Youth Service Advisory Board

Youth and Family Advisory Board Meeting April 24th, 2018 Time: 8:45 a.m. In Attendance Erin Haggan (Youth and Family Services), Angelo Callis (Youth and Family Services), Tiana Powell (PFS), Christine Posisch, PFS), Jodi Savage (Norwich Free Academy), Katelyn Wagner (Norwich Public Schools), Judith Post (Community Member), Pat McMahon (Community Member), Kerri Sisson (Joshua Center). Old Business/Program Updates • Parent Workshops – We had about 7-10 people for each workshop so far and there are two left. • Boys Council – Andre, Human Services Intern, has two boys groups, with approximately, 10 boys per group at Kelly and Teachers. • Mindfulness Program – 8 kids at Kelly and 7 at Teachers meet 45 minutes a day. Erin reported that they are starting to see improvements. • Staffing Updates – Christine is the new PFS Coordinator. Cheryl is the new Recreation Director. Janice is working part time training the new hire Katrina Rosedale. Budget season is upon us with 5% cut including grants. New Business • World Youth Day/Youth Service Awards – Looking for 12-15 kids from different organizations working kids who show leadership and give to their community for awards at City Hall at 4pm, followed by World Youth Day Friday May 4th from 5-8pm in downtown Norwich with music, food, prizes, dances and skits. • Summer Jam – $10,000 has been funded and we’ll be running the program with that. Volunteers will go through a training with Erin. Norwich Prevention Council • 2017 Data – Christine went over the new 2017 data collected from Norwich youth. 63% of Norwich youth don’t think marijuana is harmful. We will plan compliance checks with Norwich PD for alcohol. A vaping compliance check will be separate and treated like tobacco. Christine would like to start a party patrol with our community officers. • Norwich Unhooked – The new billboard is up for the month of April. National Prevention Week is in May and each day of the week has a topic. Norwich Unhooked will create a social media post for each day. • Angelo Reported… He has QPR trained 120 kids, including the Young Marines. Our mini grant has come to an end - With that we held Narcan trainings and gave out 120 Narcan kits to whom many were users. We will be purchasing a marijuana curriculum for Kelly Middle School and are planning for an SBIRT training in the fall for their faculty. • 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 NFA had a QPR lunch in. The collage project of kids showing their reason to live will be shown at each school and at the walk. The LAX game is 4pm today, the 211 cup sleeves will be given out and Norwich Tech will hand out brochures. Cards with positive messages with candy and a flyer will be given to each kid at NFA (2,300). Announcements have also gone out. Yard signs will show how many people commit suicide in a school day, which will also be at the walk. The “Who can help you?” will be posted of those who responded.  o Erin reported that there will be 20+ providers at the walk. There will be “In Memory of…” signs for those to write names on, reiki, a massage therapist and beads. Announcements Joining Forces Blood Drive will be on June 2nd at the Senior Center Next Meeting May 15th, 2018 @ 8:45am at 75 Mohegan Road Norwich, CT – Meeting adjourned at 10am Page 2