2020 FOCUS Rallies

Teachers and parents want young people to develop into knowledgeable, responsible, caring, and healthy adults. The challenge is providing opportunities in schools linked to these outcomes. FOCUS has proven itself to be an important piece of the puzzle! FOCUS is based on a student-led approach and seeks to empower youth to change their school climates. FOCUS may be implemented as an elective class, an extra-curricular activity, as part of enrichment program, or infused into an established class. In the planning of prevention activities, FOCUS provides networking opportunities through social media and statewide Rallies.

The FOCUS Rally is an annual event for students in grades 7-12 and adult school chaperones. The Rally highlights breakout sessions featuring outstanding presenters from across the State of Alabama.  Also, FOCUS reached approximately 1,950 students at the three previous FOCUS Rallies.

South Alabama Rally

The first FOCUS Rally of 2020 was held on Friday, January 31 at  Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia, AL. Approxiamtely, 450 students and 65 adults attended  the South Alabama Rally. 

The keynote speaker was Lauren Sisler, who is a multi national award-winning sports broadcaster working with ESPN, the SEC Network, and AL.com. She shared her story of losing both of her parents to their concealed battle with addiction in hopes of spreading awareness about the dangers of addiction and the devastation it can cause.

Thank you to Jacksonville High School  for serving as the Host School at the Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa;  Etowah County Career Tech for serving as the Host School at the Shocco Springs Conference Center in Talladega;  and Andalusia High School for serving as the Host School at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia. 

We are also excited to annouce that Kalynn Patterson from Hale County and Eryanna Sheridan from Andalusia were the winners of the Andalusia Rally Social Media Contests!

Save-the-Date!

September 16, 2020 - Wednesday

(Location TBD)

September 23, 2020 - Wednesday at the 

Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa, AL 

Please visit  http://www.thefocusprogram.com to register. Email Sue Jones,  sjones@thefocusprogram.com if you have any questions.

Check out the 2019 FOCUS Rally vides! 

2019 Talladega Rally

2019 Tuscaloosa Rally

Thank you to Jonathan Thompson 

for helping promote the 2020 FOCUS Rallies! 

February is Teen Dating Violence (TDV) Awareness month.  We encourage you to make a difference in your community by utilizing Dibble's  TDV resource page  to:

• Raise awareness of TDV using our infographic, case studies, and videos
• Learn about innovative and engaging approaches to prevent TDV
• Download free sample lessons or request free digital review copies of our programs.

Sadly, dating violence can start in the early teen years.  Good news - The Dibble Institute's relationship education materials are designed to engage middle school and high school students.  

Check it out! Especially Relationships Smarts Plus.  It has been proven to impact teen dating violence by increasing positive behaviors and decreasing risky, negative behaviors. 

Helping the youth you serve develop healthy, respectful, and safe relationships gives you the potential of preventing TDV.  Plus, you will be making a difference in the lives of teens and your community!

AASB Accepting Entries for Student Video Contest

Do not forget to register your school for the 2019-2020 school! Click here to register as a FOCUS school or to update your school's registration!

 

Teen Vaping: What You Need to Know

"Although e-cigarettes have been around for more than a decade, vaping rates have skyrocketed in recent years, especially among teens.  E-cigarettes are now the most frequently used tobacco product  among adolescents - some  2.1 million middle and high school students  were e-cigarette users in 2017 - far surpassing traditional combustible cigarettes."

To view the full article about Teen Vaping please click here. 

 

February

• 1-28: American Heart Month
• 1-28: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

March

• 1-31: National Red Cross Month/Blood Drive
• 1-31: Health Fair/FOCUS Zone

April 

• 1-30: Alcohol Awareness Month
• 1-30: National Child Abuse Prevention Month
• 1-30: National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
• 1-30: Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
• 1-30: STI Awareness Month
• 8-12: National Youth Violence Prevention Week
• 10: National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
• 15: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

*Designated for ALABAMA FOCUS SCHOOLS

The Facilitator Training Videos are live on our website!! 

You can view these videos on the Facilitator page at www.focusprogram.com.

Follow FOCUS on social media at /alabamafocus:

        

Be sure to tag us on all your school's activities 

by using the hashtag #ALABAMAFOCUS!

The FOCUS eNewsletter provides links to articles and websites with information on current events, research, funding opportunities and other items related to theprevention of HIV/AIDS and other adolescent risk behaviors. The inclusion of this information does not imply endorsement by FOCUS and the opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the official position, policies or views of FOCUS.