Vote No on 302. Save First Things First.

In November 2006, Arizona’s voters created First Things First to prepare our youngest children to succeed in life.

This past May, voters again stood up for kids, approving Prop 100 in a landslide.

Twice in four years, voters made the education and well-being of Arizona’s children their priority.

Sadly, the Arizona Legislature has put politics before children by trying to eliminate First Things First and steal the money Arizona voters dedicated for this successful early childhood program.

Voter support for helping children never wavered, from creating First Things First to passing Prop 100. It’s time to stand up again. Join us in putting Children First, Not Politics.

www.No302.com

Paid for by Save First Things First – No on 302. Major funding from the Arizona School Boards Association and Eddie and Nadine Basha. Visit their website www.no302.com for more information, or download the flyer here.

Arizona's KIDS COUNT Ranking Improves, But Still Below Average

In collaboration with The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Children's Action Alliance (CAA) released its annual comparison of conditions for children. This year shows, as in previous years, that many children growing up in Arizona will face tough odds. Looking across all well-being indicators tracked through the KIDS COUNT Data Book, Arizona ranked 39th in the nation this year, compared to 40th last year and 39th in 2008. Arizona has seen some progress in conditions for kids since 2000. The percentage of 16-19 year olds who have dropped out of high school has been cut in half since 2000, exceeding the national drop in the rate. The child death rate, teen birth rate, and child poverty rate have also seen improvements in Arizona since 2000. Arizona, however, continues to rank in the bottom half of the nation in all of these categories and ranks in the bottom ten for the rate of teens who are dropouts. Furthermore, the data in this book is from 2007 and 2008, so it does not yet reflect the impact the budget cuts and recession have had on the children of Arizona.

Putting Out the Myth on Light, Low, and Mild Cigarettes

As of July 22, 2010, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act prohibits manufacturers from distributing for sale any tobacco products labeled or advertised as "light," "low," or "mild." This is because many smokers mistakenly believe that these products cause fewer health problems than other cigarettes.

Help FDA put out the myth on light, low, and mild cigarettes. No matter what they taste, smell, or look like, all cigarettes are harmful to your health. There's no such thing as a safe cigarette.

Spread the word by sharing and using the FDA tools and resources for consumers, tobacco control partners, and tobacco retailers found at http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/Labeling/MisleadingDescriptors/.

SACT Regional Community Conversation on "Keeping Victims Safe"

The State Agency Coordination Team would like to solicit community voices in order to help the Team assess effective use of resources for victims in Arizona. Please provide your input on how your region is responding to the rights and needs of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and other violent crimes. A few questions to think about prior to the meeting are:

1. What services and collaborations currently exist?
2. What makes the collaborations successful?
3. How has the environment and/or services changed?
4. What needs to be changed or developed to support the region?

Possible Community Members to Attend: Community Action Programs, Community Based Organization, Crisis Responders, Domestic Violence Providers, Faith Based Leaders, Family Advocacy Centers, Headstart, Health Care Providers, Law Enforcement, Mental Health Service Providers, Military Advocacy Providers, SARC, Probation / Parole, Prosecutors, Victim Advocates, School Homeless LiasonsSexual Assault Providers

Date, Time and Location:

Wednesday, August 18, 2010
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Coconino County Health Department
The Ponderosa Room
2625 N. King Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86004

NOTE: Bring your own lunch or lunch can be ordered and delivered the day of the meeting at your expense.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Myra Ferell-Womochil at (928) 233-4315 or mferell@northlandfamily.org

SACT consists of the Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families Division for Women; Arizona Departments of Economic Security, Health Services, Public Safety, Housing, Corrections, as well as the Arizona Attorney General's Office, Arizona Criminal Justice Commission and Arizona Supreme Court.

Back to School Health Fair

The flyer can downloaded for printing here.

Register for the Healthy Living Program

The Healthy Living Program is a free six week self-management workshop designed to help participants with a chronic disease or condition build skills and gain self-confidence in their ability to manage their condition and learn how health conditions affect their lives. Anyone with a chronic condition such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, asthma, or any other ongoing health problem should participate. Caregivers or family members who serve as caregivers are also welcome.

Subjects covered in the workshop:

Dealing with difficult emotions
Managing symptoms
Goal settings
Problem solving
Nutrition
Understanding medications
Making informed treatment decisions
Increasing strength and stamina through better fitness

The Healthy Living Program meets once a week from 1:00-3:30pm beginning August 19th in Flagstaff and August 18th in St. Johns. Each workshop is facilitated by two trained leaders following an established curriculum. To register for the class in Flagstaff, please call Chet at 928-213-6110. To register in St. Johns, please call Nayeli at 928-337-3705 ext. 3810.

Invitation to attend the 11th Annual Arizona Highlands Garden Conference

Sustainable Gardening for Homes and Communities is the theme for the garden conference in Payson, August 27-28, 2010 at the Mazatzal Casino on Highway 87. Attendees may choose from fifteen presentations, demonstrations and site visits on aspects of sustainable gardening.

Morning keynote address:

"My Ordinary Extraordinary Yard!" by Greg Peterson

Discovering the Garden beyond your Garden. In so many ways our gardens have been relegated to the 10x10 plot in the back corner of our yards. Join Greg as he explores our gardens beyond the plot and then beyond our yard into the world. Greg shares how his Urban Farm has impacted the community and shows you how you can begin creating your own urban farm.

Afternoon keynote address:

"Why We Garden" by David Wann

Gardening reconnects and heals. In the garden, life’s struggles, snags and snafus decompose into rich, black earth as we touch, smell, see, and taste where we live. The good news is that the insights and strengths we gain while planting a tomato seedling can also help us create more sustainable communities, policies, and designs.

For registration information please go to http://extension.arizona.edu/gila/horticulture or call 928-402-8589. Registration by July 30 is recommended; credit cards accepted!