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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-12Dryden Youth C,'ommission Minutes, Mays J.2,2009 Present; Tom Fuchs, Steph Ulle McConnell, Justin DiMatteo, Cynthia Watemian, Kim Schenck. JoEllen Bailey, In hik Lee, Linda Schoffel (O If ), Kris Bennett ( S), Kate Benas (Dryden Middle/High Schools social worker and homeless liaison for the district) After introductions, minutes frona April were approved as written_ _Youth needs assessment — report On trend s_from school perspective Kate Benas presented last night to the BOB, on services provided by social workers. Issues/needs Poverty! 41 "/a of youth in district line in poverty. Poverty contributes to drug use, physical abuse, lack of''access to counseling, medical, eye and dental care, and parental depression, `T'ransportation — Town is 1 10 square inIIes, Flo late buses run, making it difficult for kids . Without transportation to participate in after school activities_ The McLean program was developed to serve the needs of kids without transportation but have little info on demographics of who is served and outcomes, Lack ofllome supervision and/or kids who don't want to go home after school; stay at school as late as possible bleed additional after schooI. pivgralnmIng — could contribute to helping motive kids, help co3inect their education with their future -- Teen center With services (menial health, Advocacy Center, DS S, Learning Web, surmier lobs, etc.) Dryden currently brings sortie agency staff' into the schools but it would be better at a center with transportation to shuttle kids from school Mental health — would 11 k a DS sate Iite office M Dryden Need for adult mentors Drugs - Fconomic hardship exposes kids to drugs, lack of supervi lion provide opportunity to access drugs from home cabinets Job loss — in some fainilies. the economy has caused both parents to lose jobs. Laek of transportation for adults means difficult connecting with services that are based 131 Ithaca. Homelessness and housing insecurity, Fan7ilies do not know that they can keep their children in Dryden schools even if they lose their housing in Dryden. High number of students with Iearning disabilities needing hands -on activities and learning; not enough space in schools for these learning options_ Kids can't go to BOCES until I ILIL grade_ Assets Lots of smart kids who would help with starting a teen center. Would like to start /see someone else launch a peer mentoring program, (Currently D14S doe, 110t requIre conimunIty Service In order to graduate; adding this requirement could further engage kids in their community for both mentoring and a teen center.} Linda Schoffel described briefly a peer mentoringprogram in'Irumansburg and offered to talk more with Kate about this. The Tburg program receives some support from Rotary, Changes in CCE's Dryden youth Services' staffing expected Linda distributed program reports. She notified DYC that Jeri Handy is reluctantly resigning her ,5 1�TE position in Dryden and will work full time with the Ithaca Youth Bureau and the Youth Council. She will finish her Dryden programs June 10 and use 2.5 weeks of vacation, ending June 26. Julie Ne-vvman (OURS coordinator, currently working 20 hrs/wk) is interested in increasing to 30 -35 hrs /wk and could take on many of Jen's hours. Linda would be happy with this. Julie and the OURS program volunteers are interested in expanding to Little Creek MEP which has �35 kids of the right age. This population would be served one day /week in separate programming from the current OURS program. Discussion followed about whether using increased hours for more OURS programming at Little Creek, rather than general RYS programming, is what DYC wants. DYC agreed that expanding Julie's hours makes sense but does not want to lose the programming Jen has been providing. if Julie works 35 hrs/week. she could otfcr 1 after school and 2 in- school programs /week (in addition to maintaining current OURS hours). Being in school would increase the likelihood that she could interest OURS participants to enroll in RYS programs. She would probably have access to the van, funded by the Town, to help with transportation. In addition, she will offer 2 programs this summer, possibly one at Little Creek to connect with this population. Linda will keep Kris informed about how this evolves. Kris reported rni the recent OURS program end -of -year event that went very well. Youth participants in this year's United Way FOCUS project came from OURS teen leadership council. They made 4 grants, totaling $3000, to Dryden projects. They will come to June DYC meeting to share insights from the process. DYC Annual Report distribution Kris passed out copies of the completed annual report; it is already on DYC website. Stephanie will share with V. Freeville trustees, JOEllen with V. Dryden trustees, Tom & Cynthia with T. Dryden board, Justin with Dryden school board. Other Kris spoke with Meghan Cerveny from the Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program; they are busy trying to recruit 2 Dryden youth for the paid summer jobs, having some difficulty finding youth. Kris suggested she connect with Dave Hall, Jen Handy or Linda. Will keep in touch. V. Dryden camp is looking for a new director. Kris has provided help to Deb Marrotte on a job description, advertising and possible places/ways to recruit. Brooktondale camp will have the same director as last year. Budget — Kris distributed revised 2009 budget showing a decrease in expected state funding. Actual figures are still not available. 2010 will be tough, some 2009 fiuiding is one -time only and additional state and county cuts are expected. Plan for June 9 meeting, JoFllen has confirmation that a rep. from Dryden Police will attend (not sure whether it will be Chief Ryan). She will confirm. Julie Newman will also attend with a couple OURS FOCUS participants. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PN41 youLWdrydnydsgixlmins'2009 nwy mimucs •