|
|
ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO REGISTER TO BE
ELIGIBLE FOR THE BLUETOOTH KOOZIE COOLER!
|
|
|
|
ANNOUNCEMENT
ZOOM PRESENTATIONS NOW AVAILABLE!
Registered FOCUS schools may now schedule Zoom presentations on various topics including suicide prevention, stigma, tobacco prevention, dating/relationships, sexual health, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, effective communication, and emotional wellness. Other topics may be available upon request.
---
Kim Bailey, M.Ed., ALC, Assistant FOCUS Director for South Alabama, is a retired educator of twenty-nine years who spent the last twenty years of her career as a professional school counselor. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from The University of Alabama in Secondary Education Language Arts, a Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Montevallo, and even in retirement is continuing her commitment to being a life-long learner as a student in the Counselor Educator EdS program at The University of Alabama while also working as mental health counselor in Birmingham.
Throughout her career, she trained teacher leaders both locally, statewide, and nationally in Peer Helper curriculum, standards, and program implementation. Additionally, Mrs. Bailey is a Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor and is passionate about teaching adults how to support the young people with whom they work should a mental health crisis arise. Her desire to serve is motivated by the ultimate goal of helping students succeed personally and academically so that they will have unlimited opportunities in their post-secondary educational and professional endeavors.
|
|
October Health Observances
We encourage all FOCUS schools to engage in at least one health observance activity each month. October has some excellent choices for students on your campuses to “Make a Difference” and to encourage their peers to participate.
1-31 Domestic Violence Awareness Month
1-31 National Bullying Prevention Month
1-31 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
6-12 Mental Illness Awareness Week
9 National Walk to School Day
11 National Depression Screening Day
23-31 Red Ribbon Week
|
|
|
|
|
Alumnus of the Month
Every month we will highlight one of FOCUS' alumni!
|
Congratulations to Lester C. Samuel, Jr, our September Alumnus of the Month.
Lester, an active member of FOCUS beginning in middle school at Livingston Junior High School and then at Sumter Central High School, became involved with FOCUS because of his desire to help others. He was particularly interested in the anti-bullying program because he felt that no child should be bullied. Lester used many opportunities to share anti-bullying information with his peers at school, with family members, and with church members.
He attributes his early interest in FOCUS to his three Livingston Junior High Facilitators, Ms. Kenyetta Jones, Ms. Angel Dubose-Thomas and Ms. Rhonda Bibbs. Their early intervention into his life led him to encourage everyone to be kind and to always look out for one another.
Lester is now attending the University of West Alabama majoring in Engineering Technology.
|
|
Virtual Student Leadership Training Opportunity Available Through FOCUS! |
“There are two basic choices in life. Check out and whine or….SHOW UP AND SHINE.” -Kent Julian
We are excited to announce a partnership with Kent Julian. As a motivational youth speaker and leadership trainer, Kent serves thousands of students, advisors, and educators primarily through his partnerships with Career and Technology Student Organizations (CTSO), school districts, and student leadership organizations. Kent served as the keynote speaker for the 2015 FOCUS Rally at Shocco Springs Conference Center in Talladega, AL.
Kent Julian will be providing a series of four interactive leadership training videos for Alabama FOCUS schools. The series will be available upon demand in early September at www.thefocusprogram.com under the Facilitator Portal. When registering as a FOCUS School for 2021-2022, the facilitator will receive a User Name and Password to access the Leadership Training Video Series and other valuable resources to empower students to lead the prevention of adolescent risk behaviors in schools and communities across the State of Alabama.
Kent wants to serve you and your team! You can be guaranteed he will SHOW UP AND SHINE and his focus will be providing leadership training to have your students prepared to have the best school year possible.
|
|
|
|
|
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
|
Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness on this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. In addition to shifting public perception, we use this month to spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide. Our goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.
Throughout September, FOCUS is partnering with NAMI and will highlight “Together for Mental Health,” which encourages people to bring their voices together to advocate for better mental health care, including a crisis response system. NAMI wants any person experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors to have a number to call, a system to turn to, that would connect them to the treatment and support they need.
Please email your photos and activities to April at afreitag@thefocusprogram.com to be highlighted on the FOCUS social media sites and in the newsletter.
|
|
Stay up to date on everything that is happening with FOCUS by following us on social media! Don't hesitate, follow us today! |
|
|
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
FOCUS values continued partnerships with the following state and community organizations.
Alabama Department of Public Health
Alabama Department of Education
Alabama Campaign for Adolescent Sexual Health
Addiction Prevention Coalition
Children's Policy Council
Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
