Committee Report - Youth - 12-2-14 — File 198226

December 2, 2014 Youth Services Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 12/9/2014 REPORT OF THE YOUTH SERVICES COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mary Jo Rossetti Chair Present Matthew McLaughlin Vice Chair Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Present Also present: Alderman Niedergang, Skye Stewart, Cory Mashburn, Todd Easton, Jill Lathan, Todd Easton Ms. Lathan discussed how she will be funding and implementing certain programs and mentioned that new policies and procedures are being formed for the Recreation/Youth Department. Approval of the Minutes of September 23, 2014 RESULT: APPROVED 194465 - That the Superintendent of Recreation communicate with the Committee on Youth Services regarding the scheduling of fields and the reasoning for establishing the American Youth Football League.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194832 - That the Recreation Commission consider establishing an advisory committee of representatives of all City youth sport organizations to provide feedback and coordination on the condition of fields and scheduling.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196728 - That the Superintendent of Recreation and the Youth Programming Coordinator share data on the usage of all recreation programs by season for FY13 and FY14.:

Committee Meeting December 2, 2014 Youth Services Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 12/9/2014 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197101 - That the Superintendent of Recreation and the Youth Programming Coordinator share participation data for all recreation and youth programs for FY13 and FY14. (See #196728.): RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197259 - That the Director of Purchasing and the Recreation Superintendent submit a monthly recreation equipment purchase report for all equipment purchased.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197291 - That the Administration add two youth outreach positions to the Recreation Department, and that both positions be filled after the new Superintendent of Recreation is hired and that at least one of the positions should require skills and experience in women's leadership.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197297 - That the Administration involve this Board’s Committee on Youth Services in the search and selection of a new Recreation Superintendent.: The committee referred this item to the Legislative Matters Committee. RESULT: REFERRED FOR RECOMMENDATION 197711 - Conveying the recommendations of the Somerville Fields Task Force.: Chairman Rossetti is in communication with the Mayor's Office and she expects a response by the next meeting. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198075 - That the Director of the Office of Prevention update this Board's Youth Services Committee of the department's plan to address youth health matters of concern.: Mr. Mashburn discussed drug and alcohol use, public service announcements, the impact of legalizing marijuana and said that he would like to update the schools' health curriculum to begin with 6th graders. Members discussed having Mr. Mashburn meet with the School Committee. Alderman McLaughlin expressed his concern over a lack of outreach to drug users and said that something needs to be done about people in his generation. Mr. Mashburn agreed that the 20-27 year old age group is a crisis but noted that his department is charged with focusing on the city's youth. Ms. Stewart spoke about a city opiate project working with first responders and relevant departments.

Committee Meeting December 2, 2014 Youth Services Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 12/9/2014 Alderman Ballantyne's motion that the Administration, specifically, Mr. Hadley, provide the Board of Aldermen, in early 2015, with an update regarding the city's efforts to combat drug addiction, was approved. Chairman Rossetti requested that Mr. Mashburn report back to the committee in 6 months regarding opiate prevention outreach for all ages of people. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE