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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-10-26-YSC-min Hello Everyone- Our latest meeting was held on October 26, 2004 at Lexington High School In attendance were Julia Schutt, Bill Blout, Elaine Sterzin, Karen Simmons, Jennifer Wolfrum, Helen Cohen, Arny Berger, Bill Kennedy, Beth Ribeiro, and Becky Rushford Welcome Julia, who is a senior at LHS serving on the Council!! Elaine reported that the Metro South/West Regional Employment Board funding grant we spoke about last month was not being pursued It is just too big Right now I will be establishing a relationship with the Clergy Association, luncheon next week. While we are not completely closing the door to their presence on the Council, we need to establish ourselves as a group before adding new members Bill further reiterated this point. Funds for youth were not requested for FY05, therefore, no money exists right now Possibly for next year, but not guaranteed as Bill said, but we will advocate strongly In the meantime, multiple Council members said we will use and pool the resources we have from those around the table (copying, folding my role into functions/meetings/events that already exist, money for programs) Jennifer also mentioned looking to the Chamber of Commerce and to pizza parlors for donations My update consistent meetings have been established at LHS and Clarke, Parent's Meeting once a month at each school, I sat in on a peer mediation meeting at LHS and will be participating in the teen dialogue nights with middle/high youth and families I'm now trying to find ways to meet youth I have started to meet with private schools out of which, Lexington Christian Academy expressed interest in forming a relationship with the police department. I've been in touch directly with Tina Demambro and via e-mail with Kristen French I have met with the Director of Emergency Services at the Edinburg Center, three private practitioners have expressed an interest in meeting who work with adolescents, and I'm meeting all guidance counselors K-8 h in couple weeks Suggestions from the group connecting with the Clarke Breakfast Club, hanging out in center on half-days, or schools at lunchtime to meet a wide range of youth Some parts regarding the operation of the Council were hashed out. Elaine's idea was well received and I will be sending a skeleton agenda out to everyone one week before our monthly meeting Please write in an item(s) you want to discuss, share, or follow-up on and send it back to me We spoke about the possible formation of a Youth Services Network, using Bill's words (idea and meaning will discussed next month) to host and sponsor forums For instance, we might invite private practitioners to hear the latest results from our YRBS in the hopes to exchange information and also hear from community therapists what they are looking for/want out of such forums Arny feels many professionals would be interested in attending to feel connected as long as we elicit input from them around things like frequency, helpful information to be discussed We could begin to develop a clinical roster for those who work with youth, specialties, and services offered, call hours, etc. At some point we may also look to other communities, like Lahey Clinic to provide on-call support for youth as preventive We also spoke forums for youth, parents, for instance, what to do in a situation that is boiling into a crisis? We all agreed that our Council serves as a working group and there is a need to form sub-committees as we prioritize need and move towards action Sub- committees will be time-limited Beth and Bill will begin to coordinate a meeting time for our forum sub-committee to also include Becky, Elaine, and Amy Our meetings will start promptly at 2 30 pm since our time together is limited and short. Mark your calendars Tuesday November 23, 2004 2 30- 3 30pm in Room 217 at LHS and a recent change in December, our meeting is now scheduled for Tuesday December 14, 2004 same place Thank you everyone for your input, work and support. See you soon Becky