MINUTES

Thursday, January 13, 2005

PRESENT: K. Grunwald (staff), E. Passmore, J. Heald (Chair), M. Hauslaib, J. Krisch, J. Peters

I. MINUTES: The minutes of the December 9, 2004 meeting were accepted as written.

II. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Social Service Advisory Committee: Director’s Vision Statement: comments on Statement provided by K. Grunwald; J. Heald commented that it was helpful to include Bill Kennedy’s reflections. Some question raised as to whether or not getting involved in non-traditional issues would be seen as “meddling” in other departments K. Grunwald responded that much of what the department does involves “collaboration” with other departments. How much do we delineate areas that just involve Social Services? E. Passmore asked what it means to “promote tolerance and value diversity?” There was a discussion about a recent incident at the Middle School, and questions were raised as to what the Department’s role is regarding an issue such as this. It was agreed that the overall focus of the Department should be on prevention. M. Hauslaib suggested that another topic to add to the list would be prevention activities focused on issues related to poverty. It was agreed that K. Grunwald will prioritize these proposed topics and come back to the next meeting having prioritized them and with some specific recommendations for action steps.

B. Agency Funding Requests: The committee briefly reviewed applications that have been submitted, and agreed to meet again on January 20 to continue the review. At the meeting on the 20^th the following applications were reviewed:

· WAIM: J. Peters recommended funding in the amount requested of $2000.

· Literacy Volunteers: J. Heald reviewed the application, and withheld her recommendation pending a meeting with the Executive Director.

· Veteran’s Advisory Center: E. Passmore recommended funding in the amount requested of $10,597.

· Safe Havens: J. Krisch recommended funding in the amount requested of $2000.

· Sexual Assault Crisis Center: There was some question raised regarding whether or not some of the Mansfield residents who are reported as receiving services are eligible for services at UConn or ECSU as students. J. Krisch recommended funding at $4700; $200 more than requested.

The final applications will be reviewed at the next meeting, with recommendations circulated to committee members via email.

C. Other: none

V. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Other: none

V. COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS:

A. Review of Department activity and other items in packet and discussion with SSD Director:

B. Program updates

· Early Care and Education

· Adult Services

· Senior Services

· Youth Services

C. Other: K. Grunwald provided information on proposed legislation to fund transportation grants to municipalities. There will be a League of Women Voters legislative breakfast on January 29, and the theme is transportation.

V. PLANS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

· Next meeting will be on January to review agency-funding applications.

· The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Thursday, February 10.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Grunwald