2011 Annual Report - Town of Northborough

Family & Youth
Services Department
June David-Fors, LICSW, Director
The mission of Family & Youth Services is to identify
and respond to the town’s human service needs to enhance
the quality of life for Northborough families, youth
and individuals of all age. Our services are developed in collaboration
with the Youth Commission, schools, other town
departments and several local organizations. These partnerships
enhance our ability to maximize resources provided to
residents.
Programs & Services
In 2011 Family & Youth Services assisted 643 residents as
they faced difficult contemporary issues such as prolonged
unemployment, home foreclosures, financial problems, depression
and suicidal ideation. Residents received assistance
from the following programs and services:
The Department also continues to serve as the town’s centralized
source for human services. In 2011 313 residents
received 867 referrals to local, state and federal programs.
40
This was accomplished due to our dedicated staff, graduate
interns and the increased clinical capacity provided by the
Basic Health Needs Grant.
Northborough Youth Commission
Family & Youth Services works closely with the Youth
Commission, a seven-member Town Board appointed by
Selectmen to evaluate community needs and advocate for
resources to support families. The Youth Commission is also
pleased to have 3 student liaisons representing Algonquin
Regional High School and St. John’s High School.
Graduate Interns
• Bela Chanduk, Boston College Graduate Intern
• Pamela Naab, Boston College Graduate Intern
2011 Accomplishments
1. For the 3rd consecutive year the Family & Youth Services
Director, Town Planner, Town Health Agent and Recreation
Director received a $59,077 grant from MetroWest
Health Foundation. This grant supports our “Building a
Healthy Northborough” initiative, a town-wide response
to address Childhood Obesity.
2. Family & Youth Services submitted the final report for
the $25,000 Basic Health Needs Grant received from MetroWest
Health Foundation. This grant allowed us to eliminate
our waitlist for counseling services. In addition, our
outcomes far exceeded grant expectations, for instance,
instead of serving 60 residents we assisted 95 residents.
3. Our staff continues to work hard to maintain our service
level in light of the growing number of residents turning
to us for help. We have received grant awards, utilized the
professional help of Graduate Interns and we have asked
for a contribution toward our mental health services, netting
some additional funds.
4. In 2011 we recruited two Boston College Graduate Interns.
We continue to receive positive feedback from colleges
about our interns experience and of the high quality
of our services. For instance, we have an extremely low
rate of client “no shows” for counseling in comparison to
other agencies.
5. Family & Youth Services remained true to its mission to
identify and respond to the changing human service needs
in Town. For instance, we participated on a new committee
comprised of school personnel, clergy and the food
pantry to address basic needs of homeless families living
in hotels and we increased our role in assisting in townwide
emergencies.
Community Partnerships
We value the community partnerships we have built as they
enhance our ability to maximize resources for residents. A
brief list includes the Northborough Extended Day Program,
Inc., Northborough Helping Hands, Northborough Food
Pantry, Northborough Public Schools, Northborough Rotary
Club, Northborough Clergy Association and South Middlesex
Opportunity Council, Inc.