth and adult seat belt use, and child passenger safety ini-

tiatives during the year.

To raise awareness of the dangers of improperly installed

car seats and to provide an opportunity for parents to bring

their used car seats for proper disposal, the Derry coalition in

partnership with Safe Kids NH and the Injury Prevention Cen-

ter at Dartmouth held a child safety seat checkup and recy-

cling event in October.

Driving safety was a focus during the annual Derryfest in

September. CATS, NH DOT, NH Driving Towards Zero, Injury

Prevention Center, and Derry Police provided a variety of

safety information.

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“During recent years, CATS has become a strong partner in promoting teen highway safety and child passenger

safety efforts throughout the greater Derry community. CATS’ participation in Derry's Buckle Up New

Hampshire Coalition has had great value to the community.”

Howard Hedegard, Highway Safety Specialist, Injury Prevention Center at Dartmouth

2014 Highlights

CATS Produces Heroin Series with Derry CTV

To raise awareness of the heroin crisis impacting Derry and communities across NH, CATS

produced, in partnership with Derry Community Television, a series of shows that focused on

the medical/recovery, family, law enforcement, and state medical examiner’s perspectives.

Spreading the Buyer Beware Message

With assistance from the NH State Liquor Enforcement, CATS provided flyers for the state

liquor stores in Derry, Londonderry and Hampstead for Super Bowl Sunday, prom/

graduation, and the Christmas/New Year holidays. Flyers, given to all customers who pur-

chase liquor, remind adults to supervise minors and monitor access to alcohol and that

providing alcohol to minors is ALWAYS a criminal offense.

Supporting Safe Disposal of Prescription Drugs

In 2014 CATS supported the efforts of the

Derry Police to collect outdated or unwant-

ed prescription medicines during the 8th &

9th DEA National Prescription Drug Take

Back days in April and September The Derry

Police also have a permanent drop box

available 24/7 in their lobby donated by

CATS. Safe disposal removes access

especially by youth to these potentially

dangerous substances.

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Derry has collected over 2,154 pounds of

prescription medicine at these events.

2014 Highlights

AmeriCorps Vista and Friends RSVP Programs CATS was fortunate to be selected as a host site for the NH Catholic Charities AmeriCorps Vista Program in 2014 and welcomed new Vista member Bridget Croasdale from Manches-ter NH. CATS also welcomed Flo Fleming, volunteer from the Friends RSVP Program, in November. NH Traffic Safety Conference

Abby Plummer and Nicholas Bergstrom, seniors at Pinkerton Academy, help out at the annual NH Traffic Safety Conference in April sponsored by the NH Highway Safety Agency and supported by the Injury Prevention Center at Dartmouth College.

Profuture Club Celebrated Red Ribbon Week

Students planted the promise by planting tulip bulbs

at school, with their families, and at locations in the

community; handed out bulbs to important people in

their lives with the message to stay safe; read

announcements during school; conducted a quiz and

interviews about alcohol and other drugs statistics

with their teachers; coordinated a wear red day at

school; shared why they stay drug free and what they

can do this school year to encourage their peers to

stay drug-free.

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In early June all Gilbert H. Hood and West Running Brook middle school stu-dents participated in the 14th annual Making Good Choices survey of perceptions,

attitudes, and behavior related to substance use as well as other risky behaviors.

2014 Highlights

CATS Receives Award to Address Teen Driving Safety Issues CATS received an award in December from the Alexander Eastman Foundation to support efforts that will positively impact teen attitudes and behaviors related to risk taking while driving in the Derry community.

The project will provide information and education to youth and families related to safe

driving habits, intended to reduce the chance of death or injury to themselves and oth-

ers. CATS will engage youth and community in efforts to increase awareness of the im-

portance of seat belt use and driving without distraction, create a greater awareness of

the laws pertaining to teen drivers, and to foster a culture of driving safety among Derry

teens and the spirit of peer-to-peer reinforcement of safe practices as well as establish

advocacy across age groups. The project will benefit from the expertise and resources of

local and state partners in traffic and driving safety. Community will be invited to partici-

pate and support the project as it evolves.

Youth Create Public Service Announcements

Profuture Club members, in partnership with Derry Community TV,

created PSAs to convey their thoughts about alcohol and tobacco use.

Two examples are: 1) reminder for viewers of the social hosting laws

and to always celebrate safely during Super Bowl Sunday, and 2)

thank you to CVS for removing tobacco products from its stores.

Annual Award Recognition

CATS recognized six 8th graders from area middle

schools with the 3rd annual Dale Childs and John

Gleason awards given in memory of Board members

who cared deeply about the safety and wellbeing of

youth. The middle schools selected the students who

personified the traits valued by Gleason, Childs, and

CATS, including volunteer service, a good scholastic

record, extracurricular participation, and leadership

qualities.

