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 January 10, 2023, 3pm In Attendance: Erin Haggan (YFS), Kimberly Siefert-Charles (Waterford Juvenile Court) Teairez Atunbi (DCF), Cara-Lynn Turner (Community Member), Gerald Dillenbeck (Community member), Jon Turban (NPS), Jen Croce (Mobile Crisis) Bob McKinney (PD) Absent: Leopoldine Bertrand (unexcused), Sue Dubb (unexcused) 1. Old Business Review & Approval of Minutes: All agreed to approve minutes for May 2022 and September 2022 meeting. Vacancies: Norwich Free Academy Staff (1), Youth Representative (1) 2. New Business • Staffing Updates  The Board elected Teairez Atunbi as Chair  The Board elected Cara-Lynn Turner Vice-Chair  Community spot anticipated to be filled by Gerald Dillenbeck  Bylaws provided to all members at the meeting. Upcoming Events/Programs  988 connects to 211 in Ct, urgent crisis centers are supposed to be open for each DCF Region (possibly open in March)  Waitlists for mental health services continue to grow  Parent led group from grade K-8 through NPS  Discussed goal to have events in community neighborhoods to get more community members involved.  Community/Family dance scheduled for February  Officer McKinney speaking with kids about boundaries  Discussed lack of connections between youth and trusted adults, and finding more opportunities for meaningful connection between parents and children.  YFS offering Prevention for Marijuana/vaping 1st time offense through the school, also classes on conflict resolution and bullying  Erin will promote flyer for NFA and Youth rep for the Board Next Meeting: April, 2022, 3pm Location: Youth, Family, & Rec Building, 75 Mohegan Road, Norwich