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 •