Meeting Minutes
North Central Tobacco Control Coalition
Date
6/12/14
Type of Meeting
Coalition
Attendees
Alan Snider, American Cancer Society – Centre Co.
(Co-Leader)
Kelly Ann Pegg, Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.
Leslie Hosterman, Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.
(Coordinator)
Melissa Gomez, AmeriHealth NorthEast
Melissa Farenish, AmeriHealth NORTHEAST
Faith Ryan, Coventry Cares
Tia Bowman, Clinton County Housing Authority
Brooke Rothman, Branch Associates
Thurm Brendlinger, Clean Air Council
Jennifer Melochick, Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.
Jay Mast, Pa Department of Health
Jenny Wagner, Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.
TOPIC
DISCUSSION

1. Welcome

2. Work Groups
Reports/Action

Steps
ACTION /FOLLOW-UP
Leslie Hosterman, Coalition Coordinator, welcomed
all members, with a special welcome to our newest
member, Faith Ryan from Coventry Cares.
Introductions amongst attendees were made.
All members were thanked for attending.
After a 30 minute work session, Leslie prompted a
representative from each work group to share action
updates currently in progress/coming up for that
workgroup:
1
n/a
WHO
n/a
-
-
-
Young Lungs at Play: Jenny summarized current
activities and promotion; Work Group is currently
conducting a spring media blitz. Articles were
published in the Webb Weekly, the Sun Gazette, and
the Daily News. Letters to the Editor were sent to
local media to tie in YLAP with World No Tobacco
Day. Press releases of new adoptees will be sent to
media to continue the “blitz”. A list of the newest
adoptees was shared: Borough of Montgomery and
the City of Williamsport. A list of those in the
process of adoption was shared: Borough of
Lewisburg and Picture Rocks Borough. YLAP
promotion will take place at Crosscutters Recognition
Event on July 11th.
1. To post articles and photos on
coalition website
1. Leslie
2. To continue county promotion
2. Work Group
Members
3. To display YLAP materials at
Crosscutters Recognition Event on
July 11th
3. Leslie
Coalition Advancement: Leslie displayed the home
page of new website on the screen; If you haven’t
done so already, please check it out at
www.NCPATCC.org and provide feedback; website
will be maintained and updated with new
material/pages on a regular basis; Leslie provided
detailed information about the summer recognition
and recruitment event with the Crosscutters on July
11th. Members and their families are invited and
members were asked to invite a colleague(s) who
may be interested in joining the coalition. Please
send your RSVP by June 20th.
1. To continue to promote Crosscutters
Recognition and Promotion Event
1. Leslie
2. To RSVP for Crosscutters Event by
Friday, June 20th
2. Members
3. To maintain and update website
3. Leslie (with
member input)
Youth in Community: Kelly Ann and Leslie
announced that the 2 Youth Toolkits (Learn & Win!
prevention/education toolkit and Quit & Win!
cessation toolkit) are just about ready to be sent to
the PA DOH for media approval. A third toolkit for
youth advocacy will also be developed. It is planned
that YouTube videos will accompany the toolkits,
perhaps using peer mentors to present the
information. The toolkits are designed as facilitator
1. To finish toolkits and make them
available on the website and to
schools/community-based
organizations as requested
1. Work Group
members with
HE input
2. To send toolkits for media approval
2. Work Group
members
2
guides for school staff to present the information to
students. They contain session guides, slides, and
handouts. The hot topic of e-cigarettes was
discussed; information on these products is included
in the toolkits.
3. Guest Speaker
4. Upcoming Projects
and Events

Jay Mast, Public Health Programs Administrator, Pa
Department of Health, presented an overview of the
need for tobacco cessation services in PA and
available resources and cessation services. The
main topics discussed included PA Quitline Services,
e-coaching website (PAQuitlogix), tobacco cessation
registry, a tobacco cessation training webinar (Every
Smoker, Every Time) and upcoming pilot projects
(with state correctional facilities).

Jay distributed (2) supplementary handouts

Al commended Jay on his well-prepared and
informative presentation

Thurm also commended Jay on his previous work
with Clean Indoor Air initiatives

Members are invited to participate in monthly Pa
DOH Tobacco Cessation Work Group Calls

Leslie provided information about the American
Lung Association’s Lung Force Project. She
attended a PA Cancer Plan training. The main
objective of the project is to increase attention to
prevention, early detection and reduction of risk
factors of lung cancer in women (#1 cause of
death of women in US). She explained that
coalition members can help by volunteering for
Lung Expo to be held in September; more
information to follow.
3
1. To provide access to handouts via
email and on website
1. Leslie
2. To share Pa DOH Tobacco Cessation
Work Group Call information with
members
2. Leslie
1. To update members about Lung Expo
1. Leslie
2. To provide access to materials about
Lung Expo via email and on website
2. Leslie
3. To ask smoke free MUH clients about
sharing their success stories
3. Jenny

Leslie distributed a 1-page summary about the
Lung Force Expo.

Jenn Melochick provided a quick update on MSA
Appeal and pending budget for tobacco control
services in PA. We are hopeful that MSA
funding will be restored to what it was before
budget cuts (legislators support this).

Thurm suggested that we highlight tobacco
cessation success stories from residents at
smoke free Multi-Unit Housing (MUH) facilities;
invite them to coalition meeting and honor them
through the website (“Stands of Local Faces”)
and the media

Members shared upcoming projects and events:
Faith: “Fun in the Sun” in Williamsport
“Heritage Days” in Phillipsburg
Thurm: “Green Fest” in Philadelphia (park
system went smoke-free)
Jay: more resources and pilot programs for
tobacco cessation coming down the road
Melissa F. and Melissa G.: Playground Build in
NE region and “Kids Day” in Tioga County
Al: Jr. Golf Kick-Off at Smoke-Free Country
Club (still trying to get the Grill smoke-free)
4. Future Meetings

Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 14th
at 9:30 A.M. at Penn College
4
1. To send minutes out to Coalition
members via email and on website
1. Leslie