Community Partners 2015 Annual Fund Campaign reaches 65% of their $155,000 campaign goal. Funds raised during this campaign will build upon successful community collaborations making an impact in building a healthier Buff alo County, however additional donations are need to reach their goal. “Our families of donors are celebrating successes in this year’s campaign. Recently, volunteers created a unique ‘Be Safe, Be Smart’ campaign to bring ‘family’ back to 2015 Cruise Nite,” shared Denise Zwiener, executive director of Buff alo County Community Partners. “Additionally, with 80% of students who live within ¼ mile of school asking to walk or bike to school, members of Safe Routes to Schools are working with parents, youth and schools to plan safe routes back to school. Funds raised during this campaign will provide needed support for future safe routes to school projects.” Justine Bauer, a recent graduate of Buff alo County Youth Advisory Board, stated that the “Youth, Take A Stand” campaign allowed her the opportunity to make a diff erence in her community of Elm Creek and she learned the value of developing partnerships. Th e Youth Advisory Board has selected 12 new members and will begin building youth empowered projects as soon as October with Show Me Th e Money event, aimed at assisting high school students in building their civic

leadership to secure college scholarships. Economic Development Director Darren Robinson is a founding member of the America’s Best Communities: Team Kearney and shares his views of Community Partners eff orts this year, “thanks to the leadership and staff at Buff alo County Community Partners, Kearney has already won. Regardless of the outcome of the America’s Best Communities contest, this community has already benefi ted thanks to Community

Partners bringing together community leaders and agencies to discuss the important issues facing our community. Community Partners is a shining example of how a community can work together to accomplish great things.” “Build your story of a healthy community by joining our family in supporting the 2015 Annual Fund Campaign,” stated Bryan and Candy Kuntz, 2015 Annual Fund Campaign Chair Family.

Community Partners invites the community to join in Building a Healthier Buff alo County, by making a donation to the 2015 Annual Fund Campaign. For every dollar donated to Community Partners, an additional $6.00 is raised in match funding through state and federal grants. If you would like to make a donation to Community Partners, please visit bcchp.org/donate or mail a check to PO Box 1466, Kearney, NE, 68848.

August 2015 Youth Survey Results New Board Members Internships Opening

Community Partners Reaches 65% of 2015 Campaign Goal

Community Partners traveled around the county to visit with community members about its work in all the Buff alo County towns.

Buff alo County Community Partners Contact Information

Visit bcchp.org/board for complete board member listing or bcchp.org/contact for complete staff listing and contact form.

General Information308-865-2284 info@bcchp.org

Denise Zwiener, Executive Director 308-865-2280 dzwiener@bcchp.org

Nikki Gausman, Board Chair308-237-2599nikki@safecenter.org

In many ways, our work is driven by assessments. The surveys we conduct every two years help us to not only see what risky behaviors are decreasing and protective factors are increasing, but also it also shows emerging trends and issues that we need to focus on as an organization and as a community. In 2014, Community Partners staff traveled to Buffalo County schools to help administer the Youth Risk Behavior survey, Youth Risk and Protective Factor survey, and Youth Tobacco survey. In the 2014 Youth Risk Behavior surveys we found some of the following:•The number of youth who’ve

driven a car after drinking has continued to decline, reaching its low of 4% in 2014.

•The number of youth who felt unsafe and did not go to school dropped from 6% to 5% over the past two years, but is still higher than the 1% it saw in 2000.

•The number of youth who smoked at least one cigarette

in the past 30 days continued to drop, reaching 5% in 2014, compared with 25% in 2000.

•The number of youth who drank pop every day of the week continued to drop, and is now at only 13%,

compared with 23% in 2010.• The number of youth who reported watching two or more hours of TV daily decreased from 43% to 29% from 2009 to 2014, but the number of youth who reported using a computer for two or more hours per day increased from 21% to 41% over that same time period. The entire 134-page document outlining all the questions and responses is available on our website at bcchp.org/assessments. Comprehensive data reports are

being built that break down some of the information into easier-to-read highlights, and those will be available by the end of the month. For more information on how surveys are conducted, please visit the assessments page on our website.

