In this segment Tara Shannon interviews Leitha Cipriano, Executive Director of Bennington County’s Center for Restorative Justice(CRJ).  They discuss the approach to 'justice' that focuses on the needs of victims and offenders, versus the need to satisfy the abstract principles of law, or the need of the community to exact punishment.   The CRJ offers a variety of programs such as Court Diversion, Teen Alcohol Safety Program and Juvenile Restorative.  The CRJ is a non-profit community agency that has been providing programs and services throughout Bennington County, Vermont for nearly 30 years.

For additional information on Bennington County’s CRJ Programs contact Leitha Cipriano at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also contact The Collaborative at 802-824-4200 or 802-362-3770 or at www.thecollaborative.us.  The Collaborative promotes the development of a healthy, involved community supporting substance free youth in a caring environment.  Get Involved!

In this segment Tara Shannon interviews Linda Mitchell, licensed school psychologist at The Dorset School about communicating within the family with a focus on parents communicating with their teen.

In today’s environment parents are busier than ever and communicating with their teen(s) is more challenging. Listening, body language, asking quality questions, responding with clarity and making eye contact are all discussed in this segment.

For further information on enhancing communication with your teen you can contact Linda Mitchell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,or you may contact the collaborative at www.thecollaborative.us or call at802-824-4200 or 802-362-3770.

The Collaborative promotes the development of a healthy, involved community supporting substance free youth in a caring environment.  Get Involved!

In this segment Tara Shannon and Sheriff Chad Schmidt talk about the social host law in the context of its ramifications as well as offering tips to parents on planning teen parties.  In addition they discuss some legislative bills on distracted driving.  These bills were introduced in the 2009 and 2010 Legislative Session.  

For additional information contact The Collaborative at 802-362-3770 or 802-824-4200 or thru our website www.thecollaborative.us.  The Collaborative promotes the development of a healthy, involved community supporting substance free youth in a caringenvironment.  Get Involved!

In this segment Tara Shannon interviews Lynn Grieger, Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, and Licensed Corporate Well coach.  Among other things, stress can lead to heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure.  Take a moment to listen to interview as Lynn talks about ways to reduce stress through nutrition and exercise.  

 For additional information on how to reduce stress you can contactLynn Grieger at 802-362-2810 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  You can also contact The Collaborative at802-362-3770 or 802-824-4200 or thru our website www.thecollaborative.us.  The Collaborative promotes the development ofa healthy involved community supporting substance free youth in a caringenvironment.  Get involved!

In this segment Maryann Morris, Programs Manager at The Collaborative sits down with some students and talks with them about their day to day activities.   So often our perceptions of what students are doing does not match the reality of what they really are doing.  Learn about the Students against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Chapter at Burr and Burton Academy and the substance free events that they coordinate.  Enjoy!

For additional information contact The Collaborative at802-362-3770 or 802-824-4200 or thru our website www.thecollaborative.us.  The Collaborative promotes the development ofa healthy involved community supporting substance free youth in a caringenvironment.  Get involved!

Keeping parents in the know when their children are in middle school (grades 6^th – 8^th;ages 11-14) can present a challenge.   This is a growth stage where a child begins movement towards independence.  They are mostly interested in the present with limited thoughts of the future.  Intellectually their interests expand and gain in importance.  They worry about being ‘normal’ and frequently change relationships.  This is a stage where they struggle with their sense of identity.

In this segment Tara Shannon interviews Linda Mitchell, licensed school psychologist at The Dorset School about a child’s brain development during this stage.  Linda offers tips for parents on how to handle situations that occur during this stage. 

For further information on staying in the know when your children are in middle school you can contact Linda Mitchell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Collaborative promotes the development of a healthy, involved community supporting substance free youth in a caring environment.  Get Involved!

The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) has launched two campaigns that educate and assist individuals who are interested in tobacco cessation.  In this segment Tara Shannon interviews Victoria Silsby, Tobacco Prevention Specialist at the Collaborative on each campaign.

“Make Your World a Smoke Free Zone” launched in August focuses on creating smoke free zones around children, adults and pets.   “Your Quit – Your Way” launched in October reaches out to smokers to encourage them to quit and to provide them with resources that will assist them in the process. The campaign targets the

independent quitter. For additional information on these campaigns go to www.vtquitnetwork.org or call 800-784-8669.  

You can also contact Victoria Silsby at 802-824-4200 or 802-362-3770. The Collaborative promotes the development of a healthy, involved community supporting substance free youth in a caring environment.  Get Involved!

In this segment Maryann Morris and Tara Shannon from The Collaborative talk about the 2009 Refuse to Use Kickoff and the 40 Developmental Assets.   

The 2009 Refuse to Use Kickoff was a success!  Mr. Michael Nerney, a consultant in substance abuse prevention and education presented on the topic of alcohol and brain development during adolescence. About 400 students took a pledge to stay substance free along with 400 parents who pledged to support their son/daughter in this endeavor.  In exchange for taking the pledge the students received a season’s pass to Stratton Mountain, Riley Rink or the Nordic Viking Center.

The 40 developmental assets – internal and external are building blocks or factors that help youth grow up healthy.  The more assets youth have, the more likely they are to avoid at-risk behaviors and succeed in life.

For additional information on the 2009 RTU Kickoff and the 40 developmental assets contact The Collaborative at 802-824-4200 or 802-362-3770.  The Collaborative promotes the development of a healthy, involved community supporting substance free youth in a caring environment.  Get Involved!

The month of September 2009 marks the 20^th anniversary of “Recovery Month”.    In this segment Tara Shannon interviews Patty McCarthy, Executive Director of “Friends of Recovery” – Vermont.  They discuss the similarities of prevention and recovery.

Many schools are partnering with local alcohol and substance abuse prevention coalitions, so that they can receive assistance and programs that will educate students on prevention.  These initiatives begin at an early age and in many cases in pre-school.  

Some initiatives involve educating parents and students on the ‘developing brain’ and what happens to the brain as a result of alcohol and substance abuse.

Recovery on the other hand begins at a later stage in ones life. When one realizes that they have abused their body and mind as a result of alcohol they begin to take prevention measures.  These measures can be identified as recovery or prevention measures.  For information on recovery month for 2009 you can go to www.recoverymonth.gov or www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org. 

The Collaborative promotes the development of a healthy involved community supporting substance free youth in a caring environment.  Get Involved!