Director’s Report: verbal report 1. Family Day was held 1 week late (on scheduled rain date). Commended Palmieri on a good job coordinating the event; noted 400-500 people on the Green at any one time. Received feedback from Principal Rafferty (a committee member) expressing desire for better engagement of Middle School population and others. Chairman commented that he would like to look at scheduling earlier – always rain; he would also like to get more people involved earlier in the planning, i.e. businesses, other
organizations, schools, elderly, and the theatre. 2. Director reported a local dental practice had raised $3500 for the YFS Foundation through its SMILE campaign (teeth whitening) and $3500 for the national Garth Brooks Foundation. 3. Director reported the HEAT initiative had informed him they are looking to expand their mission and do more fundraising for the YFS Foundation, i.e. to provide scholarships for children in Pre-K programs; or to provide security deposits and for medical needs of families. 4. Director reported he had been asked to and had addressed the Brookfield Prevention Council about our HCHY initiative. They were looking for technical assistance from us on our successful collaborations and improved youth substance use data. They have already surveyed their students and are looking at how to publicize their results. 5. 80 students are registered for our Middle School After School Clubs. Recently met with Parks & Recreation Assistant Director to focus on 7th and 8th grade needs – will be looking to develop some structured programs for them at the Center. 6. Our 8th grade Peer Mentors have been in training for the last 3 weeks culminating with a full school day Training Retreat at Camp Hazen. In mid-October they will be paired with 4th and 5th grade students whom they will mentor for the balance of the school year. 7. Director will be attending Student Assistance Team meetings at the High School to help develop treatment plans for students referred to the Team. He will also see 5 or 6 students for individual counseling at the school. 8. Youth Coordinator Moen initiated a REACH
(Responsible Educated Adolescents Can Help) after school club at the High School. The group will be charged with decision-making as well as be trained to teach prevention issues to MS students as was done last year. 9. Director reported we have picked up additional registrations at Open Houses and through summer packets that will be entered into the database. Hanratty noted that Goodwin School does everything now by email while the Middle School is not yet distributing fully that way. 10. Director reported that Social Services Coordinator Messner is at the Town Hall today with representatives from the Community Renewal
Team taking energy applications. 11. Director reported that Mercy Housing (a non-profit corporation in Hartford) received a $395,000 stimulus grant to provide homelessness services (case management and direct assistance) in Middlesex County. First Selectman noted question on the liabilities involved and recommended reading the documents carefully. He also questioned whether the arrangement would be a regional undertaking vs. an Old Saybrook undertaking. 12. Director reported he has decided to take an early retirement package from the Town effective December 31, 2009. He expressed that it was a
difficult decision; he has headed the agency for 30 years and it has been rewarding although the last 3 years have been tough due to elimination of counseling program in schools and reduced staffing. He expressed his belief that there is still a lot to do and the Commission will have hard decisions to make. He reported that he has been asked and will take vacation he has accrued and therefore his last day would be mid-November. Chairman Barnes expressed a thank you from the Commission for all the Director has done for the agency and for the Town. First Selectman Pace stated that he will start to look at transition protocols and funding, and that he will work with the Commission through Chairman Barnes. He noted the Agency is a model. He further stated that he and Chairman will set up a whole protocol of reviewing the agency and the community’s needs: schools, parks and recreation, police, social services. Welsh asked what sort of
transitional leadership would there be. First Selectman stated we would use the resources we have, including the Director. He asked that Commission share immediate concerns and thoughts with Chairman. Director noted that the Commission has been a large part of the Agency’s success. Hanratty noted that most people in the community do not realize the large role that the Agency plays in building community programs and leading collaborative initiatives.
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