Initially, we were grouped into four main areas of interest: Awareness, Parent Network, Assessment and Availability. We found lots of duplication. Once some of the assessment programs started, we decided to reform our community organization. We divided into four major areas with a steering committee overseeing our efforts.
Oversees the organization, develops direction for MPIP. Members consist of the chairperson of each of the four interest areas -CO, PN, EP, YA. (see below) We meet monthly to plan the next large group meeting, discuss advanced planning and current issues of the large group.
This area deals with issues that affect the community. Currently, CO is addressing the high school code for student conduct. The current athletic code has been difficult to enforce on a consistent basis. CO went through a process that determined community concerns (availability of alcohol, other drugs, tobacco, etc), prioritized those concerns and have started to work on a plan of action to work through these concerns.
They are primarily involved with high school parents with activities aimed at education, support and addressing the needs of the parents. PN has sponsored a parent empowerment workshop, football tailgate, parent resource booklet.
This group focuses on high school youth. They sponsored a lock-in pizza party.
Their current project has reacted to requests of the high school students. After school clubs were virtually non-existent. We have provided the startup for a wide variety of clubs. They include fencing, aerobics, cards, chess, photography, skiing, and computer.
This component brought an encore presentation of the parent empowerment workshop for middle school parents.
For additional information:e-mail: Jim Hartman at mpip@danenet.wicip.org