HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-11-HSC-minLexington Human Services Committee
December 11, 2o12
The meeting was opened by Lea Elkin, Committee Chair. Those in attendance were Lea,
Barbara Ciampa, Gail Fields, Stephanie Lawrence, Mimi Ballard, Norm Cohen, Charlotte
Rodgers, Betty Borghesani, Emily Lavine and guests from the Community Fund of Lexington,
Pauline Benningna and Amy Garbis.
Community Fund of Lexington
Stephanie introduced her co- founders of this new venture, Amy and Pauline. The Fund will
support health and human services in Lexington. The mission is "to promote a spirit of
philanthropic giving to help enhance the quality of life for all Lexington citizens ". This Fund is
in its initial stages. It is being developed to support organizations — especially nonprofits — with
grants. The funds will be raised through private donations solicited mainly from Lexington
residents. A Board of trustees will be formed and they will help review grant applications and
decide how the grants are distributed. In addition to health and human services, the Fund will
encourage collaborative grants and services to the residents of Lexington.
Lexington Community Center task Force
Gail and Betty reported on the progress of this committee. The group reported to the Selectmen
on November 26th and is awaiting a response. The audience of town residents at the meeting
included a wide cross - section of the population including youth and the elderly.
Human Services Department Update
Charlotte provided an overview of progress over the past four years. She reported on staffing,
responsibilities, offices and a look into the future.
She mentioned eleven staff that provide services to families, youth and the elderly. Services
include short term counseling, outreach for health services which include flu shots, home visits,
transportation issues, and financial assistance to heating, holiday requests and food. Services
for veterans are also within the purview of this department. All of this is supported by an
administrative staff that also helps with outreach, promotional materials and reports.
Emily, who provides counseling for youth, adolescence and families, is also involved with
homeless families who are placed in lodging in Lexington. This also involves working with the
local public schools to place school -aged children and to provide transportation for them.
In an overview of the Department, Charlotte and Emily named two main issues that are facing
them now: services and programming for youth and adequate office space so the staff can do
their jobs and provide the services for those in our community who need them.
A clinical person to work with youth and youth programs. This person would also help
develop more programs for youth and collaborate with other youth services in Lexington. This
will also require the ability to work with the whole family and to provide family counseling.
A space where youth programs can be held and where youth area able to access services
at hours that are convenient to them.
The meeting was adjourned at 9: lo. Many of the issues discussed at this meeting will be
followed up t future meetings.
Respectfully Submitted, I9 I)( 3l
Mimi Ballard �, 4 -I,-
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