Email from L. Poppe Re: Request for Increased Funding for Mobile Youth Services Team
Urgent appeal for funding for the Mobile Youth Services Team (MYST) to operate on a full-time basis.
From: Lori Poppe Sent: Friday, July 26, 2024 10:45 AM Subject: Urgent need for help!
The Mobile Youth Services Team (MYST) is in urgent need of funding. I learned on July 17, 2024 that currently, there is only enough in grants to employ the team of two, for only two days a week this upcoming school year.
MYST is a critical multi-disciplinary unit that has served the CRD for more than 20 years. Consisting of a partnership between a police officer and a youth & family counselor, MYST aims to reduce trauma and the scope of the sexual exploitation of youth in our community. MYST proactively engages with youth and their families to provide guidance, support, expertise, and key referrals. MYST also works closely with other front-line and investigative police units in the region to identify and target offenders. Their work is integral to our community, and our collective goal should be to provide more funding in order to expand the MYST team, on a full-time basis.
The risks our children face in and out of school have increased since covid and the removal of the School Police Liaison Officer program (SPLO). Please, at the very minimum, provide enough grants to have the MYST team on a full-time basis, and please consider increasing the grants to help expand this vital team so they can continue to provide the necessary supports for our youth.
Thank you for your consideration,
Lori Poppe CASS- Community Advocating for Students and their Safety Parents and Police together