Special Meeting Minutes
Tuesday June 8, 2010
5:00 P.M.
Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room
Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475
I. Call to Order
The special meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Jennifer Welsh at 5:10 P.M.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Roll Call
Attendant Members
Jennifer Welsh, Vice Chairman
Ray Allen, Secretary
Zach Towne, Student Rep.
Beth Ruth, R.N., Nursing Rep.
Dorothy Shearer, Member
Absent Members
Sam Barnes, Chairman
Samantha Cummins, Student Rep.
Peggy Viggiano, Member
Kathryn Hanratty, School Rep.
Attendant Staff
Heather McNeil, Director
Joanne Rynecki, Clerk
IV. Comments from the Public – There were no public comments.
V. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of May 4, 2010
A Motion to amend the agenda to correct the regular meeting date in Section V. from May 4, 2010 to April 6, 2010 made by Ray Allen. This motion was seconded by Jennifer Welsh. The motion was accepted 5-0-0
A Motion was made by Ray Allen to accept the minutes of April 6, 2010. This motion was seconded by Jennifer Welsh. No Discussion. The motion was accepted 5-0-0.
VI. Chairman’s Comments – Chairman Barns is on official duty today and was unable to attend the meeting.
VII. Director’s Report
1. Sue Consoli—Social Services update – Sue Consoli was not in attendance for tonight’s meeting, therefore, no update was given.
2. Subcommittee for review of policies and updates – Heather McNeil discussed plans for a work group in early fall to review policies and procedures for disbursements from the new funding account.
3. Achievement awards—Cody Bell and Kristina McDonald are the recipients of the Senior Achievement Awards.
4. Interviews for the Youth Coordinator position are moving along with a good response. The Volunteer Coordinator position was just posted internally today.
5. Freshman Retreat- The YFS will be handing out a survey for the attendees of the Freshman Retreat. The information gathered from the survey will be input into a database and used to compare it to future surveys. The next Freshman Retreat is scheduled for September 2nd and 3rd. YFS will be looking for speakers for the next retreat.
6. Summer programming and staffing- a MSW intern from UCONN will be working with the YFS. The summer program is going great with plans to involve more children in the program. Heather McNeil received information regarding a larger van available for YFS from the First Selectman.
Jennifer Welsh was excused at 5:20 P. M.
Heather McNeil explained to the Commission members that Social Services requests will begin to follow a set of requirements to identify families in need of assistance.
The Community Services program will begin to charge a fee of $35.00.
The Counselor in Training program for the Parks and Recreation camp is open to youths in grades 7th – 9th. The camp is open to children in grades 1-5. The department will choose 4 CIT’s per session/week. Since the Volunteer Coordinator position is vacant staff will cover the duties until a replacement is hired.
A mental health billing provider has been obtained which will free up the administrative staff.
The YFS will require name tags for all interns along with background checks and fingerprinting. An orientation and training program will be held for the new interns. The interns are 2nd year graduate students.
Dorothy Shearer noted that the last OSMS presentation for parents had a light turnout, but was a very good presentation. The program will be repeated during the next school year for both students and parents. Heather McNeil would like to schedule future sessions along with other events, such as report card night or a PTO meeting, to catch people who are already out. Most families have busy schedules which make it difficult to get out several nights. Heather McNeil feels that by combining events it may make it easier for parents to attend.
VIII. Local Prevention Council Business
1. Wendy Mill, the new HCHY coordinator, and Heather McNeil YFS Director, jobs will often overlap in certain areas because they need to combine their energies to achieve certain goals.
2. HCHY and YFS Commissions held a joint Meeting on May 12th. Ray Allen was pleased to see the two groups together. Beth Ruth thought it is good to see how their roles overlap. Heather McNeil mentioned that the groups may be interested in meeting quarterly in the future.
IX. Old Business – none
X. New Business – none
XI. Other Business – Family day, scheduled for September 25th, is in the planning phase.
Heather McNeil is reviewing the candidates for YFS Student Representative. A decision will be made over the summer.
XII. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made at 5:48 P.M. by Ray Allen. It was seconded by Beth Ruth and carried unanimously.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday September 7, 2010 at 5:00 P.M. at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, Top Floor Conference Room, Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
Respectfully Submitted,
Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services Commission
Joanne Rynecki
Joanne Rynecki
YFSC Clerk
| 
