The past few years have been extremely trying on our community, with 2010 Eagle County unemployment

rates reaching 9.5%, and 8% of families living below the poverty level (US Census Bureau "People QuickFacts" query: Eagle County, 2010). The economic stresses have impacted local young people in many ways, including with increased suicide ideation and suicide attempts. While we anxiously await results from the 2011 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, the 2009 Survey showed the following: 15% of local high school students seriously considered suicide 9% of high school students attempted suicide 25% of middle school students felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks that they stopped doing some of their usual activity The Eagle River Youth Coalition has been honored to partner with local schools, first responders, service providers, mental health professionals and invaluable volunteers to offer gatekeeper trainings to adults in the community. Together, we have also exposed 815 students from eight local middle and high schools to suicide prevention and intervention training this school year alone. These courses have led to 49 immediate referrals. We are currently working with Eagle County Schools to develop a Suicide Risk Assessment protocol to be used in each school to identify, refer, and intervene with those contemplating suicide. ERYC is honored to have helped convene the Suicide Prevention Coalition of the Eagle Valley; an incredible group of professionals representing various mental health and emergency response agencies. Also known as SURO(Speak Up Reach Out), ERYC is diligently working to transition many of our suicide prevention efforts to the Coalition in 2012, so that our community members in need receive the most appropriate, effective services. Thank you to all of you who have supported suicide prevention and intervention in Eagle County, and for your commitment to reducing suicide ideation by providing healthy, exciting opportunities for young people. Please consider joining us on February 15 for a SafeTALK suicide prevention and referral training, and to learn more about SURO. - Michelle Hartel, Executive Director

Eagle County Schools Walking Mountains Bright Future Foundation CSU Extension Samaritan Center of the Rockies The Literacy Project Red Ribbon Project SOS Outreach Eagle Valley Alliance For Sustainability Avon Police Department Early Childhood Partners Colorado West Regional Mental Health, Inc. 1st Bank Eagle County EMS Prevention Committee Envision.Believe.Create. Foundation Suicide Prevention Coalition of the Eagle Valley Bravo! Vail Valley Music Upward Bound - Colorado Mountain College Eagle Valley Library District Second WInd Fund Vail Valley Salvation Army Girl Scouts of Colorado The Youth Foundation

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H began a century ago as an educational program for the nation's youth and is available to young people ages 5-18 offering a wide variety of projects anywhere from showing a pig to decorating a cake. Today, 4-H meets the needs of and engages young people in positive youth development experiences in order to continue its motto of "Making the Best Better". Colorado State University Extension 4-H in Eagle County is pleased to announce the recent formation of four new clubs: Just Horsin' Around 4-H Club: If you are a horse enthusiast between the ages of 8-18, check out the new horse club led by Sally Kaufman. If you don't have a horse, no problem!! There are opportunities to learn more about horse care, diseases, breeds, types of horses, riding styles and much more. Fur and Feathers 4-H Club: Poultry and Rabbits will be the featured projects of this newly formed club ran by veteran leaders Karen Carthy and Kim Olson. If you don't have a place to keep a poultry animal, opportunity for boarding is available at the Eagle and Gypsum 4-H Community Barns. Cooking 4-H Club: The 4-H Cooking club meets bi-weekly Tuesday evenings from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Holy Cross Apartment Community Center in Gypsum. We are excited to have a new leader on board Chelsea Horn! Chelsea comes to us with many years of 4-H experience and we are excited for her to share her expertise as she leads this club. 4-H Photography Club: Brian Maloney will be spearheading this new club. There are many new things happening in the realm of photography today. Brian has many ideas to motivate and teach this subject that he is knowledgable and passionate about. Meetings will be held on the lower level of Alpine Bank from 5 - 7 p.m. on the 2nd Sunday of every month. 4-H enrollment deadline is quickly approaching: March 1 is the last day to register for 2012 and still be able to participate in the County Fair. Enrollment fee for the year is $40 per member. Enrollment forms can be downloaded on our website or call for more information! To learn more about 4-H or to join, please call Jenny Wood at the 4-H Extension Office: (970) 328-8631 or jenny.wood@eaglecounty.us.

