Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Safe Communities America Coalition met Jan. 25.

Here is the minutes provided by the Coalition:

Call to Order Dan Martin called the meeting of the New Lenox Safe Communities America Coalition to order at 10:30am.

In Attendance Daniel Martin / New Lenox Police Department, Brian Kirk / H.E.R.O., Marie Kirk / H.E.R.O., Jan Dombrowski / H.E.R.O., Sharon Seliga / Be SMART – Moms Demand Action, Gia Washington / Sertoma Centre Inc., Tim King / New Lenox Rotary Club, Michele Deering / JointPro Physical Therapy, Marisa Schrieber / New Lenox Fire Protection District, Lisa Kline / NuMark Credit Union, Patty Cunningham / New Lenox Chamber of Commerce, Joe Enzenberger / Dryer Vent Wizard of Will County, Jeremiah LaPlante / American Red Cross and Barbara Agor / Will County Health Department.

Others in Attendance Norma Cason / NLSCAC Secretary and Older Adults Falls Prevention Task Group Laura Regis / Chair, Older Adults Falls Prevention Task Group Maria Anchalles / Lincoln-Way West High School James Brown / New Lenox Fire Protection District Steve Engledow / New Lenox Fire Protection District Steve Wise / Chair, Emergency Preparedness Task Group Gloria Bodnar / Suicide Prevention and Awareness Task Group Roy Dolittle / Chiro One Wellness Dr. Shehab / Chiro One Wellness

Approval of the November 30, 2016 Minutes The minutes of the November 30, 2016 meeting were sent to the members via email prior to the meeting. Marissa Schrieber made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Steve Wise. After no further discussion, the motion carried and the minutes were approved.

A combined motion was made to approve the minutes of the November 30, 2016 Citizen Corps Council meeting and after no further discussion, the motion carried and the minutes were approved.

Guest Speaker/Presentation – Larisa Klein / US HealthVest - Regarding Silver Oaks Hospital Larisa Klein, Vice President at US HealthVest, LLC spoke at length about the fact that Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox has partnered with US HealthVest, LLC, a behavioral health company, to establish a new 100-bed psychiatric hospital on the Silver Cross campus to be known as Silver Oaks Hospital. The information that Larisa provided noted that this new hospital will bring a net increase of 80 beds to our community with the purpose of the project being to address the mental health crisis and substance abuse crisis in Will and Grundy counties. It is projected that the new facility will be a valuable asset and will make both counties safer places to live, work and raise families by providing:

* More inpatient beds and outpatient services to help people with mental health and substance abuse problems get the help they need to stop them from committing a crime. * New services and programs for children, adolescents and women who have been abused or traumatized. * New inpatient unit for substance abuse to help those struggling with opiates, heroin and other drugs. * New unit just for adolescents and teens struggling with mental health problems and substance abuse.

In addition to the above, Larisa noted that this new facility will provide 200 new health care jobs and because it is a for-profit hospital, they will pay property taxes. The need for the facility has been established among community leaders but a “Certificate of Need” must be submitted to the State of Illinois in the month of February 2017. Larisa asked for the support of those organizations present at the Safe Communities America Coalition Meeting in the form of a letter of support containing referral data attesting to the possible number of admissions this hospital will receive based on their experience. Referral data is required by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board prior to their approval being given. Sample support letters were provided by Larisa along with instructions on the completion of the process and several coalition members felt as though they could provide a letter as well as referral data to support this much needed project. It was noted that additional information regarding US HealthVest was available at their website www.ushealthvest.com.

New Business

Free Gun Safety Presentation - “Be SMART” The “Be SMART” program is a nonpartisan public education campaign designed to reduce child deaths by educating adults – parents, grandparents and others – in how to help prevent these deaths by using five simple strategies. A free “Be SMART” presentation will be held at 7:00pm on February 15, 2017 at the New Lenox Village Hall. Dan Martin disseminated a press release in early January to announce this campaign/presentation.

ALiCE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) Training Dan Martin gave an overview of the ALiCE Training Program recently held in New Lenox. ALiCE is an acronym which stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evaluate. This two-day program allows those who have been trained to make proactive decisions instead of passively becoming a victim in an active shooter situation. This program will initially be offered to New Lenox businesses and will eventually be offered to the general public. Additional information about this program can be found at the ALiCE Training Institute's website.

Old Business

Task Group Reports

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Dan Martin gave an update for this task group in Stephen Kehoe's absence. The need for the planned addition of the Silver Oaks Hospital to the Silver Cross campus was reviewed. The Healing Hearts support group which is run by Patricia Steinkamp and Ann Powers continues on the third Monday of each Month. Question, Persuade and Refer Classes which are instructed by Gia Washington of Sertoma Centre Inc., continue free of charge and are scheduled as often as possible with the next class being offered on April 19, 2017. Dan Martin will continue to keep the public aware of these free training classes. The 2017 World Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day has been scheduled for September 7, 2017 about which additional information will be forthcoming at future coalition meetings.

Older Adults Fall Prevention Laura Regis reported that six Matter of Balance Classes were held in 2016 which brought the total of Matter of Balance senior graduates to 300. Matter of Balance Class #25 has been scheduled to begin February 28, 2017 and run through April 18, 2017 at the New Lenox Police Department and Matter of Balance Class #26 has been finalized and scheduled to begin March 13, 2017 and run through May 1, 2017 at the New Lenox VFW Post 9545. Additional balance classes for seniors will be scheduled as needed.

