Collaborative Meeting Minutes
September 22, 2011 ~ 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Woman’s Club Pavilion, Lakewood Park
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.”
Program Year 2011-2012 Focus:
“Strengthening the connections between all who live, work and play in our Lakewood”
Goals: 1. Increase membership and awareness within the Lakewood community.
2. Motivate members to participate in Collaborative activities.
3. Educate members on how to connect and reach out amongst each other for information, ideas and general support.
Lunch and Welcome – All enjoyed a delightful lunch that was catered by Toni Gelsomino. After lunch, Bruce Chamberlin welcomed everyone and introduced the mayor of Lakewood, Mike Summers. Mayor Summers gave a brief speech in which he affirmed cooperation, highlighting three avenues of cooperation: shared services, collaboration, and regionalization.
Collaborative Spotlight and Discussion – Jeff Patterson, Superintendent, Lakewood City Schools – Mr. Patterson spoke about the success of the Lakewood School District, whose performance has gone up over the years and most recently received a rating of EXCELLENT. The long-term vision for Lakewood City Schools is to be among the top 20 school districts in the state by 2020. Some of the challenges the school faces are: high number of new students that enroll each year, potential additional funding cuts, various sub-groups that are within the district such as Economically Disadvantaged, Limited English Proficient, and Students with Disabilities. The discussion centered around the question of what do we need to do in order to reach this status of being one of the top schools. Some suggestions were: quicker identification of student’s needs, more counseling available and assessments for families, peace-builders program in every school, increase in school nurses, increased parental engagement, organized after-school program, better collaboration with local businesses, and free pre-kindergarten.
Introductions – Everyone introduced the person to their right.
Announcements –
*Lakewood Hospital has a new president and is in the top 14% nationwide in sustained care in all core measures.
*The deadline for Soles for Souls is September 30. You can drop off used shoes at either location of the Silhouette School of Dance.
*Lakewood Council of PTA’s has partnered with the Lakewood Public Library to offer a book discussion for parents of middle/high school students. Free and open to the first 20 participants. Sign up at the Library.
*Berea Children’s Home & Family Services has an outpatient office in Lakewood. They have community based services that are accessible to Lakewood, and are accepting referrals.
*RTA could be facing additional cuts. Be an advocate to express how important public transportation is to our city.
*Lakewood Women’s Club Fun Run is October 30. All proceeds go to Lakewood Community Service Center.
*Trinity Lakewood Community Outreach is recognized by The Cleveland Foodbank as a Hunger Outlet and operates a food pantry, which provides a three-day supply of food on the 1st Saturday and 2nd Sunday of the month.
*Kiwanis has been in Lakewood for 90 years and is still committed to serving children.
*Live Well Lakewood will be hosting Dr. Esselstyn on November 9, 7pm – 9pm, at the Lakewood City Hall Auditorium. Dr. Esselstyn is nationally known for his alternative medicine practice.
*Lakewood City Academy has a partnership with Treca Academy, which offers an alternative to traditional schooling, by allowing students to use technology from their home and progress at their own pace.
*The Ohio Benefit Bank helps people connect and apply for services they may be eligible for. Trinity Lakewood Community Outreach has counselors who can help people connect and apply online.
*Cuyahoga County Department of Children & Family Services has resources available to assist families in Lakewood.
*Horace Mann Elementary Health & Fitness Night will be October 26.
Committee Reports –
Adoption/Foster Care – Colleen McNamara, Chair
1. Will be featured at the Lakewood High Football Game on Oct 14.
2. Moving Hearts Gallery will be at the Lakewood Public Library in November.
Job Seekers – Chair Position Open
Hospitality – Jillian Driscoll, Chair
1. Recruiting new members.
2. Very informal, mostly through email, provides snacks for the meetings.
Lakewood School Supplies Initiative – Karen Lee, Chair
1. 5,647 pieces were donated. Supplies are still being donated and can be dropped off throughout the year @ the Recreation Department. The schools were grateful. The items were sorted @ Trinity Lutheran Church. The Schools picked them up from Trinity, and distributed the supplies to students through the various school counselors.
Membership – Toni Gelsomino, Chair
1. Thanks for filling out the new membership forms. Be sure and pick up one of the new directories.
2. Keep inviting folks to the meetings.
Vice Chair Update – Kristine Pagsuyoin
1. Deadline for submitting articles for the Newsletter is the 15th of each month.
2. If interested in being a Spotlight, please email Kristine.
3. Join a committee.
County Corner
Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services – Jillian Driscoll had no updates.
Cuyahoga County Employment and Family Services – Verlinda Moore, Program Officer – Employment and Family Services office is there to bridge the gap between the community and the county. If someone is having difficulty, contact them. The office is located at 9830 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland.
Next meeting is Thursday, October 27, 2011 @ 1pm.
THANK YOU for building and growing with us…for a stronger Lakewood!
The Lakewood Family Collaborative
Meets the fourth Thursday of each month, 1:00 – 2:30 pm.
Lakewood Park Woman’s Club Pavilion
(November and December – third Thursday of the month)
Contact us @ 529-6870 or lakewoodfamilycollab@gmail.com
All are welcome and encouraged to attend, so please spread the word!
Newsletter Deadline: 15th of the month. Submissions emailed to lakewoodfamilycollab@gmail.com
>LIKE us on Facebook – “Lakewood Family Collaborative” >Check us out on the Observation Deck of the Lakewood Observer
>Follow our monthly eNewsletter – subscribe at lakewoodfamilycollab@gmail.com
>Collab Web Page @ Lakewood Main Library – lkwdpl.org/lkwdfamcollab
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