Greg Fowler, FRN executive director, announced that the recent fiscal year ended with a deficit of $3.50. He also reported that the FRN’s $40,000 grant funding was spent as well over the past fiscal year. At this time, $2,288.41 remains in the FRN account. The remaining funds, which are designated for emergency-use only, are not part of the grant and are owned by the FRN.
Currently, the FRN has not received a grant for the new fiscal year. In addition, Fowler announced that the FRN has yet to receive a contract for the 2012 fiscal year. According to Fowler, a contract is expected, but the DHHR is currently behind in contracts. At this time, several other FRN organizations are waiting for their contracts as well.
“Funding could be as late as September in arriving,” Fowler said.
In other business:
• New FRN officer nominations were discussed. Members present voted to keep those currently in office as the officers for the new fiscal year. It also was decided that Deb Hon would co-chair the secretary position with Cathy Davis. Other officers include: president, Roxanne Smith; vice president, Lisa Arbogast; and treasurer, Lisa Durst.
• Fowler announced that the Mason County Teen Court system recently received a $17,500 grant for the 2012 fiscal year. According to Fowler, the funding will enable teen court to continue for another year. Currently, the teen court system has one outstanding case. Teen court members also are preparing to train new attorneys from the county’s three high schools. New cases will take place once the school year begins. In addition, this year, teen court will be working with the Mason County Board of Education on truancy and tobacco related cases within the school system.
• It was announced that the Mason County Anti-Drug Coalition will begin tobacco synar visits. Through the synar effort, county businesses that sell tobacco will be randomly visited to ensure that tobacco products are not sold to minors. During the random visit, a youth volunteer from another county and an undercover state police officer will participate in the event. Fowler also will be taking part. Businesses that are found to sell tobacco to minors will be issued a citation. Businesses who do not sell to minors will be presented a certificate.
• The FRN Resource Directory is currently being updated. The directory contains information on all organizations throughout Mason County. Those who wish to have their information and contacts published should contact Fowler as soon as possible at 304-593-0072. The new directory will be available in September.
• Lena Burdette, United Way of the River Cities Community Coordinator, announced that the United Way is planning CHIP enrollment events. CHIP recently raised their eligibility levels and now includes more people in the area. More information can be obtained on the CHIP Web site.
• Ed Davis, Financial Stability Partnership (FSP) United Way Coordinator, announced that the FSP has established two new financial literacy education programs with the Veterans Administration. Each Wednesday, the organization will have an open-door two hour session with clients from the Veterans Homeless Resource Center. On Thursdays, FSP will offer a 12-week one hour financial education course for clients at the Veterans Mental Health Facility at the VA Regional Hospital. The FSP also has partnered with Success by Six and the West Virginia Alliance for Sustainable Families to conduct a CHIP enrollment event in August.
• It was announced that Mason County’s Camp Sunshine was recently held and featured more than 110 participants. The event was very successful.
• It was announced that the Mason County Special Olympics Committee will meet on the second Monday of each month at the Mason County Library. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Aleta Flora, co-director, at 304-576-2602.
• Lisa Arbogast, 4-H volunteer, announced that more than 200 youth attended this summer’s Mason County 4-H Camps. The next big event for local 4-H clubs is the Mason County Fair, slated for Aug. 8-13.
• Brenda Harlow announced that the West Virginia Breast Cervical Cancer Screening Program, funded by the CDC, offers free or low cost pap tests, pelvic exams, lineal breast exams and mammograms to women between the ages of 35 and 68.
• Diana Riddle, director of the Mason County Health Department, announced that the health department will host a booth at the upcoming Mason County Fair. The booth will feature a healthy nutrition and activity theme. She also reported that the health department will host Back-To-School Immunizations Clinics from Aug. 1-5. In other health department news, Riddle announced that additional Pan Flu money purchased and distributed the following items for the county: 19 hand sanitizing stations; N-95 masks fit for EMS personnel; and hand wash timers for school children, which will be utilized this fall.
• It was reported that the Walk for Women, sponsored by the Mason County CEOS, will take place Oct. 16.
• It was announced that Mason County will have another HMO option starting in August. Current customers are to receive letters this week that state that as of Sept. 1, there will be two health plans to choose from. The two choices are Ucr Health Plan and Care Link. Customers who wish to keep Care Link do not have to do anything. For more information, call 1-800-449-8466.
• Lisa Durst, of the SouthWestern Community Action Council, announced that the Point Pleasant Center is moving to Early Education. This year, Mason County Pre-K to Head Start will be starting Universal Pre-K.
• Roxanne Smith announced that the Heart of Appalachia Education Opportunity Center has been busy this summer by helping students return to college. Currently, the center has GED study guides available. At this time, the center also is waiting to receive grant approval for the new fiscal year.
• Rev. Richard Sargent announced that there will be no Mason County Ministerial Association meetings for the remainder of the summer season.
The next FRN meeting will be 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16.
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