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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-04-YSC-min Youth Services Council April 4, 2007 In attendance were Chris Casey, Tim Johnson, Chantal Hersey, Julie Fenn, Karen Simmons, Lauren McSweeney, Norman Cohen, Ellen McDonald, Sandro Alessandrini, Bill Blout, Christina Demambro, Helen Cohen, Kate Cremens-Basbas, Becky Kosterman, and Joe O'Leary Some members of the Advocacy/Plammng Task Force attended April's meeting to share their draft presentation with the Youth Services Council. They were looking for feedback and support to present in upcoming Town Meeting Several concerns were raised 1 current structure of Youth Services Council 2 accuracy of some information in report 3 place more positive emphasis on what is happening and being done since last report to Board of Selectman 4 appropriate budget process The task force hoped to present this report as informational in order to set the framework for next year There has been on-going conversation about the YSC falling under the Social Services Department and/or operating as an independent committee and as it stands right now, the YSC falls under the Social Services Department There remains disagreement on this matter It is inappropriate for staff members to support presentation because it puts town staff in compromising positions within their relationship to their and other departments Structural issues were certainly raised, then how might the YSC and attached task forces provide advocacy for youth and family services How do we proceed within the appropriate political process and meet community's needs YSC members shared concern about accuracy of some information (i.e Arlington does not have a Youth Center and statistics from police are in need of explanation not everyone in percentage are Lexington residents) and difficulty in comparison to other communities when the information isn't clear and explicit Members also struggled with the tone of message encouraged the task force to focus more on the positive, what is being done, progress made, and still areas of need/growth. The task force members were told and encouraged to have either Ellen or Sandro do presentation as a Town Meeting member It shouldn't come from the task force or council The task force will take suggestions given today and revise Joe O'Leary and Becky Kosterman will review changes and send comments as well The task force will then submit to Council for approval of presentation with incorporated changes Our next meeting is Wednesday May 2, 2007 Norman will be our minute-taker