Mansfield YSB Advisory Board

Approved - Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

12 noon @ YSB Conf. Rm. B

Attendees:               Ethel Mantzaris, Frank Perrotti, Eileen Griffin, Jerry Marchon, Candace Morell, Amber Hoyt

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

Regrets:                    Sheila Riffle, Heather Spottiswoode

I.  Call to Order

    Ethel Mantzaris, Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:01PM

II.  Approval of Minutes – Kevin Grunwald asked that the sentence “YSB had submitted 3 mini grants and only one was considered” be revised to read:  YSB had submitted 3 mini grants and the LPC considered all three“.  MOTION by Frank Perrotti, seconded by Jerry Marchon.  Vote: Unanimous in favor of approving minutes with revision.

III.  Reports - Kevin Grunwald, Director

· Kevin handed out the Human Services Quarterly Report, Blueprint Flyer, and Stop Underage Drinking Flyer.

· Kevin advised the Board the Department had been approved for a planning grant thru Graustein in the amount of $40,000 for the Development of Children in Mansfield.

· He advised the Board that the Underage Drinking Grant’s name of Stop Underage Drinking had been changed to iParentNetwork and they were setting up an interactive website.

· The Board was informed that the NECASA grant application was due on September 22, 2008 and in reviewing the allocation of funds the decision was made to allocate $1,000 to YSB for the Homework Group.

     Pat Michalak – YSB Coordinator Update

· Updates for the months of June, July and August, goals for 2008-09 FY, and the YSB newsletter were handed out to the Board members. 

· Pat touched on specific points of the updates with the Board and plans for the newsletter.

· Pat advised the Board that Youth Services has received numerous referrals and individual assessments are being done.

· Pat also thanked the members for their continued support and participation.

· Pat informed the Board that Ken Caputo from Villari’s Martial Art Studio would like the opportunity to speak to the Board regarding some ideas regarding Mansfield youth.

· Pat also shared with the Board that Candace suggested the Youth Service Bureau promote our programs and services so that the community has an increased awareness of the YSB and the services we offer the community and residents of Mansfield.

YOUTH SERVICES UPDATE                  JUNE 2008

• YSB coordinated camperships at Mansfield Town Camp, Holiday Hill and Rectory School in Pomfret.  This was made possible though money from the Noah Farland Fund, Mansfield Community Counsel, Holiday Hill, and Mansfield’s Special Needs Fund and the Bishops Fund.

• Sixteen Mansfield students had a positive experience on the week long Challenge Adventure.  We were happy that Candace Morell, assistant vice principal of MMS and our board member was able to attend the hiking portion of the trip.  This was a tremendous asset as she was the only staff member who knew all of the students. It is her hope to return again next year.
• We met with the Executive Director and the Section 8 Coordinator at the Housing Authority for the Town of Mansfield to become more aware of the services available to our residents. 
• Worked on developing a broader clinical role for YSB staff in the community.
• Worked with school staff to develop programs to support positive transition for at risk students from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school.
• There was an increase in referrals to YSB for consultation and treatment with the end of the school year.
• We have an Uconn intern from the Allied Health Sciences Dept working with us this summer and next semester.

YOUTH SERVICES UPDATE                JULY AND AUGUST 2008

• Demand continues to grow for psychiatric assessment, clinical intervention and family therapy services.  Staff responded and we remain concerned about our ability to meet the growing mental health needs of the community at this time.
• Worked on our on going initiative of developing a more collaborative relationship with the University of Connecticut.  Met with Mrs. Virginia Hogan, wife of the president of Uconn, and discussed the needs of the children and families in our community and looked for ways to work together. Mrs. Hogan was extremely helpful and we look forward to our on going relationship with her.
• YSB initiated a new summer program “LEAP” which was very successful in helping at risk students learn more about the middle school before the start of the academic year.
• Attended the services for the EOSmith student who committed suicide and provided counseling and referral material to many of the mourners present. 
• Worked on the administrative components of the program including data collection, program development, the budget and on going organizational issues.
• Participated in the SUD strategic Planning committee to address issues and concerns around underage drinking in our community.

IV. Old Business:

• Challenge – Pat advised the Board that Challenge #32 was a success with  Candace’s participation being an added benefit to all.  Ethel requested the Board be provided with a list of those youth that had attended this years Challenge and that YSB retain copies of their application.

• Transition Program – Pat advised the Board that YSB initiated a new program this summer entitled LEAP.  This program is designed to help at risk children transition successfully from elementary school to the middle school.  These students met in the cafeteria with the school vice principal, who answered all of their questions and provided them with a personal tour of the school. YSB will be meeting with this group periodically to assist them with the acclamation to their new school. 

V. New Business: 

· Reviewed and discussed Board’s accomplishments for 07-08 and plans for FY 08-

VI. Other

· Frank Perotti along with the other Board members expressed congratulations to Officer Jerry Marchon on his upcoming retirement and wished him luck with whatever he does in the future and is more than welcome to come back anytime.

· Ethel Mantzaris informed Officer Marchon that he could still be a valuable member of the Board as a resident of Mansfield.

Meeting adjourned at 12:24PM.

Respectfully submitted by:

Karen L. Taylor

Secretary