La Center United Newsletter

Many things around the house including prescription, over-the-counter medications, as well as vitamins can be dangerous or poisonous if found by an innocent child, a beloved pet, or used in the wrong way. Never underestimate the curious mind of a child or a dog’s keen sense of smell. Children and pets are the most common victims of accidental medicine poisonings, with pain medications being the single most frequent cause of pediatric fatalities reported to Poison Control.

Unintentional exposure to prescription medication has led to an increase in poison control center calls in recent years, according to the “Childhood Poisoning: Safeguarding Young Children from Addictive Substances” report by the Partnership to End Drug Addiction (formerly the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse). In 2019, the 55 United States poison control centers provided telephone guidance for over 2.1 million human poison exposures. That's about:

• 6.4 poison exposures/1000 population
• 37.4 poison exposures in children younger than 6 years/1000 children
• 1 poison exposure reported to U.S. poison control centers every 15 seconds

Furthermore, nearly 50% of all calls received by the Pet Poison Helpline involve human medications – both over-the-counter and prescription. Whether Fido accidentally chewed into a pill bottle or a well-intentioned pet owner accidentally switched medication (giving their pet a human medication), pet poisonings due to human medications are common and can be very serious. If you suspect that your pet has accidentally ingested medicine, call the 24/7 Animal Poison Control Center at 1-855-764-7661.

You can keep children, pets, and loved ones safe in your home by knowing the risks for accidental medicine ingestion, misuse, or overdose and by following prevention tips:

• Always keep medicines in their original containers and properly labeled. Be aware of all medicines in your home and how many pills are left in the containers.
• Children like to mimic adult behaviors, including taking medicine. If possible, take your medicine somewhere where children will not see you.
• Never tell a child medicine tastes like candy and never give medicine to a child in the dark. You could give the wrong dosage or even the wrong medicine.
• Keep medicine out of reach. Make sure purses and bags — yours and guests' — that could contain medicines are kept out of the reach of kids at all times. If your kids spend a lot of time at a relative's, know what medicines are there and help to get them out of your child's reach.
• Never assume your child can't open a medicine package or container. Child-resistant packaging does not mean childproof packaging.
• Don’t share prescription medicines. If you are taking more than one drug at a time, check with your health care provider, pharmacist, or call the toll-free Poison Help line 1-800-222-1222, which connects you to your local poison center, to find out about possible drug interactions.
• Store all medicines — prescription and nonprescription — in a locking cabinet, drawer, or lockbox. Kids can climb up using the toilet and countertops to get to items placed up high, so using a lock is key. Purchase a cabinet lock or lockbox online or at your nearest store to lock up all of your medications. Learn more at LocksSaveLives.org.
• Dispose of your unused medications at your nearest take-back location. You can find your nearest drop box site at a Take Back Your Meds site near you.

If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction to opioids, now is the time to get help. Programs are available across Washington state to help you live an opioid-free life. Learn about overdose prevention, treatment, opioid misuse prevention, safe medication storage and disposal, and more at www.GetTheFactsRx.com.

Link to Nomination Form: https://bit.ly/boardnom22

Board Chair:

Serves as a director of the organization, and as a member of the executive board. Serves as the liaison with the Project coordinator of the fiscal agent. Holds board members, coordinators, and committees accountable for their responsibilities. Facilitates the formation of ad-hoc workgroups. Manages other duties as necessary for the effective functioning of La Center United.

(Full Position Description Here)

Vice-Chair:

Serves as a director of the organization, and as a member of the executive board. Serves as an assistant to the chair and assumes duties of the chair in their absence. Serves as chair of the membership subcommittee. Maintains and presents membership roster for attendance sign-in at La Center united meetings.

(Full Position Description Here)

Secretary:

Serves as a director of the organization, and as a member of the executive board. Documents, records, and preserves historically relevant information pertaining to La Center United. Keeps the minutes of the proceedings of the membership and Executive Board, presents minutes for approval. Coordinates communication of meeting minutes, and annual updates to sector representatives and stakeholders.

