Council hears updates: warming place, youth host program and Narcan distribution show progress

At its Feb. 25 meeting the Council for Human Services received program updates from staff and council members on sheltering, youth housing and overdose-response efforts.

Sue Minton said the warming place is operating nightly and averages about eight people overnight, with roughly 20 different people using the program over time. Meals and daytime services see higher volumes, and showers were reported to begin in the coming week.

Council members described a youth host program coordinated with Community Solutions for Behavioral Health that offers a limited-duration placement (approximately six months) in which rent is paid to a landlord on behalf of a referred youth up to age 24. The program includes mentorship, work-skills supports and case management through an embedded caseworker; continuation beyond the program requires a conventional rental agreement.

Members reported a local decline in overdose deaths: councilors said police data indicate there were no overdose deaths in the past year, a change that staff and members linked in part to expanded free community access to Narcan and local training programs. Staff cautioned that it is early to fully attribute causation, but described the availability of Narcan and ongoing distribution and training as a known mitigation measure.

Public health update: town staff noted circulating seasonal respiratory illnesses including influenza, RSV, COVID and norovirus; flu vaccine efficacy this season has been lower and vaccination rates are not high. Staff urged caution and noted anticipated broader vaccine availability next fall through state rural health resources.

Ending: Members encouraged continued collaboration among nonprofits, CRC and CHS to sustain these programs and noted that positive early outcomes support continued funding and coordination.