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Public invited to “Our Kids. Our Future.” community conversation on issues facing central Minnesota youth, parents

Posted: Tuesday, April 19, 2016

On Monday, May 2, area residents are invited to a community education and listening session to learn about important issues facing central Minnesota youth and parents. The event, a collaborative effort of various Stearns County justice system and community organizations, will feature presentations on school truancy, teenage chemical abuse, and the dangers of social media. The “Our Kids. Our Future. A Community Conversation” event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Cloud Technical High School.

“From the dangers of social media, to drug abuse, to an alarming rise in school truancy, it’s clear that parents today are facing many challenges as they work to keep their kids healthy and safe,” said Stearns County District Court Judge Frank J. Kundrat, who helped organize the May 2 event. “Our goal is to help equip parents with the knowledge they need to face these challenges, and give them a forum to share their ideas and concerns with court, county, and law enforcement officials.”

Event attendees will hear from several experts on a variety of important topics, including:
  • A presentation on the national epidemic of school truancy by the Stearns County Attorney’s Office;
  • An in-depth look at teenage prescription and illegal drug abuse by Stearns County Community Corrections; and
  • A discussion of the dangers of social media use and misuse, led by representatives from the St. Cloud Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and facilitated by Stearns County District Court Judge Frank J. Kundrat.
Following the presentations, event attendees will be able to take part in a community dialogue and question-and-answer session with Stearns County community and justice system leaders. Attendees will also be allowed to share written comments with court and county officials.

“Our Kids. Our Future. A Community Conversation” is a collaborative effort of Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District, the Stearns County Attorney’s Office, Stearns County Community Corrections, and St. Cloud Area School District 742.

St. Cloud Technical High School is located at 233 12th Ave S. in St. Cloud. Event attendees should enter through door #3.