North Carolina Now; North Carolina Now Episode from 12/29/1997

The It's Monday December 29. Tonight keeping at risk kids in the classroom in North Carolina. Nail. Good evening everyone and thanks for joining us on this very wintery Monday night. Most of you in the western part of the state are under our blanket of snow tonight while the eastern part of our state has endured a cold rainy day. Well for the next half hour we hope to heat things up a bit with a heartwarming story about how some North Carolinians

are sharing their time and talents with at risk kids. Plus imagine getting a checkup from your doctor without ever leaving your home. Reporter Kelly McHenry will show us how this futuristic approach to medicine is becoming a reality in eastern North Carolina. But first tonight many students in North Carolina's public schools are doing well but unfortunately all the others are not. Nearly 600000 kids drop out of school each year nationwide. And in North Carolina more than seventeen thousand students quit school last year leaving behind their hopes and dreams. But as Maria Lumbergh reports there are efforts underway to reverse this situation. Wesley is an alternative high school in Charlotte one of the county's 21 sites for the communities and schools program this dropout prevention effort brings needed resources into the schools to help at risk students to stay in school. Volunteers from the community provide the caring relationships that nurture and support students.

Matthew Hurst an executive with nations bank tutors Brian Greene in academics but he's also a mentor and friend providing valuable support and encouragement I think Brian sees it bad he can't get to certain places in life without an education. He realizes he needs to go to college he realizes it is important. I feel you guys have taken time you know for me and I believe in action you know because I might be right. You never know. Large urban centers like Charlotte aren't the only places where kids are in danger of dropping out. Smaller cities like Rocky Mountain faced the same problem but the communities and schools. Or C I s program is making a big difference. The goal primarily is to make sure that we find and deliver the necessary resources to help the students that are involved in communities

and schools become more successful and stay in school and become productive citizens. I was lesson for today is going to be a listening skill. Listeners feels very informed in every facet of our life had been the new middle school Lewiss communities and schools class is working on basic skills that will help them in life as in all CIA s programs for basic principals Y at the foundation. Each child receives a personal one on one relationship with a caring adult. A safe place to learn and grow. Marketable skills to use outside the classroom and a chance to give back to peers and to the community. The program works in partnership with the Nash Rocky Mount schools and many agencies to provide various services for children. We want to directly impact each student and give them whether it is a caring one on one relationship with a volunteer whether it is extra academic support whether it is family support

whatever their need is to become more successful. It is the job of communities and schools to find the resources that will help that child become more successful and to bring those resources to the school site to help the students we saw. Parker middle school is another of the eight CIA s sites which serve 300 students in the Rocky Mountain region. Teacher Sheila Alexander uses creative innovative ways to get students involved and interested in what they're learning including participation in a puppet show. Right. Right. In addition to fun activities like this. Students also work with their mentors who spend about 40 hours each school year tutoring and giving support. The program couldn't operate without the help of these dedicated volunteers or the support of industry. Local businesses partner with CIMS to provide leadership

financial resources and volunteers to the program. Parties Food Systems is one of Rocky Mountain largest employers. James speed chief financial officer is also chairman of the city's communities and schools board. We as business people and as we look forward into the future and especially the 21st century we have to make sure that we have employees that have the right skill set that will allow us to run our businesses well. In order to do that we have to have people that are educated. But I also think that this tutorial program is so important because it is no amount of money that the business community could give to the school program that will be able to compensate what a one on one experience can provide to our students by having that tutor and student relationship. Statistics show that the communities and schools program is very effective when it comes to dropout prevention. And the students who are involved in the program say it makes a big difference in their lives.

I have brothers and sisters. So my mom is pretty much anything else. And I mean the heart for me come the moment it is kind of voice. And I'll tell my greater good Higher Self I miss Alyson my mentor them and they're helping us with Iran. It would give me self-confidence because working with mentors and yes helped but I still made a singles but a season and I said Oh yes I make it easy. I came to Hunter the pride and self esteem of these kids feel is evident when they talk about what they've gained from this program. But they aren't the only ones who believe it's worthwhile I think. Do you see this program scientist teach children how to St.. Thank you. Some look from what to my mind and then expect they want to point to it. We can see Primus or well you just have to keep in care is that you ask me I'll summarize what I said. Our job is to help them understand they must reach their potential.

