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Health, senior and youth services programs outlined as council weighs budget
Summary
The health department described programs funded by state per-capita and workforce grants, senior services noted a new shuttle contract and outreach plans, and youth programming will expand at the Malloy community center with diversionary panels for at-risk youth.
Health, senior and youth-service leaders briefed the council May 20 on operations that depend on modest, targeted budget lines.
Sheila Carmen, the city’s director of health, said the health department has nine staff and relies on a state per-capita grant that typically produces about $100,000 to fund overtime, mosquito control and a doctor position. ‘‘Most of it is coming out of [the] per-capita grant,’’ Carmen said, and she described additional workforce-development grant funding that supports staff training and certifications.
Carano described senior-center programming and transportation: the city transitioned senior shuttle service from DATCO to a contractor called SNAH; Carano said SNAH will provide two shuttles including a 12-passenger wheelchair-accessible vehicle and that the service is open to residents along the route, not only center members. He said senior programs include vaccination clinics, health-and-wellness events and a ‘‘my senior center’’ check-in system to track participation.
Youth and family services staff described expanded school-based prevention programming, social-emotional learning efforts across grade levels and a youth diversion panel for some first-time juvenile offenders that includes probation and court partners. Staff said Malloy will house youth programs, with six rooms planned for tutoring, computer access and drop-in services once the facility opens.
Why it matters: Per-capita and workforce grants underpin small but essential public-health and outreach programs; upgrades to senior transportation and a new Malloy facility will change service delivery and where residents access programs.
The council recessed and will continue budget work the next day.
