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Stratford Youth and Family Advisory Board (YAFAB)Room 110-Birdseye Municipal ComplexMinutes-January 14, 2013In attendance: Cheyenne Ahmad, Lucretia Duwel for Barbara Blosveren, Greta RobertsBroneill for Andrea Boissevain, Josephine Burruano, Clarence Gaskins, AamirKadeem, Sean Kennedy, Olivia Mastroluca, Dudley Orr, Pat Patusky, JessePeña, Lou Perno, Taisha Rivera, Giovanni-Marie Roper, Becky Simon, TeghTerrill, , Mark WrightAbsent:Shelly Bheer, Winnie Etienne, Peggy Pancak, Ed Rawls, Kyle Scrivines, TySims, Orlando Soto, Tegh TerrillGuests:Jeanne DiMuzio, RYASAP & Kate Venision, Community ServicesStaff:Tammy TrojanowskiCall to Order & Chairpersons’ ReportCo-Chair Jesse Peña called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The Executive Committee met onJanuary 7, 2013, which resulted in the following outcomes: Identification of meeting topics for the rest of this year’s meetings. The meeting calendarwas distributed and is attached to the minutes. Appointment of the Nominating Committee in January 2013 to allow more time forrecruitment. The following Board members volunteered to serve: Greta Roberts-Broneill,Aamir Kadeem and Sean Kennedy. Approval of the date and flyer for the CONNECT community suicide prevention training.QPR trainings, also part of the suicide prevention initiative, will be offered throughout theyear to youth and adult residents. Visit www.preventsuicidect.org for more information.The YAFAB will lead this community prevention initiative. CONNECT training flyer isattached to the minutes. Approval for the YAFAB to serve as the community coalition for the Town’s applicationfor the Drug-Free Communities grant.Approval of November 19, 2012 Meeting MinutesLou Perno made a motion to approve the November 19, 2012 Board meeting minutes. MarkWright seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.Youth Committee ReportYouth Committee co-chair Taisha Rivera distributed the 2012-13 M.O.N.E.Y. grant fundingrecommendations and reviewed each proposal. Enclosed is the MONEY recommendations.Dudley Orr made a motion to accept the Youth Committee recommendations. Pat Patuskyseconded the motion. It passed unanimously.Community Asset TeamsThe Community Assets Team will meet on Monday, January 28, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 110of the Birdseye Municipal Complex to continue the discussion and strategies to encourageassets among Stratford youth.1
Partnerships For Success (PFS) CoalitionSean Kennedy reported that the Coalition met on January 9, 2013 and reported that that had apresence at two recent community events – the annual Thanksgiving football game and TownTree Lighting ceremony. Based on the coalition action plan, activities will be focused on parentengagement and community outreach as well as increasing the community’s awareness of thecoalition. During January 2013, coalition members will be visiting local alcohol stores and do“meet and greets” with their owners/managers as a way to encourage responsible sales andkeep off-premise compliance rates high. Compliance of off-premise establishments is currently92%.Discussion and PresentationBuilding Resiliency Under Stress with Kate Venison, Community Services ClinicalCoordinatorIn addition to social development and developmental assets, resiliency- the ability to spring backfollowing adverse events, is another perspective that guides the work of the YAFAB. In theaftermath of Hurricane Sandy and Sandy Hook school shooting, it is appropriate to revisit thisimportant concept. Kate Venison began with an activity that demonstrated coping strategieswhen dealing with stressors. She also distributed information about ways to build resiliency(attached) and facilitated discussion.Community Up-dates & AnnouncementsGreta Roberts-Broneill reported that the data from the community focus groups and onlinesurveys for the Community Health Assessment is being analyzed by the consultants.Preliminary information will be available in February and Greta will report back to the Board atthe April 2013 meeting.On February 1, 2013, Creativity in Motion and Stratford High School students are holding aperformance with proceeds benefiting the BEST grant in memory of Victoria Soto.Prescription drug training for coaches and tobacco prevention training for middle schoolstudents is available. The regional Youth Tobacco Prevention Graphics Contest is transitioningto being a graphics contest where applicants can address the issues of alcohol, tobacco,marijuana, gambling and prescription drug prevention. For any youth interested, contactJeanne DiMuzio at 203.579.2727 or [email protected] for more information.Pat Patusky recommended that the YAFAB make formal recommendations to Mayor Harkins inresponse to the Sandy Hook incident. More discussion will follow at the February 11, 2013YAFAB meeting.AdjournmentAamir Kadeem made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Cheyenne Ahmad seconded the motion.The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.Respectfully submitted,Tamara Trojanowski2
Stratford Youth And Family Advisory Board2013 Meeting ScheduleBoard Meetings are held from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 110 at the Birdseye MunicipalComplex, 468 Birdseye Street, Stratford. Location and dates are subject to change.Please call 203.385.4095 to confirm.Monday, January 14, 2013Monday, February 11, 2013Monday, March 18, 2013Monday, April 22, 2013Monday, May 20, 2013Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony at Town Hall2013 Youth Committee Meeting ScheduleYouth Committee Meetings are held from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 110 at the BirdseyeMunicipal Complex, 468 Birdseye Street, Stratford. Location and dates are subject tochange. Please call 203.385.4095 to confirm.Monday, February 4, 2013Monday, March 4, 2013Persuade, Question, Refer (PQR) TrainingMonday, April 1, 2013M.E.D.A.L.S Honoree ReviewMonday, May 6, 2013Annual Meeting Prep3
CONNECTSuicide Prevention And Intervention Training for ProfessionalsDate:Time:Place:Thursday, February 28, 201312:00 to 4:00 p.m.Room 110, Birdseye Municipal Complex, Stratford, CTDesignated a National Best Practice, CONNECT training utilizes a uniquecommunity-based model designed to increase the competence ofprofessionals. CONNECT provides participants with: An understanding of suicide’s impact on communities, family membersand friends. Data, including how age, gender and culture impact risk. A review of risk and protective factors and warning signs. Skills for intervening with people at risk and connecting them withappropriate resources. Strategies for communicating with families during crisis situations. Information about local resources and services. Discussion about social networking and its influence.CONNECT is sponsored by the Stratford Youth and Family Advisory Board. There isno fee to participate and lunch is provided. For questions or to confirm yourparticipation by contacting Denique Weidema-Lewis by February 15, 2013 at203.385.4095 or [email protected]
