MINUTES

Mansfield Advocates for Children

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Mansfield Town Hall –Conference Rm. C

6:30PM-8:00 PM

 

PRESENT: K. Grunwald (staff), S. Baxter (staff), L. Dahn, J. Soroka, M.J. Newman, J. Stoughton (staff), N. Hovorka, Jessica Higham, C. Guerreri (Graustein), Leila Fecho (guest), D. McLaughlin, R. Leclerc (staff)

REGRETS: A. Bladen, L. Oransoff, J. Goldman, B. Lehmann, J. Buck, A. Bloom, K, Paulhus

 

Time                           Item                                        Discussion                                       Outcome

6:30 -

6: 55 PM

-Call to order:

Introductions:  Visitors

PEP program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Survey

S. Baxter announced that because there was not enough interest in the PEP program, it will not be held. This was discussed at the parent meeting last week, and they are looking at options, including the CT Parent Power one-on-one program.  Members can review their advocacy efforts at www.ctparentpower.org.  The Graustein incentive grant was specified for parent leadership training.

 

Guest Leila Fecho introduced herself to the group; talked about her work around reinstituting groups at WCMH for new parents.  She is interested in developing programs in the area for new mothers.

 

Announcement re: new homecare provider in Mansfield (Southeast School District); looking for children: contact Sandy.

 

K. Grunwald distributed a letter re: the formation of a Leadership Work Group for a grant application for Local Capacity Building to develop a strategic plan for young children in Mansfield.

 

 

S. Baxter went to a workshop at the “Stone Soup” conference which talked about using an interest survey to determine what resources community members bring to working with young children.

Representative from CT Parent Power will attend the parent meeting on 11/14.

S. Baxter will contact Graustein re: reallocating funds.

 

Announcement that there will be an open community forum at Windham Hospital on Nov. 12 to discuss family healthcare services.  There is a peer-facilitated group now at the hospital on Wed. from 11-1.

S. Baxter and A. Bladen will develop an interest survey and pilot it w/members.

6: 55-7:05 PM

Approve minutes of 9/5/07

C. Guerreri clarified that on the issue of E.A. serving as collaborative agent, she was suggesting that given all of her responsibilities, it may be more appropriate for another staff member to take on that role.

Approved minutes as written with these corrections.

7:05 -8:00PM

3 Small groups: Report to MAC group:  where group is, next steps and future meetings and use remainder of time to meet with group members.

 

 

 

 

Parent Group: J. Soroka reported that the group pulled together to create and distribute a flyer on PEP; distributed through the schools.  There was some discussion re: the fit of the trainer for this community. They feel that there is a need for further research around options for parent engagement.  The group attempted to utilize the Discovery Action Plan, and questioned whether or not Northwood Apartments should be the focus, as opposed to Holinko Estates.  Also, some discussion about the development of a family resource center (7 components) to provide education, information and resources to new parents.  C. Guerreri suggested using some of the incentive funds to conduct a feasibility study re: a FRC.  Some discussion about the possibility of a virtual FRC, looking at how we could develop the resource and referral component through a number of different existing structures (website, library, etc.).

 

 

 

 

Infant/Toddler group met on Oct. 16 and worked to develop an action plan, focused on data collection: who is currently enrolled in Centers and home providers, Mansfield residents, waiting list?  J. Goldman will design a survey, which is in 2nd draft form.  Meeting 11/14 to review the survey.  L. Dahn designed a cover letter, A. Bladen will meet w/homecare providers, survey (phone) will be done in Jan.  The group met with Mayor Paterson on 11/5/07 to discuss linkage with the Strategic Plan.  The Mayor is very positive about the potential role for the new president of UConn to support this.

 

S. Baxter moved to change the name of the Membership Committee- to “Membership and Communications”: seconded and approved.   J. Stoughton reported that this group has been discussing developing a packet for potential new members of MAC to provide background and to explain opportunities for involvement.  They want to provide flexible opportunities to new members, focus on projects rather than ongoing participation and requirements for attending meetings.  S. Baxter asked that the group specifically focus on attracting new members.  C. Guerreri suggested that the Discovery website and listserve may be a source of information re: what other communities have done around member recruitment. 

Maintain action plan noting steps taken and next steps

 

 

 

 

Next meeting date Nov. 30 and Dec. 14 (Ann Pratt) at 1:15

 

 

J. Higham will research the specifics of a Family Resource Center; how this could be developed in some way.  J. Stoughton would like to work on this.

 

Next meeting 11/14.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next meeting after this group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have one member of small group prepared to report at next MAC meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                      

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM            Next MAC Meeting 12/5/07

 

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Grunwald