Youth Service Advisory Board

Youth and Family Advisory Board Meeting January 15th, 2019 Time: 8:45 a.m. Attendance Present: Angelo Callis (NYFS), Erin Haggan (NYFS), Jodi Savage (NFA), Tiana Powell (PFS), Steve Callandar (Norwich PD), Sue Dubb (Uncas Health), Judith Post (Community Member), Deb Barber (DCF), Jodi Baratko (AmeriCorps), Kerri Sisson (Joshua Center). Excused: Christine Goracy (PFS), Pat McMahon (Community Member), Jamie Miller (Norwich Tech), Katelyn Wagner (Norwich Public Schools), Gail Palladino Marsh (Juvenile Probation). Absent: Review of October’s Meeting Minutes • Accepted by consensus. Old Business • Board Members Month in Review: o Jodi: On March 2nd there will be a Walk-a-thon. All the proceeds will go towards families dealing eith homelessness, addiction, mental health, etc. at NFA. There will be music all day by the teachers. Local agencies will set up. Their goal is to raise $1,000 to split between the local agencies. On March 25th Jeff Hatch will be presenting to student athletes during the school day and at night for the community. o Deb: There is a new commissioner and they will be expecting changes. o Vaping: Norwich Youth & Family Services is working on bringing Steered Straight with Norwich Tech and STEAM Kelly Middle. This will offer a vape training/informational for students during the school day and a night session for parents on March 13th. o Narcan Distribution: Angelo, Christine and Deanna Delaney (Reliance Health Recovery Coach) went to downtown businesses to train them in how to use Narcan and distribute Narcan nose sprays. They are almost out of Narcan kits. If anyone needs a training done contact SERAC. o Joining Forces: They will have 5 officers and 20 Wequonnec students that are in the 4th and 5th grade. The police officers will be doing life skills activities and prevention. There will be field trips and a community project. New Business • New Grants: Norwich Human Services is applying for the Drug Free Communities (DFC) grant. • Youth Service Association: With the possibility of marijuana legalization in Connecticut, the CYSA has decided to focus on perception of harm and the effects on the teenage brain. • Staffing Updates: In the process of interviewing for Youth Employment Coordinator. • SBIRT Trainings: Christine trained staff from Teachers and Kelly Middle School. Norwich Prevention Council • Suicide Prevention Walk: April 27th will be the 7th year of the Suicide Prevention Walk. The walk will have more local providers than last year. It will continue to have a DJ, the Norwich Police Dept. will be in  attendance for drug take back day, a silent first lap for a memorial, face painting for the kids, massages, reiki, yoga and a raffle for donated prizes. If you have any new ideas please contact Erin. • Suicide Prevention Week: A week to send messages and awareness for suicide and mental health. EMPS will have an info table at NFA again during the lunch waves. Angelo will be doing Question Persuade Refer (QPR) trainings. Students will be meeting to come up with activities for each day of the week and to create a visual for the community. They will focus on stress management, bullying and social media. Meeting adjourned at 10:00am Next Meeting March 19th, 2019 at 8:45am Youth & Family Services 75 Mohegan Rd Page 2