Today Is Colorado Gives Day, Make Sure To Support Your Favorite Local Non-Profit!

About Colorado Gives Day

Today is Colorado Gives Day! Last year, Coloradans made an astonishing show of support for local nonprofits by donating $15.4 million in just 24 hours. A total of $15.7 million was distributed to the nonprofits, thanks to additional contributions from the FirstBank Incentive Fund and 36 cash prizes. Let’s see what we can do on Colorado Gives Day 2013!

Community First Foundation helps donors and nonprofits come together to improve quality of life in the Denver metro area. We use our resources to fund community programs, support the services of nonprofit organizations, and assist individuals with charitable giving. We have been serving the region since 1975. To learn more, visitwww.CommunityFirstFoundation.org

FirstBank has over $13 billion in assets and over 115 locations in Colorado, Arizona, and California. Ever since they were founded in 1963, they’ve maintained a strong commitment to convenience, friendly and intelligent customer service, and loyalty to their employees. FirstBank has grown through consumer and commercial lending, innovative banking products and services and a high regard for community investment. Learn more at www.eFirstBank.com

FAMILY LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE (FLTI) is now taking Applications!

FAMILY LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE (FLTI)
Taking applications now at www.ColoradoFamilyLeadership.com and click on ‘Now Accepting Applications!’
or click here to fill out application: FLTI Application

Classes start in January 2014 in the following counties:
Adams County (monolingual Spanish only)
Arapahoe/Douglas Counties
Eagle County
Larimer County
Mesa County
Montezuma/Dolores Counties
Denver/Aurora
Denver/Five Points (2015)

The Colorado Family Leadership Training Institute began in Colorado in 2009. Sometime over the course of the past three to four years you have been connected with this initiative and your support continues to be appreciated. Applications for the Class of 2014 are now being accepted. It is time to spread the news and encourage others to apply for this excellent training opportunity for parents, family members, and other community members interested in making a difference for children, youth, and families.

Who should apply? Parents, teen parents, grandparents, other family members, single people, young adults (age 15-19), veterans, fathers, foster parents, community members and others who wish to improve the lives of children and families in communities.

The FLTI curriculum is a proven curriculum that inspires trains and empowers individuals to become effective leaders and change agents on behalf of children, youth, and families. This opportunity is only offered to 25 participants who are screened and selected based on their availability and readiness. Consideration is also given to how their participation will enhance diversity, strength, and learning for the group as a whole. FLTI course is offered free of charge!

The 20-session FLTI curriculum is based on the premise that the family is a child’s first and most important teacher. Family members are also the best advocates for children and communities. Community leaders including parents, youth, and family members, can be effective when they speak out on issues and inform policymakers, the media, and the community, about the needs of their members. FLTI offers stimulating educational sessions to boost leadership skills of participants in addressing areas of concern such as accessible child healthcare, the education achievement gap, neighborhood safety, and the significance of parental involvement. Each participant applies their learning to a community-based project that reflects his/her passion. Class participants will emerge as strong leaders and advocates for all children and their families.

REMEMBERING NELSON MANDELA

President Obama delivered a statement on the passing of former South African President and anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela: “We will not likely see the likes of Nelson Mandela again,” the President said. “So it falls to us as best we can to forward the example that he set: to make decisions guided not by hate, but by love; to never discount the difference that one person can make; to strive for a future that is worthy of his sacrifice.”

Free educational resources for the upcoming film, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, are available at: http://bit.ly/1dw0VhI

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

Need feedback on your youth programs and/or initiatives?

Register today for the Positive School Climate:Bullying Prevention Institute!

WHERE: Loveland Colorado Springs, Embassy Suites Hotel, Spa & Conference Center DoubleTree Hotel

4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., Colorado Springs

WHEN: Wednesday, February 12, 2014, 8:00 - 3:30 Thursday, February 13, 2014, 8:00 - 3:30

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: administrators, teachers, PBIS teams, school safety teams, school mental health professionals, school resource officers

Pre-registration is required (see below). Check-in for those registered begins at 7:30 a.m. Light continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

AGENDA TOPICS:

• Overview of bullying prevention legislation • Positive school climate & the link to academic achievement

• Measuring school climate • On-the-spot interventions & curriculum ideas

• Best practices in bullying prevention • Preventing bullying based on race/ethnicity, sexual

• Cyberbullying orientation, disability or gender expression

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: Dorothy L. Espelage, Ph.D.

