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SUMMER 2021 is HERE!!
FIND A BALANCE...
RELAX, WORK, READ and HAVE FUN!
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Empower your students to "Make a Difference"! |
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FOCUS is committed to supporting all Alabama schools in implementing student-led prevention of adolescent risk behaviors. Partnerships can be vital in increasing student access to youth-friendly, affordable, local services that could be provided on-site, at a convenient off-site location, or remotely. Visit www.thefocusprogram.com today to update your school's profile in FOCUS' membership database. Without current information, we are unable to maximize our service to you and keep you informed.
FOCUS was founded on the simple philosophy that young people, empowered to help each other and serve their schools and communities, are the most effective force in the prevention of adolescent risk behaviors. Provide your students the opportunity to be a part of FOCUS!
There's NO COST to register and the benefits received include:
- Access to Facilitator Only Content
- Monthly FOCUS Newsletters
- Notification of upcoming events
- Leadership opportunities for students
- Motivational speakers
- Free digital resources for implementation
- Networking Opportunities
- Opportunity to be named the AL FOCUS "Difference Maker of the Year" and receive $1,000 Prize
- Professional Learning Opportunities through ALSDE PowerSchool
- Access to student leadership and participation certificates
- .....PLUS MORE!
We are kicking off our membership drive and are offering incentives to join FOCUS for the 2021-2022 School Year!
Take a moment and Register/Renew Your School TODAY!
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The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana: Johnny Stack’s Life and Death |
FOCUS is partnering with the Addiction Prevention Coalition (APC) for the upcoming event "The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana: Johnny Stack’s Life and Death" featuring bestselling author Laura Stack. This live Zoom event will be held on May 11 at 6:30pm CST.
"Laura Stack’s 19-year-old son, Johnny, died by suicide on November 20, 2019 from paranoid delusion from using high-potency THC concentrates. Soon afterward, Laura started a 501c3, Johnny’s Ambassadors, to educate parents and teens about the dangers of today’s high-THC marijuana on adolescent brain development, mental illness, and suicide. In this session, Laura will share the story of Johnny’s marijuana addiction from a mother’s point of view, a poignant chronicle of the shocking descent from innocence to eventual suicide. Before marijuana, Johnny was a computer whiz with a 4.0 GPA and a perfect math score on the SAT. After marijuana, he stole his family dog from the home and threatened to kill it without payment from his mother to buy marijuana."
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2021 Difference Maker Award
WE HAVE A WINNER!!
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We have selected a winner for our 2021 Difference Maker of the Year! Watch for our Facebook Live Presentation TBA soon. We are so excited to honor our 2021 Difference Maker! |
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Attend One of the Summer FOCUS Facilitator Trainings! |
There will be four opportunities this summer to receive FOCUS Facilitator Training with professional development through Alabama State Department of Education's (ALSDE) PowerSchool. FOCUS staff will be presenting the week of July 12-16, 2021, at the ALSDE's MEGA Conference in Mobile, Alabama, and at the ALSDE's Regional Summer Health and Physical Education Workshops tentatively scheduled in Athens on July 27, Alabaster on July 28, and Mobile on July 29. Contact Sue Jones at sjones@thefocusprogram.com if you would like more information. Hope to see you there!
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FOCUS + Potential Magazine = Partnership Plus! |
Each quarter, FOCUS provides an article for Potential Magazine. This month we submitted an article titled: "The Social Impasse: How Social Media is Socially Destroying Us" by a very supportive friend of FOCUS out of Tuscaloosa, Al. Take a moment to review this outstanding publication and read Derek Osborn's article on Page 28. |
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Do you need a "Certificate of Participation" or a "Certificate of Leadership" for your students? We just wanted to send out a quick reminder that these certificates are available as a fillable form on the FOCUS Facilitator Login portion of the website. If you are a registered FOCUS school you should have already received your log-in information. If you haven't registered as a FOCUS school you can register on our website. If you have any questions, please contact April at afreitag@thefocusprogram.com.
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Stay up to date on everything that is happening with FOCUS by following us on social media! Don't hesitate, follow us today! |
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GIVEAWAY: If you haven’t already, you can sign up to take our Sex Education Professional Learning Series (SEPLS) for free online. Everyone who finishes the entire course by May 27 will be entered to win a giveaway package of sex ed learning materials, worth $250! The package will include evidence-based lesson guides, age-appropriate brochures and posters, and resource library books for your young people!
LUNCH AND LEARN: We will host two virtual Lunch and Learns featuring guest speakers on May 11 and May 25 at noon. Grab your lunch and join us for an hour to discuss sexual health. These are free events but registration is required.
SHARE YOUR STORY: We invite you to share your stories around sex education this month. You can record a short video or write a paragraph...or come up with another creative way to share your story!
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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
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