East Lyme Youth Services Raises Concerns Over Opioid Settlement Funding, Expands Prevention Programs

EAST LYME, CT — The East Lyme Youth, Family and Human Services Commission raised concerns Oct. 8 about how the Board of Selectmen documented an agreement to allocate $150,000 in opioid settlement funds over three years to support substance use prevention programs.

The commission also discussed expanding counseling services for high school students, revitalizing its Veterans Coffee House program and using cannabis revenue to support community initiatives.

According to the commission's minutes, the Board of Selectmen approved allocating $50,000 annually from opioid settlement funds for three years to support the Wellness and Prevention Coordinator's salary, professional development and other prevention initiatives.

Commission members said the September selectmen's meeting minutes did not accurately reflect the discussion and agreement concerning the funding.

The commission reported that the understanding included directing future opioid settlement payments to Youth, Family and Human Services after the three-year period.

According to the commission's minutes, the Board of Selectmen declined to amend its minutes despite concerns raised by a commission representative.

The commission plans to continue discussing the issue, including possible alternative funding through grants or the town's General Fund.

School Counseling And Prevention Programs Discussed

Youth, Family and Human Services Director S. Firmin reported that the department's Wellness and Prevention Coordinator had obtained her Licensed Master Social Worker credential.

Firmin said discussions had taken place with the assistant superintendent about a potential partnership to provide substance use counseling services to high school students.

The department is also exploring a partnership with the middle school to help facilitate Challenge classes.

Under a prevention grant, the department plans to present information to high school athletic team captains in November about sports betting, gambling risks and prevention strategies.

Additional activities include three weeks of prevention advertising in April, tobacco cessation training and participation in the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America National Forum.

Commission members also discussed a recent Board of Education presentation by Bonnie Smith highlighting the department's work.

According to the report, the presentation included findings showing decreased substance use among young people and an 89% response rate to a youth survey.

The minutes did not provide specific substance use figures.

Cannabis Revenue To Support Veterans And Community Programs

The commission reported that the Board of Selectmen had approved using cannabis revenue to support the Veterans Coffee House, volunteer appreciation and recognition, National Night Out and a therapeutic garden.

The department is working to expand the Veterans Coffee House by offering morning and evening gatherings.

Flanders Fish has agreed to host morning meetings every other month and provide coffee and pastries. The department is also considering returning evening gatherings to the Veterans of Foreign Wars location where they were previously held.

Funding allocated to the Veterans Coffee House will also support holiday wreaths at town cemeteries honoring veterans and Thanksgiving baskets for veterans.

Holiday Assistance Programs In Preparation

Firmin said the department had begun planning its holiday assistance programs, including Giving the Gift of Christmas.

School counseling departments will be contacted to help identify families who may benefit from the program.

The department also plans additional Pop-Up Pilates classes, encouraging participants to bring nonperishable food donations in November and unwrapped toys in December.

Evening or weekend classes are being considered to accommodate more participants.

Student commission members also discussed the possibility of offering puppy yoga. Commissioners raised questions about the cost and said additional information would be needed before proceeding.

Other Commission Business

Firmin introduced Tessa Dahlberg, a University of Connecticut Master of Social Work intern who will work with the department through May 2027.

The commission also learned of a donation from Raymour & Flanigan and a potential donation from the Elks Lodge of New London. The minutes did not specify the amounts.

Ex-officio member Candice Carlson reported that funding for the downtown streetscape project and authorization for traffic enforcement cameras had been approved.

The commission postponed approval of its September meeting minutes because it lacked a quorum.

The Oct. 8 meeting was held at the East Lyme Community Center, 41 Society Road, and adjourned at 6:56 p.m.

No formal votes were recorded.