2018-06-18 JM BOS-SC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Joint Meeting – June 18, 2018 Page 1 of 7 Joint Board of Selectmen and School Committee Meeting Monday, June 18, 2018 A Joint Meeting of the Board of Selectmen and School Committee was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2018 in Estabrook Hall of the Cary Memorial Building for the purpose of holding the sixth in a series of presentations and discussions related to Mental Health Services provided by the Town of Lexington and the Lexington School Department. Present for the Selectmen (BOS) were Ms. Barry, Chair; Mr. Pato (7:15 arrival); Ms. Ciccolo; Mr. Lucente; Ms. Hai; Mr. Valente, Town Manager; and Ms. Siebert, Recording Secretary. Present for the School Committee (SC) were Ms. Jay, Chair; Ms. Colburn; Mr. Alessandrini; Ms. Linehan; Ms. Sawhney; and Ian Daily, Acting Superintendent of Schools; Val Viscosi, K-12 Director of Guidance; Julie Fenn, K-12 Physical Education and Wellness Coordinator; Jill Gasparini, School Health Services Coordinator. Also present were: Wendy Rundle, Facilitator; Charlotte Rodgers, Director of Human Services; Melissa Interess, Assistant Director of Senior Services; and Tony Serio, Youth and Family Services. Town and School Staff Presentation Regarding Mental Health Services Ms. Rundle opened the meeting by restating the framing question that has formed the foundation of these discussions: “What should be the role of the Municipal and School departments and the community in providing mental health services to the Lexington community?” Mr. Valente said, at this sixth meeting, staff will make recommendations for how to improve mental heath services provided by the Town and Schools but continue current programs/services because they are “strong and appropriate.” The recommendations are based on the discussions at the five previous School Committee and Board of Selectmen Joint meetings, comments from the public, and staff deliberations. These recommendations should be thought of as “the what” but not “the how” of what will be accomplished; actions will depend on staff and financial resources, as well as input from the new Town Manager and new Superintendent of Schools. To coordinate efforts going forward, a Mental Health Task Force has been formed which will report directly to the Town Manager and Superintendent of Schools. The recommendations are also “sustainable” and include a coordinated community training program to improve early identification of mental health issues. Ms. Viscosi reviewed the four phases/entry points of Lexington’s mental health model: identification, prevention, intervention, and post-vention. This model underpinned all previous discussions and will continue to frame efforts going forward, although the prevention phase will be emphasized so services are proactive and not only responsive. Ms. Viscosi reported that one of the goals of the coordinated community training program will be to build a more positive community culture that will help achieve/maintain mental health and wellness.