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Samuel Korb Weider, Chester Academy

Anna Maria LoPresti, Hampstead MS

Xander Howe, West Running Brook MS

Meaghan Michaud, West Running Brook MS

Lindsay Farland, Gilbert H. Hood MS

Julia Bartoli, Gilbert H. Hood MS

Community Supporters

American Pride Woodworking Backmann Florist Benway-Johnston Insurance Inc. Betley Chevrolet Big Brother Big Sisters of Greater Nashua Caldwell Banker Residential Brokerage CCNH AmeriCorps VISTA Program Center for Life Management Chester Academy Community Prevention Collaborative Derry Community TV Derry Cooperative School District Derry Department of Public Health Derry Fire and EMS Departments Derry Masonic Association, St. Mark’s Lodge Derry News Derry Police Department Derry Public Library Derry Recreation Department Derry Village Rotary Club Dunkin Donuts, Crystal Ave, Derry Etz Hayim Synagogue Family Promise of Greater Rockingham County First Parish Congregational Church Granite House Greater Derry Boys Girls Club Greater Derry Community Health Services, Inc. Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber of Commerce Hampstead Middle School Hampstead Police Department Hannaford’s of Derry Injury Prevention Center at Dartmouth, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Jake D’s Roast Beef & Pizza Liberty Mutual Insurance Group Londonderry Fire Department Maine Drilling and Blasting

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Community Supporters

Mulrennan, Rugg & Co. National Safety Council of Northern New England Next Charter School NH Bureau of Liquor Enforcement NH Department of Health & Human Services NH Division of Juvenile Justice Services NH DOT NH Highway Safety Agency NH State Liquor stores – Derry, Londonderry, Hampstead NH Teen Driver Safety Program Nutfield News Ocean State Job Lot Parkland Medical Center Pinkerton Academy Rigatony’s Salvation Army Shaw’s of Derry St. Luke’s United Methodist Church The Church of Transfiguration The Upper Room UNH Cooperative Extension UNH Survey Center Whirlwind Production

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“I've worked very hard to make an impact in the community. It has become my life pursuit. If it wasn't for

CATS we wouldn't have the support and connections we do. My community service based woodworking program

for troubled youth and young adult males was just an idea. Now we work with school programs and multiple

organizations to truly make a difference in others’ lives. CATS work in the community has left a lasting

impression on me and countless others before. We are grateful for the organization and all they do.”

Frank LeBlanc, owner American Pride Woodworking, Derry NH

Trends

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Community Alliance for Teen Safety uses data collected at the community, regional, state

and national levels to assess trends, needs and priorities regarding teen safety and healthy

decision-making. CATS is pro-active and responsive.

Making Good Choices

CATS works with the UNH Survey Center to conduct an annual survey with all 6th to 8th

graders in the Derry Cooperative School District.

8th graders reported the following behavior changes:

Reduction in Alcohol Use from 17% to 10% for the year 2013 to 2014

Reduction in Tobacco Use from 10% to 4% during the last 30 days

Reduction in Marijuana Use from 10% to 7% during the last 30 days

Heroin

Heroin use reached epidemic proportions in 2014 resulting in community mobilization

around the issue.

Derry law enforcement and EMS reported the following total overdose responses:

2013: 41 total | 10 heroin | 7 deaths

2014: 79 total | 48 heroin | 16 deaths

Community Attitudes

CATS conducts an annual community attitudes survey at

Derryfest. Recent data from 2013 indicate that when asked

to rank five behaviors in terms of how much they threaten

the health and safety of Derry youth, participants identified:

1. Bullying

2. Safe Driving

3. Substance Use

4. Health/Wellness

5. Internet Literacy Participants reported that parents needed: more information about teen issues,

more support and programs for families and more resources for teens.

Trends

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Compared Nationally

The 2012 NH State Epidemiological Profile of Mental Emotional, and Behavioral Health

indicates:

NH ranks higher in binge drinking among youth aged 12-17

NH ranks higher in binge drinking among young adults aged 18-25

NH has higher rates of illicit drug use other than marijuana and non-medical use of

painkillers among young adults aged 18-25

The number of drug-related deaths has more than tripled since 2000.

NH Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Trends for the past 20 years of “past 30 day use” indicate fluctuations in risky behavior.

Decrease in self-reported smoking of cigarettes: 1993|35% 2013|13%

Increase in self-reported use of marijuana: 1993|20% 2013|24%

Decrease in self-reported drinking of alcohol: 1993|49% 2013|32%

Driving Safety

Distracted driving and seatbelt use remain priority concerns for CATS. From 2010 to 2013,

the NH Department of Safety reports a total of 429 fatal crashes due to:

Impairment | 41%

Distraction | 27%

Speed | 10%

The number of high-school students who reported

that they never or rarely wore a seat belt decreased f

rom 27% in 1993 to 9% in 2013!

Derry Cooperative School District

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“Community Alliance for Teen Safety is an integral part of our Greater Derry Community. The amazing staff

and volunteers at CATS encourage strong family connections and youth education around at-risk behaviors.