The annual mandatory Matter of Balance Refresher / Training Course for Matter of Balance coaches has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at the New Lenox Police Department. Updated training materials will be disseminated to the participants along with statistical data compiled as a result of the 2016 Matter of Balance Class surveys which are completed by the graduates.

The need for CPR / AED training for Fit & Strong Program instructors was identified and with the help of Marissa Schrieber of the New Lenox Fire Protection District, a training class has been scheduled for March 30, 2017. All instructors who are in need of training will have an opportunity to attend.

The fourth evidence-based Fit & Strong Program for older adults in New Lenox has been scheduled to begin June 12, 2017 at the Spencer School Campus. Classes are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for eight weeks. Dan Martin will prepare the necessary press release for this class.

The Older Adult Fall Prevention Task Group participated in the National Falls Prevention Awareness Day in September 2016. Planning for the 2017 event is in process for Thursday, September 21, 2017. The location for the event will be confirmed near term and planning and marketing of the event will be reviewed at the next scheduled bi-monthly meeting of the task group in March.

Laura advised that New Lenox has been chosen to participate in the initiative to remake / modernize the current Matter of Balance Class videos which are used nationwide. A listing of prospective video subjects has been developed and Dan Martin will continue to work with the Matter of Balance personnel as well as the representatives from the filming organization to complete this project.

Emergency Preparedness Steve Wise of the New Lenox CERT Group gave an update for the Emergency Preparedness Task Group which included the 4,344 hours of CERT volunteer assistance with community events in 2016. Steve also noted that the Search and Rescue Team (SAR) volunteer hours were in excess of 1,140 in 2016.

It was reported that on December 14, 2016, 63 New Lenox CERT / SAR members received the Inaugural 2016 Presidential Service Award at a ceremony held in the Council Chambers at the New Lenox Village Hall.

A full-scale disaster exercise has been scheduled for May 20, 2017. Additional information regarding this training event will be provided at upcoming coalition meetings. New Lenox CERT members will participate in this exercise, which will be held in New Lenox.

The 2017 Severe Weather Spotter Training / Health and Safety Expo has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at Lincoln-Way West High School. These free events are sponsored by the New Lenox Safe Communities America Coalition and Citizen Corps Council, in partnership with the National Weather Service, Will County Emergency Management Agency and Lincoln-Way School District 210.

Poisoning by Prescription Drug Overdose Dan Martin presented Brian Kirk, Marie Kirk and Jan Dobrowski, of the HERO Organization with a check in the amount of $2,500.00 to be used for the Hidden in Plain Sight Trailer initiative. It was noted that the monies donated came from the New Lenox Police Department Asset and Forfeiture Fund and that taxpayer dollars were not drawn. Brian Kirk noted that the trailer is being sponsored by HERO Organization, the Will County States Attorney, the New Lenox Police Department and the Lincoln Way Christian Church. Jan Dobrowski will provide a listing of additional needed furnishings for the trailer which will be used to educate adults with regard to the telltale signs of drug abuse.

In 2016, approximately 707 pounds of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications were properly disposed of by the New Lenox Police Department. The medication disposal bin is readily accessible to the public in the New Lenox Police Department Lobby during normal business hours and this practice will continue throughout 2017 with medications collected by designated police department personnel for safe disposal.

Announcements / Organization Updates Some attendees shared current news and events relevant to their organizations:

Gia Washington of Sertoma Centre Inc., advised that training was ongoing as scheduled and that announcements would be made regarding upcoming available classes.

Dr. Shehab of Chiro One Wellness Center announced their new location in New Lenox and the inclusion of this new location at the Chiro One website at chiroone.net.

Patty Cunningham of the New Lenox Chamber of Commerce announced the kick-off of their 2017 Business After Hours networking event schedule with JointPro Physical Therapy On February 16, 2017. Patty also advised that the New Lenox State of the Village event will be held on February 17, 2017 at Silver Cross Hospital. For planning purposes, Patty noted that the New Lenox Community Expo & Home Show has been scheduled for March 11, 2017 at Lincoln-Way Central High School. Additional information regarding these and other upcoming events is available at the New Lenox Chamber of Commerce website.

Lisa Kline provided a flyer detailing the Lions Club Annual Fundraiser which will be a garden party/fashion show type of event on March 26, 2017. Additional information will be available from Lisa at 815/744-6668 or lkline@numarkcu.org.

Marisa Schrieber announced the recent promotions of Dan Turner and James Brown of the New Lenox Fire Protection District. Dan Turner became Deputy Fire Chief and James Brown became Fire Marshal. Chief Steve Engledow and James Brown was also present at this meeting with Marisa.

Sharon Seliga and Dan Martin reminded meeting attendees of the free February 15, 2017 “Be SMART” Gun Safety Presentation which will be held at the New Lenox Village Hall.

Next Meeting Date The next bi-monthly meeting of the New Lenox Safe Communities America Coalition will be on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 10:30 am. The meeting will be held in the Training Room at the New Lenox Police Department.

Adjournment The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:50am.