Mrs. Karen Parkinson, 55 Rose Hill Road, Ledyard, stated that she was present this
evening as a follow-up to the Town Council’s October 25, 2023 meeting at which the
proposed updates to change Youth Service Director/Coordinator Job Description was
Tabled and sent back to the Administration Committee.
Ms. Parkinson continued by thanking the Administration Committee for the opportunity
to provide additional comments on the discussion regarding the proposed changes to the
Youth Service Director/Coordinator Job Description. She stated that she appreciated the
Town Council's review and motion to send this matter back to the Administrative
Committee for further discussion and recommendations. She provided the following
comments:
(1) Licensure - Mrs. Parkinson stated that there appeared to be miscommunication and
misinformation combined with misunderstanding of the scope of service and the
required licensure. She stated without licensure, there was the red flag word called
Liability, which has not been mentioned. She explained that this position required a
Masters
Degree, because the position required that "Appropriate candidates must also have a
professional license in their professional field” She went on to explain that the
candidate must have completed the Supervisor Education and Training required by
their profession to provide supervision toward the licensing of unlicensed staff and
students.
Mrs. Parkinson stated to be eligible for this type license, one must have a Masters
Degree followed by supervised practice and exams. Therefore, she stated that she
believed that it was totally in error that the wording was changed to "preferred." She
stated without a "license" or working under "licensed supervision" that there could be
no direct Counseling of Youth or Families, which was one of the major functions of
their Youth Services. She stated to provide these services without the appropriate
licensure, that the red flag word liability would appear.
Mrs. Parkinson stated the Licensure was there to protect the consumer, noting other
professions such as licensed plumber, licensed electrician, licensed real estate agent,
licensed nurse, licensed veterinarian, and licensed mental health practitioners.
(2) Supervision After Hours - Mrs. Parkinson stated to clarify a comment by the Mayor
about supervision "after hours" that the current supervisor was available by phone in
the evenings and even on her vacations for any issue of the practicing graduate student.
“On site presence” of the supervisor was not required by the University.
(3) Mental Health Services - Mrs. Parkinson stated that this was hardly the time to weaken
Ledyard Youth and Family Services. She stated the town should be exploring ways to
expand these services. She provided the article (below) that was published in the New
London Day newspaper on Sunday, November 5, 2023 which reported that the Town of
East Lyme was being pro-active to expand their Youth and Family Services as a matter
of public safety. She stated that perhaps the next Town Council can initiate the action.
Councilor Ingalls thanked Mrs. Parkinson for her comments this evening and she
explained although the Administration Committee has been requested to revisit the
proposed updates to the Youth Services Coordinator Job Description that the
