Commissioners issue proclamation for teen dating violence awareness
WAYNESBURG — During a brief meeting Thursday, Greene County commissioners issued a proclamation geared to raising awareness about teen dating violence and also approved certificates of appreciation for two local nurses.
Commissioners proclaimed February Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. According to the proclamation, one in three teen girls in the U.S. is a victim of abuse from a dating partner.
“That includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and it happens in Greene County,” said Cheryl McCready, Greene County satellite office coordinator for Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
According to information provided by the commissioners’ office, the proclamation urges county residents to work toward ending teen dating violence by empowering young people to develop healthier relationships; assisting victims in accessing the information and supportive services they need; creating better and more resources for young people in need; instituting effective intervention and prevention policies in schools; and engaging in discussions with family members and peers to promote awareness and prevention of the quiet epidemic of teen dating violence.
In addition to education and awareness, the DVSSP office offers a shelter and a 24-hour hotline, and McCready said other outreach efforts include reminding adults to provide examples of healthy relationships to their children.
“I’d like to work myself out of a job,” McCready said. “Teen dating violence is not okay. Love shouldn’t hurt.”
McCready also thanked the commissioners for the proclamation and for having the opportunity to speak about the serious issue of teen dating violence.
The DVSSP office is coordinating a number of events throughout February to help raise awareness about the issue. The office is sponsoring a video contest open to all middle and high school students in the county’s four school districts. Contestants are asked to create a two- to five-minute long video on the theme “We Say No More to Dating Violence.”
The videos must be submitted via email to DVSSPGreene@peacefromdv.org by 4 p.m. on Feb. 23. The videos will be judged by DVSSP staff, and winners will be selected by Feb. 28. Cash prizes of $100 will be awarded to the most creative individual entry and most creative group with $50 going to individual and group runners up.
To advertise the contest, DVSSP has been posting flyers at area schools and community organizations and has contacted the guidance counselors at each of the county’s four school districts, explaining the purpose of the contest.
Also during the month, DVSSP is going into schools to talk about dating violence and abuse. The organization has already contacted two districts about visits and would like to bring all four on board.
The satellite office is also offering to hold programs for organizations such as book clubs, cheerleading and library groups and speak on topics like bullying, cyber-bullying, dating violence and creating healthy relationships. The organization also attends events such as Rain Day and fairs where they set up tables, answer questions and pass out literature on the subject.
In other business, commissioners also approved certificates of appreciation for two nurses at Southwest Regional Medical Center in Waynesburg.
Cynthia Cox and Stacy Ondrik, both registered nurses at the hospital, last month responded to a call for help from a suicidal individual and were able to alert authorities and remain on the phone with the individual until help arrived.
The commissioners commended the lifesaving efforts and compassionate and rapid response.
Cox and Ondrik were unable to attend the meeting to accept the certificates.
It was also announced that the county elections office will hold a candidates class on Feb. 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the first-floor meeting room of the Greene County Office Building, 93 E. High St. in Waynesburg.
The class is an informational meeting for any county resident interested in running for county, municipal or school district offices this year.
The following offices are up for election: County row offices – commissioners, clerk of courts, controller, district attorney, prothonotary, register and recorder and treasurer; township/borough offices – auditor, constable, member of council and supervisor; and school districts – school board members.
Anyone interested in attending the class should register in order to assure the availability of a packet. To register, or for more information, call the elections office at 724-852-5230.
Commissioners also approved a quote for the purchase of a new vehicle for the county sheriff’s office. The contract through the Central Westmoreland Council of Governments is for a 2015 Dodge Durango and will cost $40,090. County Chief Clerk Jeff Marshall said the vehicle will be paid for with Act 13 money allotted to the county.