Children of Alcoholics Week Feb. 12-18

Children of Alcoholics (COA) Week is a campaign led by The National Association for Children of Alcoholics(NACoA) to raise awareness of children affected by parental alcohol problems. With affiliate organizations throughout the country, Great Britain, Germany, and Canada, NACoA's mission is to eliminate the adverse impact of alcohol and drug use on children and families with COA Week is celebrated internationally each year during the week in which Valentine's Day falls. To find out how you can help children of all ages know they are not alone, click here.

American Heart Month

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one. Celebrate American Heart Month by taking steps to prevent and control factors that put people at greater risk. and by knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Or, on Feb. 3, participate in National Wear Red Day events or join the Facebook Challenge.

Snowball: Safety Campaign

ERYC has been creating a Youth Education and Prevention Campaign with an emphasis around local special events. These efforts are in direct preparation of an upcoming event, the Snowball Music Festival, which will be held in Avon March 2-4. ERYC's campaign will focus on substance use and abuse education, reinforcement of adopting a buddy system, critical environmental awareness, alternative transportation options, sexual health and the overall costs and consequences of making poor choices. These focal elements laid the foundation for the campaign following local youth serving agencies identifying the need for a youth specific special events education and prevention campaign.

MLK Weekend Book Drive: Thank You!

The Samaritan Counseling Center has hired a new therapist to work with children and families. Deb Felio, MA, LPC is a licensed professional counselor with 20+ years of experience working with individuals ( preschool -

Thank you to the community for its support of the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend Colorado AmeriCorps Literacy Matters Book Drive! More than 1,000 books were donated! Books will be used to support local youth and were distributed to teachers throughout the Eagle County School District and Bright Future Foundation's Buddy Mentors program. A special thank you for the generous donations from the Eagle Valley Library District and The Youth Foundation and to The Bookworm of Edwards, Eagle Ranch Fitness Club, City Market in Avon & Vail, and Town of Vail Library for serving as drop off locations.

platinum years), families and couples. Her specialties are attachment and trauma and their impact on healthy individual, family and life. Deb is a national speaker on attachment topics, and has worked in private practice, school and church staffs, adolescent eating disorder center, and community mental health. Her experience includes work with medical trauma, abuse and neglect, adoption, blended families, relationship challenges, faith issues and grief and loss. Deb believes it is never too late to heal and brings that hope into all her work.

Bright Future Foundation: 2012 Nonprofit of the Year

Celebrate the 2012 Nonprofit of the Year - Bright Future Foundation! Join BFF and other honored local businesses Friday, Feb. 10, 6-11 p.m. at Vail Marriott Mountain Resort and Spa for the 9th Annual Vail Valley Success Awards. The themed awards ceremony will include dinner, dancing event, and silent auction. Tickets are $165 per individual and $1,500 per table of ten. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to BFF. Several tables will be available for BFF supporters. Please let Jennifer Weintraub know when you make your reservation that you would like to be seated with BFF. Please also email sheri@bff-ec.org to let her know you're coming. For more information, contact Jennifer at 970-477-4001 or jweintraub@visitvailvalley.com.

The Literacy Project: Reading Buddies Program

The Literacy Project Reading Buddies Program begins: In Eagle: Tuesday, February 14 In Avon: Tuesday, February 29 This is a program for elementary school children and high school students. Please call an area library for more information or visit the Literacy Project online.

A county wide survey to gather information regarding health care access to residents of Eagle County has been launched. The community is invited to participate by taking the survey online, available in both English and Spanish, or picking up a paper copy at key sites throughout the county. The county would like to gather input from a majority of the uninsured and underinsured of Eagle County. The information gathered will be important as planning towards a Community Health Care Center in Eagle County moves forward. Deadline for survey completion is Feb. 2. Contact Sarah Ingersoll at the county at sarah.ingersoll@eaglecounty.us or 970-328-8835 with questions.

