Youth Service Advisory Board

CITY OF NORWICH ESTABLISHED 1659 CONNECTICUT NORWICH YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES 75 Mohegan Road, Norwich, (860) 823-3782, Fax (860) 823-3793 Youth Advisory Board November 9, 2021 9am In attendance: Jodi Savage (NFA), Erin Haggan (YFS), Officer Mckinney (NPD), Emily Morse (UCFS, standing in for Jen Croce), Katelyn Wagner (NPS), Soledad Metcalfe (Juvenile Probation, standing in for Kim Charles), Teairez Atunbi (DCF, replacing Kevin DiFillipo) Absent: Leopoldine Bertrand (Excused), Jaime Miller (Excused), Sue Dubb (Unexcused) Vacancies: Community Member (2) 1. Old Business  Minutes from July 2021 & September 2021 were accepted ● Motion to Change Meeting Time to 3pm instead of 9am passed 2. New Business ● Updates ● NYFS received LPC Funding to be used for additional alcohol, marijuana, vaping and suicide prevention efforts. ● This month, NYFS is starting Calm Down Crew & Monster Feelings (two social emotional learning groups at the elementary schools), Teen Leadership Council and 4 What’s Next (Suicide Prevention) with high school students. ● NYFS has purchased access to LIKE documentary and toolkit for the LIKE Documentary about the impacts of social media. ● Katelyn talked about the funding that have come in to the district- Title 1/ LEAP grant and using partnerships to bring in programs. ▪ Ideas to collaborate with MCIS on Human Trafficking Awareness/Prevention Training, which Jodi and Katelyn will follow up on with Emily (for youth and adults/staff). ● Schools as Community Centers is in ongoing discussions with Human Services and NPS. Some shared of the importance of a sense of community at neighborhood schools. ● Jodi suggested using the Title 1/LEAP grant funding projects as a springboard to determine which programs would be effective if schools as community centers did occur.  ● Gun violence is a major concern reported by Officer McKinney and Probation, Erin discussed exploring Aggression Replacement Training to facilitate the group at YFS to be a service referral for court. ● Officer Mckinney reports seeing many JRB and FWSN kids coming from single parent households- parents have a lot on their plates. ● The group discussed challenges this brings with healthy guidance, accountability and communication. ● Community Policing Unit and NPS have been exploring ways to get back into the schools and building relationships with students. ● School reps report that students are very angry. There needs to be more opportunities for adults to know how to support them and get the kids the skills they need to manage their emotions. ● Emily reports a lack of availability of services as a major issue. ● DCF brought up the need to identify root causes of the behaviors, what are the impacts of home life, and how to we provide healthy role modeling for the youth? ● Erin shared several mentoring programs available now: ▪ LifeFAQs for adolescents struggling academically ▪ Child in placement for kids at risk of out of home placement due ▪ YFS contracting for two mentors for Norwich kids referred through school/JRB ● Group discussed ways to implement attending a program through YFS a requirement to getting back into schools after a suspension. ● Jodi reported that the peer-mentoring program with NFA & Mahan is being developed and will start next month, and she is working on another with NFA & Kelly students. ● What is next for the Advisory Board ● Looking at the needs of the community and what YFS and partners do to address the needs that we are not already doing. ● Doing more trainings and presentations at the meeting (Youth Employment Program Next month) Erin will email what workshops or training ideas for board members to attend. ● Erin will set up a meeting with NPS Equity Director to discuss providing additional supports to students and staff. ● Katelyn and Jodi will connect with Emily regarding Human Trafficking Trainings. ● Erin will explore training for Aggression Replacement Training. Next Meeting: January11, 2022 3pm Location: YFS Building 75 Mohegan Road, Norwich/Virtual Access Zoom Page 2