2022-09-14-LHRC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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o MR also motioned to approve a request for co-sponsorship of the 1st Parish Church in cooperation with Hindus in Lexington joint Diwali celebration on October 22, 2022. A member highlighted Rev. Mason's intentional efforts to work in partnership with the Hindu community in Lexington to bring forth this event as an example of best practice. They also pointed out the privilege of having an event that honors cross-cultural partnership in the religious space. Non-Ibrahimic religions are rarely centered, and this is a special and rare opportunity. • Member Updates o MI - The town began partnership with Eliot Community Human Services to provide free access to mental health therapy. This is an opportunity funded through ARPA and is already nearing fully booked (M-F) since it began in late August. Demand for mental health support services has been extremely high. A waitlist is likely to start as more community members are made aware and sign up. The Lexington Public School District already sent a notice to families. Just under 50% of the case loads are for adults and rest are for youth. Cases have been accepted on a first come-first-serve basis. Triage of cases is difficult to determine during intake of the client. A committee member asked if there was data collected that could be relevant to the 'impact of COVID on persons with disabilities' working group and acknowledged this may be too sensitive to make available. COVID has been a theme, but MI also put emphasis on anxiety and depression as a significant contributing factor among youth. The pandemic uncovered a lot of underlying issues around anxiety and depression and is a contributed to exacerbation of these mental health issues. Additional, as greater awareness and more discussion on mental health permeates the community, more people are willing to engage in seeking help. Provider shortage is also an issue that contributes to increased waitlists and demand. Other resources such as Therapy Matchers and William College Interface referral service are used to help spread caseloads when appropriate. The Select Board also signed a proclamation on suicide prevention awareness and Human Services will investigate ways to push out awareness. They are also working on ideas for Domestic Violence Awareness Month next month. o CD - Emily Black is working with the police department as a clinician (who also happens to be from Eliot) on a jail diversion program. Detective Ducharme, who recently returned from paternity leave, will be getting more involved in the jail diversion program. o LF - At the school committee meeting last night, parents were encouraged to help increase traffic safety awareness for all modes of commuting that students may take such as scooter, bicycle, electric skateboard, walking, etc. Also, Johnny Cole gave an excellent presentation on universal design learning (UDL) and Mr. Freeman is excited to see the impact it will have in the classroom. LF also deferred any additional comments about the school committee