Dr. Espelage is a Professor of Child Development and Associate Chair in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She has conducted research on bullying for the last sixteen years and has authored over 70 professional publications. She is co-editor of “Handbook of Bullying in Schools: An International Perspective” (Routledge, 2010). Her research focuses on translating empirical findings into prevention and intervention programming.

This No-Cost Training Brought to You By: With support from the Gill Foundation

How to Register for this Event on the CO Train System

There are 2 steps required in this registration process: (1) creating your learner’s account, and (2) registering for the conference. This process will take approximately 5-10 minutes. You will need Internet Explorer web browser to register with the CO Train System.

1. Go to www.co.train.org. Click “Create Account” button if you are a new user. If you are a returning user, proceed to step 5.

2. One the following page, read the TRAIN policies and agree to these policies before clicking “Next.”

3. Fill out all necessary information on each of the subsequent pages. Click “Next” to continue.

4. Once your Learner’s account is set up, click “Continue” to register for the Institute.

5. Search for this institute by Course ID: 1045326.

6. Click on the title of the course, “Positive School Climate: Bully Prevention Institute” and click the Registration tab.

7. Select the location of the course you wish to attend and click “Register.”

Questions about the training or registration? Please contact the Colorado School Safety Resource Center at (303) 239-4435.

For more information, visit www.Colorado.gov/CSSRC

Join the Board of TEDxYouth@MileHigh Today! Time is running out!

What is TEDxYouth@MileHigh?

TEDxYouth@MileHigh is an opportunity to elevate and celebrate the amazing ideas and young people here in Colorado. We are pioneers in so many ways-in health, the arts, food systems, business thinking, technology and much more. Working with a myriad of leaders and innovators through TEDxMileHigh has only cemented this feeling – our communities are literally filled with extraordinary people. By spending time taking in the truly remarkable people and ideas of this region, we will all be inspired to work together – to be ‘inspired citizens’ of Colorado –building a better future for all of us and generations to come.

TEDxYouth@MileHigh Youth Board & Team

The board will be comprised of students who are mavericks, thinkers, doers, innovators, entrepreneurs and philanthropists, who are deeply committed to building, supporting and executing on TEDxYouth@MileHigh’s mission to improve and impact the Colorado community for young people.

We are seeking…

Motivated, passionate and mature high school students for the TEDxYouth@MileHigh Board to run this year’s event and help impact students across Colorado.

Board Application Information

PROGRAM DEADLINE: December 16th, 2013
Please complete all information and email to ashley@tedxmilehigh.com
For more information visit: http://www.tedxmilehigh.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/TEDxMileHigh
Ages 14-19 are encouraged to apply (MUST BE A STUDENT).

To apply click here for printable application

Position Expectations

• Show up… o Attend 2 monthly meetings in the Denver (1 Saturday afternoon a month and 1 Monday evening a month, must have a form of transportation)
• Communicate weekly via email with mentor and TEDxMileHigh staff o
• Attend TEDxYouth@MileHigh Speak Up…

Members of the youth board are there because they bring a diverse intellectual, creative and life experience than anyone else on the board. That means we want all the youth board members at the table ready to share thoughtful contributions, ideas and help take action.

Part of having thoughtful contributions also means that you are an expert listener and can build off of what everyone in the group has shared.

Lastly, we seek people who find the positive in situations, are not daunted by tackling big things and thinking about the world’s greatest problems.

To apply click here for printable application

Two awesome job opportunities for 18 to 24 year olds

Mile High Youth Corps has two exciting employment opportunities for 18-24 year olds. In MHYC’s YouthBuild Program, youth get paid work experience on a Denver Housing Authority construction site while earning their GED or high school diploma and industry-recognized credentials. They develop leadership and career-readiness skills, receive case management and ongoing follow-up. Applicants must be between 18-24 years old and not have a GED or HS diploma. This program will begin December 9th.

MHYC is also hiring for its Energy/Water Conservation Program. These youth are responsible for the installation of energy/water saving measures (installing high-efficiency toilets and CFL bulbs) in low-income homes while educating residents about the environmental and financial benefits of using less energy. This program will begin January 27th, 2014. Applicants for this position must be 18-24 and have a GED or HS diploma.
Participants in both programs are paid a modest living stipend and earn an AmeriCorps scholarship at the end of their term worth between $1,175-$2,114 to go towards higher education. You can apply online here or in person at Mile High Youth Corps’ headquarters, 1801 Federal Blvd. Denver, CO 80204.

