Mansfield YSB Advisory Board

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

12 noon @ YSB Conf. Rm. B

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

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 12:02

I. Approval of Minutes – MOTION by Frank Perrotti seconded by Ethel Mantzaris.  Vote: Unanimous in favor of approving minutes as submitted.

Kevin Grunwald, Director

A. Kevin advised the Board that School Readiness Grant Application had been filed for the upcoming year for funding over the next two years.

B. He informed the Board that there is a new Vice Principal at EOSmith and the presentation “M.A.D.E.”, Make Appropriate Decisions Everyday went well.  Members of the Underage Steering Committee attended a camp addressing this issue and are considering inviting a motivational speaker to give a presentation to parents and adolescents. 

Pat Michalak – YSB Coordinator Update

• Pat advised the Board that the Enhancement Grant application had been submitted and that there was a possibility of additional funds.  She is looking into it and will report back to the Board.
• Pat shared with the Board that Villari’s Marital Arts School in Willimantic has accepted two of YSB’s clients into their school and are doing wonderful.  Also, Ken Caputo came to the last Big Friend Mentoring group and had an excellent presentation for the families.  YSB will continue to work with him and the school to provide additional support for our youth.

II. Old Business:

• A discussion regarding Matt Hart, Town Manager’s attendance and topics of concern at September’s meeting ensued.  Board members shared their thoughts and concerns over the part-time position in YSB being cut from the budget.
• Board members discussed Eileen Griffin drafting a letter to Matt Hart regarding the part-time position requesting information on the process of justifying the position.  Kevin and Pat will meet to discuss the needs of the YSB towards justifying the position for the upcoming budget.
• Discussion ensued about the increases and decreases of the budget in other departments.
• Jerry Marchon commented that the continuous increase of residents in town will only increase the need for the part-time position and will eventually require a full-time position to meet the increase of residents with needs.
• Kathy McNamara shared her concerns about the increase of grandparents raising their grandchildren.
• Ethel Mantzaris asked Kevin Grunwald if there was a possibility of Social Services doing any Outreach work to meet the additional needs of residents.  Kevin responded that with Sheila Thompson’s retirement from the department, the position and its function would be reviewed.
• Frank Perrotti shared his suggestions with the Board about funding options for the part-time position using other established program funds.  Discussion ensued between members and it was determined that the Challenge program should be reviewed.  Kevin will meet with Chuck Leavens to review the program.

III. New Business:  None

IV. Other: 

• Frank Perrotti asked Kevin and Pat for a list of programs that have been dropped from YSB Dept as a result of the part-time position being cut as well as YSB staff availability being lessened.
• Mike Collins also shared with the Board some concerns from residents that there is no assistance for them related to pain management.  Board agreed that pain does have an affect on youth and their families. Discussion continued about whether this was a social service responsibility or possibly something for a medical physicality.  All agreed that it is not being addressed in this community

Meeting adjourned at 1:05.

Respectfully submitted by:

Karen L. Taylor

Secretary