Community For Care - Minutes 11-15-2016

Community for Care

 Meeting Minutes

November 15, 2016

Call to Order at 5:45pm.

Cheryl Cook, Selectman and Co-Chair of the Community for Care Committee called the meeting to order at 5:45pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2016.  The meeting was held in the Wagner Room of the Simsbury Public Library.  Also in attendance were Pastor Woody Eddins, Co-Chair of the Community for Care Committee, Chris Kelly, Board of Selectmen, Sue Homrok-Lemke, Assistant Superintendent; Mickey Lecours-Beck, Director of Social Services, Richard Holden,  jane Kimball, Sally Reiger, Hannah Reynolds, Sarah Gwinn, Tom Steen, Marc Lehman, Becky Rosenthal,  and  Akash Kaza were also present.

Pledge of Allegiance was not recited.

Public Audience: There were no members of the public present.

New Business:

The committee discussed the survey results from different demographic groups in town regarding their program preferences.  Ms. Rosenthal reported that she surveyed the middle school parents present at a PTC meeting at HJMS and that there were no opinions as to future programing. Akash Kaza and Mr. O’Brien surveyed students at Simsbury High school through the Student Council and reported on a long list of topics suggested by the students.  Mr. O’Brien reported via memo that many of the topics suggested are covered in curriculum at SHS, but that a program of Mindfulness in conjunction with specific topics might be explored. will develop questions and survey Simsbury High School.  Ms. Lecours-Beck surveyed residents at the senior center and did not receive any program suggestions.

The committee discussed the need to update our information regarding drug trends and usage.  As a result of this discussion the committee decided to dedicate the January 11, 2017 program to a panel discussion of current drug trends.  The panel moderator will be member Tom Steen. The panel will consist of 5 people: law enforcement (to discuss potential issues around the legalization of marijuana in MA and other states); a therapist to offer suggestions and insight into discussing drug use with children and young adults; a medical professional to discuss medical issues, side effects and discussions between children and doctors and parents; an addiction counselor to discuss current drug trends and treatment; and a student (or possibly a small group of students)  to present questions and information from the high school regarding drug usage and trends.

Mr. Kelly reported on the status of the links on the Community for Care website page.  He distributed a format sheet regarding the formation of a website review group and the committee agreed that we should undertake this with a goal of updating the website information twice a year.

Next meeting: January 11, 2017

Adjournment: Ms. Homrock Lemke made a motion to Adjourn at 6:29pm.  Mr. Eddins seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Respectfully Submitted,

Cheryl Cook

Co-Chair