1/16/1982Present:
YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD
(January 16. 1982)
Deb Matta. Chuck Davis. Kris Mothersele, and Fred Chase.
Meeting called to order at 7:30pm by President, Deb Matta.
Items of Business:
--The Youth Advisory Board --requested to meet with the Executive
Board ,on December 20, 1:982 to discuss the Youth Services
Proposal. The meeting,. -was scheduled. Copies of the proposal
were sent to each of the mayors prior to the intended meeting.
However the meeting was cancelled by the Executive Board a
few days,prior to the meeting and was never reschedul-ed. The
Youth Advisory Board was denied access to the Executive Board
for discussion of the proposal. Deb Matta did meet with
Jim:Derico?-Personnel Directors as,-Mavor Ward did not wish to
discuss the proposal. In order -for the Executive Board to
consider the proposal, Mr. Derico suggested that - it may be
helpful if the Youth Advisory Board collected more data.
Kris Mothersele feels that the Youth Advisory Board cannot
provide the data that the Executive Board might want.. It is
not possible to provide data on all the kids who are -,not
getting counseling. Youth services was denied the opportunity
'to explain anything in the proposal. People should become
more conscious of the fact that to continue to provide
activities is preventive medicine for kids, deterring a need
for any remedies.
The next meeting will be February 16. 1983 at 7:3ODm.
The meeting was adiourned at 8:57-om.
Attached is a copy of the Proposal.
C
M
TO: THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
FROM: BERLIN YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD
DATE: DECEMBER 16, 1982
RE.: YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WORKER
'DAl1D(1C A T .
The Berlin Youth Advisory Board would like to approach the
Marjorie Moore Foundation to initially fund the position of a
full time Youth Service worker. The town of Berlin would have
to provide all benefits (F.I.C.A., health, life, and major medical
insurance). The salary would be approximately $13,000 the first
year (Grant funded), the second year Marjorie Moore pays 2/3 salary,
the Town 1/3, the third year Marjorie Moore pays 1/3 salary, the
Town 2/3, and by the fourth year the Town would be fully responsible.
Annual increments would be in the $500 - $700 range ($500'used below).
YEAR. MARJORIE MOORE FUND TOWN OF BERLIN
1 $13,000 -0- plus benefits
2 9,000 $4,500 plus benefits
3 4,666 $9,334 plus benefits
4 -0- $14,500 plus benefits
Note: The Town or BzlLgi.n 2eceivez Y_hAee yea2�j of luge .time
, wolLk /o2 the coz.t o.1 one yea2 /2 auz AeneliY_z.
The portion of the State Grant monies that are presently funding a
part-time (24hrs./wk) Youth Service worker could be used to hire a
part-time clerical worker who is also needed.
[I]
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RATIONALE:
It is the position of the Board that the town of Berlin needs
a full time Youth Service person. We have not had a full time
Youth Service worker for three years. Prior to that time, the Town
had the services of a full time Youth Service Coordinato:r-_for eight
years. During that time, the Town has grown tremendously in its
complexity and size. The Town is currently benefited by a State
funded part-time youth worker who devotes only five to -seven hours
a week to direct counseling due to the -administrative requirements
of the Grant. The administrative complexity, primarily in welfare,*
limits the. Social Service Director to be available for counseling
with -youth and family; -members only after normal working hours. The
director -.is still used on a twenty-four hour call basis in crisis
situations, particularly.by the police. However, by his own admission,
he does not have the time to be 'i'n the school -s, to be visible,. and
available for the.kids.
VALIDITY OF A FULL TIME POSITION
COUNSELING:
We -studied some of the duties and responsibilities of both
people now working with the youth in town. We were surprised to
come up with an actual total that was less than one, not one and a
half, youth --service. :corkers. There are many areas of responsibility,
youth counseling being but one. Presently, a yearly average of
approximately 300-350 initial visits are logged for state records.
These log sheets, however, do not represent how many times each
client -is seen. A large number are seen several times, and a
serious and complicated case can take ten to twenty hours or more
of a counselor's time.
In this area we seem to have a "Catch --22" situation. The needs
assessment surveysl indicate that a least 50% of our youth do not know
what services are provided, or to whom -to go to if they need help.
