STAFF: Tim Callahan

Ms. Rivas called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.

Tabled until next scheduled meeting due to lack of quorum.

GRANT REVIEW: YOUTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Drug and Alcohol Prevention Grant

Ms. Rivas stated that although there wasn’t a quorum to vote on this item tonight, so they reviewed it to move it on to the Common Council.

Ms. Wilock distributed the fiscal impact statement and said they had the grant for four years for the Department of Children & Families that is geared toward the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program where the participants learn life skills to become positively bonded in society and to help them avoid other destructive behaviors; she said the grant was for $29,472. The nature of the program is to work with high school students who meet in City Hall and learn the skills and practice them by mentoring younger children; they sometimes take part in the Pastor Youth Conferences and learn about problems kids have so they can steer them to the right resources to seek help. The program subcontracts with the NEON Program who runs similar kinds of programs working with young children; the parents are also involved and someone from DCF also gets involved to make sure the program stays on track and moves in the right direction.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer asked how long the program has been in place. Ms. Wolick said since 1986.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer asked if it was different from the DARE Program. Ms. Wolick said for this program, high school student’s talk to the kids whereas for the DARE Program the curriculum is a more formal in-school program.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer asked about the Roodner Court Program. Ms. Wolick said the program is run with different groups of kids on different days from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and while one program is in progress the kids are involved in another program that is going on.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer said she felt the time span was too long due to the kid’s already long days. Ms. Wolick explained the program also functions as a childcare service as well as a learning environment.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer asked if the parents have to sign-off on the program. Ms. Wolick said yes.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer reiterated that it’s a long day for the kids and she asked where else this type of program is run. Ms. Wolick said currently it was only held at Roodner Court but it may eventually be held in Colonial Village.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer further questioned the long hours. Ms. Rivas replied that its been expressed by parents that there aren’t enough after-school programs and they like the idea of their children being in a controlled environment after school.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer pointed out that the grant falls under the Drug & Alcohol grant. Ms. Rivas stated the fact that it does is probably good to try to deter the kids from getting involved in the wrong types of behavior. She stated the program is completely voluntary and not forced and again its beneficial for parents that probably work two jobs.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer still expressed concern that the funding source was under the Drug & Alcohol Prevent Program grant.

Ms. Wolick explained that what is done on a daily basis is the child has a snack, is given computer guidance and there are group meetings among the counselors to discuss the home environments of the children and how to assist if needed, there are also speakers that come in to address drug and alcohol abuse and relationships; the program is geared toward the level of the children. Again, the program is not forced and the child can chose not to do it.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer stated she didn’t see the homework component outlined in the information. Ms. Wolick said that the homework portion was not funded directly through the grant, but it goes on at some point during the program hours.

Ms. Wolick noted the Program Administrator reports to her on a quarterly basis and she in turn reports to the staff.

Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer again asked the days the program meets. Ms. Wolick said daily but not the same kids every day and again the hours are 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Ms. Rivas stated they would send the request on for full Common Council review and she noted the committee would have another opportunity to ask more questions at a later date. Ms. Olmstead-Sawyer noted she would probably visit the program to get an idea of what it is like. Ms. Hudgins noted that in the past they got together as an afternoon alliance group and rode all over town to view the different programs; she added this program is likened to a community center atmosphere and she felt the more variety the better.

Community Block Grant

Ms. Rivas said the Common Council votes on the entire grant and Ms. Wolick submits the request for it.

Job Readiness Program

The committee members took a few minutes to read over the program. Ms. Rivas stated she felt the program should be successful and wished Ms. Wolick good luck with it.

Mr. Dunn introduced himself and gave a brief overview of his position working at the Norwalk Housing Authority where they run various programs. He extended his availability to any committee member that may have any questions about the programs.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT REPORT

Mr. Callahan reviewed the information regarding the Rationale for a Nurse Practitioner and he said a presentation was made to the personnel committee. He stated they employed two full time Nurse Practitioners until 1996 but the positions were eliminated when they reorganized the department. At this time the personnel committee looked at the health chart and any vacant positions were removed. Currently they have 2 Public Health Nurse III’s, 1 Public Health Nurse I and 3 part-time Registered Nurses and 1 part-time Nurse Practitioner and there is a vacancy for a Public Health Nurse III. He said the objective would be to put the Nurse Practitioner back on the chart and the reason for this is because she is trained and licensed by the State, where they provide a higher level of care than a Registered Nurse and could go beyond what an RN could do.

Ms. Rivas asked if the position was similar to a Physician’s Assistant. Mr. Callahan said more like a Registered Nurse that would be advancing toward a degree.

Mr. Callahan stated the Nurse Practitioner could also administer immunizations for children entering school and could also administer immunizations for people visiting other countries. He noted having these services in place would also generate revenue to the Health Department. He noted there would a substantial cost difference in savings between a Nurse Practitioner and a Public Health III. He mentioned that in the future the norm is expected to be for a doctor’s practice to be run by a Nurse Practitioner with the doctor off-site.

He said the matter needed to be passed on to the Common Council for approval.

Mr. Callahan reviewed the CADH and said it’s a competitive process with lower Fairfield County to establish a Regional Distance Learning Center. They applied to host a satellite dish, that means funding would put a dish on their roof with a hook-up to monitor the building and allow them to be linked to the CDC- (Centers for Disease Control) programs. The plan is have the monitors in only three locations in the building and the only requirement would be for them to maintain the dish. He noted this is expected to happen in March 2003.

Mr. Callahan reviewed the flyer for the American Lung Association that would be offering a smoke cessation program that was done two years ago. There would be a $25.00 program fee and $5.00 co-pay to go toward stop-smoking aids. The participants must be 18 years or older and the program begins March 11, 2003 with slots for twenty (20) people. He noted the program has been successful in the past.

Mr. Callahan reviewed teaming up with the American Cancer Society for a forum that is scheduled to discuss breast cancer in conjunction with Norwalk Hospital.

Back to Previous Page	Back to Home Page

Back to Previous Page	Back to Home Page