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YFS 4/06/2010 Minutes
YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMISSION - Draft
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 6, 2010

Members present:  
R. Allen, S. Barnes, K. Hanratty, B. Ruth, D. Shearer, P. Viggiano, J. Welsh
Members absent or excused
S. Cummins, Z. Towne
Also present:
Director Heather McNeil and Recording Secretary Linda McCall

I.
Call to Order:  Chairman Barnes called the meeting to order at 5:11 p.m.  
II.
Pledge of Allegiance: Chairman Barnes led the Pledge of Allegiance.
III.
Comments from the Public: none present
IV.
Review of Minutes of Regular Meeting of March 2, 2010.  Reviewed the minutes of the March 2nd meeting.  Allen made motion to approve the minutes as written.  Hanratty seconded.  No discussion; vote taken and the motion was unanimously approved.
V.
Chairman’s Comments:
1. Chairman reported the issue of employee comp time brought up last meeting will be addressed by the new Director.
2. Chairman congratulated and welcomed new Director Heather McNeil and noted the Commission is here to help her.
3. Chairman reported the Finance Board is meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m.
VI.
Director’s Report: (verbal report)
1. Has been working reviewing grants, budgets and other agency information.
2. Has been meeting with all the school principals and various agency heads.
3. Has been working on expanding clinical services to serve single adults as well as youth and families.  Working on credentialing clinical staff for private insurance boards.  An MFT Intern is starting at the agency this Friday.  A Bachelor’s level Criminal Justice Intern begins in May to work with the Youth Coordinator and Wilderness Coordinator.  Another MFT Intern (School Certification Track) will start later to assist in the schools.
4. First Selectman is working with Workforce Alliance to provide a training at Saybrook Point later this month and we will be involved with that.
5. Noted that policies and procedures need to be updated to include MFT Interns.  Has met with Executive Assistant Laine about coverage of interns under the Town’s insurance.
6. Working on better advertising our services.
7. Working on offering a Life Transition Support Group for Seniors.
8. Putting together an updated Community Provider List and organizing a Provider Networking Breakfast at the Agency on May 5th (and a second one in October).
9. Initiating a new after hours emergency protocol.  Agency cell phones will be manned by Director and Counselor Kathy Ferrantelli.  
10. Will be doing a presentation for the VFW on the Military Support Program, funded through DMHAS (Ct Dept of Mental Health and Addiction Services).
12. Planning to contract with a mental health billing provider to process all of our client insurance claims.  The provider receives a low fixed percentage of paid claims for their fee under a contractual relationship.
13. In response to a question from the Chairman, provided an overview of staff meetings and concerns.  Noted it is a very devoted and hard-working staff.  
VII.
Local Prevention Council Business:
1. Implementation of Drug Free Communities Grant Carryover– Administrative Assistant reviewed the request, which was approved by SAMHSA.  Proposals therein have not yet been implemented.
2. HCHY Business – HCHY Coordinator Position Posting
Director reported the position has been downgraded to grade 7 and will be posted internally for 10 days per union contract beginning tomorrow.  The position is 24 hours/week.
3. Ct. Prevention Network - Town Meeting in Fall – Director reported she attended the kickoff event hosted by the Connecticut Prevention Network.  We will be planning our Town Meeting on Prevention to take place in October.
VIII.
Old Business:  none
IX.
New Business:
1. Hanratty asked how we could better get the word out about Programs to Help People to those that never before found themselves in need of financial assistance.  One suggestion was to have a card or brochure available at the tax collector’s and assessor’s offices.
2. Hanratty initiated discussion over her concerns about a recent program the agency had sponsored for the Middle School population.  She cautioned that all programs be previewed fully and be scheduled with time for follow-up if the topic is intense rather than a Friday afternoon at the end of the day.
X.
Other Business:
1. Chairman asked that the Personal Achievement Award be placed on next month’s agenda and nominations be sought to bring to that meeting.
XI.
Adjournment:
There being no further business to discuss Barnes made motion to adjourn; Viggiano seconded and the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,


Linda B. McCall
Administrative Assistant