Middlesex Partnerships for Youth, Inc.
In-Service Descriptions
2009-2010

Teen Dating Violence
When 19-year old singer and song writer Chris Brown allegedly beat his 20-year old girlfriend Rihanna, many were shocked. Even more surprising was a survey done by the Boston Public Commission which indicated that 46% of the students surveyed blamed Rihanna for the incident. Also, the survey with 200 students aged 12 to 19 revealed that 44% believed that fighting was normal in a relationship. This in-service training explores this phenomenon and also features the Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest sponsored by Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone and Middlesex Partnerships for Youth, Inc. last spring.

Family & Relationship Violence
Living with violence at home or in a personal relationship interferes with a student’s ability to learn, as well as causes serious behavioral and social problems. Long term, it increases the risk of either becoming a victim or perpetrator. This in-service will help participants understand where domestic and dating violence comes from, how it happens, what the crimes are and the necessity of safety plans.  The implications for schools are emphasized in this training. Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s initiatives to prevent and combat domestic violence will also be discussed.

*Cyber Safety
The internet offers almost limitless opportunities to gain knowledge and make contact with others. When used appropriately, it is a powerful and positive tool. However, school staff and parents need to be aware of the risks inherent in this technology.  Participants will learn about online issues impacting youth, such as social networking sites, predators, and sexting.  Effective prevention and intervention strategies for teachers, school staff and parents will be outlined and discussed. The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Cyber Protection Program, created in 2007 by District Attorney Gerry Leone, will also be discussed.

*Bullying & Cyber Bullying: Prevention in Schools and the Community
It is impossible to discuss the topic of bullying without including cyber bullying. These unacceptable behaviors are often community based but the effects spill into the schools, causing hurt feelings, exclusion, and rumors.  The most effective bullying prevention is a positive and inclusive school climate and a community effort to stand up to incidents of bullying. Bullying behaviors can have serious consequences for victims, bullies and bystanders.  Included in this in-service are effective approaches to school and community climate promotion, as well as methods for students, staff and parents to effectively intervene when confronted with many forms of bullying, including cyber bullying.  This training supports Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s school safety initiatives.

Protecting Children and Youth: 51A Mandated Reporting
What legal responsibilities do educators have as mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect?  What should mandated reporters do if child abuse or neglect is suspected? The Child Abuse Unit of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office teams up with the Department of Children and Families (formerly Department of Social Services) to clarify the mandated reporting statute and 51A reporting process.  Recognizing the indicators of abuse and neglect are also addressed.  The Child Abuse Unit is part of the Family Protection Bureau reorganized by Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone in 2007.

Guns, Drugs and Contraband: School Search and Seizure
Under what circumstances do school officials have a legal right to search and/or seize?  For schools to be safe, they must be free from weapons and other contraband. This in-service training clarifies the role of the schools vs. the role of the police. The goal of the training is to promote school safety, reduce liability, and ensure that searches can be upheld in court.  This in-service was made possible, from a previous Project Safe Neighborhood grant awarded to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

Gangs in Our Communities
A growing concern about gangs, gang activity and gang behavior has emerged in many communities. This training highlights the trademarks (colors, signs, graffiti and tagging) of various national and local gangs and explains how they recruit and retain members. Organizational structure of gangs and their impact on communities will be presented in this workshop. Gang prevention strategies including alternative community affiliations will be explored. This in-service is made possible, in part, from a previous Project Safe Neighborhood grant awarded to Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s office. The Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit spearheads this presentation.

*Youth Alcohol & Drug Use
Alcohol and drug use by teens continues to be a major issue both locally and nationally. State and national data document this phenomenon with both middle and high school students. While street drugs are readily available in many communities, a majority of teen drug users easily obtain prescription medications from both stores and their family medicine cabinet. Social and health-related consequences of alcohol and drug use by teens can be severe and far reaching. This presentation has a focus on legal issues associated with under age alcohol use and drinking and driving. Such topics as inhalants, steroids, and cough medicines are also discussed.  Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s efforts in collaboration with school districts will also be discussed, with the focus on prom and graduation season.

*Social Host Liability
Particularly during prom and graduation season, some households have served minors alcohol in their own home in an attempt to make youth drinking a “less risky” activity.  However, in addition to health risks, serving minors alcohol can have serious legal consequences.  This training is aimed at giving parents the most up to date information related to the legal, social and health-related consequences of serving minors alcohol. Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s efforts in collaboration with school districts during prom and graduation season will also be discussed.

Emergency Preparedness
Does your school district/community have a plan should there be a natural disaster or terrorist attack? Is this plan well articulated and clearly understood by all constituents? Has your community held drills with opportunities for interoperabilility with police and fire personnel? Do all your schools have well stocked emergency kits?  The best approach to emergencies in communities and schools are based on effective collaboration between agencies.  This individualized training addresses these important considerations for emergency preparedness, including table top exercises. This in-service supports District Attorney Gerry Leone’s SECURE (Safe Effective Community Understanding and Response to Emergencies) initiative. (Offered only within school districts.)

The In-Service Trainings with an asterisk (*) are available in the evenings as Community Presentations with a focus towards parents.

For More Information about our in-services or to inquire about booking call 781-897-6806 or email meredith.lerner@state.ma.us