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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-17-HSC-minHuman Services Committee Minutes - September 17, 2013 Members Present: Lea Gardner Elkin, Chair, Gail Fields, Mimi Ballard, Stephanie, Lawrence, Barbara Ciampa, Deb Mauger ( for Norm Cohen), Charlotte Rodgers, HSD, Emily Lavine, HSD, Matt Ryan, HSD, Betty Borghesani, Others: Margaret Coppe, School Committee, and B. J. Rudman Introduction of Matt Ryan, Youth Services Program Coordinator - Discussed planning for new programs re: youth +stress Background in teaching - Bedford: Camps, health + wellness programming Coaches girls BB team in Bedford Focus on intergenerational cooperation and Kid on kid programming. Review of Youth Services Council Member List Community Events: Planned- M 1. Media Violence and Effects on Children - Oct. 10 - HS Audit. >< : 2. Global Mental health - Oct. 22 Z' a. Basic Needs b. Collaboration ` C. Hidden Pictures '` CD 3. Elizabeth Englander - talk on cyberbullying Trends: seen by HSD Seniors are aging at home, with more walk ins to Senior Center and HSD (Ryan Lennin is the District Director, Veterans Services for Lexington and Bedford (Cases Increasing - Bedford higher need for state benefits due to VA Hos. - (Chapter 115) Both communities have an increased need for federal funds. There is an Increase in town for financial assistance. LEAF brochure is being utilized to bring people to the HSD for assistance. With funding from the Dana Home Grant, the town has hired an outreach assistant to work on outreach to seniors. Community Center Advisory -The HSD has been active in educating the CCA about thier needs, hopes for programs, staffing, and building /space needs. The DOE reports that subsidized funding from Federal government is ending so there will be an increase in homeless moms and kids in Lexington and Bedford. The homeless community is connecting for play dates for their children A safety issue has arisen as they walk to each other. - Most of of the children are in Elementary School. They are allowed to stay in the motels for up to one year. Table Conversation - to look at what town can do regarding: Medical Care Hunger - Children are coming to school hungry. Presentation by representative from the Ad Hoc Committee for Youth at Risk - - Parents in Lexington are concerned about youth stress - Committee is to address these needs - - Concern that the size of the committee is too big - proposal to have `liaisons' /non- voting members and the members in two sub - committees. - Overlap with other services already being addressed Focus on recommendations for change - focus on community as well as schools 1. Recommendations at no cost 2. Recommendations at low cost 3. Recommendations at high cost The committee hopes to be an advisory board to the Selectman. Discussion: - Meeting with community and professionals already working with youth so as not to duplicate services already being addressed. - Encouraging that Ad Hoc be a review committee- - Committee to end in June 30 -this was a mandate of the committee itself. - Parent engagement - addressed through outreach programs There was discussion about the redundancy of this committee and the members they hope to enlist. Most of these people are on the Youth Advisory Council already, and the HSC serves as an advisory board to the Selectman. More time was requested to communicate with the various groups and see if coordination is possible. Community Center Advisory Cmt. - Looking at architectural needs / requirements Looking at both detail needs plus needs of those moving (HSD, etc.)- plus long term needs /goals- Enthusiastic / hard working people - know what they need - Question is how to implement it all - November is closing Hopes for the move date to be May- HSD first to move - Can stay open after schools - Grounds to use Private clinical space - Want good programming for youth, especially middle school- Matching middle school with young kids Idea- cooking class where food goes to hungry in town - neighbor brigade able to deliver. Next meeting - October 15th