Office Of Youth Services Reorganization

At a glance

What: A reorganization of the Office of Youth Services, with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Manchester School District, run as an 18 month pilot.
Where it stands: Approved unanimously by the Human Resources/Insurance committee October 6; it follows the regular course to the full Board. The Board of School Committee must sign the MOU.
Next: Full Board; pilot to begin in January if both boards approve by the end of October.

Mayor Ruais: the plan blends input from the community, the Board, the school district and the Health Department; staff keep time in the field per the organizational chart. In five years the office has had two directors and one interim director, so this is a pilot: January to June, summer work on Leadership and Freshman Academies, then September 2027 to June 2028, giving 18 months of data to decide changes. The packet (92 pages) rests on an 11 page operational assessment by Health Department staff. The door knocking campaign before school produced 209 referrals.
Sapienza asked about the state police criminal investigation; Solicitor Rice said it is ongoing and a requested update had not yet come back. Vote: unanimous (motion Vincent, second O'Neil).

September 1: Thomas reported 492 students joined over the past year, 328 new referrals (97 percent opted in), 74 percent more regular on time attendance, 78 percent improved conduct, 67 percent improved grades, all high school seniors graduated, and 32 percent started a job or training. Sapienza noted the state police investigation of the office has run nearly a year; Solicitor Rice said it is ongoing and not shared with the City.
August 4: O'Neil asked that four health targets (mortality, readiness, absenteeism, graduation rate) go to Thomas's committee for adoption; Mayor Ruais said a plan would come to the Board in a month or two after a community meeting with 67 groups.