Youth Service Advisory Board

NORWICH YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING January 11, 2011 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 March 8th, 2011 in Norwich City Hall. Those in attendance were as follows: Kay Eyberse-Coordinator Jodi M. Vara-Norwich Free Academy, President Janet Paton-Community Member Debbie Kievits-Community Member Laura Wraight-Norwich Public Schools Angela Rae Duhaime-Community Member Soledad Metcalfe-Juvenile Court Duncan Profitt-Community Member Guests: Alderman Tucker Braddock; Sherry Filiatreault, Children’s First Norwich Absent: Ryan Kelsey-NPD Vouise Fonville-DCF 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. The minutes from the January 11, 2011 meeting were distributed and read. The minutes were approved as written. Guests: Ross Anderson, the NPS Extended Learning Coordinator, has rescheduled till the next Advisory Board meeting. He will review upcoming and summer programs. Jolea Phelps, the NPS Homeless Liaison, was unable to attend, but the last homeless count of children being serviced by NPS was 107. Sherry Filiatreault, the Children First Norwich Coordinator, reviewed the CFN/SR Annual Report with the Board. She also reviewed the progress on the Community Enhancement Plan, including the impressive work being done by the Health Team on BMIs of all Norwich school children. Program Review ~ • The Quarterly Report from October-December was dispersed and reviewed by members.  • Norwich Youth Action Council- NYAC is meeting regularly and planning volunteer and fund raising events. Their most recent project took place at Thames River Family Program on February 7th. They executed a Kids Craft Fair for the children at the program. The NYAC youth will also be attending the Governor’s Public hearing tomorrow March 9th to thank him for his support of YSBs across the State. • Girls Circle- Girls Circle will continue into the Spring. • Strengthening Families- The Strengthening Families program has postponed its start date until early April due to staffing issues. This program is for at-risk children and their parents. The program will be geared towards 10-14 year olds. We currently have 6 families scheduled for the program. 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- COOL Directions continues its work with youth in work, education and training. 20 young people are working intensively in this program. • Both Adult and Teen Leadership trainings began on January 28th with a day long retreat. They are both 15 week intensive program that will culminate in each group planning and executing a community project. • Juvenile Justice Forum- The Waterford LIST and NYFS hosted a Juvenile Justice Forum on February 3rd at the RCSC. The well attended forum was a panel event addressing the intersection between education and juvenile justice. • There are numerous upcoming Norwich Prevention Council events coming up which NYFS will collaborate with including: 2 SADD events, one at the Otis Library in late March, and one at Family Fun Night in early April; 2 KICK BUTTS Days at each Middle School. Updates ~ • The advocacy committee met and made plans to address significant proposed budget cuts as soon as the City Manger makes those cuts public. • Kay continues to meet regularly with the Citizens Committee for the Community Center and with the Steering Committee. There has been no further progress on either front. • Importantly, NYFS was down a senior staff member, since Angelo Callis’ heart attack and bypass surgery in January. With his return in early March, it will take some time to get back to normal. Wrap-Up ~ • “What does Youth and Family Services need from me?” • “What can Youth and Family Services do for me?” Next Board meeting will be May 10th, 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!