Youth Service Advisory Board

ESTABLISHED 1659 CITY OF NORWICH CONNECTICUT NORWICH YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES 80 Broadway Norwich, CT 06360 (860) 823-3782 Fax (860) 892-6031 NORWICH YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES Meeting Tuesday May 16th, 2017 NYFS 80 Broadway 8:45-10:00 1. Welcome and introductions In Attendance • Angelo Callis – NYFS Coordinator • Erin Haggan – NYFS Youth & Family Caseworker • Jodi Vara – Norwich Free Academy • Katelyn Wagner – Norwich Public Schools • Angela Duhaime – PFS Coordinator • Stephanie Bonardi – Natchaug Joshua Center Thames Valley • Judith Post – Community Member • Patrick McMahon – Community Member 2. Program Review/Old Business o Voices for Families – Class is graduating in June. 3. New Business: • City Council Budget: Currently there are no slated cuts to YFS. The counsil will meet June 6/5 & 6/12 to finalize budget. Suggestions made by McMahon to have youth speak to the council. Also discussed that with the proposed cuts to Norwich Public Schools there would no longer be an SRO in the schools. Discussion regarding whether new protocols will be developed regarding arrests of students in middle schools. • Report on Juvenile Justice Changes: As of August 1st, Juvenile Court will no longer accept FWSN referrals for truancy or defiant of school rules and YSB’s are charged with accepting referrals and setting up intake and referral procedures. • Summer Jam & Learn: Currently recruiting for this program from JRB and FWSN Boards and also from Middle Schools. Full funding has been received along with an enhancement to be able to higher an addition intervention specialist. The program will include character education, pro-social community activities. We are also recruiting volunteer workers from NFA for the program to assist. • Mentoring Collaborative: There have been barriers with identifying mentors through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. NPS has been helpful with matching 2 FWSN kids. Katelyn Wagner attended a JJPOC information session on mentoring and possible future programming. • Report of School Based Diversion Efforts  ESTABLISHED 1659 CITY OF NORWICH CONNECTICUT NORWICH YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES 80 Broadway Norwich, CT 06360 (860) 823-3782 Fax (860) 892-6031 o Tutoring Program : 6 students receiving tutoring from high school students at KMS and TMMS. o FWSN Board : Beginning next year NYFS will get all referrals from school due to change in laws with FWSN and juvenile court. NYFS will be reaching out to Abby Dolliver – Superintendent to get more prevention efforts into the elementary schools. o Teen Leadership/NYAC – There was a hygiene education program that was brought to kindergarten and first graders at two elementary schools, Norwich Knows presentation occurred at World Youth Day and we will look to expand that to NFA in an assembly next year, Anti-Bullying education event scheduled for June 1st at Moriarity with recent TLC grads. Recruiting for Summer Teen Leadership which will be the week of July 31. o Girls’ Circle – Jodi is finishing up the second round of group at TMMS. And Erin completed a group last month. o Cool Directions – Recruiting Summer Youth Employment kids. The budget is still unclear on how many youth will be able to be hired. • Moving: NYFS will be relocating to the Recreation Department and the remainder of Human Services staff will be relocating to City Hall. Plans are in the development phase and the timeline is unclear. 4. Norwich Prevention Council Subcommittee • Review Heroin Events: Moving forward Angelo will be connecting with Athletic Directors and athletes regarding the risks of prescription pain medications. Approximately 30 lock boxes were distributed. Discussed concerns with local veterinarians giving out Suboxone. Education to some have been provided and efforts will continue. • Coffee House Open Mics: Were held monthly at the Rec Center, Art Space and during World Youth Day. Efforts will continue next year to make these regularly scheduled events. • Suicide Prevention Week: Very Successful week that included, QPR Training for NFA Students, Education and Outreach at both NFA and Norwich Tech by EMPS, wooden ribbons that were used for memorials for people to sign at both schools and at the Take the First Step Walk, Scavenger Hunt held at NFA and a video made and produced and put on You Tube and called Norwich Prevention Council's Suicide Prevention Week video where students and staff finished the statement…”I enjoy life because”. Students from NFA and Norwich Tech met on Chelsea Parade and formed a giant human ribbon to signify suicide awareness. The Take the First Step walk (5th Annual) included approximately 120 people and raised over 500$. Next years efforts hope to include Three Rivers Middle College students and staff throughout the week as well. o Compliance Checks: These will be conducted in June in collaboration with SERAC and the NPD.