Youth Services Advisory Board

Minutes for 05/22/2018 Norwalk Youth Services Advisory Board Meeting 4:05pm-4:56pm Room 231 City Hall Present: Jasen Getner – Juvenile Review Board Coordinator David Walenczyk - Director Youth Services Theresa Argondezzi – Health Dept. Sgt. David Orr – Police Dept. Elizabeth Murdoch – Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) Absent: Ken Hughes – Parks & Recreation Dept. (Acting Director) Sharon Preston – Dept. of Children & Families (DCF) Darlene Young – Human Relations Office (Summer Youth Employment Program) Ed Green – State of CT Juvenile Probation Joseph Russo – Board of Education The meeting began promptly at 4:05pm. David Walenczyk acted as chair for the meeting. A copy of the minutes (5/17/17) previously submitted to the Board electronically was presented for acceptance. Jasen Getner made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Theresa Argondezzi; approved unanimously. Theresa Argondezzi shared about recruiting for gardening program via youth eligible for free and reduced lunch. She also shared about an immunization action plan being mailed to the parents of “rising” 6th graders addressing State mandated physicals and the HPV vaccine. She also shared about an award for HPV discussion talk, and mentioned free testing for HEP C and currently available treatment options. Sgt. Orr shared about the Detective Bureau finalizing car burglary cases in which youth were involved. He also mentioned how juvenile crime appears to dip in the summer when school is out as well as a dip in mandated reported relating to youth. Jasen Getner shared about changes to the Truancy process related to changes in State regulations and how this has led to some cases “falling through the cracks” if parents are willing to engage in services. The option to send these cases to the Juvenile Court is now no longer available. He also provided an update on the Wilderness School program the Youth Services department sends a number of youth to over the summer. Elizabeth Murdoch shared about the Aspire Program (middle school grade) providing academic and S.E.M. supports at Ben Franklin School. She reported there is a high school component that follows these youth. She said there is currently no wait for IICAPS services but that the client must have HUSKY to access these services. Dave Walenczyk reported counseling services were running near capacity with a steady stream of referrals and noted the ever increasing acuity of the cases being seen. He also stated the Department’s (Youth Services) Assistant JRB Coordinator position had finally been filled (Jessel Vitonera). Elizabeth Murdoch made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:55pm, seconded by Theresa Argondezzi and unanimously accepted. The next meeting TBD and announced as decided. Respectfully submitted, David Walenczyk – Director Youth Services / Staff to Youth Services Advisory Board.