Working Together

Lackawanna County

Interagency Council

Met at: Salvation Army

On:  January 18, 2006 

The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m. by Chris Davis, President.

 We had 25 members present representing 21 agencies:  Chris Davis, Jane Oswald, Cheryl Rutkowski, Nancy Kilmer, Tony Delonti, Fran Davis, Mary Louise Loftus, Terri Stocki, Carolyn Tugend, Judi Cimino, Leslie Bullock, Vikki Crosby, Linda Denault, Marge Suarez, Jim Festa, Joyce Ravinskas, David Beecham, Joseph Polansky, Joanne Stephens, Janice Lamm, Mark Taffera, Michele Davis, Diana Statsman, Jeanne Brolan, and Ann Lynady.

Introductions were made.  Minutes were reviewed and approved.  Treasurer’s report as of December 31, 2005 is $161.29.  Chris noted that the $51.34 expenditure was for the Website not the Christmas Gathering.  That change will be made and the report filed for audit.  NOTE:  Invoices for 2006 Membership Fees were distributed by Cheryl.

 OLD BUSINESS:

v     Spring Luncheon Committees

o       Invitations & Publicity – Jane Oswald

o       Caterer – Chris Davis, she will aim for same price as last year $12.00/person

o       Speaker – Diana Statsman

o       Set-up – Marge Suarez, Judy Cimino, Chris Davis & Jane Oswald

o       Desserts – Linda Denault,  one copy of recipe to accompany dessert for minutes

o       Reservations – Cheryl Rutkowski, Fran Davis & Mary Louise Loftus

o       Registration, day of luncheon – Nancy Kilmer

v     Newsletter – Jane will have a draft ready for the February meeting.  Please email any information you would like included to oswaldj2@scranton.edu.

 NEW BUSINESS:

v     No New Business

v     SPEAKER – Ann Lynady, Eligibility Coordinator, Head Start.  Located in the Scranton Lackawanna Human Development Agency (SLHDA).  The program covers a four county area – Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wayne and Pike.  They have two programs – Early Head Start is for pregnant mom’s and children up to 3 years old.  The traditional program is a half day program for 3-5 year olds.  They use a “Learn through play” curriculum.  The program is comprehensive and includes Health Care and Social Service coordinators.  They screen for special needs – hearing speech, developmental, etc. The parents are then connected to other agencies to meet these needs.  Head Start also contracts with day cares for eligible children who need full-day, full-year care.  They currently have 68 slots.  They are also working with school districts to start or enhance their pre-school programs.  Their waiting list is based on a point system which is based on the child’s/family’s needs.  Vikki stated that Nurse Family Partnership ends at age 2, would these clients be eligible for Early Head Start?  There is currently a waiting list, but a referral from another agency assigns additional points for the child.  Ann stated that she is available to speak to agencies to educate staff on their services.

v     DISCUSSION about the homeless situation in the area followed.  Chris stated that several moms  with small children have been spending the day at Career Links because they have no place to go during the day.  St. Joseph’s Center has one opening at Walsh Manor and should soon have a few openings at the Mother Infant home.  They only need to see the mom once before giving birth.  It was stated that there are many children in foster care due to the lack of housing.  Jeanne stated that the shelters are overcrowded and we are in need of a family shelter.

 v     AGENCY UPDATES

o       St. Joseph’s Center sponsoring – Child Sexual Exploitation:  Prevention and Protection, Dr. Andi Taroli, Medical Director, Pegasus Child Advocacy Center.  Held Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 7pm at Sacred Hearts School 1217 Prospect Avenue.  To register Call:  558-5050 by February 6.  Child care will be provided.

o       Jim Festa reported the family from Katrina did receive some assistance as a result of his report at the December meeting.

o       Shriners Hospitals for Children and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital will hold a joint outreach orthopedic clinic in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, February 12.  The clinic site is Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, 575 N. River St. Advance appointments are required.  To schedule, please call Shriners Admission Department at 1-800-281-4050, Ext. 4140

v     NEXT MEETING – February 15, 9:00 a.m., Salvation Army.  Speaker is David Beecham, Community Outreach Coordinator for Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.

 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Nancy Kilmer

Secretary