2006-01-04-YSC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Youth Services Council January 4, 2006 Present: Becky Rushford, Amy Berger, Bill Blout, Sheila Butts, Helen Cohen, Christina Demambro, Eliza Duncan, Tim Johnson, Eric Eid- Reiner, Jennifer Wolfrum The agenda for this meeting was to help prepare a statement for the Board of Selectmen to indicate the ongoing needs for youth that exist in Lexington and to review the accomplishments of the past year- and -a -half. Becky Rushford began the meeting by describing an earlier, smaller meeting which began addressing this statement. That meeting reviewed some of the history of the YSC, including that the Council was established to set priorities and directions for youth services in the Town. When the Council was created, Town Meeting also funded the position of Youth Services Coordinator, which Becky now holds. Another request from the Council was a budget item of $40,000 particularly to help families in need to pay for counseling services. This request was not funded. The group brainstormed for the next hour, with Becky leading us, and Jennifer acting as scribe on the whiteboard. Accomplishments -- Hiring the Youth Services Coordinator. -- Getting a full range of representatives together to share infonnation (schools, police, fire department, recreation department, Interfaith Clergy Association, Human Services Committee, students, and private therapists). A vital first step to surveying, coordinating, and strengthening services. -- Creating a Forum for Therapists to exchange ideas and begin a list of counselors who would work with youth and /or families on a sliding scale or pro bono -- Nuinber of people growing who seek out the Coordinator as a resource. -- Successful middle school half -day event (snow- tubing) with plans for two events this year, and more the year following. Needs of Youth and Families The priorities were accessible, informal safe setting for youth, outreach to youth who are in trouble and /or isolated, involvement of entire community. -- Substance abuse is high. - -Risky behaviors (cutting, anorexia, suicide attempts) in students with no therapeutic support. -- Families who cannot afford services. -- Lexington is a high stress community. Stress creates its own problems and can help lead to other problems.