Youth Services Advisory Board Minutes
SIMSBURY YOUTH SERVICE ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES
April 15, 2024
On February 5, 2024, the Simsbury Youth Services Advisory Board met in person at the Simsbury High School.
Present: Rachael Loveland (SSS), Tom Tyburski (SCP&R), Mary Richardson (SPL), Trevor Brittell (SRO), Mike Lantiere (SRO), Amy Papale (School Psychologist) and Diana Yeisley (Board Liaison).
The meeting was called to order at 2:35 PM.
Public Comments: None
Rachael reviewed upcoming Youth Service Bureau programs: Scott Driscoll discussing Social Media and Responsible Technology for parents on Monday, April 22nd starting at 6:30 PM at Simsbury High School Amphitheater; Scott will review popular APPS, cyberbullying, sexting and social networking dangers. An Intergenerational Thread Event is happening at Simsbury Public Library on May 15th at 1:00, focusing on relaxing and threading while exploring ways that threading can help decrease worry and anxiety. This will be hosted by Greater Hartford Wellness. June 27th will include an Intergenerational Tie Dye event at Eno Memorial Hall, with hot dogs and tie-dye crafts.
Previous Social Services programs that have recently been completed include: Intergenerational Magic Show with 79 attendees, a Q+ painting event at SPL with 8 attendees, a Home Alone Safety Class with 8 youth attendees, a recent Narcan training with 6 parents attending, a Screenagers screening at SPL with 16 attendees, and a series of youth cooking classes that wrapped up in the middle of March.
SRO Trevor Brittell spoke briefly about Scott Driscoll and his positive reviews of the training he will be providing. He encouraged board members to communicate the upcoming program and importance of it to their teams.
No report from Simsbury Schools.
Mr. Tyburski reports Parks and Recreation reports positive turnout for application for summer employment, reporting they have wrapped up interviews and are in the middle of finalizing offers now. Reports, 1000+ children attended the rescheduled Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt, there are some openings left for Camp Stuff Too Do, and there is a last day of school event, scheduled for June 12th that will feature a DJ, inflatables, food trucks and access to the pool. Touch a Truck is also scheduled for June 15 which will include police vehicles, fire department vehicles and will showcase Parks and Rec. maintenance vehicles with coffee and donuts for dads.
Teen Librarian Mary Richardson spoke of positive attendance at an Interval House presentation on healthy relationships, Q+, Screenagers, Game Club, D & D and Somewhat Silent Book Club. The Youth Advisory Board is working to finalize the summer reading program and pizza garden. A new feature being worked on includes a Dye Garden. Mary spoke of an increase in teens volunteering at the library including a financial literacy class and a math lab for elementary students.
Upcoming library programming includes a Taylor Swift Listening Party, and a Volunteer Expo scheduled for April 27th between 10-12:00. The Teen job fair is cancelled due to low enrollment. (see website for more program details).
Board of Liaison Diana Yeisley spoke about the ongoing public hearing for the budget, scheduled for April 16th. and encouraged people to speak in support or against budget items and to get out in vote.
There was a short discussion about concerns of half days at school and youth in the downtown community and recent vandalism to the band shell. Mr. Tyburski noted that they are working hard to spread the message that if youth are caught vandalizing, they will be held accountable.
Another short discussion included change in leadership of the Youth Advisory Board with the change in staffing as previous Chair, Erika Cleveland, Youth and Family Social Worker, is no longer employed by the town. Grant expectations were reviewed, the importance of the Youth Advisory Board continuing to meet and goals moving forward.
Having no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:56 PM with a motion by Mr. Tyburski and seconded by Diana Yeisley.
Next meeting date will be Monday, October 7th 2024 @ 2:30 at SHS Amphitheater.
Rachael Loveland, LCSW: Community Social Worker