Youth and Family Action Committee

LA VERNE YOUTH AND FAMILY ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes of the Regular Meeting Tuesday, November 26, 2019 1. A regular meeting of the Youth & Family Action Committee was called to order by Mayor Don Kendrick at 6:30 PM. Executive Board Members present Don Kendrick, Mayor Robin Carder, City Council Member Matthew Lyons, BUSD Denise Fisher, Resident Bill Aguirre, Community Services Director Ron Serven, Resident Sam Gonzalez, LVPD Francisco Cambero, LVPD Michael Gaydos, Bonita High School Student Representative Jessica Vozella, American Lung Association Isela Moreno, Tri-City Mental Health Gamaliel Polanco, Tri City mental Health Krista Chakmak, Resident Bella Alva, American Lung Association Mark Fulgenzi, La Verne Bike Coalition Debbie Viggers, Resident 2. Review of Minutes: Minutes for the October 22, 2019 meeting were approved. 3. School Resource Officer (SRO): SRO Cambero voiced his concerns that the students at Bonita are having to deal with the loss of two of their staff members passing away. Staff is monitoring the campus in case additional counseling is needed. Vaping and smoking is also on the rise again on campus. Jessica Vozella, American Lung Association, added that education needs to be stepped up to combat the problem. The thought is that less visibility of vaping, such as advertising in the store front windows, would be a helpful deterrent. The number one place that kids access vaping and tobacco products is through family members with number two being Vape shops. Lieutenant Sam Gonzalez is going to be looking into more on this subject. SRO Cambero reported there have been several successful sting operations. Mayor Kendrick added that a local vape shop is in violation of an ordinance that was passed limiting the distance allowed from a school and the number of vape shops allowed per city. 4. Public Safety Open House: Lieutenant Sam Gonzalez, LVPD, stated that the open house was a success and well attended. He thanked the City of La Verne staff for their help and participation. The “Drive Like Your Kids Live Here” signs that were purchased by YFAC are very popular, as stated by Mayor Kendrick. Youth & Family Action Committee Minutes November 26, 2019, page 2 5. Teen Summit: Bill Aguirre, City of La Verne, reported that 73 7th grade students from Ramona participated in the event. Sessions were divided into three separate topics: Vaping and Smoking, Healthy Relationships and Social Media. Each session was 45 minutes long. The students were split into two groups attending either, Vaping /Smoking or Relationship sessions then switching to complete the two sessions. They then combined to attend the Social Media session as a group that was led by Jason Barrios. The students each received an In- N-Out gift card, which were donated by YFAC, Police, and Fire. Many kids stated that they enjoyed the event and learned a lot that will help them with their future. 6. School Counseling Program: No representative was present, so this subject will be on the agenda for the next meeting. 7. Mentor Program: No representative was present, so this subject will be on the agenda for the next meeting. 8. Community Navigator: Isela Moreno, navigator from Tri City, stated that Tri- City Mental Health is in the process of hiring four additional navigators and plan to have them start on January 13, 2020. This is possible because of measure “H”. This hiring enables the City of La Verne to staff a full time navigator at the Community Center with the focus being able to connect the homeless and those in need with local resources. Council Member Robin Carder asked if the navigators were licensed in any way. Isela explained that they were not, but that they were thoroughly trained and equipped with the knowledge they need to reach out and respond with the proper protocol. The Pomona Hope for Home homeless services center is completed and is beautiful. Tri City clients have 31 beds available to them. There is even a kennel for those with pets. Hotel vouchers may be available for families as well. Mayor Kendrick commented on grant (Measure H) for $ 1.1 million making these services possible. Councilmember Robin Carder complimented the City of Pomona and the mayor for the great job of cleaning up the area around the city hall by making resources accessible. Gamaliel Polanco, Tri City, added to the report discussing the school intervention program. The majority of our schools have been contacted and the program is growing. There is always a need for more service representatives, however office space is an issue. Gamaliel stated that connecting schedules is challenging but is working out well in 8 out of 10 schools 9. Round Table: Jessica Vozella, American Lung Association, reported that a jar of yucky cigarette butts collected from a Bell Gardens Park was displayed at her booth at the car show. The visual impact had a lot of people checking them out and visiting her table. Youth & Family Action Committee Minutes November 26, 2019, page 3 Mayor Kendrick asked more about lung diseases. Jessica stated that it is on the rise in young people, with some disease looking like a chemical burn and “glass looking” tissue. SRO Cambero stated a change is coming for the next school year in the initial team of three (Frankie, Eric Podley, and Coach Langilotti). With the passing of Coach Langilotti, Podley and Frankie will work together till June (when Podley retires). Frankie will be moving back to patrol and replacement will fill the position of SRO. An interest memo has been circulated at the police station and the process is moving forward. Podley is trying to form a safety committee on campus. Council Member Robin Carder, Mayor Kendrick, and Lieutenant Sam Gonzalez complimented Frankie on an amazing four years of service. Resident Ron Servin shared with the committee that he is excited and very interested in forming potential workshops in our community. He has ideas on integration with schools and bringing his experience in San Marino to us. Gamaliel Palanco, Tri City, mentioned Tri City’s Christmas Tree lighting would take place December 6 Mark Fulgenzi, La Verne Bike Coalition, reported that the La Verne Bike Coalition has a goal to promote safe routes to school. They have reached out to campuses in our district offering an opportunity for a pilot program. Oak Mesa replied stating that 95% of their students use alternative transportation. Mayor Kendrick mentioned that the bid for the bike lanes has been accepted and the results are coming. Bill will connect with Mark on this issue to help with creating a Safe Routes to School program. 10. Public Comments: Matthew Lyons, BUSD, reported that Bonita Unified is now in the top 10% and the new superintendent, Carl Coles, is doing a fine job. BHS Student Michael Gaydos stated that safety on campus is a priority and incorporating ASB members and teachers would help to create a successful plan. Michael is also going to work with JR Ranells to set up a social media program to address problem areas and put a plan for help in place. Bill asked if Frankie knew if the Saugus campus had a SRO in place during the tragic shooting. Frankie added that nothing was reported on that. He also added that this community is working hard toward being prepared in any situation. Bella Alva, American Lung Association, agreed with Michael as to Bonita campus feeling safe. Media threats are taken very seriously and are handled quickly. She complimented Frankie Youth & Family Action Committee Minutes November 26, 2019, page 4 on his part in making Bonita a safe environment. Krista Chakmak, resident, expressed her thanks to Frankie as well. Jessica Vozella, American Lung Association, reported that there will be a presentation to Rotary on December 12th, La Verne Library on December 20th and at Winter Wonderland on December 14th. Mayor Kendrick complimented Denise Fisher, resident, on her Christmas Elves program. Denise and her daughter focused on buying, wrapping and delivering gifts last weekend. She is now concentrating on the school district’s list of children. Councilmember Carder shared an article in the Daily Bulletin about bullying and questioned if this was still a growing concern on our campuses. Michael stated that he felt that at Bonita it was more of a 1 on 1 issue of individuals going after each other. Frankie agreed. Bella added that cyber bullying is a bigger concern. Ramona is a harder campus with more situations dealing with bullying. 11. The next YFAC meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2020 at 6:30 PM. 12. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM Respectfully submitted, Debbie Viggers