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April 13,2021 Page 2 of 7 <br /> her thinking. She commended Ms.Paetznick for also being a girl scout in the community. <br /> Councilmember Allen asked what Ms.Paetznick won for winning the essay contest. Ms.Paetznick <br /> explained she received a plaque and$100. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas explained she had a signed copy of the League of Minnesota Cities recent <br /> magazine and noted she would hang onto this until one day when Brenna runs for City office.She <br /> congratulated Ms.Paetznick again for showing her strong leadership to the community. <br /> 2.2. Update from Tara Jebens-Sin h Northeast Youth and FamilyServices. Je ens-SiUpdat from Tara <br /> �`� Jel��s-Singh,Northeast <br /> Youth and Family <br /> Tara Jebens-Singh,Northeast Youth and Family Services,thanked the Council for their time. She explained Services. <br /> NYFS was a community-based,trauma-informed,nonprofit mental health and human services agency.She <br /> reported NYFS partners with 15 cities and three school districts in order to support low-income,under and <br /> uninsured youth,families and adults.She indicated NYFS has been in operation in the north suburbs for the <br /> past 45 years.She then provided a brief presentation on the services provided through mental health <br /> counseling,the day treatment program and the youth diversion program. She reviewed the services stats for <br /> 2020 noting the cost for contract services versus the services that were provided to New Brighton residents. <br /> She commented further on the benefits of having a Community Advocate on staff She thanked the City of <br /> New Brighton for providing$10,000 in CARES Act dollars in 2020 noting these dollars were used to assist <br /> with covering payroll expenses. She then discussed the future plans for NYFS coming out of the pandemic <br /> and commented on how important it would be to bridge youth back into the community after programming <br /> was shut down for a year. She described how telehealth services were greatly benefiting her clientele <br /> especially over the past trying year. She explained NYFS was here for the community and encouraged <br /> residents to ask and seek resources. <br /> Councilmember Axberg discussed how mental health was a growing concern and thanked Ms.Jebens-Singh <br /> for her service to the community. She asked how the Council can better support residents in the community <br /> when it comes to mental health and questioned how much of NYFS's budget was city funded versus <br /> reimbursements. Ms.Jebens-Singh discussed the mix of federal,state and local funding NYFS received to <br /> assist in funding its programs,along with the funding provided by 15 municipalities. She noted NYFS also <br /> received individual contributions. She encouraged the City Councilmembers to normalize conversations <br /> around mental health in whatever circles they have a personal or professional influence over.She commented <br /> further on how this would assist reducing the stigma regarding mental health concerns. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas asked how NYFS was partnering with the school district Ms.Jebens-Singh <br /> explained she had a multi-layered relationship with the Mounds View School District She reported her office <br /> building on Lexington Avenue was inhabited by the school district's REACH program.She indicated NYFS <br /> was in contact with the school district in numerous ways in order to discuss mental health resources.It was <br /> her hope there would be an increase in mental health services over the summer in order to prepare students for <br /> full reentry to school this fall,while also providing safe spaces for students to address the recent events that <br /> have occurred in neighboring communities. <br /> Councilmember Allen thanked Ms.Jebens-Singh for her presentation.He explained he deeply appreciated <br /> the services being provided by NYFS to the community.He asked what NYFS needed more of in order to <br /> meet the mental health needs of the community.Ms.Jebens-Singh stated as a trauma informed agency she <br /> could not negate the collective trauma that racial injustice has had on community members.She reported this <br /> was both a mental health and public health concern. She indicated there was a great need for cities to create a <br /> welcoming environment,while also creating spaces where people can come together and have a voice. She <br /> stated people may have forgotten how important it is to have a sense of connection to a community. She <br /> commented further on the value of the City having a partnership with NYFS to provide mental health services <br /> for those struggling in the community. <br /> Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas explained she has observed that the suburbs have a very disjointed social services <br /> system. She noted there were many small organizations doing different pieces of the work.She questioned <br /> how this could be addressed or improved.Ms.Jebens-Singh explained core services are located where <br /> population densities are the highest She reported the suburbs have a vacuum where there is a gap of services <br /> and organizations are created to bridge this gap.She discussed how she was working to create better <br />