Youth Service Advisory Board

March 19th, 2019 Time: 8:45 a.m. Attendance Present: Christine Goracy (NYFS), Pat McMahon (Community Member), Tiana Powell (PFS), Steve Callender (Norwich PD, Rayallen Bergman (PFS). Excused: Angelo Callis (NYFS), Jamie Miller (Norwich Tech), Katelyn Wagner (Norwich Public Schools), Gail Palladino Marsh (Juvenile Probation), Sue Dubb (Uncas Health), Deb Barber (DCF), Kerri Sisson (Joshua Center), Jodi Savage (NFA), Judith Post (Community Member). Absent: Review of October’s Meeting Minutes • Accepted by consensus. Old Business • Board Members Month in Review: o Tiana: Jeff Hatch, former NFL player, will be coming to NFA to speak to student athletes about opioids on March 25. o Christine: The Joining Forces group will visit the Fire Department on Tuesday. They have already visited the Police Department and went to an escape room. In April they are going bowling • Steered Straight: Michael DeLeon from Steered Straight presented to all students at Norwich Tech, 8th graders at Teachers and Kelly and a community/parent piece on marijuana and vaping. All students responded well and over 20 people attended the parent piece. • Middle School Diversion: Tiana and intern Lexi are finishing their girls group from Teachers called Voices soon. Andre will be starting up his boys group with Kelly STEAM this month. New Business • Staffing Updates: The new Partnership for Success Coordinator is Rayallen Bergman. • Youth Service Award: Looking for youth who show great leadership. We have already received some nominees. They will be presented at May 3rd at City Hall in Norwich. • Discovery Day: Christine and Rayallen attended Discovery Day at Kelly STEAM. About 150 people came to get information about the community. • Programs/Events: Hope and Compassion peer led support group meets every 3rd Thursday from 6-8pm at the Rose City Senior Center. Karaoke and Open Mic Night is on March 28 at Norwich Youth & Family Services. The annual Earth Day Fair is on April 4 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Rose City Senior Center. • NEW Appreciation: Christine will start a random acts of kindness to show our appreciation to those who help NYFS. Pat suggested getting them a plaque so they can hang it in their offices. Christine will also start a Champion for Children award for those who work closely with youth in Norwich. Norwich Prevention Council • Vaping Compliance Checks: Between now and August for alcohol and tobacco. The funds are ready and we are waiting for trained youth. • Suicide Prevention Walk: Walk is on Saturday, April 27th. The walk needs donated raffle prizes, yoga and/or massage professionals. Veteran resources have been added as well for suicide prevention. • Suicide Prevention Week: Students will have a scavenger hunt to learn about suicide prevention. They will have a drawing for the winner to receive a gift card. Angelo will be doing Question Persuade Refer (QPR) trainings. During that week they will have information table at sporting events, they will have morning announcements for suicide prevention/awareness and they have a dress down day to wear teal. They hope to purchase 211 bracelets and t-shirts for the walk. o Community Piece: Kids and community members will write reasons for living/things that give them joy and tape each reason to ribbons. The ribbons will go to downtown businesses to grow awareness. Meeting adjourned at 10:00am Next Meeting: April 16th, 2019 at 8:45am Youth & Family Services 75 Mohegan Rd Page 2