Youth and Family Services
322 MAIN STREET
OLD SAYBROOK, CONNECTICUT 06475
(860) 395-3190 · FAX (860) 395-3189
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday November 9, 2010
5:00PM
Pasbeshauke Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park
155 College Street Extension
Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475
I. Call to Order
The regular meeting was called to order by Secretary Ray Allen at 5:06 PM
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Roll Call
Attendant Members Absent Members
Zach Towne, Student Rep Jennifer Welsh, Vice Chairman
Ray Allen, Secretary Dorothy Shearer, Member
Beth Ruth, R.N., Nursing Rep. Sam Barnes, Chairman
Peggy Viggiano, Member
Kathryn Hanratty, School Rep.
Dorothy Shearer, Member arrived at 5:20PM
Attendant Staff
Heather McNeil, Director
Joanne Rynecki, Clerk
IV. Comments from the Public – There were no public comments.
V. Approval of Minutes
A Motion was made by Peggy Viggiano amend the agenda to read “Approval of Minutes of regular meeting of September 14, 2010”. This motion was seconded by Kate Hanratty. No Discussion. The motion was carried unanimously.
A Motion was made by Kate Hanratty to approve the minutes of September 14, 2010. This motion was seconded by Peggy Viggiano. No Discussion. The motion was carried unanimously.
VI. Commission Member Reports – Kate Hanratty requested that Members be notified prior to the day of the meeting that there will be a quorum. Heather McNeil advised the Members that the Clerk, Joanne Rynecki, will be resigning from the position as of 12/31/2010.
VII. Director’s Report
1.Youth Coordinator Position – The position, largely grant funded, is 18 hours per week and interviews are under way. The candidate will work with the Reach Team at the high school as well as oversee the community service program for high school students.
2. LPC Grant –
3. Drug-free Carryover – The results of the survey which will be given this month to grades 6th – 12th will be used as a planning tool for the next 3-5 years. There is evidence from a short survey that was given to 8th, 9th and 11th grades that drug use increases dramatically in the upper grades. Our current DARE program ends in 5th grade. A more consistent message on prevention needs to be done in grades 6th – 10th.
4. HCHY Events – Ms. McNeil would like to see more volunteers for HCHY events. The committee should establish goals for the future including how it will sustain itself in the coming year.
5. Clinical Work and Interns in the Schools – Strategic planning for the future will involve more fees generated on the clinical side to help the agency become more self sustaining and to offer more help in the schools. Kate Hanratty commented on the positive effect the interns have made at the Middle School. Heather McNeil has received calls from area Universities for future placement of interns. Grand Families Matter Program is scheduled for December 14, 2010 at the Acton Public Library.
6. Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Business Assoc. Involvement – Area business owners have donated items for the holiday season. Friends of Social Services are hosting an event at the Otter Cove restaurant in December with proceeds to benefit the Essex and Old Saybrook Social Services for Christmas gifts for children. The YFS is taking referrals for families in need to become an “adopted family” for holiday season gifts from local merchants.
7. Mentoring Program – The HCHY and YFS are planning a mentoring program between area businesses and high school students.
8. Wrap the Van Project – The project is funded with carryover money from the substance abuse and prevention program. The top entries will be chosen to wrap the YFS van and others will be used to make calendars and post cards.
Chairman Sam Barns joined the meeting at 5:50PM
Chairman Barns shared with the Members that our Director, Heather McNeil, received a letter from the First Selectman, Michael Pace, commending her on the work she has done over the last 9 months with the Youth and Family Services. Congratulations Heather!
VIII. Old Business - none
IIX. New Business – none
X. Adjournment
A Motion to adjourn was made at 6:07PM by Kate Hanratty. It was seconded by Peggy Viggiano and carried unanimously.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday December 7, 2010 at 6:00PM at the Pasbeshauke Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park, 155 College Street Extension Old Saybrook, Connecticut. The meeting will be a joint meeting with HCHY.
Respectfully Submitted,
Old Saybrook Youth and Family Services Commission
Joanne Rynecki
Joanne Rynecki
YFSC Clerk
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