Council hears Social Services and Public Safety committee report on paramedicine, family services and youth programs

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council received a report from the Social Services and Public Safety Committee on committee business discussed at the Jan. 28 committee meeting, including a presentation on a community paramedicine program, needs at the Family Service Center and plans from Partners for Youth. Councilmember Baxter delivered the report during the council work session.

Jason Wells, chief of the fire department, described the committee briefing on a community paramedicine program that expands emergency medical services to provide nonemergency care and address unmet needs in the community. Wells introduced Lt. Alex Jahn as head of the paramedicine team. Committee discussion noted the program’s mix of paramedics, social workers, police and peer support and that committee members hope to start a crisis response team and expand staffing to provide 24-hour response. The committee report states no action was taken on that item.

Sheila Horton Holt, director of family services, presented the Family Service Center’s mission and said the center recently celebrated 35 years of providing education, career preparation, parenting support, health care and child care for teen mothers. The committee summarized future needs identified by staff: early child care, playground renovations, an annual grandparents event, a resource room for staff, and community resource fairs. The committee took no formal action on those needs.

Shanika Shackleford, executive director of Partners for Youth, described that organization’s mission to promote positive youth development and prevent juvenile delinquency through collaboration and capacity building. The report says Partners for Youth plans to celebrate 30 years of programming, expand its summer youth job training program, increase scholarships and pursue grants; Shackelford asked councilmembers to help reach potential employer partners. No committee action was recommended.

As part of an annual review, the committee removed several items from its referral list, including expansion of the adult mental health court aftercare program, review of golf cart policies, fire department recruitment improvements, and an emergency financial assistance program. The committee meeting was reported as called to order at 1:07 p.m.; the committee approved its Nov. 12, 2024 summary during that meeting. The council report noted these items for the record; no council votes on the committee’s items were taken during the work session.