The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board has set meeting dates for 2019. Northwest Indiana Workforce Board meetings are open to general public and take place from 2-4 p.m. (CST) at the Center of Workforce Innovations office, 2804 Boilermaker Court, Valparaiso. Members represent the counties of Jasper, Lake, La Porte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, and Starke. Comprised of business, education, labor, economic development, and community leaders, they facilitate connections to key resources in the workforce and education arena, while convening and working to determine current and future skill needs along with their economic development, education, and employer partners. In addition, they are responsible for carrying out the strategic vision of workforce development and governance of the region’s WorkOne system. Their 2019 meeting dates are as follows:
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Thursday, November 21, 2019
For further information visit www.gotoworkonenw.com or call 219-462-2940.
While young love often eventually fades, for some teens it can turn violent. An estimated one-and-a-half million high school students in the U-S suffer physical abuse from a dating partner each year. And during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in February, multiple groups are working to educate teens about healthy relationships. Melissa Iannuzzi with the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault says most abusive relationships involve some sort of jealous or over-protective behavior from one partner. While physical attraction may ignite a relationship, Iannuzzi explains that respect, trust, consent and open communication are all crucial to keeping it healthy. Teen dating violence can take the forms of physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse. It can lead to depression, alcohol or drug abuse, negative body image and poor school performance. Iannuzzi says it can be difficult for a victim to open up about abuse, especially a teen who fears he or she won’t be believed. She encourages parents to be as supportive as possible and to not place blame. There also are many organizations that victims of teen dating violence can contact for support, says Heather Frederick with the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Help is available by texting 2-2-5-2-2 or online at ‘loveisrespect.org.’ The hotline number is 866-331-9474.