HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-02-YSC-min YOUTH SERVICES COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES-NOVEMBER 02, 2005
Attending: Becky Rushford, Amy Berger, James Rettman, Tina DeMambro, Bill Blout, Norman
Cohen, Helen Cohen, Jennifer Wolfrum, Lauren MacNeil.
Agenda Items Loss of 2 Substance Abuse Specialists Funded by Federal Grant Cutback.
A. Jennifer Wolfrum reported that both, Julie Fenn and Beth Mintz,part-time social workers
were laid-off due to the SAMHSA federal grant not being funded this term. Under the
federal grant, both social workers provided substance abuse prevention programs for the
schools and the community They have been assisting Lexington through the SAMHSA
grant for the past 4 years. Issues such as the group response, ideas on how to keep the
program and problem solving around the subject was discussed.
B Becky Rushford provided copies of the Lexington Colonial Times for attendees to read
the article written on the issue. Jennifer Wolfrum updated the council on steps taken for
the appeal process Members percolated ideas on how to save the program. Steps taken
include a response to SAMHSA's 10-reason decision on why the grant was not funded.
Three of the 10 pertained to Lexington. The main reason may be that the advisory group
did not meet the standards. The grant was originally under the Department of Justice,
last spring it was transferred to SAMHSA. There may be new criteria with the new
Department overseeing the grant. A formal letter was sent to refute the decision.
Wolfrum has made numerous calls to Senator Kerry's office and Representative Markey
with no responses
C Ten LHS students have started a petition to send to SAMHSA. They were able to obtain
over 600 signatures and spoke at a community meeting about leadership skills gained
through the program. The kids explained that cutting the grant made them feel angry and
abandoned. Wolfrum spoke to Mike Jones and asked for a proposal for key pieces of the
program to possibly be re-instated through a stipend. She will also be applying for the
CHNA 15 mini-grant that issues grant funds up to $5k. Lauren MacNeil will look into
community resources for contributions,possibly the Rotary club since they are looking
for an opportunity to connect with the children and the community She will suggest
different levels of funding for flexibility with donation.
Next Steps:
Mary Sullivan Kelly has been assigned as the scribe for the December 07,2005 meeting where
the council will discuss what further steps have been taken regarding the substance abuse
prevention curriculum, and a brief synopsis of the Private School Network meeting with Becky
and Tuna will be discussed. One of the topics for the next meeting will be to identify what the
next steps should be.
Next Meeting Wednesday, December 07, 2005
3pm-4pm