Youth Service Advisory Board

Youth and Family Advisory Board Meeting February 13th, 2018 Time: 8:45 a.m. In Attendance Angelo Callis (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), Judith Post (Community Member), Susan Dubbs (Uncas Health). Old Business/Program Updates • Teen Homelessness Count – Surveys have been collected from NFA and Middle College. We weren’t able to reach the middle schools. The state coalition on homelessness will be evaluating the surveys. All in all we are trying to find the rates of homelessness with teens and apply for grants. • Parent Workshops – We have 7 planned. The first will be held at Kelly Middle School in the auditorium on March 1st from 6- 8pm on internet safety. It is open to parents of grades 5-8. * Attached flyer of rest of Workshops* • Movie Night – 50 kids, up to 4th grade watched Lady and the Tramp. Norwich Youth Action Council sponsored the event. Jodi reported that the high school movie night will be on March 9 and the open mic night is February 21 at the rec. There will be free food, drinks, and door prizes. New Business • Joining Forces – Steve reported to the group that they went to It in New Haven and had a great time. The group decided that their community project will be a blood drive. Part of the group wanted to work with the elderly so they will be going to Sheltering Arms. • Grant with the Rec Dept. - $10,000 for a 15 week wellness program at Kelly Middle School. The program can involve up to 30 kids and will include yoga, hula hooping, karate, dance, art, etc. The program will meet three times a week. A survey will be given before and after the program. It will start the first week of March from 3-5pm. Norwich Prevention Council • 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). o Jodi reported that they would like hold a QPR training during this week. As well as a collage and video project of kids doing what they love. They will get mini flags to show how many people have committed suicide during a school day. NFA approved the 211 message for the hot/cold cups. A LAX game will be at NFA that week with the Daigle Foundation. They will also create brief bios of the schools counselors/social workers for students to learn who they are. • QPR training, will be done at the Charter school. Training for parents will be in on March 14th at the Rec • Kelly Middle School – Angelo and Tiana are meeting with Bill to discuss prevention of marijuana in the school and having a Boys Council there. Announcements We have four upcoming Narcan trainings at St. Vincent de Paul and Reliance Health. Next Meeting March 20th, 2018 @ 8:45am at 75 Mohegan Road Norwich, CT Meeting adjourned at 10am