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Alliance for Wisconsin Youth
Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, December 7, 2006 – 9:30am-2:00pm
Sheraton Hotel, Madison, Wisconsin
AWY Council Members Present: Shannon Wilber (Menominee Tribe), Francie McGuire Winkler
(Racine County), Dave Knutson (Greater Milwaukee Boys and Girls Club), Ronda Kopelke (Northwoods
Coalition), Susan Crowley for Kathy Wolf (Wisconsin Clearinghouse), Kathy Thomas (Safe and Stable
Families), Greg Hutchins (Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development).
AWY and DHFS Staff Present: Greg Levenick and Lou Oppor until 11:30am. Sue Allen, TSgt.
Debbie McGough, Jamie McCarville, Peg Algar, Mary Raina Zwadzich.
NOTE: Due to the Department of Public Instruction’s Heart of Successful Schools conference, several
Council members and one AWY staff member were not able to attend this Council meeting.
Introductions
Participants gave personal and professional highlights, some of which are:
– Dave Knutson is working on an application for a Community Learning Center grant.
– Francie Winkler’s coalition recently merged two local coalitions into one Racine County Youth
Coalition. AWY provided some technical assistance and meeting facilitation.
– Shannon Wilber is looking to hire a new Youth Advocate.
– Kathy Thomas reports an increase in Safe and Stable Families funds. Wisconsin is applying for
$40 million grant to assist meth-affected children. Also, she reports an emphasis on mentoring
children of prisoners, especially in the Milwaukee area.
– Greg Hutchins reported that 4-H Youth Development ‘graduate’ Ashley Viste from Sturgeon Bay
has been selected to be a White House intern this coming Spring Semester.
Greg Levenick presented Shannon Wilber with a Certificate of Appreciation for her years as a member of
the AWY Advisory Council. Bette Wahl (not present) will also be recognized in the same manner.
Updates
Bureau of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
 Greg Levenick reported that the federal Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF-SIG) grant
awarded to the State of Wisconsin will coordinate with the SPF-SIG awarded to Great Lakes
InterTribal Council (GLITC). The two grants combined represent over $15 million for substance
abuse prevention in Wisconsin over the next five years. Shannon Wilber (Memoninee Tribe) raised
the concern that they had not yet been contacted about the GLITC SPF-SIG grant. Greg explained
that staff for the GLITC grant were in the process of being hired and the tribes will be contacted with
more information when it is available. He suggested that for more information about the GLITC SPFSIG grant, contact Jeff Muse or Beth Torns at GLITC.
 The first of the seven SPF-SIG components is Assessment (Assessment, Capacity-building, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation, Cultural Competence, and Sustainability). Peg Algar reported that the
State Epidemiological Study, which was begun this past year, will serve as the Assessment phase of
the new SPF-SIG grant. The draft of Epi study report is nearing completion. It highlights the use and
consequences of use of various harmful substances in 60-70 charts. The University of Wisconsin
consultant to this project (Amanda Jovaag) has been excellent. Binge drinking and underage drinking
are higher in Wisconsin than the national average.
 Lou Oppor reported that 85% of the SPF-SIG funds must go out to local grants and directed to areas
of needs as identified in the local needs assessment (may be county or regional designation of ‘local’).
One approach may be to emphasize statewide alcohol compliance checks, but this does not address
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social access. (However, addressing alcohol compliance checks may serve to get people aware of the
issue and on board for dealing with social access). Another option may be statewide Social Norms
Campaign. Susan Crowley (Wisconsin Clearinghouse) reported that the evidence is mixed and
controversial on the effectiveness of Social Norms Campaigns and in fact can have undesirable
results in areas where alcohol use/abuse is more prevalent.
Mary Raina Zwadzich reported that the state Meth Task Force is serving twelve counties and the St.
Croix tribe in the northwestern region of Wisconsin. The evidence-based program selected to address
this issue is Strengthening Families 10-14 (SF). Each county/tribe is offered $3000 now and $1000
later for costs related to implementing SF (staff, family meals, program DVD, etc.). The SF staff
training and curriculm are provided free from the state. Training will be held December 14-15 in
Menomonie, WI and is a collaboration between Bureau of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Services (BMHSAS), University of Wisconsin Extension (UWEX), and Wisconsin Clearinghouse
(WCH). In general, the SF program is popular in Wisconsin and training could be expanded through
continued collaboration with UWEX and WCH. It was suggested that perhaps a DHFS online survey
could be used to gather statewide information about the need and desire for more SF training and
resources in Wisconsin and perhaps WCH could include SF training in their 2007 plan. Greg
Levenick reported that meth from Mexico is now more widely available in Wisconsin, making
clandestine local labs far less popular. This is good in the sense that exposure to harmful chemicals
used to make meth is less a problem for Wisconsin children, families, and public service employees.
Peg Algar reported that the State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (SCAODA) Strategic
Plan Goals for 2006-2010 are to:
1. Support, promote and encourage the implementation of a system of substance abuse services that
are evidence-based, gender and culturally competent, population specific, and ensure equal and
barrier-free access.