They must work hard to do this. If they don't do it no one else can do this for them. And that's where the community comes back in as a major player in this. It's not just that we can look good it's not just that national schools can look good but it's for every child to have that opportunity to grow into a productive citizen. That's why we're all involved in this. There are currently 29 communities in schools programs all across the state. Everyone is tailor made to fit the needs of the children in each particular community. The Rocky Mount CIA s program has been in operation for 10 years and 96 percent of the students enrolled NCIS stay in school while in the program. Well coming up why some North Carolina charities need you now more than ever. But first let's check in with John Mason for a summary of today's statewide news. Hi John.

Thanks Shannon. Good evening everyone. Former governor and United States Senator Terry Sanford has been diagnosed with incurable throat cancer. Doctors for the 80 year old Sanford say he is in the advanced stages of cancer. Terry Sanford checked himself into Duke University Medical Center where he's continuing to undergo tests. Physicians attending to Sanford say advanced stages of the cancer usually claim its victim within months of diagnosis. During a recent interview here in CTV Terry Sanford recalled his days as governor and the motivation that drove him during his time as a public servant. So certainly he never wanted to be go just to be cold. I felt like it was a good opportunity to do slump and made a difference and every morning I thought of just those terms would put it today we can do to change things for the good. As governor in the early 60s Sanford was responsible for a number of sweeping education initiatives. Kerry Sanford also served as Duke University's president for 16 years from 1969 to 1985. The increasing duration of General Assembly Sessions has taken its toll on

the Charlotte Scuse me a Mecklenburg County Legislator state senator Leslie Winter says she will not run for re-election after her third term expires. Winner says last year's seven month long session forced her to take too much time away from her family. The Mecklenburg senator is one of a few lawmakers with young children. Senate President Mark bassinet says without some change in the status quo only rich or retired people will be able to serve in the legislature. According to the State Bureau of Investigation there's a huge backlog on background checks for daycare workers. There are 26000 people currently awaiting FBI clearance. The checks are meant to catch anyone who may have past criminal convictions. The same safeguards are required for foster parents nursing home staff and those who want to carry concealed weapons. The FBI received more than 100 15000 requests for background checks this year. Welfare agencies in Charlotte are giving used cars to low income families to help them become more financially independent. The aim of the program called cars for work is to help people stay off welfare by giving them affordable transportation. Some social workers and placement specialists say once a

person gets a job reliable transportation can help them keep it. Applicants must pay a $15 fee and need about $300 to get one of the cars. Organizers hope to give cars to 75 low income Charlotte workers next year. Looking ahead to tomorrow's weather expect highs to range from between the mid 30s and 40s at the coast and one while mountain temperatures will hover below freezing. More snowfall is expected in the mountains. Well just a chance of snow is forecast for the Piedmont. The Nation's Bank chief executive officer Hugh McCall has been named the Tar Heel of the year from 1997 by the Raleigh News and Observer. The 62 year old recall was elevated to the post of chief executive in 1983 and has been with the company since 1959. Under McCall's leadership the nation's bank has expanded to 15 other states employs 100000 people controls 285 billion dollars in assets and is now the nation's third largest bank. The call is expected to retire from Nation's Bank in the year 2000 when he turns 65. And now for a look at what happened on Wall Street today.

No. If you still have the spirit of giving life to the holidays are coming to a close. Our state's nonprofit organizations would like to hear from you before the end of the year. Here to tell us why is tonight's guest Todd Cohen the editor of The Philanthropy Journal.