Data from Youth Risk and Protective Factor Surveys Now Available

Community Partners has several positions opening, including a full-time position, a part-time position, and two paid internships. Learn more about the positions below and come join the world of non-profit work! Administrative Assistant/Youth Coordinator: Part-time position working with the Buffalo County Youth Advisory Board members, 30 high school students working to build healthier communities through advocacy, youth engagement and empowerment. Position would also work to support the executive team in day-to-day activities. Required experience in working with youth. Marketing Coordinator: Full-time position as a member of the executive team will plan, coordinate, and execute multi-faceted marketing plans to ensure alignment to the mission and vision of the organization. Build brand recognition. Required experience in one or more areas of

web development, graphic art design, video production, copy writing, or media relations. Be Well Buffalo County Internship: Work with

a team of community members charged with the task of developing a comprehensive wellness plan for Buffalo County. Would include experience in conducting focus groups, key informant interviews, and researching best practices. America’s Best Community Kearney Internship: Work with a team of community members to conduct focus groups, key informant interviews, and work beside experts to develop a community revitalization

plan for Kearney, NE. Work with marketing staff to assist in social marketing efforts to assess community needs and promote the work of the community revitalization team. Interested parties are invited to submit a cover letter and resume by mail to PO Box 1466, Kearney, NE 68848 or to info@bcchp.org.

Employment Opportunities at Community Partners Now Open

Community Partners has been collecting data on youth risk behavior trends since 2000.

Learn more about these positions at bcchp.org/employment.

Do you know someone who’s helped United Against Violence further its work in developing trauma-informed schools and workplaces, promoting social emotional learning opportunities, working with youth peer mentoring programs, and supporting the PhotoVoice project? Nominate them as a United Against Violence Champion at bcchp.org/united!

New Members Join BoardCommunity Partners is excited to add three community members to its board of directors. They will join our board in helping build a healthier Buffalo County, and we’re excited to see what great ideas they have as we move into 2016! Jeremy Eschliman, director of Two Rivers Public Health Department, is passionate about public health and leads others by example in health and wellness. He is often seen “running around” local communities due to his favorite passtime of running. He is excited to be part of the board of directors. Two Rivers Public Health Department is the state sanctioned health agency to assess, monitor and facilitate the linking of resources to assure health promotion, prevention, and protection for all people in Buffalo County. “Many things in our lives are fleeting, including our health,” Jeremy said. “Simple decisions every day can have dramatic influences on our quality and quantity of life.” Joining the board as an area representative of the Kearney community is Monique Pohlman. “I’m looking forward to serving the new community I belong to now,” she said. Taking a position under the business and industry constituency on the board is Kati Carlson, perishables manager at Hy-Vee. If you are interested in serving on the board, there is one seat available. Please contact Denise Zwiener at 308-865-2280 or dzwiener@bcchp.org. For a full listing of our current board, please visit bcchp.org/board.

Baer FoundationBill’s LiquorBrown Transfer CompanyStan ClouseMike & Deb Eickhoff Farmers Merchant BankHellman, Main, Coslor & Kathol, P.C., CPA’sHoppens Orthodontics

Richard & Ann Huff manKearney Pediatric DentistryLongo OrthodonticsJohn & Leslie MartinChad and Dr. Amy PaysenLee Nell PhillipsTom and Sue ReiberRichard & Karen RhoadsGrete Sandberg

Dr. Charles M. SchaeplerTh ank You to Our July Donors:

If you would like to partner with us through a � nancial donation, you may:

Contact Denise Zwiener at 308-865-2280 or dzwiener@bcchp.org

Donate on our website, bcchp.org, by clicking the blue “Donate” button.

Jeremy Eschliman.

Searching for Champions

PO Box 1466Kearney, NE 68848

We would like to thank CHI Health Good Samaritan for providing printing and mailing services for our newsletter.

Training in Intervention ProcedureS is a responsible beverage server training approved by the Nebraska

Liquor Control Commission. Contact positivepressure@bcchp.org to register.

Check bcchp.org/tips for future classes.

Coalition Connection

Did you know we’re expanding our eff orts to include employee wellness? If you’re interested in getting involved in building healthier workplaces, contact Kate Hannon at srts@bcchp.org.

Did you enjoy our learning sessions last year? We’re putting together new resources to off er free of charge this year. Stay tuned to see what our upcoming learning sessions are.

YAB would like to once again congratulate all our graduating members and wish them the best as they move on in their

lives. We are also excited to welcome our new members as we start digging into this year’s focus areas for the Buff alo County Youth Advisory Board.

We want to thank law enforcement, landlords, property owners, and the entire community for helping make this year’s Cruise Nite activities safe and smart. We saw a dramtic decrease in arrests and you made that possible.

Save the date for the Picturing Peace Celebration at the Merryman Center

on International Peace Day, Monday, September 21 from 5:30 - 7:00pm. We’ll be showcasing 20 photo submissions, picked by students of past PhotoVoice classes.

Upcoming Classes: 8/16, 6-10 p.m. - On-Premise Sales9/10 2-6 p.m. - Off -Premise Sales9/20, 6-10 p.m. - On-Premise Sales