Facts about Marijaua in Colorado before and after it’s legalization

This is the first report and foundational for future reports. It is divided into six
sections with each providing data on the impact of legalization prior to and during the creation of the medical marijuana industry in Colorado. Generally, except for diversion of Colorado marijuana, there is limited data for 2012 and 2013. The sections are as follows:

Colorado Driving Fatalities: From 2006 to 2011, traffic fatalities decreased in
Colorado 16 percent, but fatalities involving drivers testing positive for
marijuana increased 114 percent.

Colorado Youth Marijuana Use: In 2011, the national average for youth 12 to 17
years old considered “current” marijuana users was 7.64 percent which was the
highest average since 1981. The Colorado average percent was 10.72.

Colorado Adult Marijuana Use: In 2011, the national average for young adults
ages 18 to 25 considered current marijuana users was at 18.7 percent. The
Colorado average was 27.26 percent.

Colorado Emergency Room – Marijuana Admissions: From 2005 through 2008
there was an average of 741 visits per year to the emergency room in Colorado
for marijuana-related incidents involving youth. That number increased to 800
visits per year between 2009 and 2011.

Colorado Marijuana-Related Exposure Cases: From 2005 through 2008, the
yearly average number of marijuana-related exposures for children ages 0 to 5
years was 4. For 2009 through 2012, that number increased 200 percent to an
average of 12 per year.

Diversion of Colorado Marijuana (General): From 2005 to 2008, compared to
2009 to 2012, interdiction seizures involving Colorado marijuana quadrupled
from an average per year of 52 to 242. During the same period, the average
number of pounds of Colorado marijuana seized per year increased 77 percent
from an average of 2,220 to 3,937 pounds. A total of 7,008 pounds was seized in
2012.

Diversion of Colorado Marijuana (Postal Packages): In 2010, the U.S. Postal
Inspection Service seized 15 packages with Colorado marijuana destined for
other states. Seizures steadily increased through 2012 when 158 parcels were
seized. From 2010 to 2012 Colorado marijuana seized by the U.S. Postal
Inspection Service increased from 57 to 262 pounds.

There is much more data in each of the sections, which can be used as a standalone
document. Each of the sections is on the Rocky Mountain HIDTA website and can be
printed individually. Go to www.rmhidta.org. For full document click here

Marijuana Facts for Teens

Did you know that teen marijuana use has dropped
dramatically since the late 1990s? So…if you were thinking
everyone smokes marijuana, they don’t. Statistics show
that about 15 percent, or roughly 1 in 7 teens, report
using marijuana in the past month. Still, this rate is up
from a few years ago, perhaps because fewer teens
consider marijuana to be a harmful drug. Some believe
marijuana cannot be harmful because it is “natural.”
But, not all natural plants are good for you—take tobacco,
for example.

One serious risk is addiction. In 2011, nearly 4.2 million
people 12 and older had a marijuana abuse or addiction
problem. Look inside this booklet to find out more,
because marijuana is not as harmless as you may think.
Our goal is to give you the straight facts, so you can make
smart choices and be your best self—without drugs. And
we hope you will continue the conversation and share this
information with your peers, parents, teachers, and others.

Nora D. Volkow, M.D.
Director
National Institute on Drug Abuse

To learn the facts about how marijuana effects your body click here

You can find treatment programs through this Website www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Also, you can call the SAMHSA
Treatment Referral hotline at 1-800-662-HELP. Treatment can help you, a friend, or someone you love get back to the person you or they once were. Letter to teens Need Treatment?

This publication may be reprinted without permission. Here are some helpful places to go for more information:

The NIDA Web site www.drugabuse.gov has information
on a variety of drugs and related topics. NIDA’s teen site
www.teens.drugabuse.gov covers a lot of ground, with
free downloads, entertaining and informative videos and
games, and our Sara Bellum blog for teens, where you
can even leave us a comment or two. Learn how different
drugs affect the brain and body, and read real stories from
teens who have struggled with drug abuse and addiction.
To learn more about mental health disorders, like
depression or schizophrenia, visit the National Institute
of Mental Health at www.nimh.nih.gov and read the
Director’s Blog on various topics that include suicide
prevention, bipolar and borderline personality disorders,
coping with traumatic events, and more.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Web site www.niaaa.nih.gov contains the latest research,
news, and other resources related to alcohol. They even
have a site especially for young teens called “the cool
spot” www.thecoolspot.gov, with quizzes and other
interactive screens that give you information on alcohol
and resisting peer pressure.