Thank you so much for joining us tonight. Thank you. Glad to be here. Most nonprofit organizations are in need of support financially and talent wise throughout the year but why is the end of the year a good time for people to remember some of perhaps their favorite charities or nonprofit organizations. Well I think typically the end of the year because of the spirit of the season people are in a mood to think about what they can give back to their community. There are also tax considerations and it's a good time to make a gift to get in during the current tax year. But it's certainly a time to remember that during the entire year you can see there are certain certainly plenty of need both for your time and your money if you're if you choose to contribute. When we're talking about nonprofit organizations in North Carolina about how many are there what kind of services do these groups provide. Well just as a little bit of background there are 14000 nonprofit organizations in North Carolina. They provide services in virtually every field of interest from education and the arts to the environment and social services and health and social change nonprofits in North Carolina are

indicative of nonprofits throughout the United States there are half a million charitable nonprofit organizations in the United States. The staff and volunteers for nonprofit organizations represent one in every ten jobs in the U.S. workforce. The operating expenses of nonprofit organizations in the United States represent 8 percent of our economy. Last year in 1996 there were conch charitable contributions in the United States totaling one hundred and fifty billion dollars. Ninety three million Americans contributed 20 billion hours of volunteer time or an average of about four hours a week. With so many nonprofits here in North Carolina does that make the need for people to give a little bit more at the end of the year greater. Well I think it's important to give at the end of the year just as it's important to give throughout the year. I think it's fair to say that without the nonprofit organizations in our communities in our state and in our country our communities simply

would not function. The need for both money and for volunteer time is just enormous. For every organization so if a person thinks about what is it that I can contribute what is it that I feel comfortable contributing to the type of organization the needs are limitless for the contributor besides the fact that they'll just feel good by giving a gift to a charity or nonprofit organization what other benefits can they get by giving. At the end of the year. Well specifically in terms of taxes and I apologize I'm not an expert on taxes but it's certainly something to consider with your accountant or your financial adviser in terms of what types of benefits would be available by giving at the end of the year and that's certainly something that a lot of people take into consideration. I think in terms of getting back to your community again it is just something that throughout the year there is an enormous need on the part of parts of organizations large and

small. In virtually every field of interest there are many different organ types of organizations that are that serve as clearing houses for the kinds of volunteer opportunities for example that people might take advantage of. It's a very simple matter to simply call the local United Way To find out what types of volunteer needs there are. And that's and the United Way will help serve as matchmaker to hook up people who want to volunteer with organizations that are in the community. Another organization in individual communities for example here in the triangle are our community foundations community foundations are in many communities. Charlotte in Winston-Salem and Greensborough and Asheville and and the triangle here in the triangle for example the triangle Community Foundation has and an initiative underway called the catalyst project to try to increase the permanent charitable assets of the community within the next. Twenty

years to 3 billion dollars it's now three million three billion dollars it's currently now 1 billion. So what they're trying to do is outreach by talking to financial advisers and accountants and lawyers who in turn talk to their clients who are making decisions about setting up their states to try to advise their clients at the time they make such decisions to think about putting that money into permanent charitable assets to serve the community. In January the governor is calling a big conference in Greensboro on volunteerism. How will this effort impact some of the nonprofits in our state. Well what's happening in January is very important for North Carolina back in the last spring of 1997. The there was a national presidents summit for America's future that was specifically focusing on the needs of nonprofit organizations for volunteer support and support from sponsors such as corporations

to to assist in programs in efforts to strengthen services for young people in this country. Many states are trying to follow that North Carolina is one of them under the under Governor Hunt's leadership to try to bring to the state level and even to the county level the types of. Spirit and examples that came that were discussed at the National Summit. So what's going to happen over two days on January 21st and 22nd in Greensboro will be discussions from people from all from throughout the state talking about the types of programs in their community that are supporting young people so people will be sharing information. Best practice is learning about models that work. Just getting to know one another and bringing that message back to the local community. Well sounds like an interesting conference and I know we'll definitely have more on that in January but in the meantime Mr. Cohen I want to thank you so much for coming and sharing this information with us tonight.

Thank you very much for inviting me it was a pleasure to be here. If you'd like more information on our state's nonprofit organizations you can check out the philanthropy Journal's website at w w w dot P.J. dot org. New developments in long distance video and audio communications have ushered in a new chapter in medical care. Something called tele medicine perhaps the most extensive telemedicine operation in the country is right here in North Carolina at East Carolina University in Greenville. Reporter Kelly McHenry has more.