Despite this situation, over three hundred initial cases are seen
each year. In order to publicize these services for the kids to
take -advantage of them, the youth worker must be available for two
reasons. One, time needs to be spent in the schools to present the
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414
services and provide visibility for the worker; and two, that person
then must be accessible and available a greater number of hours.
This counseling time should be available for youths, families,
and groups. The counseling areas include the following:
1. Drugs
2. Alcohol
3. Emotional problems (personal, school, family)
4. Sexual problems (pregnancy, abortion, 'promiscuity)
5. Child abuse
6, Criminal activity
7. Incest
8. Suicide (including attempts)
9. Runaways
10. -Throwaways.
11. Temporary housing and feeding
12. Job placement
Twenty -.four hour crisis availability as needed.
ADMINISTRATIVE -DUTIES:
Although counseling itself could be a full time job, there
are many
administrative duties to be looked at.
1.
Contracted Programs - programs that are developed and/or
co-ordinated with Park and Recreation (Drop -In program for
one) take time for research and development.
2.
Needs Assessment - to find areas of need. and improvement;
time to write up, revise, get approved by authorities,
administer, tabulate, and interpret results (stipulated
in our State Grant).
3.
Case Work Files and Records - must be maintained and kept
up to date.
Job Bank - organization and co-ordination that is now on
a limited basis could be more valuable if time was available
to:
a. provide some training groups (behavior, how to job
seek, what's out there, etc.)
b. provide follow up procedures to protect both youths
and employers and to optimize the experience.
Administrative areas of developing the Job Bank are time
consuming, but could be one of the most positive services
provided by the Town to both the kids working and the people
who employ them. The Job Bank would especially benefit from
the clerical position (to maintain charts and records, answer
the phone, do files and bookkeeping) and the lack of clerical
help keeps the program from growing at present.
4 �a
5. Meetings & Conferences ='''TYese can be invaluable to a Youth
Service worker, but time -must be.available to attend them.
Those meetings provide up to date information about service
availability throughout the State, State and Federal law
changes, grants, and other vital information. They`al.so
provide valuable.contacts throughout the State (other town's
services, hospitals, agencies, special groups, schools, etc.)
that can benefit the town through our awareness of what is
available and how to obtain it. _
6. Financial and Budget Res.ponsibilities - As -with any municipal
there are time __consuming duties regarding budget
planning, application for funds, and controlling expenditures.
7. Prevention .. = Thi.s�:,dould prove to be the most cost effective
program yet to be developed for preventing -youth problems
long before.they reach .the crisis stage-. One avenue to
follow c•ould'be parent support groups, especially parents
of elementary and junior high youths. A program could help
to educate and prepare parents to deal with situations and
problems (especially those of adolescents) on their own;
to be confident and self- reliant -dealing with those problems;
to be informed of when and whom to contact with a problem as
it becomes critical. The development of this type of program
would demard a great deal of time, both administrative and
counseling. It can not be done by a part time person.
Some co-operative effort with the schools should be considered
as a potential part of a program of this nature.
ADDITIONALLY— A full time Youth Services worker might also be
responsible for:
1_. Co-ordinating efforts with the Director of Social Services
for any youth related program and activities. .
2. Maintain an active file of emergency housing for youths.
3. Be responsible to the Youth Services Board for:
a. writing state/federal grants
b. administration of all grant programs funded
(placement and supervision of youths in wilder-
ness program, needs assessment, publication
5.
4b of youth services directory, publication of youth
services publicity).
4. Preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports
for state DCYS and town.
5. Maintain active contact with all area referral s.ources.
.6. Being aware of all law changes (local, state, national)
as they affect youth or families.
7. Serve as a resource person and teacher for groups in
community and schools.
8. Serve as town central clearing house for all reported
child abuse cases from school, police, or outside sources
(with Director of Social Services).
9. Attend staff meetings with Director of Social Services
(or whatever the job/title becomes).
10. Be available for consultation by town agencies as needed.
CONCLUSION:
The youth needs of the Town of Berlin require immediate
attention. Vith the possibility of,the-initially -Marjorie Moore
Foundation funding, this position should seriously be considered.
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