Youth Service Advisory Board

NORWICH YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING November 9, 2010 ROOM 335, NORWICH CITY HALL (860) 823-3782 - FAX (860) 892-6031 Email: nyfs@cityofnorwich.org MINUTES The Norwich Youth and Family Services Advisory Board Meeting was held on November 9, 2010 in Room 335 in Norwich City Hall. Those in attendance were as follows: Kay Eyberse-Coordinator Jodi M. Vara-President Janet Paton-Community Member Debbie Kievits-Community Member Laura Wraight-Norwich Public Schools Angela Rae Duhaime-Community Member Hilary Sandberg-NHS Staff Guests: Wilson Wai Shung Fong Absent: Connie LaBassi-NPS, Ashley Sebastian-Youth Member, Ryan Kelsey-NPD, Duncan Profitt-Community Member; Vouise Fonville-DCF, Soledad Metcalfe-Community Member Kay Eyberse called the meeting to order at 8:30. Kay started the meeting by having everyone introduce him/herself, sign in and update any email information. Guest Wilson Wai Shung Fong was introduced from the UCFS Board of Directors. Wilson is eager to help the Norwich Youth Advisory Board and Norwich Youth & Family Services in any way he can. The minutes from the September 14, 2010 meeting were distributed. Attending members read them over. Jodi Vera pointed out that Girls Circle was a continuous, ongoing program and would not be starting a second session in February as stated in the September 14 meeting minutes. The correction was noted and the minutes were approved. Program Review ~ • Mother Daughter Night- The first Mother Daughter Night was a huge success. Additional sessions are currently being planned to take place every other month. In addition to the current participant age range of 4-6th grade girls, sessions for 13-15 year old girls are going to be starting in the Spring and cover age appropriate topics. • Father Son Night- Unfortunately, Father Son Night did not attract many participants. A question was raised on how to get more fathers and sons interested in joining for the next session. Jodi Vera suggested changing the location from the Senior Center to a sports related facility such as a gym or bowling alley, that way fathers and sons can be doing a physical activity while participating in the program.  • Antibullying Workshops- The first Antibullying Workshop for preschool parents and teachers will be on November 22 from 5:30pm-8:00pm at the Rose City Senior Center. Children First Norwich and School Readiness will also be participating in the workshop. Preschool teachers who attend can earn CEU credits. Additional sessions will be held in January for 1st grade parents/teachers, March for 2nd-4th grade parents/teachers and May for Middle School parents/teachers. These workshops will last 2 hours with food and childcare provided. • Norwich Youth Action Council- An application to join the Norwich Youth Action Council and letter explaining the purpose and goals of the Council was sent out to Norwich area high schools and area churches. Currently there are six youth who have been chosen to be on the Council, with a maximum of 20 youth who can participate. The youth participants who have already joined are an enthusiastic group who are currently working on participating in the upcoming Family Fun Night on November 30. On the agenda for the Council to cover will be issues related to the environment, government and education with Youth Council members focusing on completing a project to reach a goal. The first Youth Action Council meeting will be held on November 29 from 3:30pm-5:00pm in City Hall. • Girls Circle- Girls Circle is very successful at Kelly Middle School meeting twice a week with 20 girls participating. The program is also being offered at Teachers Memorial Middle School. Norwich area high school student mentors are assisting with the program. If anyone is interested in seeing the curriculum for Girls Circle, please contact Kay at (860) 823-3782. • Strengthening Families- The Strengthening Families program will be starting in January. This program is for at-risk children and their parents. The program will be geared towards 10-14 year olds. A referral is needed for participants of this program. If you would like to refer a family, please contact Kay at (860) 823-3782. • COOL Directions- Pat Dixe is currently interviewing area high school juniors and seniors interested in participating in COOL Directions for the school year. 30 youth will be accepted into the program. COOL Directions is a program which offers career exploration, job shadowing, internship opportunities and teaches work readiness skills to Norwich resident high school juniors and seniors of low-income families. Grant Updates ~ • NYFS has applied for a Woman and Girls Foundation grant. Kay has been in contact with the Foundation and is waiting on final word of any money to be awarded. Originally, NYFS had asked for $5000 but may receive $3000. Any grant money awarded will be used towards continuing the Girls Circle programs. • NYFS has been awarded $30,000 from SERC (State Education Resource Center). This is an increase from the original $19,000 awarded. This grant money will be used to fund both Parent Leadership and Teen Leadership programs.  • NYFS is pleased that the Young Parents Program was approved for 2010-2011 funding. NYFS received a 5% increase in the grant funding over last year. This will allow NYFS to hire a part time employee to help out our full time case manager for the program. • Kay told the group that NYFS is currently working with Ross Anderson and the Norwich Public Schools on a Diversion grant. The goal would be to provide a liaison to work with families whose children are involved in FWSN school-related behavior in an effort to divert them from juvenile court. The school will be hearing in December if they have been awarded the grant. Discussion ~ • The next Family Fun Night will take place on November 30 at the Rose City Senior Center from 6-8:30pm. There will be arts & crafts, food, games, Zumba and tons of fun! All are welcome. • Adopt a Family is NHS annual Christmas program providing financially needy families Christmas gifts for their children. NHS is currently looking for sponsors who would like to make a difference in the lives of children this holiday season by “adopting” a family to provide gifts for. If you would like to be a sponsor, please call Lisa Diaz at (860) 823-3778. • Kay spoke about forming an advocacy subcommittee for NYFS to tackle the upcoming budget season. This committee will be responsible for organizing a coherent response to potential budget cuts. If you would like to participate on the committee, please contact Kay at (860) 823-3782. • Guest Wilson Fong told the group how upset he is over the possibility of the City of Norwich cutting the Adult Education funding out of the budget for next fiscal year. Janet Paton stated that the Norwich City Council needs to be reminded that it will be a cost savings to the City by keeping the Adult Education in Norwich verses having to send students out of town. Wrap-Up ~ Two questions were posed for thought, • “What does Youth and Family Services need from me?” • “What can Youth and Family Services do for me?” Next Board meeting will be January 11, 2011 from 8:30-9:30am. Room 335 in City Hall Refreshments will be served. All are welcome! NYFS is now on Facebook. Check it out for program updates, tips and upcoming events!