DE BEST Committee Meeting Minutes
March 25, 2025 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Virtual via Zoom
Attendees:
- Skylar Washington - DE BEST Admin Assistant
- Anthony Policastro - DE BEST Volunteer Committee Chair
- Jim Deel - DE BEST Volunteer Committee Co-Chair
- Jennifer Saylor - DE BEST Principal Investigator
- Marianne Baker
- Gloria Fong
1. Welcome
Anthony called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
2. Introductions & Mission Review
Anthony welcomed members and reviewed the DE BEST Committee mission and purpose. Members introduced themselves with name, occupation, or life experience. He shared updates from a New York State Mental Health Mass Casualty Scenario and discussed planning a similar activity for DE BEST.
Next Steps: Coordinate 8-9 DE BEST volunteers to role-play a PFA scenario by next committee meeting.
3. Recruitment
- Skylar encouraged inviting friends, colleagues, and family to DE BEST.
- Highlighted the ongoing Mentorship Project that helps volunteers complete onboarding and sign up for activities.
- Noted mentoring is a flexible way to earn volunteer hours.
Action Item: Interested volunteers should email DEBESTvolunteers@gmail.com to become mentors.
4. Volunteer Development
Skylar introduced a new PFA Breakout Scenario activity, which will be used regularly in committee meetings.
- Roles: Helper, Survivor in distress, Observer
- Time allocation: 1 minute prep, 3 minutes role play, 1 minute feedback
- Feedback steps: What went well? What could improve? End on a positive note.
Scenario: An adult displaying withdrawal, overwhelm, and self-blame after trauma.
Action Item: Review past potluck attendance records for next meeting.
5. Engagement Opportunities
- CHS Research & Innovation Day: March 20
- DSU Health Fair: April 9
- Hopeline resource materials are available for pickup upon request.
- Watch for spring outreach events posted on the Portal.
6. Knowledge Sharing & Reminders
Flexible Independent Opportunities:
- Volunteer mentorship via phone
- SAMHSA CCP: Crisis Counseling & Data Collection (Online/self-paced)
- Psychological First Aid (PFA) self-paced course
7. Closing
Anthony adjourned the meeting at 7:25 PM.
Next Meeting: Tentatively scheduled for May 27, 2025 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM via Zoom
