Youth Services Advisory Board

CITY OF NORWALK YOUTH SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD JUNE 7, 2011 ATTENDANCE: Darlene Young, Jessica Fogg, Lt. Ashley Gonzalez. STAFF: Linda Wilock, Youth Services Director; Jasen Getner, Juvenile Review Board. CALL TO ORDER Ms. Young called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 29, 2011 ** MS. FOGG MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MARCH 29, 2011 AS SUBMITTED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. AGENCY UPDATES Ms. Young stated that due to the absence of agency representatives there were no updates. Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Ms. Young said that the program is underway with over 420 applications, resulting in 380 interviews, and she expects to have over 250 summer jobs. She added that they are having a tough time financially due to a decline in contributions, and explained that although the cost per student is $1,237 it is not required for those companies that cannot afford to contribute. A discussion ensued relative to strategies for fundraising, and Ms. Young stated that although the brochure has been sent out with the solicitation letter asking for sponsorships, they are seeing a reduction in contributions due to budget issues. She added that one problem is that they are not a 501C3 Non-Profit Organization, and that has prevented donations from local banks and other companies that require this federal not for profit designation. Ms. Young also asked for help in contacting the 6th Taxing District as she was informed that the Rowayton Library is seeking their assistance in contributing to the Summer Employment program. Lt. Gonzalez added that he has contacts at Wilson Point and other Rowayton companies and he will make calls to solicit support for the program. Youth Services Advisory Board June 7, 2011 Page 1 of 3 Update on Mentoring Programs Ms. Young stated that they continue having a difficult time recruiting mentors, and that it is a diverse group that is hard to mesh and match the mentee with a mentor, and she continues to work with the School Liaisons which are usually the School Social Worker or School Psychologist. She added that they are targeting African American males that are much needed in the Mentor program, and asked the members to help find ways to recruit more mentors. Ms. Young added that two students have been hired to work on the Youth Mentoring website, and that this was one of the positive items to report. Ms. Young stated that on-going efforts are in place to partner with business and corporations along with referrals from Reverend Dancy on those individuals who have experience with the “system” to a be a part of mentoring to youth in Norwalk. DEPARTMENT UPDATES Ms. Wilock asked Mr. Getner to provide a review of the Juvenile Review Board. Mr. Getner stated that there continues to be the communication process of informing the agencies that they are not a referral program, but that they do continue to work with the schools in providing prevention measures. He stated assessment for programs on school interventions are in place in an effort to decrease the amount of suspensions and increase to in-school suspension and detention programs, along with protocols for police activity on school grounds. JRB UPDATE Mr. Getner reported that despite a prior commitment, Westport has now informed him that due to budget cuts, they cannot go forward with the Police Department Grant program. He added that unfortunately they do not have a good working relationship with the schools, but he will continue to have discussions on getting them back on board. Lt. Gonzalez reported that there has been an increase in activity over the past few months with arrests up, and lots of acting up, an increase in female fights, and as of April 15, there are over 25 pregnancies in the schools. Ms. Wilock said that renewals of grants are in process for training programs to deal with these issues, and she is hoping to have more presence to assist with the JRB. She reported that the training was in April and the groups have gone very well. Youth Services Advisory Board June 7, 2011 Page 2 of 3  BUDGET Ms. Wilock stated that the formal budget has been approved that reflects Jason’s position in the City budget as a regular item; however the part-time budget has been cut by the Finance Department. She explained that as a result, the part-time assistant will not be funded after November. Ms. Fogg suggested that an annual plan be developed so that in September programs are ready to be put in place by the start of the fiscal year. She added that the new Governor seems very committed to be an advocate for Youth Services, as he was a big supporter of the youth programs in the City of Stamford, and as a result hopefully more state funding will be available. Ms. Wilock stated that she would be happy to schedule a meeting over the summer, and added that a summary report of activity and statistics was requested for the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT ** MS. FOGG MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Knox, Telesco Secretarial Services Youth Services Advisory Board June 7, 2011 Page 3 of 3