Welcome to a sneak preview of HOUSECALL the next generation. Hi I'm Dr. PHELPS I'm a dermatologist here in Greenville North Carolina. Tell me what range and today what are we going to be looking at everything about this doctor's visit is routine except the doctor is in Greenville and the patient is in face and 60 miles away. How can this be. Through the magic of television and a high tech piece of equipment Dr. Charles Phillips will conduct this exam as if he and the patient were in the same room at the same unit. How do you think I'm going to lag with the camera. You want a special camera gives the doctor an extreme close up picture of the affected area and the nurse in face and becomes the doctor's pair of hands. And you just run your finger over that for me. Yeah. Dr. This is a much different doctor nurse relationship than the traditional one and requires its own special training.

Patricia Quinn has completed several fellowships with physicians in this new field of telemedicine how to examine in a way that will better help them when they're in Greenville and I'm here at this clinic and face in is one of nine sites linked by television to the headquarters at East Carolina University. And what's really amazing about this leap into the future is that easy you has been doing this for five years performing more than 800 tele consultations. The first remote clinic was set up in Central Prison where it's difficult and expensive to transport inmates to medical specialists. Experts say examining inmates by tele console does help reduce the number of lawsuits by inmates claiming that they're denied adequate medical care telemedicine a DCU then expanded to reach the rural areas of eastern North Carolina where doctors are few and hospitals are far between and many people live five hours away on the Outer Banks.

And they can actually get consultations done without having to drive that five hours to see the physician face to face. The result is that patients often see a doctor sooner before serious complications develop. And experts predict with the new changes in telecommunications along with the explosion of the Internet and world wide web this technology could one day be available right in your own home. How many parents have discovered a mysterious rash on your child and wondered if you should take that child to the doctor. Well one day in the future you may own a video phone like this one. It's capable of sending a video image across a standard phone line. You can simply send a picture of your child's rest or your doctor's office and find out within moments whether or not the rash is serious or nothing to worry about. But there's even more to this wild blue yonder. Your home could one day be wired to monitor your health. Technicians have already invented a smart twilit that can measure your body fluids for such things as blood sugar and cholesterol and feed

that information to a computer in the morning you know you'll do your daily thing and it'll print out in your kitchen. This should be your menu for the day. I think you'll step on the scales and that also figure into the database and if the can the house computer senses that something's a little out of kilter it'll die to the nursing station who's monitoring your your blood glucose or whatever particular area of concern and will tell you you need to come in for an appointment but you only go in for an appointment when you really need to. David ball's directs the tele medicine program at E C U. He says tools like this ear scope could be rented by patients and hooked up to their home phones allowing doctors to monitor high risk patients. The technology could also be installed in nursing homes or day care centers managed care companies are already looking at this as a way of reducing health care costs. But any new technology brings risks. What if a doctor botches an online diagnosis. The State Board of Medical Examiners is

now looking into this new type of practice but a staff attorney says any cyber doctor would still need a state license and would be held to the same standards as any physician. Even with the risks the possibilities are fascinating. And as more and more homes link up on the web it's only logical that health providers will join in giving a whole new meaning to that old physician advice. Take two aspirin and call me in the morning. Advances in telemedicine can be seen and a number of medical institutions which now employ some degree of telemedicine in their health care programs. This year on nationwide Medical Journal named you will see Chapel Hill's telemedicine program number one in the country for providing cardiology consultations to neonatal intensive care units that lack specially expertise. Well that's it for tonight show please join us tomorrow night when our guest will be Deborah Jones who's heading up an effort to fix the Year 2000 problem in North Carolina's computer systems. She'll tell us why this project is expected to cost the state up

to one hundred thirty two million dollars but we'll finish up our series on the wife of the Reverend Billy Graham with a look at how this North Carolina legend has built up a worldwide ministry. And we'll take a look at a very unique museum exhibit that's displaying the personal belongings of victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Have a great evening everyone we'll see you again tomorrow night at RT.