Freshman Forums 2023: Influences on Youth
Welcome to Influences on Youth Forum 2023. The goal of the Influences on Youth Forum is to provide parents and students with pertinent information addressing the topic of negative influences of illegal substances, social media and the importance of mental health awareness on our youth. The purpose of this program is to promote dialogue and provide information regarding the physical, social, legal & emotional impact of these influences.
Ninth grade students AND their parents/guardians are required
The Influences on Youth Forum is developed by: Jonathan Law & Joseph A. Foran High School Administrations, Pupil Personnel, Student Assistance Teams and Milford Prevention Council.
Jonathan Law High School Monday, November 13, 2023 6:30 pm
Joseph A. Foran High School Wednesday, November 15, 2023 6:30 pm
The program consists of five presentations below.
Vaping 101; What you should know about vapes (but probably don’t)
Tricia Dahl is a senior Research Assistant at Yale University School of Medicine working directly for Dr. Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin. Since 2001, she has worked on a number of clinical trials in the area of adult and adolescent substance abuse. She has also been involved in researching the effects of e-cigarettes on adolescent behavior as part of Yale’s Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, which recently completed a 5-year grant looking at the influence of flavors, sweeteners, and other constituents of tobacco products on appeal, use and abuse. Mrs. Dahl has been extensively involved in the dissemination of research findings about e-cigarettes to local communities, including schools, both public and private, PTAs, athletic coaches and school administration, town councils, and Juvenile Review Boards. She has traveled to over 75 schools in Connecticut where she has presented talks about adolescent vaping behaviors and potential concerns to parents, administrator, teachers, and students.
Mental Health
Dr Alicia Farrell is an accomplished Cognitive Psychologist, former University Professor, Professional Speaker and Founder of Clearview Consulting. For over 25 years, Dr. Farrell has counseled people on how to achieve their life goals and personal well-being. Her clients have ranged in age from 13 to 98. She also brings 10 years of corporate experience in marketing and public relations to her work. Personally, Dr. Farrell is also a mother and a wife. She grew up as a military brat moving12 times in her first 17 years. Dr. Farrell graduated high school in Germany, one of her favorite places to live next to Italy and Hawaii. She knows what it feels like to do hard things in difficult situations and find success and happiness at the same time.
Laws & Consequences
Officer Kayleigh Kish | Foran High School Resource Officer
Officer Kish has been with the Milford Police Department since December of 2018. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Haven in Criminal Justice, with a concentration in Juvenile and Family Justice. She also received her Masters Degree in Investigations from UNH. She is a NASRO certified School Resource Officer and has been the SRO assigned to Foran High School as of April 2022. She is a lifelong Milford Resident, and also serves in the Air Force Reserve.
Officer Cory Onofrio| Law High School Resource Officer
Officer Onofrio has been with the Milford Police Department since October of 2015. He attended the University of New Haven studying Criminal Justice. He is a NASRO certified School Resource Officer and has been the SRO assigned to Jonathan Law High School since February of 2023. He grew up in a law enforcement family in Northford where he still lives now. He has a 14 month old daughter and a baby boy due in March of 2024. He had coached high school football for the past 10 years, most recently at Guilford High School.
Personal Stories from MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Today’s speaker will be sharing the story of their loved one who was killed by an impaired drive and its impact on their family. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) was founded in 1980 and since then has reduced fatalities from drunk driving by have, but there is still more to be done. Their mission is to end drunk driving, fight drugged driving, prevent underage drinking, and support victims of these crimes.