MINUTES

Blueprint for Mansfield’s Children

Leadership Work Group Meeting #3

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Mansfield Town Hall, Council Chambers

5:15-7:30 PM

PRESENT: M. Barton, F. Baruzzi, S. Baxter, G. Bent, T. Berthelot, M. Capriola, M. Feathers, R. Fields, K. Grunwald, R. Miller, R. Mocanu, K. Paulhus, C. Paulhus, M. Perkins S. Renfro, M. Sieve, J. Stoughton, B. Tanner, L. Young, S Zacharie,

REGRETS: M. Baker, J. Greene, C. Guerreri, M. Kelly, M. LaPlaca, J. McLaughlin, P. Michalak, J. Osleeb, K. Russo,

Item

Discussion

Outcome

Dinner, Announcement, Minutes	Meeting called to order at 5;40 by T. Berthelot Minutes of the September 18 meeting were reviewed.	Minutes approved as written (R. Mocanu, B. Tanner)
Review Indicator Results	RBA training S. Baxter reported the team has completed three of four sessions with the institute. And two homework assignments RBA team and Data Committee met to do a turn the curve exercise using one of the indicators. Communications Subcommittee M. Baker, M Barton and J Stoughton have agreed to be on this subcommittee. S. Baxter distributed a handout from the Communications subcommittee outlining who we need to communicate with, what we need to communicate, why the information needs to get out and some strategies for getting the word out. S. Baxter reported a Graustein foundation workshop on financing the plan to be held 11/18 from 9 am to 2:30 pm.  M. Sieve explained the results of LWG’s work on prioritizing indicators. She noted there is not much data available to assess community connectedness and that most data for health is statewide. F. Baruzzi distributed copies of the 2007 Kindergarten Inventory Results.	As a result of the RBA team’s homework LWG has identified and ranked indicators and prioritized them. LWG is asked to refer people bringing specific points of view to the subcommittee’s attention so we can broaden community input. S. Baxter and K. Grunwald will attend. Other LWG members who want to attend should contact S. Baxter. F. Baruzzi will try to get a breakdown of these results by school.
Small Group Turn the Curve Exercise.	M. Sieve distributed an outline for small group process. T. Berthelot asked that each small group, while working the exercise, identify stakeholders not currently at the table.	LWG broke into small groups representing the three strategic areas: education, health, community connectedness. Using RBA format each group selected an indicator and did a turn the curve exercise.

Wrap up Exercise results	Education: Children ready for kindergarten Priority factors Not enough infant-toddler, pre-school slots Lack of parent motivation What works to do better Develop more quality infant-toddler, pre-school slots. Raise the profile of literacy  Low cost or no cost idea Develop a “Book Bus” to take library materials into neighborhoods. Make use of already existing library materials.   Partners Librarian, Early child care providers, MAC, infant-toddler ad hoc committee. Health: Mothers without adequate prenatal care Priority factors Lack of awareness/accessibility Income gap Transportation What works to do better Education about the importance/availablility of prenatal care Low cost or no cost idea Sexuality education throughout the school system Partners School Superintendent, Generations Health Care, Hospital social workers, Social Services, Health Department, area Clergy. Connectedness: Participation in Library events Priority factors Transportation Scheduling/staff What works to do better Improve transportation Increase program availability Low cost or no cost idea Develop a ride share board among participants Develop a cadre of volunteers to assist with program offerings Partners WRTD, UCONN transportation pool, UCONN work/life office, Library Director, Mansfield Parks and Rec.	Small groups will invite identified partners to the next LWG meeting.
Next Meeting	Thursday, November 20, 2008 5:15 for dinner Meeting 5:30	Please RSVP to Sandy Baxter 429-3338

Respectfully Submitted,

Gloria Bent