Health and Human Services staff reported a series of recent programming successes and provided an update on grants during the Northborough Youth Commission meeting on April 22.

Staff said the department partnered with Northborough‑Southborough schools for a recent wellness week. The Health and Human Services bloodmobile collected donations from "over 40" individuals at a recent drive; the department plans a follow‑up date in October. A wellness fair drew "over 75" residents and featured more than 20 local and state organizations, staff said.

Caitlin, a Health and Human Services staff member, reported on a new "Words of Wellness" book club that held its first session with four adult attendees and plans a May 20 meeting featuring Chatter by Ethan Kross. Caitlin also holds weekly office hours on Tuesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. in the library's teen and adult room and said early engagement has included one outside resource contact from a medical social worker.

Staff reviewed upcoming events tied to Mental Health Awareness Month: Go Green Day on May 2 (a joint Northborough–Southborough effort), a mindfulness class May 6 and May 21, an online NAMI webinar on May 14, a Senior Center coffee hour on May 19, a Boston Children's Hospital Digital Wellness Lab webinar for parents on May 21, and a free library movie screening of Inside Out on May 27 with related activities.

On grants, staff said the Drug Free Communities grant (CDC), which funds the town's substance use coordinator, has had no staffing changes. The Department of Public Health Public Health Excellence grant likewise shows no changes and continues to fund shared positions and a VNA nursing contract. Staff said leftover funds from a COVID case investigation/contact tracing grant are currently tied up in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island and therefore unused; the funds previously would have supported regional projects through the Greater Boroughs Partnership for Health.

Staff also said the department is producing short cable access videos on mental health topics, collecting toiletries for the food pantry through April, and coordinating outreach opportunities including a town sidewalk chalk art community event connected to a downtown revitalization vote.

Why it matters: The department's programming and grant stability affect local public‑health outreach and resources available to youth and families; continued partnerships with schools, the library and regional health partners broaden access to services.

Staff signaled no immediate staffing changes in major grants and said they are monitoring the court case that affects carryover COVID funds. Commissioners asked staff to confirm distribution lists for school outreach and to continue circulating event calendars and flyers.

The commission recorded these program updates and moved to other agenda items.