2. Support the prevention and reduction of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and abuse through
evidence-based practice with special emphasis on underage use.
3. Support and encourage recovery in communities by reducing stigma, discrimination, barriers and
promoting healthy lifestyles.
The three SCAODA subcommittees are: 1) Underage Drinking; 2) Capacity Building and Workforce
Development; and 3) Prevention (which will serve as Advisory Committee to SPF-SIG). Persons
interested in serving on these committees are asked to contact Peg Algar or Lou Oppor via email.
AWY Council members requested a roster of members when it is finalized.
Jamie McCarville reported that she perceives a need for regular press releases about prevention
across the state. More about this under the AWY Media and Marketing report.
Lou Oppor reported that the contract to manage the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth will be subject to
competitive bid for the 2007-08 contract year, which begins July 1, 2007. The Request for Proposals
(RFP) will be released in February 2007 with two months to respond with a proposal. The RFP will
include the need to coordinate AWY efforts with the new SPF-SIG to ensure a positive,
uncomplicated approach to regionalizing resources and supporting local coalitions.
Due to a scheduling conflict, Greg Levenick and Lou Oppor needed to leave at this time.
AWY Staff Update
 Jamie McCarville announced that from now on the AWY quarterly reports to DHFS from both
Wisconsin Positive Youth Development and Marshfield Clinic-Center for Community Outreach will
be emailed to AWY Advisory Council members.
 Membership: Sue Allen reported that Alliance for Wisconsin Youth member coalitions are in 61
counties, with a total of 105 member coalitions. Four of 11 tribes in Wisconsin have coalitions that
are member of AWY. Good leads exist in most of remaining counties, with the exception of four
counties (Price, LaFayette, Kewaunee and Calumet).
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Webcasts: One teleconference (Prevention and Youth Development, 12 participants) and two
webcast/teleconferences (SPF-SIG, 28 participants and the State Epi Study, 12 participants) were held
Fall 2006 with good success. Archived webcasts by going to the Alliance website
www.allianceforwisconsinyouth.org and following the links under ‘Highlights’. The Council
recommends that the next webcast series focus on local Alcohol Policy Change such as Keg
Registration laws, Social Hosts laws, the ‘Barwalk’ and ‘Plunge’ projects for increasing awareness
among community leaders and policy-makers. Also, that existing webcasts from other groups be
advertised to AWY members (e.g. the series on strategic planning from Public Health, the
OJJDP/UDETC series on underage drinking, the CADCA webcasts for coalitions, etc.). (NOTE: In a
follow-up meeting between Greg Levenick and Sue Allen, Greg asked that AWY do three webcasts
on Alcohol Policy and three on approaches that strengthen families.) The Council also recommends:
1) one webcast per month on a regular day/time; 2) to label the events consistently on the DHFS
archive webpage. These events will be planned and implemented in collaboration with Wisconsin
Clearinghouse (WCH) and utilize AWY partner resources.
Prevention Conference/Coalitions Connect: A survey created jointly by AWY and WCH will be
launched by Mary Raina Zwadzich of BMHSAS in early January. The survey seeks information
about topics and structure for these events from potential conference participants. The Council
recommends that a 2-3 day Prevention Conference could accomplish some or most of the goals of a
Coalitions Connect without it having to be a separate event. AWY could be a major sponsor (as we
already are by providing scholarships) with added responsibilities for some ‘coalitions connect’ type
workshops or activities. In addition, the Wisconsin Prevention Network (WPN) could be a sponsor
with a presence specific to advocacy. DHFS (including AWY) could maintain its distance from any
advocacy activities by not funding them.
Regional Meetings: The Wisconsin Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Education Network
(WATODEN) is open to discussing the possibility of co-sponsoring some joint regional meetings
with AWY. WATODEN is a school-based network. There are pros and cons to developing a
regional meeting structure with them. Pros include building on an existing structure that in some
areas already has regional gatherings. We discussed the implications of the SPF-SIG possibly
moving to a regional system and that it might be wise to wait until that possibility is more clear before
developing a different regional meeting structure. The Council recommended that any regional
meetings in this remaining contract year (through June 30, 2007) be organized as needed and as staff
capacity allows, and to wait for further information about SPF-SIG before developing a regional
meeting structure. (NOTE: Greg Levenick accepted this recommendation in a follow-up meeting
with Sue Allen).
Council members asked for a sheet explaining the new and often-used acronyms in this work, and an
updated flow chart of the Department of Health and Family Services. AWY staff will prepare this for
the next meeting.
Training and Technical Assistance: Tomahawk Together is receiving help from AWY in
organizing a community meeting on underage drinking in January. AWY is organizing a training and
technical assistance team that includes the Wisconsin Clearinghouse on Prevention Resources
(WCH), Northwoods Coalition (NWC), and others including those with special areas of focus. One
possibility is to have WCH focus on offering support to Wisconsin’s 11 tribes, with NWC assisting
tribes where they have existing contacts. (NOTE: Greg Levenick requires any AWY communication
with Wisconsin Tribes that are not already AWY members to be coordinated with the new SPF-SIG
grants processes). Dave Knutson recommended that a good contact for a technical assistance partner
in the Milwaukee area would be agency that will be awarded the Brighter Future Initiative contract
soon.
