Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Safe Community Coalition America Nov. 29.

Here is the agenda provided by the coalition:

1. Call to Order

2. Roll Call, Welcome, and Introductions

3. Approval of NLSCC Minutes from September 27, 2023 Meeting (Zoom Videoconference)

4. Guest Speaker – Lori Gibson / Home for Life Advantage – Falls Prevention

5. New Business

a. 2024 Meeting Schedule – Coalition Meetings, Task Group Meetings, and Steering Committee Meetings (see PDF).

b. 2024 Classes, Workshops, and Events at the New Lenox Village Hall

6. Old Business

a. Task Group Reports

i. Domestic Violence Prevention

1. “One Thing Speak Up, Speak Out: Elder Abuse” was held October 2, 2023 in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. 10 Resource / Informational Tables from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Featured Speakers from Senior Services of Will County and the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. Amirrah Abou-Youssef did an excellent job facilitating the panel discussion. Special thanks to the Planning Team for putting this event together!

2. “Building and Supporting Healthy Relationships” In Support of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Tentatively being planned for February, 2024.

3. “Teen Dating Violence: What You Should Know to Support and Help Prevent.” Tentatively being planned for May, 2024.

ii. Substance Use Prevention

1. HERO “Hidden in Plain Sight” (HIPS) Trailer Update

2. Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition Update

3. MAPP Behavioral Health & Substance Use Task Force Update

4. Narcan Training was held via Zoom Videoconference on Monday, November 6, 2023 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. 166 people registered to attend via Eventbrite. Distribution of the Narcan Nasal Spray Kits was held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the New Lenox Village Hall.

5. “Everything You Need to Know About Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste” was held on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. 50 people registered via Eventbrite. Marta Keane spent considerable time talking about Unwanted Medication Takeback and HHW (poisons that can be ingested)

6. Task Group Members and / or their colleagues are encouraged to offer videoconference-style presentations over the winter on substance use prevention, current trends, warning signs, drug paraphernalia, etc…

iii. Motor Vehicle / Traffic Safety

1. Senior Vehicle Inspections for Seniors were held at Lincoln-Way Central High School from 8:30am to 11:00am on Tuesday, November 7th and Wednesday, November 8th. Under the supervision of Automotive Technology Instructors, students did a terrific job. 28 inspections were completed on the 7th and 28 were completed on the 8th.

2. “Teen Driver? What Every Parent Should Know” was held via Zoom from 7:00pm to 8:00pm on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. 276 people registered via Eventbrite and approximately 140 attended.

3. Driver Refresher / Rules of the Road Class for Seniors A (Illinois Secretary of State’s Office) Rules of the Road Refresher Class was held for seniors at the New Lenox Village Hall from 10:00am to 12:00pm on Monday, October 23, 2023. 30 seniors registered and approximately 25 were in attendance. Margaret Pearson was also in attendance and spoke about Organ & Tissue Donation.

4. Bicycle Safety - Ride Illinois has some courses available that this group may consider hosting. Some courses include Bicycle-Friendly Driver, Bike Safety Tips for Kids (target ages 8-12), Bike Safety Tips for Parents, Bike Safety Tips for Older Adults, and more. Additional information is available at the Ride Illinois Safety web site https://rideillinois.org/safety/education/

5. Bicycle Safety / Rodeo – another option for this group. These events teach riding skills, bicycle safety, etc… We could also offer, perhaps in partnership with Adam’s Bike Shop, bicycle inspections / tune-ups. The winter would be a great time to choose a date, time, location and plan the event.

6. Other Traffic Safety Educational Opportunities are being sought. Presentations that can be done via Zoom videoconference over the winter are appreciated.

iv. Suicide Prevention and Awareness

1. “Out of Darkness Walk” – Marie Kress created a team for the New Lenox Safe Community Coalition for this event, which was held on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Olga Viano participated in the event as well, which helped raise money for Suicide Prevention. Kudos to Marie as well as Olga for participating!

2. “Mental Health First Aid” (Youth Version) was held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 8:00am to 4:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. This class was taught by Gia Washington and her colleagues from Sertoma Centre, Inc. 25 people registered via Eventbrite.

3. “RELAX: Five Tips to Master Anxiety,” Mike Mecozzi, Psy. D. was held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. 66 people registered via Eventbrite.

4. “safeTALK” was held on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 from 8:30am to 12:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. This class was taught by Gia Washington and her colleagues from Sertoma Centre, Inc. 30 people registered to attend via Eventbrite.

5. 2024 Educational Programs – planning is currently underway, including setting dates, times and locations.

v. Emergency Preparedness

1. New Lenox CERT and SAR Update

2. “Stop the Bleed” was held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. 81 registered to attend through Eventbrite. Instructors are excellent!

3. Threat Evaluation and Reporting Course (TERC) was held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 9:00am to 12:00pm in the Community Room at the New Lenox Village Hall. 32 registered to attend through the Will County Emergency Management Agency.

4. Will County Emergency Management Agency – Online Training Newsletter is designed to provide readers with a more convenient means of accessing and enrolling in local training options.

5. Severe Weather Spotter Training / Health and Safety Expo / Touch-a-Truck Spring, 2024 – hopefully at Lincoln-Way West High School

6. 2024 Educational Programs – planning is currently underway, including setting dates, times and locations.

vi. Older Adults Falls Prevention

1. Anna Schultz leaving our Coalition and the OAFPTG

2. “A Matter of Balance” Update

a. Class #50 at the New Lenox Village Hall

b. Class #51 at the New Lenox Public Library

c. Class #52 at the New Lenox Horizon Senior Living Facility

d. Spring and Fall Classes at the New Lenox Village Hall

e. “A Matter of Balance” Coach Refresher Training

f. “A Matter of Balance” NEW Coach Training

3. “Fit and Strong!” Class #10 - planning will begin in early Spring, 2024. The TENTATIVE location will be the Spencer Campus. TENTATIVE dates – start on Monday, June 3, 2024 and end on Friday, July 26, 2024. The class will be planned for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30am to 11:00am.

4. “Seniors With Sole” - planning for this popular program will begin in early Spring, 2024. The TENTATIVE location will be the New Lenox Commons. TENTATIVE dates – start on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 and end on Thursday, July 25, 2024. This activity will be planned for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am to 9:30am.

7. Announcements / Organization Updates

8. Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 / 10:30am via Zoom videoconference.

9. Adjournment

https://www.newlenox.net/files/documents/SafeCommunitiesAmericaAgenda11-29-23051715112823PM1352.pdf