Mansfield YSB Advisory Board

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

12 noon @ YSB Conf. Rm. B

Attendees:               Ethel Mantzaris, Eileen Griffin, Frank Perrotti, Jerry Marchon

Michael Collins

Staff:                          Kevin Grunwald, Pat Michalak, Kathy McNamara; Karen L.Taylor

Regrets:                    Candace Morell

Call to Order

 Ethel Mantzaris, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:03

Introduction of Kathy McNamara, Social worker and new staff member to the Board Members by Pat Michalak, Coordinator.

Presentation:  Bob Brex, NECASA – Northeast Communities Against Substance Abuse.  Bob gave a brief overview of the function of NECASA and the programs interaction with Mansfield Youth Service Bureau.

I. Approval of Minutes – MOTION by Frank Perrotti seconded by Eileen Griffin.  VOTE: Unanimous in favor of approving minutes as submitted.

Pat Michalak, Youth Service Coordinator

A. Pat informed the Board that the H.I.F.I. Grief Groups first session had ended with success and plans were being formulated for the next session to begin.  The H.I.F.I. bear was presented to the Board members and they were advised that the participants in the first session each received one.

March Youth Services Activities – Handout

• YSB was awarded $2,800 from the State Department of Education, which will be used to support the Respect Me Program at Mansfield Middle School. Kathy McNamara will coordinate this program with the middle school. It was through the efforts of Janit Romayko and the CYSA lobbyists that $225,00 was appropriated to Connecticut Youth Service Bureaus to promote youth leadership.
• Coordinator was introduced to the Connecticut Youth Services Association Group. 
• Coordinator met with EOS special education staff to begin transition planning for students who will be entering high school this fall.
• Attended the NECASA regional prevention meeting.
• Coordinated the six-week Children's Grief Group with 20 participants and 9 volunteers.
• Collaborated a dinner with Special Ed teacher at middle school and spoke with parents about transition to High School.
• Fourteen Mansfield Middle School students participate in the l4th Annual Peers Leadership Conference at Manchester Community College.
• Forty seniors, children and parents participated in an intergenerational night of Bingo and crafts.
• YSB staff met with United Services to make introductions and discuss clinical guidelines for referrals and collaboration.
• Served on the search committee for the Community Outreach Program at the University of Connecticut.

II. Old Business: Mission Statement

A. Kevin handed out the Mission Statement that was collaborated on at the previous advisory meeting.  MOTION to by Ethel Mantzaris accept YSB Mission Statement as presented; Frank Perrotti SECONDED, vote unanimous to ACCEPT.

Frank expressed his concern for the Grandparents Groups continuation and who would be overseeing the program from YSB.  Discussion ensued between the Board members.  Kevin mentioned to the Board members that Jean Ann Kenny was being considered to oversee it.  Frank asked if there was money in the budget to compensate someone to run the program.  Kevin informed the Board that the Town is in a spending freeze currently, and YSB would do what it could to see that the program continues.  Frank suggested Kevin meet with the grandparents.

V.        New Business:

Mike Collins as liaison between the Youth Service Advisory Board and Social Service Advisory Committee shared his experience from his first SS Advisory meeting.

VI.  Other:

A. Board members present decided not to have the student members attend the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 12:54 PM by Ethel Mantzaris, Chair.

Respectfully submitted by:

Karen L. Taylor

Secretary