The February meeting of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) on Monday, February 1, 2021, was called to order remotely by Chair Jennifer Liebermann.  The Council approved minutes from the January meeting and voted to recommend Kristen Haddad be appointed by the Select Board to the YAC.

Jackie Winer, Youth and Family Services (YFS) Director, presented her budget and the Director’s Report to the Council.  The budget for FY2022 is $160,763, representing an 8% increase over the 2021 budget ($148,854).  A majority of the increase is due to COVID-related costs and coverage for a maternity leave for a staff member.  The Council voted unanimously in favor of supporting this budget; Winer will present the budget to the Finance Committee on Monday, February 8.

The Director’s Report featured “Mission Moments” that were highlighted during Winer’s presentation. 

• The Holliston Drug and Alcohol Coalition Meeting (HDAAC) of January 12, 2021, featured the YFS Department’s recently hired Drug Free Communities grant writer, Amanda Decker, from Bright Solutions Consulting.  Winer reported great support across town for the work of the HDAAC.
• Winer attended the January 15 meeting of the Metrowest YMCA Project ABC Advisory Council. “Project ABC is a coordinated family and community engagement (CFCE) grant program funded by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and managed by the MetroWest YMCA.  It’s free playgroups [for children under 8 years of age] help to guide children’s social-emotional development, language and communication, cognitive development and physical health and well-being and get them ready for school.” (https://www.metrowestymca.org/regional-education/project-abc)
• Winer met with Keely Krantz, President of Holliston’s Pantry Shelf, to discuss collaboration opportunities. Krantz offered Winer CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares to distribute during the summer in hopes of bringing in more families. 
• YFS staff became eligible for COVID 19 vaccinations during Phase I of Governor Charlie Baker’s COVID vaccine plan, and all staff have been vaccinated. 
• Winer has begun a train-the-trainer program through Diverse Holliston and Mindshare conducted by Tonia Walker:  Perception and Change.
• Winer attended a meeting of YFS and the Holliston Senior Center to discuss the vaccine challenges of elderly residents and identify ways the elderly can be assisted.  HHS National Honor Society students and HDAAC student members have volunteered their assistance. Some members of the YAC voiced their desire to help as well.
• Winer provided a data report to YAC members showing the numbers of clients served during January. 

Stephanie Farrell and Brian Sahagian, student representatives to the YAC, spoke about Holliston High School:  students will be given their final exams on Tuesday and Thursday this week and will begin new classes on Monday, February 8.  They are hoping that vaccines will be given to teachers very soon. 

The next remote meeting of the YAC is March 8, 2021 at 7 PM. The meeting adjourned at 7:57 PM.