In support of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, concerned parents, educators, and community leaders are Walking Mountains Open That Bottle Night invited to join a one hour webinar What: Join Walking Mountains for a new and exciting evening complete Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. (Central with unique wine and food pairings, creative auction items, and lively Time) with Marty Harding and Colleen camaraderie. Megan Gilman, president and co-founder of Active Gallopin. Harding, director of training Energies, will be recognized for her contribution to the community with the and consultation services at Hazelden Publishing and Gallopin, director of presentation of the 2012 Founders Stewardship Award. training and technical assistance at When: Saturday, Feb. 11 Break the Cycle, will present on teen Time: 5:30 p.m.: VIP Wine Tasting Reception; 6:30 p.m.: Open That dating violence using the evidenceBottle Night based model Respect WORKS! The Location: The Arrabelle at Vail Square webinar will introduce participants to a Cost: $175/individual; $225/VIP Individual comprehensive model that will help Information & Tickets: Contact Nancy Shane at 970-306-0286 or schools an community organizations nancys@walkingmountains.org prevent and reduce teen dating

Eagle County Sheriff's Office ACT On Drugs Presentation What: The public is invited to attend an evening presentation by Lynn Riemer, affectionately known as the "Martha Stewart of Meth Labs." Riemer will be in Eagle County to present Adolescent and Community Training (ACT) on Drugs presentations. Parents and community members are highly encouraged to attend to learn about drug trends locally and across the state in schools. Additionally, parents and community members will receive information about the Snowball Music Festival and community safety concerns. Avon Police Department will be present to field questions. When: Tuesday, Feb. 14 & Wednesday, Feb. 15 Time: 6-8 p.m. Location: Tuesday at Battle Mountain High School; Wednesday at Eagle Valley High School Information: 970-328-8500 or info@sheriff.eagle.co.us Girl Scouts of Colorado Milk & Cookies Reception What: Discover, connect, and help revitalize Girl Scouting in Eagle County. Spend some time with Greg Movesian, Executive Vice President of Resource Development, and learn about today's Girl Scouts. Tour the new Walking Mountains Science Center Visitor's Gallery. Network with other community leaders supporting Girl Scouts and enjoy some famous Girl Scouts cookies. When: Wednesday, Feb. 22 Time: 5:30 p.m.: Facility Tour; 6 p.m.: Reception Location: Walking Mountains Science Center RSVP & Information: Contact Cricket Hawkins at 970-379-9059 or cricket.hawkins@gscolorado.org Girl Scouts of Colorado Miss Representation Screening What: Miss Representation, a 2011 critically acclaimed film, is a full-fledged social action campaign to empower women and girls to challenge limiting labels placed on them by the media in order to transform our culture for the betterment of all. Don't miss your chance to view this amazing film about girls and the media and talk with panelists about what we can do to make a difference. The conservation will continue March 3 at the Healthy Media for Youth Community Conversation. When: Thursday, Feb. 23 Time: 6-9 p.m. Location: Community College of Aurora, CentreTech Campus Cost: $7 Registration & More information: Cortney.Healy@gscolorado.org, 970-589-5866, or online before Feb. 13 Gypsum Public Library Dr. Seuss is Loose! What: Dr. Seuss is Loose! Gypsum Public Library is ready to celebrate! In fact, we cannot wait! Families are invited to a night of reading, games, recycled art and seed projects. Treats will be provided. When: Monday, Feb. 27 Time: 6-7:30 p.m. Location: Gypsum Public Library The Second Wind Fund Leap Year Day

violence. To register, click here.

The Becoming a Love and Logic Parent course is designed to help you find the right answers and actions for some of those difficult moments raising children. If you're yelling and no one is listening, if they won't take responsibility, if you can't get them to do what you want, this course is for you. When: Tuesdays, March 6, 13, 20, 27 & April 3 Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Location: Eagle Valley Middle School Cost: $100/person; $175/couple; plus $10 book (free tuition for 3 Eagle County School teachers) Instructors: Robin Santoro (EVMS Counselor) and Jerry Santoro (Educational and Family Consultant)

The Youth Foundation is participating in NEA's Read Across America Day on Feb. 29. Volunteers are needed to read aloud to local elementary school children Schools needing readers 2-2:50: - Avon Elementary - Homestake Peaks in Eagle Vail - Red Hill Elementary in Gypsum - Edwards Elementary - Gypsum Elementary Schools needing readers 3-5: - June Creek Elementary Volunteers are also needed to read and craft with children at The Bookworm, March 2, 10-11 a.m. For more details or to sign up, email heather@theyouthfoundation.org or call 970-390-9513. Eagle County Healthy Aging Program is always seeking volunteers to help with home-delivered meals, weekly lunches, exercise programs, and various other senior activities. Please contact Carly Rietmann at 970328-8896.

P.O. Box 4613 Edwards, CO 81632 (970) 949.9250

What: Leap Year only comes around once every four years. Celebrate the event while supporting the Second Wind Fund of Eagle River Valley. The Second Wind Fund provides access to private therapists for youth 11 to 19 who are at risk for suicide by eliminating barriers to treatment such as stigma or finances. This fundraiser will include great food and drinks, live music by Steven Karambe, and a silent auction. When: Wednesday, Feb. 29 Time: 5:30-8 p.m. Location: E-Town, Edwards More information: 970-401-1946

eagleyouth.org

Trainings
safeTALK Training: This training prepares you to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. As a safeTALK trained suicide alert helper, you will be better able to: move beyond common tendencies to miss, dismiss or avoid suicide; identify people who have thoughts of suicide; apply the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe) to connect a person with suicide thoughts to suicide first aid, intervention caregivers. When: Wednesday, Feb. 15 Time: 3-5 p.m. Location: Avon Library (tentative) Please invite administrative, program, and field staff, or any other staff with direct client contact, to attend this invaluable training. RSVP by Monday, Feb. 13 to Beth at 949-9250 or email bpantzer@eagleyouth.org. Youth in Transition Forum: The Colorado Department of Behavioral Health is hosting a Youth in Transition Forum Thursday, Feb. 16, 8 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. at the Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora. There is no charge and advanced registration is required. The forum topics will include: research findings and their implications for service systems; personal perspectives of young people; model programs & policies

Development
fundraising opportunities The Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation
Purpose: Incorporated in 1948, the Foundation directs its resources to organizations that relieve suffering, meet basic human needs, promote self-sufficiency, and enrich the quality of life with a particular interest in community and social services, education, youth, health, civic and culture, and seniors. Grants are awarded for general support, program support, and capital/special projects.

Recent Findings
Dating Violence and Substance Use Among Ethnically Diverse Adolescents. Temple, J.R. & Freeman Jr., D.H., Journal of Interpersonal Violence, March 2011. doi: 10.1177/0886260510365858. Abstract Link 40 Percent of Youths Attempting Suicide Make First Attempt Before High School, Study Finds. University of Washington, ScienceDaily, 28 November 2011. Article Link Opioids Now Most Prescribed Class of Medications in America. University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, ScienceDaily, 5 April 2011. Article Link

Contact: 303-861-4127, 800232-9931, or info@www.johnsonfoundation.org

Deadline: Must submit preliminary letter to be reviewed by Trustees at next regular meeting - If Trustees wish to see full proposal, information will be sent to the applicant outlining procedures and timing.

Networking
Take this opportunity to hear more about what others are doing in the community while sharing your upcoming events and recent news and connecting with members from other local nonprofits. Next Meeting: See you in March! Details to follow.

Remember
Deadline for March newsletter submissions: Noon, Tuesday, Feb. 21 Email: Beth Pantzer

for serving youth and young adults; and results of a recent state service provider survey. To register, visit www.co-train.org and search for course #1031146.