Chair Jennifer Liebermann (below left), called the remote meeting of the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) to order at 7:05 PM on Monday evening, March 14.  Youth and Family Services Director Jackie Winer (below right) presented information from her Director’s Report, beginning with an announcement that the Holliston ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Steering Group supports the Department’s proposal to increase staffing levels by hiring a part time social worker.  Winer anticipates the ad for this position will be posted by April’s end, with the selected hire starting in July.  Assistant Town Administrator Kathleen Buckley is assisting with this.

Winer met with and received feedback on the YFS FY23 budget from the Select Board and the Finance Committee, noting that members of these two were interested in steps YFS was taking in the community to approach mental health.  Winer intends to re-establish a monthly meeting with the Police Department to align on Best Practices and involve other mental health professionals in the community.

In her update of progress toward the Drug Free Communities Grant, Winer said that HDAAC (Holliston Drug and Alcohol Awareness Coalition) met with the grant writer, the Town Administrator Travis Ahern, Ken Szajda of the Finance Committee, and Fire Chief Michael Cassidy to review the DFC grant. The grant will be submitted on April 1, 2022, and if granted would provide up to $125,000/year for 5 years.  Only 50 awards will be made in 2022, with news to recipients in August and funds delivered by the fall.  It is possible to reapply if Holliston does not receive the grant in 2022. 

Winer reports that she and the YFS team have been incredibly busy; referrals are very high.  With only two people on staff and many high-level referrals, Winer said they may have to resort to developing a waiting list. Many referrals involve students experiencing anxiety and depression.  The Department has also received referrals for 4- and 5-year-olds, but these have been referred out of district. 

Student representatives to the YAC, Stephanie Farrell (above left) and Brian Sahagian (above right), reported that Holliston High School is mask-friendly since the mask mandate was lifted March 2.  They report that there was a quick transition to 50% of the student body not wearing masks, but that those who choose to wear face masks are not being hassled.  Stephanie noted that the Senior Showcase was last week with no face masks and a live audience, “making things seem normal.”  Brian also said Spring Sports begin next week.  As these two students are graduating seniors, YAC will need two sophomore students to serve on the YAC.

YAC member John Drohan (above), Chair of the Holliston Community Action Fund (HCAF), provided an update on the HCAF:

•  Drohan said the board will potentially add more members. Presently the HCAF is composed of 7 members, but Drohan notes, “We are happy to expand to 10, with some rotation of people coming off.” 
• The student division will be handing out information for ways to connect to the website this Saturday and in May will hold a fundraiser. 
• A year-end party is planned for June 3, for the student division, most of whom are seniors.  This may also be a recruiting opportunity. 
• Drohan shared that Select Board Chair Tina Hein is interested in utilizing the student division for childcare during the May Town Meeting.
• Applications for emergency grants that supported rent and mortgage relief are slowing down. An adult fundraiser is planned for the fall.

YAC member Matt Putvinski (above) reported that the committee Envisioning Future Holliston is planning a followup survey (to the first survey completed in January 2022) over the summer and information is available on its website.

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM.  The next meeting is April 11 at 7 PM.