Youth Service Advisory Board

NORWICH YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING November 10th, 2014 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 10th, 2014 in Room 335 in Norwich City Hall. Those in attendance were as follows: Jodi Vara-President Angela Rae Duhaime-Community Member Jaime Miller-Norwich Tech Vouise Fonville-DCF Kevin Saythany-newest Community Member Angelo Callis- YSB staff , sitting in for Kay Mike McKinney-NPD Guest: Deb Kievits, Lori Baptiste Absent: Mark Irons-Juvenile Probation Duncan Profitt Katie Wagner Erin Wood Kay Eyberse The meeting was called to order at 8:30. Review of meeting minutes: The minutes from September 9th, 2014 were reviewed. It was noticed that Officer Mike McKinney was marked both present and absent. That was corrected, he was not present and the minutes approved with that correction. YBS Programs: Kay reviewed recent programming, including:  Cool Directions- Cool Directions is on target with recruitment and service delivery.  Voices for Families- There will be two adult classes of parent leadership running this year. One will be held at Adult Education and ESL parents will be trained in Civics and advocacy skills. We are recruiting for the second class which, we hope to have ready to go by mid-January.  JRB/FWSN – All boards are active and currently taking referrals. NYFS lost the grant that allowed for enhanced case management. Angelo has increased his commitment in that area and the Connecticut Youth Services Association has been awarded a grant through DCF/CSSD to administer enhanced services. NYFS will be able to subcontract with CYSA to access those funds for the JRB and FWSN Boards and the youth that they serve.  Girls Circle – Continues to run at NFA afterschool.   Speak Out…Norwich Theater Group – This collaborative venture with Bully Busters is currently recruiting and has a start date of 1/8/15. Old Business:  Lee-Ann Gomes, the Supervisor of Social Services, is one of the 3 finalists for the position of Human Services Director. A decision should be made near Thanksgiving, NYFS has been told.  The Advisory Board welcomes Kevin Saythany, our newest member to the team. New Business:  Election of Officers Jodi Vara was elected President of the Advisory Board. Angela Rae Duhaime was elected Vice President and Kevin Saythany was elected Secretary by a show of hands. Norwich Prevention Council Subcommittee-  This year’s grant was delivered to SERAC to cover the amount of $5675 in prevention services. Included in that was suicide prevention awareness( including Q,P,R training, suicide prevention week in the spring and “take the First Step” walk), a follow-up on compliance checks, an Opiod/heroin focus for the community, support of NFA SADD events and a review of local ordinances regarding sale or advertising of paraphernalia, “legal” drugs, etc.  Angela announced to the group that SERAC has moved into their new building in Norwich at 228 West Towne Street.  Kay and Angela will appear on Deb's cable access show to discuss programs and the growing concerns regarding heroin use.  Angela will be speaking with parents/teachers/students at nfa regarding prevention issues. time and place to be determined.  Discussion regarding compliance checks. Unsure if we need to have kids trained and if we require participation from the state liquor commission.  SADD talent show will be held in January.  Discussion on the feasibility of teens promoting safe driving on 12/30 in preparation for New Years Eve. Members were in favor of this.  NPC received an award from SERAC for our work with QPR. Next Board meeting will be January 13th from 8:30-10:00 am. Room 335 in City Hall All are welcome! NYFS is now on Facebook. Check it out for program updates, tips and upcoming events!