2019-05-15-HSC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Town of Lexington Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes —May 15, 2019 Attendees: Gail Fields (Co-Chair), Lea Gardner Elkin (Co-Chair), Bonnie Tenpas, Pam Joshi, Betty Borghesani, Martha Kurland, Helen Walsh, Melissa Interess (Director of Human Services Department), and Anthony Serio (Assistant Director of Youth& Family Services). Gail called the meeting to order at 7:11 PM and everyone introduced themselves. Minutes from January 23, 2019 were reviewed and approved. Melissa provided an update on the Human Services Department, including approval for Dana Home Grant. A discussion was held around how funds will be used to create a caregiver resource guide, transportation resources, and respite services for caregiver self-care. Melissa mentioned that the Mental Health and Wellness Task Force (MHWTF) submitted CHNA 15 grant three year proposal, which involved a face-to-face interview with CHNA board and need for additional documentation. The committee then discussed MHWTF updates, including details about advisory committees and plan for upcoming large group task force meeting. HSC spoke about priorities of MHWTF and discussed the timeline and next steps for the task force. Melissa provided hiring & staffing updates for the Human Service Department. Hemali Shah is now Assistant Director of Senior Services. Sharon Gunda, Outreach Coordinator, will be starting on Monday (05/20/19). The committee also discussed how the department is interviewing for Senior Services Program Coordinator. The committee discussed role of Outreach Coordinator, which will cover services across the life-span. The committee was provided with an update for the Community Center Program Advisory Committee. CCPAC wrote a recommendation to the Board of Selectman in April to dissolve the committee due in part that they have completed their original charge. CCPAC discussed holding an annual meeting during the Spring to plan and discuss upcoming programming/events. HSC will be updated when a determination is made on organizing an annual meeting. The committee reviewed Human Service Department interaction statistics, including: total number of client interactions, types of assistance provided, and total funds disbursed (12/l/18 —2/28/19). The committee was provided with an update on the Interface Referral service and discussed data provided by Interface staff(11/15/18 —2/6/19) - 26 total referrals. The committee discussed ways to improve advertising for Interface amongst the adult/senior population (Primary Care Practitioners/other direct care providers as well as cultural and interfaith groups). A discussion was held about the current Human Service Committee charge as well as amended changes that could be made. A recommendation was made to invite Town Manager, Jim Malloy, to discuss charge of HSC. Committee members reviewed the HSC charge and discussed how original charge was to provide opportunities for committee members to communicate recommendations directly to the Board of Selectman and Town Manager. Additionally, the committee discussed how members could support the department in a liaison capacity to other community groups and organizations that provide human services. A question was raised as to what the Board of Selectmen think in terms of the current charge of the Human Service Committee. Committee members were in agreement to hold a meeting with Selectmen Doug Lucente, to determine specific goals and charge of HSC. The next HSC meeting was proposed for June 19, 2019 at 7:OOpm.