2022-01-13-LHRC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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RECEIVED Town of Lexington, Human Rights Committee Meeting 0 1 Ipir, 131 Ipm Thursday, January 13, 2022 TOWN CLERK. Virtual 8:30a.m.-9:27a.m. LEXINGTON Present Members:Tanya Gisolfi [TG] (Chair), Monami D. Roy [MDR] (Vice Chair,) Stephanie Hsu [SH] (Clerk), Christina Lin [CL], Larry Freeman [LF], Melissa Interess [MI] (Town Manager's Office Member/Human Services Department), Cleveland Coates [CC], Scott Bokun [SB] (School Committee Member) Meeting called to order at 8:30 AM, Quorum was present at 8:30 AM 1. Welcome 2. Minutes— December and January minutes will be approved in February 3. Workgroups: a. Impact of COVID on Persons with Disabilities (SH)—We were fortunate to have Martha Duffield join us last week and have a draft letter inviting participation either in a focus group, one on one conversation, or anonymous letter. We are looking to finalize the letter next week and begin posting it. Focus groups will be held late February- April/early May. b. MLK Day Community Conversation on Race—CL updated— Noted Keynote Speaker— Reverend Dr. Deborah Jackson. Facilitators had 2 trainings in preparation including one with Dr. Stephen Alkins. Service hours available for LHS students (3 hours for attending and more for supplemental reading). MDR noted this work doesn't happen for free, and we need a budget for it. TG noted that there may be a budget for the HRC going to vote at Town. 4. Subcommittee on Racial Disparities --TG —Assigned CL as second member with MDR to Standing Subcommittee on Racial Disparities in Lexington —This subcommittee will follow Open Meeting Laws. 5. Updates from Members— Members reported on their activities - Dyslexia Taskforce and that the new DESE guidelines on Dyslexia are coming soon. Dr. Hackett and her team will give their annual DEI update at the February meeting. ABCL and Cary Library are hosting Lifting Every Voice with Songs of Freedom and Justice, Saturday January 15 as part of the MLK Day celebrations. SHAC has created a new subcommittee on Neurodiversity and is looking for members and Julie Fenn and her team are preparing for Parent Academy which will be held in March. 6. Chair Report—TG included in writing and noted ongoing meetings with cultural groups and Martha Duffield. Martha Duffield, Chief Equity Officer, is meeting with cultural groups one on one and will be meeting with others moving forward. She will provide quarterly updates that will be available publicly. She is also attending a training on Neurodiversity. Internal training will be coming next. Also noted was upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year at the end of January.