HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-23-HSC-minTown of Lexington Human Services Committee Meeting
7:30 pm, October 23, 2012
In attendance: Lea Elkin, Mimi Ballard, Emily Lavine, Charlotte Rodgers, Gail Fields,
Norm Cohen, Barbara Ciampa, Ellen McDonald, Betty Borghesani, Stephanie
Lawrence
General administration:
Minute taking assignments were made through June 2013.
They are as follo
Dec. 111h Mimi Ballard
February 121h Barbara Ciampa
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April 9th Ellen McDonald
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May /June Gail Fields
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After group discussion, Lea agreed to continue as Committee Chair despite her
tenure of three years, with the stipulation that other committee members take on
administrative tasks usually associated with the position. Gail agreed that going
forward, she would handle creating and submitting the formal agenda.
Charlotte suggested that a future agenda item be the role of this and other town
committees, with a discussion about committees beginning to meet in tandem with
others to facilitate the sharing of information.
Report by Charlotte Rodgers:
Kelly Axtell began work on August 201h as the new Assistant Director of Senior
Services. The Department has begun a search to hire a second cleric to provide
programming and administrative support. An open Youth Services position yet to be
filled is being analyzed.
Lexington's VSO is now working with Bedford veterans', as Bedford's VSO passed
away. The Department is now exploring the possibility of forming a district with
Bedford. The VSO's Lexington caseload has remained at 1015 veterans. The VSO
has been very active in outreach, and has revived the Veterans' Day breakfast.
The COA was to hold a workshop regarding resources for seniors on October 24th,
The South Asian social work outreach program; funded by a mini - grant, has been
successful. There is now a quarterly luncheon.
Presentation by Bill Blout of Lexington Youth & Family Services (LYFS):
Bill introduced Marsha Lazar, the new director of LYFS. Marsha will be on site one
day /week.
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Update from Emily Lavine:
The Human Services Department is currently fielding 85 calls/month. The
Department conducted summer outreach at the Lexington Farmers' Market.
The 4th Annual Lexington FunFest, held in August, attracted 300 attendees.
There was to be a public program on November 1st regarding the Social Host Law.
This law has not been enforced in town, and there are currently problems with
repeat hosts serving minors.
LPS has a new Director of Guidance.
Odds and ends:
Gail reported that the Community Center Task Force would be making its final
report of findings to the Board of Selectmen on November 261h.
Barbara Ciampa shared Minuteman Senior Services' FY12 Service Report, noting
that the year had seen a significant increase in protective services cases,