Developmentally, it is expected for our middle and high school students to move toward independence but they still

need our guidance on this personal journey. CATS provides this guidance. In order to combat the media, music

genre and social milieu of “anything goes” that surrounds our children...CATS is a shining light of healthy and

positive choices for our children.

As a school social worker, I have seen the devastation of poor choices and lack of education that many of our

children have faced with irreversible and life changing consequences. I also see the positive and leadership choices

that many of our children are capable of making and do make! I am proud to be a partner with CATS in

helping our families and our youth move toward becoming productive and happy adults. Our children are just

incredible. Thank you CATS!

Our Derry Cooperative School District's

mission is to create a safe and successful

learning environment for all students;

one that fosters challenging situations,

promotes self-worth, encourages learning

as a lifelong activity, and produces

healthy young adults who will contribute

to society. I assure you we cannot

accomplish this mission alone.

Our ongoing partnership with Commu-

nity Alliance for Teen Safety is an

essential ingredient needed for our

children’s success.”

Pam Richard GHH MS

Social worker

Safe Communities

Many things contribute to a safe home & community. Reduc-

ing risk factors to prevent unsafe behaviors and enhancing

protective factors to increase the options of making healthy choices are key components.

This can only happen when everyone—families, youth, schools, businesses, etc. works to-

gether.

Alcohol, Tobacco &

Other Drugs

To reduce substance misuse among teens by addressing retail and

social access to alcohol and increasing the perception of its risk.

Prescription Drugs To educate about prescription drug misuse, provide sustainable

solutions for safe prescription drug disposal and to reduce pre-

scription drug misuse.

Driving Safety To educate about and promote seatbelt use, reduce & eliminate

the varieties of distracted driving, increase awareness of the con-

sequences of drunk and drugged driving.

Youth Leadership To increase knowledge about issues facing teens & families, and

healthy decision making by strengthening a variety of competen-

cies.

Healthy Living To promote and encourage lifestyle activities that improve physi-

cal and mental health and enhance protective factors for youth

and families.

Parent Resources To provide educational resources for parents, access to trainings

and other support services.

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Just the Facts

Founded as a volunteer community

organization in 1996.

Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

corporation in 1997.

Governance is provided by a volunteer

board of directors.

Operations are provided by one full-

time and three part-time staff mem-

bers.

Primary towns served include Chester,

Derry and Hampstead.

Virtually located at www.catsnh.org

and Facebook.

CATS mission is to promote safe habits

for all youth by increasing awareness

of high-risk behaviors, encouraging

healthy choices, and fostering commu-

nity alliances.

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Revenue 2014

Grants $116,370

Fundraising/Donations $ 19,555

Total Revenue $135,925

Expenses 2014

Staff $89,455

Initiatives $37,580

Operations $33,005

Total Expenses $160,040*

*Funds from previous years fundraising cover excess of expenses over revenues

“CATS originated from the senseless, untimely deaths of teens involved in motor vehicle crashes. Through our organization's advocacy, legislation was implemented and positive change was effected. CATS continues to

focus on prevention concerns in the Greater Derry area to promote a safer community for all. As the debilitating societal storm of opiate misuse and addiction pounds southern New Hampshire, we squarely face our greatest

challenge to date. We not only need to envelop our children in a safe community, we have to assume a more proactive stance in providing our children with individual inner strength as well as fundamental education and abundant

but not necessarily costly resources to become mentally, physically, socially and emotionally healthy, globally knowledgeable independent and productive teens looking forward with unfettered optimism to a promising,

fulfilling and satisfying adulthood.”

M. Kathryn McCarroll, Esquire- Founding member of the CATS Board of Directors

In September 2014, CATS completed a 10-yr Drug

Free Communities Support Program project, a

collaborative effort of ONDCP, CSAP, HHS, and

SAMHSA, which provides funds to help build safer,

healthier and drug free communities.

How You Can Help

Stay Informed

Stay informed about health and safety issues facing youth and families

in our community. Visit the CATS website resource pages, subscribe to the CATS Safe Homes

& Communities newsletter or visit a statewide resource such as drugfreeNH.org.

Get Active

Share your concerns and suggestions for building a safer community. Join with others and

sign the Safe Homes & Communities pledge. Learn about advocacy.

Volunteer

Share your time, dedicated interest, and expertise with CATS. From providing event support

to writing a blog to serving on our Board of Directors there are a variety of ways to help

your community.

Collaborate

In order to create sustainable change it is vital that individuals and organizations in the

community be involved. CATS frequently collaborates with with multiple sectors within the

community as well as regional and state networks, and national groups.

Support

CATS must pay the phone bill too! CATS relies on diverse funding to support its operations.

Tax-deductible in-kind and financial support is always appreciated. CATS is a non-profit cor-

poration recognized under Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is regis-

tered with the Charitable Trusts Unit of the NH Department of Justice Office of the Attor-

ney General.

Thank

You!

www.catsnh.org

Community Alliance for Teen Safety 2014