2012-13 M.O.N.E.Y GrantsRecommendations to the Stratford Youth and Family Advisory BoardApplicantBunnell HighSchoolS.K.A.T.E.N.G onCampus (StudentsKaring About TheEnvironment,Nature, andGardening)Sterling House-KickStart Soccer CampWooster MiddleSchool-BrainBooster BuddiesSterling HouseS.T.R.O.B.E-NotSo [email protected] HighSchool- buildOnSmarts WithSnacksBunnell HighSchool-UnlearnProject“The club consists of a dozen or so students dedicatedto improving the day to day conditions of the school andits surroundings By receiving a MONEY grant, wewould better able to accomplish our goals (on-campusrecycling awareness campaign, maintain campusspaces, rehabilitating greenhouse, permanent “outdoorclassroom”) and make Bunnell High School a betterplace to learn, grow, and feel connected.”“Kick Start is a one week summer camp for children whowant to play soccer entering grades 4-6 held at the fieldsbetween Honeyspot and Johnson House The moneywould be used to buy the shin guards and balls ”“Brain Booster Buddies” is a peer-mentoring programdeveloped to benefit elementary children (grades 1,2)academically and socially at Nichols School 1hour/week. If granted, [the program] will use the moneyto purchase pencils and other supplies, such as flashcards, educational games, and beneficial materials forthe mentees.”“Not So Different” will be a project consisting of 2 eventsthat work to prevent prejudice again people withdisabilities bring awareness and empathy for those thatare both physically and mentally challenged.”“Our project is to plan, organize, and stage out creativeperformance event, [email protected], on Saturday,May 18, 2013 in the Lovell Room at StratfordLibrary venue of poetry, prose, music, and dance alongwith artistic displays A grant of 250 will enable theCWW to create a venue including refreshments andallow for added publicity.”“The project we created consists of practicing basicreading, writing, and math skills with children in grades 2or younger If our project gets chosen for the MONEYgrant, the money would be used for the children[snacks], advertisement [of program], and supplies forthe stations.”Unlearn, a Bunnell High School literary magazine,“focuses on teen issues such as bullying, depression,and substance use in an effort to raise awareness andmake a change. [If awarded, the money would be used]to help offset the cost of creating, compiling, andpublishing Unlearn, so we can afford ink, paper, andother resources. “TotalBudget :Total: Requested Recommended 250 0 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 1,750 1,500 1,250 Local Prevention Council Grant (5) 250 Erin Babineau Fund (1) 1,5005
10 ways to build resilienceAccepting help and support from those who care about you and will listen to you strengthens resilience.Some people find that being active in civic groups, faith-based organizations, or other local groupsprovides social support and can help with reclaiming hope. Assisting others in their time of need also canbenefit the helper.Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable problems. You can't change the fact that highly stressfulevents happen, but you can change how you interpret and respond to these events. Try looking beyondthe present to how future circumstances may be a little better. Note any subtle ways in which you mightalready feel somewhat better as you deal with difficult situations.Accept that change is a part of living. Certain goals may no longer be attainable as a result of adversesituations. Accepting circumstances that cannot be changed can help you focus on circumstances thatyou can alter.Move toward your goals. Develop some realistic goals. Do something regularly -- even if it seems like asmall accomplishment -- that enables you to move toward your goals. Instead of focusing on tasks thatseem unachievable, ask yourself, "What's one thing I know I can accomplish today that helps me move inthe direction I want to go?"Take decisive actions. Act on adverse situations as much as you can. Take decisive actions, rather thandetaching completely from problems and stresses and wishing they would just go away.Make connections. Good relationships with close family members, friends, or others are important.Look for opportunities for self-discovery. People often learn something about themselves and mayfind that they have grown in some respect as a result of their struggle with loss. Many people who haveexperienced tragedies and hardship have reported better relationships, greater sense of strength evenwhile feeling vulnerable, increased sense of self-worth, a more developed spirituality, and heightenedappreciation for life.Nurture a positive view of yourself. Developing confidence in your ability to solve problems and trustingyour instincts helps build resilience.Keep things in perspective. Even when facing very painful events, try to consider the stressful situationin a broader context and keep a long-term perspective. Avoid blowing the event out of proportion.Maintain a hopeful outlook. An optimistic outlook enables you to expect that good things will happen inyour life. Try visualizing what you want, rather than worrying about what you fear.Take care of yourself. Pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Engage in activities that you enjoyand find relaxing. Exercise regularly. Taking care of yourself helps to keep your mind and body primed todeal with situations that require resilience.Additional ways of strengthening resilience may be helpful. For example, some people write abouttheir deepest thoughts and feelings related to trauma or other stressful events in their life. Meditation andspiritual practices help some people build connections and restore hope. The key is to identify ways thatare likely to work well for you as part of your own personal strategy for fostering resilience.6
Jan 14, 2013 · Stratford Youth And Family Advisory Board 2013 Meeting Schedule Board Meetings are held from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 110 at the Birdseye Municipal Complex, 468 Birdseye Street, Stratford. Location and dates are subject to change. Please call 203.385.4095 to confirm. Monday, January
