Youth Service Advisory Board

Youth and Family Advisory Board Meeting January 16, 2018 Time: 8:45 a.m. In Attendance Angelo Callis (Youth and Family Services), Erin Haggan (Youth and Family Services), Tiana Powell (PFS), Pat McMahon (Community Rep), Jodi Savage (Norwich Free Academy), Jaime Miller (Norwich Tech), Officer Steve Callender (Norwich Police Dept), Kerri Sisson (Joshua Center), Judith Post (Community Member), Lori Baptiste (Bully Busters), Deb Kievits (Bully Busters). Old Business/Program Updates • Presentation & Proclamation at Norwich City Council, on January 16 will show the quilt project and discuss how we got the grant. This event is to bring awareness to the opioid problem in Norwich. • Teen Homelessness Count – Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness in the state. On the week of January 23rd surveys will be given to youth ages 13-24. The survey will look into their mental health and wellbeing as well as to see the amount of under housed/homeless individuals in Norwich. We can also use the surveys for future funding. • Parent Workshops, One on Internet Safety will be held at Kelly Middle School in the auditorium on March 1st from 6-8pm. It is open to parents of grades 5-8. o Lee-Ann suggested workshops on housing violations and eviction process training. New Business • Staff leaving - Partnerships for Success Grant Coordinator, Angela Duhaime will be leaving us on January 19th. Administrative Coordinator at Norwich Human Services, Janice Thompson will be retiring on March 1st. • Movie Night – at the Rec, Erin will send flyers out ASAP. • NFA Leadership – they are putting together a coping skills fair to present at Kelly Middle School. Norwich Prevention Council • Open Mic Night – Jodi reported that NFA Prevention Council is sponsoring an Open Mic Night on February 21st from 6-8pm at the Rec. o Jodi reported that the NFA Prevention Council is sponsoring a High School Movie Night on March 9th. • Suicide Prevention Week/Walk – Suicide Prevention Week is held the last week in April (23rd-27th) and the Take the First Step Walk is on April 28th (Saturday). Trained therapy dog, Gizmo, will be there if weather is nice. o Jodi and students had some ideas for Suicide Prevention Week including having disposable cups at NFA with a message on them. Mini flags that represented the number of people who committed suicide. Having a photo challenge where people post pictures of things that give their life meaning. Lastly, was fortune cookies with messages inside. • Pat brought up Griswold PRIDE and discussed a possible Norwich PRIDE. The group discussed marketing our council and updating our pamphlets. We will discuss a marketing subcommittee in the next meeting. Announcements Bully Busters has 30 kids and they do have a waiting list. They need volunteers for community service involving the soup kitchen, senior center, etc. Next Meeting February 13th, 2018 @ 8:45am at Norwich Youth & Family Services, 75 Mohegan Road Meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m. Page 2