Youth Service Advisory Board

NORWICH YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING March 12th, 2013 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 12th, 2013 in Room 335 in Norwich City Hall. Those in attendance were as follows: Kay Eyberse-Coordinator Jodi Vara-Norwich Free Academy, President Deb Kievits-Community Member Soledad Metclaf-JProbation Duncan Profitt-Community Member Absent: Anthony J. Gomes – NP Sorna Sarker-Youth Member/Secretary Excused: Laura Konieko Angela Rae Duhaime-Community Member The meeting was called to order at 8:30. The minutes from the minutes from the meeting on January 8th, were distributed and read. The minutes were approved as written. Kay reviewed the YBS Programs~ • Norwich Youth Action Council- The kids were excited with their evening cooking for the Hospitality Center. Future plans include an upcoming Family Fun night on April 2nd, a middle-school movie night and a Marina clean up morning. They are considering recruiting new youth for next year. • Girls Circle- An 8 week Mother/Daughter component will begin in mid April. Girls Circle group is considering their end of the year adventure and are once again, looking at a camping trip, probably to one of the State parks. • Strengthening Families- Strengthening Families has a couple of weeks left to go. Recruitment will begin for next year.  • Juvenile Review Board/FWSN- The Community Development grant was delivered on time and hearing will begin later in May. • Cool Directions – The current crop of students are requiring large amounts of social work support. They now have their own technology room at the office where they can do online learning. • Adult/Teen Leadership- All three leadership classes are in the middle of their training….projects have yet to be announced. Graduation is in May. • Norwich Prevention Council Subcommittee- o The second of the Youth Alternative events is scheduled to be held on April 23rd at the Otis Library. World Youth Day is coming up on May 3rd and promises to be a great event. o The prescription drop box is still on hold. No word yet on final ececution. o A second Youth Impacted by Addiction group has begun at the Sachem Street School and will continue to the end of the year. New Business ~ • Budget updates-Although both the State and local budget are said to be in upcoming shortfall, no cuts to the agency have been announced. In fact, CYSA has announced that the State portion of our budget should remain stable. • Grants for Summer Jam and Learn are in and the plan is to recruit at risk diversion youth again as we did last summer. • Summer Youth Employment Funds also appear to be on track for summer, though at a decreased level. • Kay gave a brief update on “The Zone” work being advocated by CFN for the Taftville area and will invite Sherry in to give a more detailed description of the plan in the future. Next Board meeting will be May 14thth 2013 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!