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Youth and Family Services repurposes program coordinator amid rising demand for case management
Summary
Youth & Family Services told selectmen it will repurpose one program coordinator role toward intake/administrative duties to handle increased enrollment, citing high demand for housing, mental‑health and substance‑use support and expanded use of grants and partnerships.
Youth and Family Services representatives told selectmen the department has shifted staffing to respond to sharply higher demand for intake, enrollment and case management. The FY27 request (about $292,78) reflects a reorganization that reduces the number of program coordinators while adding administrative support to handle increased phone volume and program enrollments.
Joe Trelly, the program coordinator cited repeatedly as a departmental asset, was described as the individual who leads program development, grant work and outcome measurement for state reporting. The department said it will lean on program assistants and grant‑funded staff when needed to facilitate programming while refocusing its internal roles to prioritize outreach, intake and social services enrollment.
Presenters emphasized partnerships—TVCCA, Ledge Light Health District navigators and local nonprofits—that expand capacity and allow more services to be delivered in‑house. Officials said Waterford CARES, a weekly case review team, has helped route residents to supports from police, schools and social services and that trends driving demand include housing instability, higher grocery costs, substance use and elderly residents living alone.
Selectmen pressed the department on whether the staffing change would degrade program development; presenters said they will monitor workloads and use grant funds and program assistants as needed. The board approved the budget request by voice vote.
