Youth Service Advisory Board

July 13, 2021 Time: 9 a.m. Attendance Present: Erin Haggan (NYFS), Bob Mckinney (Norwich PD), Kim Charles (Juvenile Probation), Sue Dubb (Uncas Health District), Leopoldine Bertrand (Youth) Excused: Katelyn Wagner (Norwich Public Schools), Jaime Miller (Norwich Tech), Jodi Savage (NFA), Kevin DiFilippo Unexcused: Pat McMahon (Community Member) Review of Motion to Accept January & March Meeting Minutes • Unable to do this due to low Board member attendance. Tabled to next meeting. Old Business • Board Members Updates: o Kim: Juvenile Court is open full-time. Detention hearings still happening in Hartford. Raise the Age has been passed, so no kids under 10 can be sent to Juvenile Court. Juvenile arrests are up, particularly related to crimes such as assaults, larceny, gun possession and trespassing. Discussed protocol for youth marijuana possession starting with warning, then referral to JRB and then summons to juvenile court. o Bob: Discussed protocol for youth marijuana possession, discretion of PD to send first warning to JRB. Described warning citation and summons that PD will be using along with health form for 18- 20 year olds. Discussed prevalence of concern with cell phones and youth sharing photos that put them at risk for child pornography charges. Discussed need for education for youth about this. Gangs and gun possession/violence are also prevalent and a major issue in the community. Discussed willingness of officers to serve as mentors but challenges with logistics and funding. o Sue: Shared about vaccination numbers and ongoing efforts with pop up sites and incentives. Discussed a health/STI education training to pursue in partnership with NFA. o Leopoldine: Shared that many of the behaviors we discussed are normalized among her peers. She believes sporting events are a good opportunity to reach youth because they draw many youth out to the community. o Erin: Reported staffing changes, caseworker resigned. Shared updates on Summer Jam & Learn Program. Announced Family Day Sept 19th. Reminder to all if they have referrals for kids that live in Norwich and need backpacks, they can send them to me to get to Jodi for the Norwich Community Backpack Program. New Business • Year ahead Initiatives: o Prevention & intervention programs that target assault, larceny, trespassing and gun possession. o Educate youth about sexting and sending pornographic photos (having peers speak on this in collaboration with police internet safety training). o Mentoring Programs: NYFS to support PD efforts, explore recruitment of mentors from Three Rivers, explore 9&10 graders mentoring/tutoring 8th graders, continue elementary/NFA mentoring program. o Possible Forum with athletes EJ Exum and Marcus Outlaw to speak with youth on decision making and making position choices (possible combined effort with Night Flight or other sporting events) o Health/STI education training partnership between NFA & Uncas Health. • New Youth Board Member Leopoldine Bertrand Appointment: o Unable to do proceed due to low Board attendance. Tabled to next meeting. Next Meeting: September 14, 2021, 9am Rose City Senior Center/Zoom Hybrid Page 2