Northfield HCI - Mayor's Youth Task Force on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use

GET INVOLVED!
Some ideas to start you thinking of ways you can support young people
From the Northfield Mayor's Task Force on Youth Alcohol and Drug Use

*	Talk with your child or adolescent. And then, listen, without interrupting, to what they have to say to you (Some parents have found that one of the best times to have a good conversation with an adolescent is when riding together in a car in the evening. Maybe it’s something about the lack of interruptions, not needing to make eye contact, the hum of the road...).
*	Parents, talk to the parents or guardians of your child’s friends. Get to know them. Check out their expectations for their child or for other kids visiting their home. Go ahead, make the call. It’s a good thing for parents to talk with each other.
*	Set up an opportunity for parents/youth service providers/others to learn more about identifying and responding to youth substance use. Local drug and alcohol counselors and law enforcement are willing to come talk to groups. Call HCI at 664-3524 for more information.
*	Volunteer to help transport youth to outpatient treatment/aftercare. Throughout the community, transportation problems can become a huge barrier in to the treatment process. Call HCI at 664-3524 for more information.
*	Be a good example for youth by modeling appropriate behavior. Remember that kids learn how to be responsible adults and citizens by watching those around them. Let’s show our young people how to be the best they can be.
*	Consider applying to become a member of the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol & Drug Use – or become a member of one of the Task Force’s subcommittees (Communications, Adult Responsibility, Budget) or its Focus Group. Visit the website.
*	Volunteer with the Mayor’s Task Force’s court monitoring program which focuses on cases where adults are charged with providing alcohol to minors (the ZAP program). Call 664-3524 for more information.
*	Get involved with the Northfield Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch program. Call 645-4477 for more information.
*	Volunteer with a local youth program – prevention does make a difference!
		Here are a few to consider:
		-	Help out at an after school program
				* Northfield Union of Youth / The Key
				* Northfield Middle School Youth Center - 664-3654
				* Northfield Public Schools' Summer Ventures Plus - 664-3354
		-	Share what you know and love - mentor a child or youth. Sign up through the Northfield Mentoring Coalition
		-	Coach with a local sports association
		-	Join Youth Plus - it's an easy and non-threatening way to get to know a diverse group of teens from our community and talk with them about important issues. Call 664-3654.
		-	Volunteer with a faith community youth group
		-	Help organize intramural sports for kids
		-	Help out with Northfield YMCA youth programs
		-	Support the development of a Northfield skateboarding park
		-	Become Girl Scout or Boy Scout volunteer
		-	Help out with other youth organizations in the community
*	Participate as a member of the Northfield Public School's Community Services Division Advisory Council
*	Become a mentor or buddy for another family or for other parents. Many of us have benefited from some good advice and a helping hand from someone who’s walked a bit in our shoes and understands that all families face struggles from time to time. Now may be your opportunity to give back and help support another family as you have been helped before.
*	Open the door to a relationship with kids in your neighborhood. Get to know their names. Recognize them and say hello when you meet. Let them know that you see the positive things that they do and that you appreciate them as good neighbors and community members.
*	Need help at your business or in just cleaning out the garage? Consider hiring a young person. Our community has very few employment opportunities for the high numbers of adolescents who really want to work- both to learn, to have something to do and to make a little money.
*	Find opportunities to meet and get to know your child’s friends.
*	Stay current on the issue of drug and alcohol use in our community by checking the Northfield News, KYMN Radio, Northfield.org, the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Alcohol and Drug Use, and other sources.

To learn more about these opportunities, contact:
	Staff members -
		Zach Pruitt (Northfield Healthy Community Initiative) @ 507-664-3524
		Kathy Sandberg (Rice Co. Family Services Collaborative) @ 507-333-6813

Northfield Healthy Community Initiative
Northfield Community Resource Center (NCRC)
1651 Jefferson Parkway, Suite HS 128
Northfield, MN 55057, 507-664-3524
Coordinators: Zach Pruitt or Julie Bubser