Mansfield YSB Advisory Board

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

12 noon @ YSB Conf. Rm. B

 

 

Attendees:               Ethel Mantzaris, Frank Perrotti,  Eileen Griffin, Jerry Marchon, Candace Morell, Sheila Riffle, Heather Spottiswoode, Amber Hoyt

 

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

                                   

Regrets:                    None

 

I.         Call to Order

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

 

II  Approval of Minutes – MOTION by Frank Perrotti, seconded by Jerry Marchon.  Vote: Unanimous in favor of approving minutes as submitted.

           

III.  Report - Kevin Grunwald, Director

 

·        Kevin handed out the Human Services Quarterly Report

·        Kevin informed the Board that the department wasn’t going ahead with the previously mentioned Suicide Prevention Grant

 

     Pat Michalak – YSB Coordinator Update

 

Youth Services Update                           April 2008

 

  • Staff participated in the Internship Program Best Practices workshop with UConn Career Services Department.  Interns and volunteers play a crucial role in helping us assist children and families.
  • Mansfield Middle School Youth participated with YSB staff at the Connecticut Youth Services Association Day at the State Capitol.  “YOUR VOICE YOUR FUTURE.” Teens discussed with their legislators issues regarding teen driving, voting and other issues of concern for teens
  • Volunteer Recognition Night.  Over sixty volunteers were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Youth Service Bureau.
  • Last week of COPE – ice cream party and tee shirts.  This year’s message “Cope Gives Us Strength”.    Letters went out to parents of all our participants offering help with summer camp arrangements and any problems which may occur over the summer.
  • Multi family therapy group continues to meet bimonthly with our staff psychiatrist, Dr. Haney and YSB staff.  Sixteen families participate with multiple children.  Food is provided by the Mansfield Special Education Department.
  •  Katherine Paulhus, YSB program volunteer accompanied children to Jorgenson’s Production of Sleeping Beauty.
  • Forty-nine seniors, children, parents and volunteers participated in our intergenerational night at Juniper Hill Independent living Facility. A senior came dressed as a chicken to entertain the children and fun was had by all.

 

  • End of the year Big Friend’s Party to recognize our UConn mentors and to also allow the children to say good bye and share accomplishments.  A wonderful Year book was created by the group.
  • JUMP Leadership after School Program at MMS is off to a great start we have had 3 sessions and two more to go.  Funded by our YSB Enhancement Grant.
  • Parent Education Group had its last meeting and celebrated with a pot luck dinner.  This group met for the entire academic year and was predominately single fathers raising their children alone. Parents found this group to be supportive as well as educational.   
  • Grandparents raising grandchildren group continues to meet the last Friday of the month and will have a cookout in June to celebrate the Solstice.

 

Introduction of Heather Spottiswoode as the newest member of the YSB Advisory Board.  Heather has been a resident of Mansfield since 2003 and she and her husband have 2 children who attend Southeast Elementary School.  Heather has been employed by the University of Connecticut for the past 12 years in the Neag School of Education.  We are delighted to welcome her onto our Board.

 

Chairperson Ethel Mantzaris excused herself from the meeting @ 12:30.

Vice Chair Frank Perrotti assumed the role and continued the meeting.

           

IV. Old Business:

  • Challenge –  YSB and MMS staff are in the process of nominating students for the program.
  • JUMP –  New leadership program at MMS for students in 7th and 8th grade. Program is facilitated by Ken Caputo, from Villari’s Martial Arts and Julie White, MMS teacher. 

 

V.     New Business: 

·        Summer Programs – YSB has submitted application for 3 mini grants from the SUD program to support programming both during the summer and school year.

 

VI.   Other

      NONE

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 12:44PM.

 

Respectfully submitted by:

 

Karen L. Taylor

Secretary