MARCH 24, 2005

ATTENDANCE: Bill Krummel, Acting Chairman; Rick McQuaid; Peter Wien
Doug Sutton (7:37 p.m.)

STAFF: Tim Callahan, Director of Health;
Linda Wilock, Director of Youth Services

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by the Acting Chairman, Bill Krummel, at 7:35 p.m.

YOUTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE

Acting Chairman Krummel asked Mr. Callahan to give an update on the Blue Ribbon Committee. Mr. Callahan reported that Dave Kennedy is proceeding along with the efforts. The committee is not yet fully formed. Ms. Wilock will help with the staffing. The request for possible dates has been sent to the Mayor, and he will offer the charge at the first meeting. The Board of Estimate and Taxation has approved it.

Doug Sutton arrived at 7:37 p.m.

Ms. Wilock reported that she has not received the final budget yet. She only has the recommended budget. Mr. Callahan asked Dave Kennedy to keep Ms. Wilock informed. Since this is a health committee issue, Mr.Wien suggested that he and Mr. Krummel be added to the distribution list.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 25, 2005

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 25, 2005 MEETING.
** MOTION PASSED WITH TWO IN FAVOR AND TWO ABSTENTIONS (RICK MCQUAID AND PETER WIEN)

CONNECTICUT BREAST HEALTH INITIATIVE

The Health Department received a small grant of $7,500 from the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative for a one year period. The purpose of the project was to increase the availability of local breast health services for underserved and uninsured population in Norwalk. Educational presentations will be offered, including mammograms, clinical breast exams, pelvic exams, and pap tests. The collaboration of agencies involved are the Mayor’s Crusade Against Cancer, Health Department, Witness Project, American Cancer Society, Norwalk Hospital, and Norwalk Community Health Center. Mr. Krummel asked what percentage of costs would be offset by the $7,500 grant. Mr. Callahan replied that currently there is no cost. The $7,500 grant will be applied towards care.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF CONECTICUT FOR THE BREAST HEALTH INITIATIVE PROGRAM.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL AGREEMENTS, DOCUMENTS, INSTRUMENTS OR AMENDMENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE BREAST HEALTH INITIATIVE PROGRAM.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU GRANT

Ms. Wilock reported that the basic grant has been in place since 1978 and is applied toward the operation of the department. It is a 50% matching grant. Mr. Wien asked if the Youth Services Council were lost, would we lose the grant? Ms. Wilock replied that certain services have to be provided through contract.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF CONECTICUT FOR THE YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU GRANT.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL AGREEMENTS, DOCUMENTS, INSTRUMENTS OR AMENDMENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU GRANT.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

SCHOOL READINESS GRANT

Ms. Wilock reported that the grant has been in place for the last 7 years to primarily fund the preschools. There are 6 preschools that are subsidized and offer a high quality preschool experience for 3 and 4 year olds. All but $75,000 of the grant goes toward preschool slots, primarily full day. Ms. Krummel asked if there is an evaluation procedure. Ms. Wilock replied that they were monitored by the State last year. They have quality monitors and compliance monitors. They have a contract with CES to make sure that the programs are meeting the 10 quality components. The school system needs to improve their computer system in order to track these children once they enter the school system.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF CONECTICUT FOR THE SCHOOL READINESS GRANT.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL AGREEMENTS, DOCUMENTS, INSTRUMENTS OR AMENDMENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE SCHOOL READINESS GRANT.
** MR. MCQUAID MADE MOTION TO HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION.

Mr. McQuaid asked Ms. Wilock regarding the 13 slots at Nathaniel Wiley School. He said that NEON is not at its potential. Problems can be identified right away and there is concern about the money not being used properly. NEON does not appear to be in compliance. The Norwalk School Readiness Council oversees the implementation and reports to the Mayor and Superintendent in an advisory capacity. Ms. Wilock said that if they had a policy in good standing, they would always have preference. Once the city receives the loan because they own the building, the slots can’t be taken back. Ms. Wilock’s Board has the right of first refusal.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF CONECTICUT FOR THE SCHOOL READINESS GRANT.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL AGREEMENTS, DOCUMENTS, INSTRUMENTS OR AMENDMENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE SCHOOL READINESS GRANT.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

QUALITY ENHANCEMENT GRANT

Ms. Wilock reported that this is the companion piece to the Fiscal Readiness Grant. It gives communities money to help programs improve their quality. Home day-care providers and licensed day care providers are included in this. 10% of the grant is required to go to Kith & Ken providers (unlicensed providers, i.e. grandparents, neighbors, etc.). Workshops are offered for daycare workers to ensure they are trained in diversity and curriculum issues. CES consultants make sure the high quality programs are in place. Mr. McQuaid asked how often inspections take place for home day care providers. Mr. Callahan replied that licensed day care centers are inspected every other year; licensed day care homes are inspected when they start and not necessarily after that. Day care centers are much more regulated to make sure that the programs are of high quality and provide enough stimulation. The Governor is committed to early childhood.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE OF CONECTICUT FOR THE QUALITY ENHANCEMENT GRANT.

** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR, ALEX A. KNOPP, TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL AGREEMENTS, DOCUMENTS, INSTRUMENTS OR AMENDMENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE QUALITY ENHANCEMENT GRANT
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. McQuaid asked about the New Canaan/Norwalk Health District. Mr. Callahan replied that the Task Force had a meeting last week with Ms. Judy Neville, the First Selectwoman of New Canaan; Dave Reed, Health Director; Kerry Conrad, Finance Director; and the Mayor, Tom Hamilton, and Tim Callahan. The general consensus was that it would work and is something that is good for both towns. If we move to a district, the financial benefit is $84,000.00. That would be the annual increase for the per capita grant. The State Health Department and local health representative requested that the district vote be taken no later than the first week of June. A public hearing needs to take place in each town, the Common Council of Norwalk would vote, and the Board of Selectmen of Darien would vote to form a district. This should take place starting in April.
Mr. McQuaid stated that this needs to be put on agenda for the next meeting. A public hearing would then be scheduled for April or May.

** MR. MCQUAID MOVED TO ADJOURN MEETING.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Krummel, the Acting Chairman, adjourned the meeting at 8:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Marr
Telesco Secretarial Services

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