Youth Service Advisory Board

NORWICH YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING May 8th 2012 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 May 8th 2012 in Room 335 in Norwich City Hall. Those in attendance were as follows: Kay Eyberse-Coordinator Jodi Vara-Norwich Free Academy, President Sorna Sarker – Youth advisory member Deb Kievits-Community Member Jan Paton-Community Member Laura Koniecko - NPS Vouise Fonville-DCF Angela Rae Duhaime-Community Member Absent: Soledad Busto-Juvenile Court Duncan Profitt-Community Member Anthony J. Gomes – NP Kay Eyberse called the meeting to order at 8:30. Jodi Vara started the meeting by having everyone introduce him/herself, sign in and update any email information. The minutes from the March 2012 meeting were distributed and read. The minutes were approved as written. Program Review ~ • Norwich Youth Action Council- Members and their families are invited to a picnic on May 31st to be held at Mohegan Park. NYAC is doing Flocking Flamingo Fundraiser throughout the month of May. It is $35 a flock. The youth group will be donating ½ of its proceeds to the Norwich Recreation Department and ½ to the “Summer Jam and Learn” Collaborative. The group will be hosting it’s Family Fun Night on June 19th at the Senior Center. The theme is healthy living/ eating. • Girls Circle- 3 more weeks are left before the end of group. They are planning a camping/wilderness experience in early in June. NYFS is committed to Girls Circle for 2012-2013. • Norwich Prevention Council – is wrapping up its work for 2012. There is a little money left over which will be transferred to next year to be used for a prescription drug drop box. There has been no response from the police about shoulder taps and ideas for a different community project will be discussed at the next meeting.  • Strengthening Families- is up and running and the group has 10 families and 15 kids. It will wrap up before the end of the school year. This is the second group of the year. • Juvenile Review Board- The JRB had 16 cases to review this week and will continue its operation through the summer. • Teen/Adult Leadership – The teen and adult leadership graduation is scheduled for June 15th at TRCC. Kids did a fundraising project for St. Vincent DePaul at World Youth Day. Adults developed a web base resource list. We are considering a change of venue for next year…at least for the youth….the hope is to host it at NFA after school to address transpiration issues. • Summer Youth Employment Program - The state has OK’d funding for this coming summer and NYFS is currently accepting preliminary applications. They are anticipating hiring a minimum of 60 youth. • Cool Directions - We will be reapplying for funding this year at the same level as before. We serviced a total of 31 youth during the year, providing intensive work, and employment services. New Business Updates ~ • CDBG Grant was well received by the CDBG Advisory Board and it was recommended for full funding. The City Council will vote on this next week. If approved, it will allow us to hire a part-time person to case manage juvenile justice cases for the JRB and FWSN Board. • NYFS has accumulated enough small grant monies to collaborate on the “Summer Jam and Learn” program this summer. The goal is to serve 20 youth from the Juvenile Justice population with a fun and educational summer experience for a 6 week program (July 2nd to August 9th) . Recruitment has begun. • Juneteenth Festival is being held on Saturday June 16th. Tables are available. 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 July 10th 2012 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!