Grants and Scholarships: Twenty five (25) $400 mini-grant applications were received by the
11/30/06 deadline. Award announcements will be sent via email by 12/15/06. $1250 was pledged to
the 2007 Adolescents and Families Conference. Council members suggested that perhaps AWY
could organize a bus to travel to Cable, WI for the Adolescents and Families Conference.
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Media and Marketing: The development of an improved AWY website has been contracted to
Effective Website Solutions. The new web address will eventually be www.allwisyouth.org .
Projected launch of new site is late February 2007. Debbie McGough will channel local alliance
success stories to Wisconsin Clearinghouse for publication in their Prevention Outlook in 2007.
Debbie prepared a draft introduction letter to be sent to AWY members to outline our new
membership in Wisconsin Broadcasting Association. The letter includes the login and password for
WBA website allowing access to points of contact for radio and TV station in the local areas.
Debbie distributed over 60 Wisconsin Community Papers directories to AWY Key Contacts so far
and will complete this to the remaining 45 Key Contacts. Debbie emphasized the importance and
benefits of inviting your local media contacts to join your local coalition. Contacts could be the
General Manager or the Sales Manager, or Sales Associates. Debbie showed 4 minute trailer of the
program "Freedom Calls", produced by Motivational Productions for the National Guard in
conjunction with SAMSHA.
State Partner Updates
 Greg Hutchins, Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development, reported that 4-H YD and several state level
collaborators are working to organize a Youth Policy Advocacy initiative in Wisconsin. Emphases
include advancing youth voice in policy efforts, and improving policies that affect children, youth and
families. On 12/18/06, staff of the Washington D.C.-based Forum for Youth Investment will review
their Ready by 21 framework with about 25 collaborators, including Department of Public
Instructions-Civic Mission of Schools and other initiatives, DHFS-Division of Health, Wisconsin
Rural Challenge, Youth Reclaiming Our Communities, Wisconsin Positive Youth Development, and
more. Wisconsin PYD is coordinating this effort, UWEX is contributing meeting space and DPI is
the financial sponsor for the 12/18/06 event.
 Sue Allen, Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership, reported that AWY, Statewide Youth
Leadership Council, Wisconsin PYD, Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development, DPI-Civic Mission of
Schools, Wisconsin Rural Challenge and others in this initiative have drafted a 3-year plan that
includes increasing awareness among local and state policy-makers about the benefits of youth
engagement, increasing youth and adults skills for doing so, and promoting a Wisconsin Legislative
Youth Advisory Council. A second conference is being considered for October 2007. The
conference in November 2005 was attended by over 150 youth and adults from across Wisconsin.
 Ronda Kopelke, Marshfield Clinic-Center for Community Outreach, Northwoods Coalition
(NWC), reviewed the work they do with AWY sponsorship: 1) 24 FTE Americorps members are
serving 24 grassroots coalitions; 2) 24 Project Forward sites receive local prevention services
planning support; 3) 15 Project Forward sites receive youth engagement support; 4) Youth Press of
Wisconsin News publishes 3x per year and supports a Youth Editorial Board that meets quarterly,
and; 5) Statewide Youth Leadership Council (SYLC) (38 youth) learn about and work on
environmental strategies for youth alcohol policy. Ronda noted that their Project Forward staff
consists of 4 Prevention Specialists, 1 Program Manager, and 9 part-time local non-professional
coordinators. She also noted that the SYLC has youth primarily from Project Forward sites because
NWC has a support structure in place with expectations for their involvement. Given available funds,
the SYLC model does not work to attract youth members that do not have local adult support. After a
good discussion, the Council recommends that we clarify AWY’s role, funding and activities for
youth engagement in Wisconsin to possibly include increasing local supports for youth engagement
and tracks at state events.
Topics for Advisory Council Input
Definitions of Local Members and State Members
We reviewed another draft of the Membership Definitions and recommended that Sue Allen seek
clarification from Greg Levenick on the distinction between State Members and State Partners. Do we
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need a State Members category? A couple other changes were recommended that will be changed based
on clarification with Greg.
Prevention and Positive Youth Development – Proposed AWY Policy Statement
We reviewed a second draft of the prevention and youth development paper. With minor edits, this paper
is ready to go to DHFS for approval. Thank you to everyone who has provided input and ideas!
2007 Alliance Advisory Council Meetings
New Council members will be invited over the next couple months and joining us at our next meeting in
March 2007. The dates of the 2007 Council were not set, but Council members generally felt that the first
Thursday of the month would be fine. (NOTE: In a follow-up meeting, Greg Levenick asked that we
move the Council meetings to the second Thursday of March, June, September and December to avoid
conflicts with SCAODA meetings. This also avoids conflict with the DPI Heart of Successful Schools
conference.)
Meeting was adjourned at 2:05pm.
Respectfully submitted,
TSgt. Debra McGough and Sue Allen
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