eMeeting on May 26, 2020

Meeting Opening: David Dix played America the Beautiful; Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Roger Sidoti, and Rachel Kerns provided the Invocation.

Moment of silence: In honor of Memorial Day, President Roger asked for a moment of silence for those who sacrificed all for our democracy.

Roger Kramer read Sherry Joy's announcement that the renovation of the gazebo downtown, Kent Rotary's Adopt The Spot, has been completed. She thanked all those who helped with the project.

President Elect Randy Smith said about half the active members (48) have responded to the strategic planning survey. There is still time to participate. If you need him to resend the survey, just contact him.

President Roger asked people to read the Board meeting notes in this week's bulletin. Rotary International has sent a letter saying there should not be in person meetings through the end of the year. The Kent Rotary Board is concerned about our members health and will keep the Zoom meetings for at least another month. He also announced that his daughter Liz gave birth to a baby girl on Thursday.

Next week's program is coming to us from England with Oliver Everett, Librarian Emeritus of the Royal Library, arranged by David Myers. President Roger asked people to be on time and limit the number of announcements for the program.

Program: Kathy Myers introduced the speaker Darla Scott. She has been with Coleman Services for almost 14 years working in Trumbull and now Portage counties. She supervises the child therapists and case managers as well as being a profesional clinical therapist.

Mrs. Scott talked about the impact the covid-19 pandemic is having on children and their families, both the good and bad she and her staff are seeing. The good news is that families are practicing safe measures and explaining things well to their children about the fear and anxiety that is related. She said the children are growing closer to extended family through Zoom and other technology and are spending more quality time with their family. Being able to slow down has given them an appreciation for being in the moment and focusing on what is important.

The bad news was that after the first couple weeks of being at home in the "honeymoon phase," children are bored, lonely, missing friends, and missing the support and encouragement they receive at school. Families are now seeing a lack of routine and challenge as a problem. School work has become problematic as parents don't feel adequate teaching their children and some children are struggling with technology issues and the lack of engagement. Parents are struggling with their loss of jobs and income, and are feeling the loss of special events their children are missing like prom, graduation and awards ceremonies. Some are also struggling with food poverty and connection issues. Coleman is seeing an increase in anxiety, depression and family conflict.

Some signs that a child needs help are for younger children crying jags, temper tantrums and regressing behavior (such as bed wetting), and for teenagers sneaking out and rebelling against the quarantine.

Coleman Services has seen an increase in the number of chldren served and an increase in engagement and regularity of appointments through Telehealth. Parents like taking advantage of the time together instead of spending it driving to appointments. Chhildren have used the video option to give therapists tours of their homes and to show their pets and other members of the family making a stronger bond between child and counselor. If a client forgets an appointment, the Coleman staff member can make a call and get them connected. She said there has been a significant decrease in bullying and fear of safety from mass shootings.

Coleman has also increased the use of commuity resources connecting families to Portage County Job & Family Services for medical and food assistance, the Social Security Administration, PMHA for housing, HESS for utility support, and food services from food pantries, Kent Social Services and Center of Hope.

She said her biggest fear is her staff not seeing everything they need to see. They aren't seeing things in environments that children and parents aren't talking about, and they don't have school and community members telling them what they see.

Response was by Justin Gates who said Darla has brought great stability to our children in Kent City Schools and their families.

 

Respectfully submitted by Anita Herington