Collaborative Meeting Minutes
May 26, 2011 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Lakewood Family Y.M.C.A.
Our Mission:
“The Lakewood Family Collaborative is a group of agencies, organizations and concerned individuals working together to make sure a network of services and supports are available and accessible to children, youth and families.”
2011 Focus – “Building and strengthening relationships in order to increase participation
for the betterment of Lakewood families and the community.”
All were welcomed by Mary Hall and were asked to include suggestions for free/low cost activities of kids and family to do this summer. Suggestions included: visiting the MetroParks and stables in the valley, Bay Village Nature Center, Friday Night Flicks in Lakewood Park, APL is always looking for volunteers (under 14 with parent) to play with animals, Lakewood’ 2nd Annual Bike Rodeo (June 11th), Lakewood’s Front Porch Concert series on the steps at the Library on Fridays and Hometown Band Concerts at Lakewood Park, MetroPark Zoo (free on Mondays), “Customer Appreciation Day at the Pools (wear a Rec T-shirt and you get in free), free camps at LHS (on Schools website), skip stones on the water, free youth running group being formed at the Lakewood YMCA, create a music video program for girls through West Side Community House entitled “Summer of Sisterhood” (accessed through www.neighborhoodleaders.com), Cuyahoga County Dept of Health Health Fair on June 18th, Employment and Family Services cookout at Edgewater Park on June 18th, Tremont Art Walk, volunteer experiences at the Hospice of the Western Reserve, Rocky River Days on July 9th and 10th, Tribe games, Lakewood Fit Walk on July 23rd between Belle and Arthur Avenues.
Collaborative Spotlight & Discussion – Jennifer Tulli, Recovery Resources – spoke on the services offered by her agency which include mental health and addiction services. Lakewood office has specialty programs, adolescent treatment program (ages 12/13 to 17/18) for kids with drinking or drug problem (6-week program), walk-in assessment, a 6-week program for treatment of teens abusing marijuana where families must come in to meet with the therapist two times and also deal with prescription drug abuse; anyone can refer. Gambling addiction services are free; they are looking to start a dual diagnosis program. Warning signs/what to look for: lock up your meds; know who you child is hanging out with and what they are doing; have grades changed; new fad is K2 (known as bath salts) are a synthetic form of marijuana sold as incense which is snorted. Working with NAMi on fundraiser “Next to Normal” at Playhouse Square June 7 – 19.
The Power of One presentation by Peter Jones, a student from LCA – 8th grade project on social justice which will be judged and a scholarship awarded wherein he collected toiletry supplies for youth aging out of the foster care process; he wrote an article which will appear in the Lakewood Observer; and now is problem solving how to get these supplies (being stored at St. Lukes) to these youth. He chose these youth after reading about the Lakewood Collab’s involvement with foster care and adoption and the County youth aging out program.
Lakewood Collab Leadership Team Slate – Dottie distributed the duties of officers and presented the slate. Mark Edwards from the Lakewood Y requested his name be added to the slate and Dottie Buckon’s name was removed. The motion was made to accept the slate as amended, seconded and approved by the membership.
Challenges Facing Lakewood Today were briefly discussed as to what we want to do with the information. Suggestion was made that many are connected so maybe they could be broken down into different categories where we can get input. Motion was made to narrow down the list and bring it back to the group for further discussion and problem solving. It was seconded and approved. The Council of Neighborhood Leaders Community Affinity Group Issues list was also distributed. Let Mary know if you wish to be one of the two people servicing on the committee.
Question regarding how budget cuts will impact families – child care vouchers are being cut and reduction in non-medical dollars for indigent care, etc. Question was asked of what we could do to address the topics—funding from County, State and federal levels of Medicaid and medicare services; funding for childcare scholarships. Three ideas will be put out in the newsletter to spark more conversation next time or if you have articles for the newsletter on the impact, we could share them. Reduction in workforce is another impact area. It was suggested to contact your legislators by June 30th. Without safe, affordable daycare, how can parents maintain gainful employment? Motion was made to compose a letter and forward it to powerbrokers in Columbus, at County and in Lakewood with names of Collab attendees who agree to having their name included. ?????
County Corner – Update -CCDCFS
Jillian Driscoll – A letter from Rick Werner and Joe Gauntner outlining the road ahead was distributed. There are two finalists in the search for Director of Health and Human Services. Pat Rydell and Richard Williams. Decision will be made before June.
Carmen Elena Barreiro – Distributed the Employment and Family Services guidelines for Child Care Assistance for Working Families and Healthy Start (free insurance for children).
Committee Reports –
Adoption/Foster Care – Colleen McNamara, Chair
1. Two community information events, both at the Division of Youth – June 7th from 10 – 11:30 a.m. and June 9th from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
2. Meet The Trucks – Saturday, June 4th @ Lakewood Park. Watch for the May Lakewood Collaborative eNewsletter for Adoption/Foster Care details at this event!
3. Neighborhood blitz centering on the central and west areas of Lakewood will take place June 2nd and 3rd.
Lakewood School Supplies Initiative – Karen Lee, Chair
1. Through Paula Maeder Connor’s efforts, grant funding was received from Thrivent Lutheran to purchase high end items.
2. Lakewood Junior Women’s Club has agreed to assist us in fundraising and/or goods collection.
3. PNC Bank has agreed to be a collection site and we are working on stores around town being additional collection sites along with the Y
4. Information will be going out through the Lakewood Observer. Rather than having one particular day for distribution, the schools and school registration will be target groups.
Membership/Hospitality – Kristine Pagsuyoin, Chair
1. Deadline for the June Newsletter is May 31st.
2. This year the Collab will have an end-of-the year/wrap-up meeting in June. We will be meeting at the Lakewood Women’s Pavilion at Lakewood Park from 12 to 2:30 instead of the Lakewood YMCA. Lunch will be served. We will not be a meeting in July and the Kick-off to a new year will be August 2011.
Next meeting is June 16th at the Lakewood Woman’s Pavilion in Lakewood Park from 12 – 2:30 p.m.
THANK YOU for building and growing with us!
The Lakewood Family Collaborative
Usually meets the fourth Thursday of each month, 1:00 – 2:30 pm,
at the Lakewood Family YMCA, 16915 Detroit Avenue.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend, so please spread the word!
· “LIKE” us on Facebook – “Lakewood Family Collaborative”
· Check us out on the Observation Deck of the Lakewood Observer
- Follow our monthly eNewsletter – subscribe @ lakewoodfamilycollab@gmail.com
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