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YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMISSION - Draft
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 10, 2009
Members present: |
R. Allen, S. Barnes, S. Cummins, A. Glorioso, K. Hanratty, B. Ruth, P. Viggiano, J. Welsh |
Also present: |
Director Larry Freundlich, Recording Secretary Linda McCall |
Absent: |
M. Gesick |
I. |
Call to Order: Chairman Barnes called the meeting to order at 5:09 p.m. |
II. |
Comments from the Public: none |
III. |
Review of Minutes of January 6, 2009: Reviewed the minutes. Hanratty made motion to approve the minutes as typed; seconded by Viggiano. Vote taken and the minutes were unanimously approved. |
IV. |
Chairman’s Comments: Chairman asked Director to introduce new Student Representative Ashley Glorioso. Introductions all around. Director commented on Glorioso’s volunteerism as a Peer Advocate and facilitator during the ADL programs at the high school and middle school. |
V. |
Spotlight on HUSKY Insurance Reimbursements – L. McCall, Adm. Asst. McCall distributed and reviewed HUSKY Report as of January 14, 2009 noting increased percentage of counseling revenue coming from HUSKY and co-insurance vs. self-pay. She also noted need to update fee schedule in order to update HUSKY billing up to current reimbursement rate. |
VI. |
Director’s Report: verbal report 1. Speaker Bill Corbett (Dealing with Power Struggles) drew approximately 120 attendees; child care was provided. The seminar was videotaped and will be broadcast on HK Cable Access channel. The successful program was co-sponsored with the Early Childhood Council. 2. The Early Childhood Council met today. Discussion included
outreach to the Soup Kitchen to provide a medical program for its patrons. 3. Director noted he made a presentation at a Legislative Breakfast last week; goal was to preserve the YSB line item in the State Dept. of Education budget. As a result per announcement today only $41,000 was cut from the State’s line item for next year. In response to question from Chairman, Director estimated at least 60% of YSBs in state are municipal agencies. 4. Director noted his concern about how all staff are spread thin and somewhat fragmented. He gave examples, frozen clerical assistant position impacting Youth Employment Program;
loss of connections with schools (i.e. identify what programs are needed, help connect students with existing resources). To improve connections Director will now be sitting on the Student Assistance Team at the high school and hopes to have Counselor Kathy Ferrantelli sit on the Team at the middle school. 5. Director noted new Youth Coordinator Jane Moen is doing well – she is very organized and is working on many projects. 6. Director reported the HEAT Dinner made approximately $2,800, including the raffle. Stop and Shop donated all the food. |
VII. |
Local Prevention Council Business: 1. Search Institute Community Training– Director reported the joint committee (Middlesex United Way, Rushford and Middlesex YSBs) has set Tuesday, April 28th as the date for the training for 12-member teams from communities within the County. HCHY is looking into having trainer Tim Duffey also conduct a training on April 27th for a larger Old Saybrook group while he’s in the state at a reduced cost. 2. HCHY Mini-Grants – Director reported the Mini-Grant Review Committee met yesterday. McCall noted a liaison is still needed for Tracy Art Center Project. Hanratty volunteered. 3. Social Norms Training – McCall, HCHY Coordinator Palmieri and Youth Coordinator Moen participated in a webinar on Social Norm Theory. Handout in packet defines some of the issues addressed in the webinar. Staff will be looking at how this fits into upcoming projects.. 4. ADL Report – Glorioso reported on the ADL Club which starts
this week at the high school and on the middle school program which she helped to facilitate last week. She recommended that the ADL program be brought back every 2-3 years if not annually. Hanratty noted the program set a great foundation even for the 6th graders and suggested that the high school facilitators return for follow-up with the middle school groups this school year. |
VIII. |
Old Business: (addressed after New Business) 1. Drug & Alcohol Counselor Position – Director reported the Board of Education has the position on hold until the right resume comes in. Only 2 received after their last advertisement and neither was promising. 2. Town Budget FY 09/10 – Director reported he will be meeting with the Selectmen on Thursday
regarding our Budget Requests. No other news to report. 3. Community Mental Health/Wellness – Director reviewed handout: Family Wellness Programs for Spring 09 and noted that committee includes Karen Brodeur of Board of Education and guidance counselors from all 3 schools and himself. They are looking for new partners to co-sponsor some of the events listed on the handout, i.e. Health District, Chamber of Commerce. Director recommended agency provide a Depression Screening (self-screening tool) on the Agency’s website. Residents could take screening anonymously and print out results to take with them to counselor or doctor. Cost would be $100 for 6 months. After discussion, Viggiano made motion that we spend $100 to purchase the on-line
depression screening for 6 months from Mental Health Screening. Welsh seconded. Vote taken and the motion was unanimously approved. |
IX. |
New Business: 1. Sliding Fee Scale/Policy Revision – Director distributed and explained the draft of the revised Sliding Fee Scale, which increases the maximum counseling fee from $60 to $70 and notes that a maximum initial diagnostic assessment fee of $110 may be charged. Allen made motion to approve the Sliding Fee Scale as presented; Hanratty seconded. Vote taken and the motion was unanimously approved. . 2. Community Collaborative for Families in Need – Director reported a meeting called by the First Selectman with invited organizations around social service issues was held last evening. Approximately 35 people attended. Discussed sharing resources and creating a resource directory. Next step is to develop an email system to communicate around identified needs on an ongoing basis. |
X. |
Other Business: Director asked to address after hours crisis calls from clients that are currently referred by our answering machine to call the police department. Due to liability issues, police are assessing clients before contacting our counselors. Director researched using answering service for use by existing clients who already have a counselor assigned and referred to handout in packet. Cost is 75 cents/minute and Director estimates that typically we have 2 or 3 after hours emergency calls/month. After further
discussion. Allen made motion for Director to proceed with Advantage Communications to bring to Board of Selectmen for approval. Hanratty seconded. Vote taken and motion was unanimously approved.
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There being no further business to discuss Viggiano made motion to adjourn. Allen seconded and the meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda B. McCall
Administrative Assistant
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