Human Services Commission approves holiday ads, reviews grant recommendations and opioid‑settlement uses
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Summary
The New Canaan Human Services Commission voted to run a holiday safety ad and publicize a holiday gift‑card drive, and spent the meeting reviewing preliminary grant recommendations for local nonprofits, including allocations from opioid‑settlement funds. Commissioners pressed for clearer outcome data from grantees before finalizing the budget.
The New Canaan Human Services Commission voted to run a holiday safety public‑service ad and to publicize the department27s holiday gift‑card drive, and discussed preliminary grant recommendations and budget timing for the coming fiscal cycle.
"I have 218 active clients right now," Marcy, a human services staff member, told the commission as she opened the department27s report. Staff said the food pantry received $6,435 in donations in October, that about 134 households are using the pantry, and that the department will prioritize grocery cards so SNAP participants can buy produce and protein during a month when SNAP benefits are reduced.
The commission approved running a holiday ad that includes safety messaging and resource contacts (Al‑Anon, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helplines) and agreed to publicize a holiday gift‑card drive. Marcy said the drive had raised $225 so far and that the department has identified roughly 85 children eligible to receive up to $100 in gift cards. Commissioners discussed preferred card types and logistics, and accepted staff27s plan to promote the donation button on social media and via other channels.
Members then reviewed human services grant recommendations prepared by staff for the coming budget cycle. Highlights of staff recommendations presented at the meeting included:
- Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC): staff recommended $10,000 from the town, consistent with the request. Commissioners expressed concern and asked for clearer monthly reporting on domestic‑violence referrals and high‑risk assessments.
- Meals on Wheels: requested $5,000; staff recommended $5,000.
- New Canaan Cares: requested $22,000; staff recommended a total allocation of $18,000 comprised of $2,000 from the town, $10,000 from the Youth Services Bureau grant, and $6,000 from opioid‑settlement funds.
- Assessment program (behavioral‑health): requested $40,000; staff recommended continuing support at $40,000 total to be funded by $15,000 from human services operating funds and $25,000 from opioid‑settlement funds (presentation noted an opioid‑settlement balance of $344,675 available for eligible uses).
Commissioners emphasized that, where money is provided, they want measurable outcomes. "We need to measure effectiveness," one commissioner said, asking grantees to return data on the number of clients served and risk‑level metrics. Members requested case‑level or programmatic reports so the commission can justify allocations to the board of finance.
The commission also discussed communications and fundraising: staff and commissioners agreed to promote the existing online donation button, consider QR codes on printed materials, and noted a townwide mailing would cost roughly $5,600.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to run holiday safety ad and publicize holiday gift‑card drive: moved by Commissioner Bark; second not recorded. Motion passed. - Motion to accept the meeting minutes (subject to one adjustment): moved and seconded; motion passed. - Motion to adjourn: passed.
Commissioners asked staff to return with clearer performance data from grantees and to refine the packaged budget for finance meetings in December and presentations in January–March. The commission left the proposal in a working state pending additional reporting and follow‑up with key partners, including the New Canaan Community Foundation and other funding sources.
The commission adjourned after the items were discussed and votes taken.
