Laserfiche WebLink
26 <br /> of consultation and training to support their clinical work. We have a clear impression that <br /> some local providers might gladly donate their time if they were approached effectively. For <br /> instance, during the first two decades of work by RePlace, volunteer participation was very <br /> high. A rescue home for runaway youths who needed a temporary haven was one of the <br /> features of this approach. <br /> 3. The position of Social Services Coordinator for Lexington should be reconfigured. <br /> Presently,the Coordinator is spread thin. He provides information and referral, case management <br /> and even counseling help for clients, and runs groups and staffs <br /> committees for the Board of Selectmen. <br /> We recommend that the Social Service Coordinator be charged as a priority with <br /> coordinating mental health services for Lexington that involve Eliot, Edinburg, and <br /> Wayside/RePlace. In this model, all adult services and most services for youth with serious <br /> and persistent mental illness would be the responsibility of Edinburg and Eliot, as coordinated by <br /> the Social Services Coordinator. <br /> 4. In the course of renewing its contract with Lexington, Wayside/RePlace should <br /> revise its proposed program of services for youth, in collaboration with the public schools <br /> and including programs directed both to mental health and substance abuse for children <br /> and youth. Support of proposed programs such as "Young and Sober" should become part of the <br /> collaboration. The Board of Selectmen should work to secure agreement with the School <br /> Committee to have Wayside/Replace take the lead in initiating this collaboration. <br /> 5. Taken together, recommendations 3 and 4 should be unified into a concerted effort <br /> between the Department of Social Services, Wayside/Replace, and the Lexington public schools <br /> to collaborate, coordinate, and reach out to children and youth in need of help. <br /> Consistent with that aim, we recommend that the Board of Selectmen consider building the <br /> provision of youth services into their policies and programs in the future. The Human <br /> Services Committee pledges it support and its future workmanship to this objective. <br />