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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />FEBRUARY 10, 2016 <br />announced that a new Mexican restaurant, El Sombrero, is now open in <br />the Marketplace Center. <br />PRESENTATION— Jerry Hromatka, Director of Northeast Youth and Family Services, stated <br />JERRY <br />that he likes to visit each of the 15 supporting cities every year to give an <br />HROMATKA, <br />update. He stated that the primary age group they serve is 5-21 year olds, <br />NORTHEAST <br />but they will work with any age. Mr. Hromatka stated that they have <br />YOUTH AND <br />served 4,000 youth, families and individuals. He noted NYFS has an <br />FAMILY <br />annual budget or $3.2 million, and the primary revenue streams are <br />SERVICES <br />contributions, grants, contracts and fees. He noted that NYFS owns their <br />building in Shoreview, and also receives lease revenues. Mr. Hromatka <br />reviewed the mental health, youth development and day treatment <br />programs that NYFS offers. He explained that they now have therapists in <br />schools and in two clinics, and do some in-home meetings with families <br />when needed. He noted that NYFS got started with youth diversion <br />programs, and now has day treatment programs for kids who cannot <br />function in a normal school setting, and a senior chore program to help <br />seniors stay in their homes and not become isolated. The chore program <br />now has 80 kids participating <br />Mr. Hromatka explained that they require clients to pay at least something <br />so that they have some skin in the game, but they will not turn anyone <br />away. He noted that they try to connect families and kids to the <br />community, and more businesses have been participating. NYFS works <br />with people before things get so bad that they end up dealing with law <br />enforcement. He stated that the sheriff's department has been very happy <br />with the NYFS diversion programs for kids. <br />Mr. Hromatka stated that now there are more complex family and <br />individual issues with on-going trauma and isolation. He explained that <br />trauma has an effect on how kid's brains develop, and people need to be <br />part of something in order to not become isolated. He stated that the <br />individuals who have done mass shootings tended to be people who were <br />not involved or connected to anything. He noted that NYFS is a very <br />unique program, and they have had 15 cities supporting them for the last <br />40 years. Mr. Hromatka stated that the NYFS Board knows that they need <br />to change and evolve as the people they serve change. The businesses are <br />realizing that they need to be more involved in their communities and <br />schools to help with their employment needs. <br />2 <br />