(Full Position Description Here)

Treasurer

Serves as a director of the organization, and as a member of the executive board. Organizes, documents, and records all financial activities of the organization. Oversees all nonprofit funds in accordance with the organization’s financial policies. Collects/disperses funds, ensures funds are received and spent in accordance with the organization’s tax-exempt purpose, bylaws, and budget, presents monthly financial statements (accounting background preferred), arranges for all audits.

(Full Position Description Here)

Communication Coordinator:

Serves as a director of the organization, and as a member of the executive board. Prepares and distributes monthly newsletter. Distributes meeting notices & agendas. Maintains general membership email distribution list. Serves as chair of the Social Media Committee.

(Full Position Description Here)

Community Representative 1 & 2:

Serves as a director of the organization, and as a member of the executive board. Serves as chair of committees as may be assigned by the chair.

(Full Position Description Here)

La Center United has partnered with community organizations and local businesses to compile baskets with local information and swag items to welcome new neighbors to the community.

Each basket consists of: a La Center United welcome letter, brochures, and/or business cards from local businesses, churches, and volunteer groups, a face mask, a La Center United: bandana, pop-socket, pen, and lanyard, a small notebook, to-go “youth first” bag, key chain, La Center Museum Centennial newspaper, and calendar with historical pictures of La Center.

If you are a new community member or know a new member of the community who may be interested in a community welcome basket please contact lacenterunited@gmail.com.

Relevant Prevention Policies:

Marijuana

• Allowing marijuana agriculture
• Concerning arrest protections for the medical use of cannabis
• Replacing the term "marijuana" with the term "cannabis" throughout the Revised Code of Washington
• Providing a tax exemption for medical marijuana patients
• Establishing a Washington state cannabis commission

Alcohol

• Concerning the creation of a limited spirits retail license
• Concerning taxation of low-proof beverages

Tobacco

• Concerning methods to prevent nicotine addiction
• Enforcement reform - possession of vapor products, tobacco, and tobacco products by minors
• Vapor product tax reform
• Vapor product flavors ban

Prevention System

• Providing behavioral health system responses to individuals with substance use disorder

The Loft Brochure

What is The Loft

The Loft is a teen center open to Middle & Highschool teens.

What are the hours?

The Loft is open Wednesday afternoon's 3:30-5:30 when school is in session

Where Is The Loft Located?

The Loft is located in La Center Evangelical Free Church 111 E 5th St, La Center, WA 98629

What is there to do at The Loft?

Activities at The Loft include:

· Board games

· Foosball

· Basketball

· Pool

· Ping pong

· Art Activities

· Baking

· Drawing

· Dodgeball

· Video games

· Table Hockey

· A community library

· Homework help

· And more!

The Loft is located in a church, does the Loft have a religious affiliation?

The Loft has no religious affiliation. The La Center Evangelical Free Church has generously donated space to help provide a safe space in the community for teens.

History of the Loft

La Center United is a community coalition focused on building a safe community where youth and families can learn, grow, connect and build resilience. During a community town hall forum, the coalition was made aware of the lack of safe spaces for youth to hang out in the community. The coalition jumped into action and in 2017 The Loft Opened its doors deeming itself a safe place for teens to connect.

Interested in volunteering?

If you are an adult interested in volunteering or bringing in a new skill please contact La Center United at lacenterunited@gmail.com to learn more.

Registration:

All participants must be registered to attend. Parents can register their youth from the link below.

• AmazonSmile: next time you make a purchase from Amazon, consider purchasing through smile.amazon.com or Amazon Smile through the amazon shipping app; and choose La Center United. A portion of the proceeds goes directly towards La Center United at no additional cost to you.
• Fred Meyer Rewards: Supporting La center United when you shop is as simple as updating the Community Rewards selection on your digital account.

1. Sign in to your digital account

2. Go here to search for your organization

3. Enter the name or NPO number of the organization that you wish to support.

4. Select La Center United from the organization list and click “Save.”

Our Mission:

Inspiring our community to be safe, healthy and resilient

Preventing destructive behavior through open access to education and environmental strategies

Supporting those in need, sharing ideas, and offering help

Our Vision:

A healthy and resilient community for youth and families

Email: lacenterunited@gmail.com
Website: http://lacenterunited.org/
Phone: 3602138385
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacenterunited