HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-15-HSC-minMarch 15, 2011
In attendance: Lea Elkin, Emily Lavine, Charlotte Rodgers, Herb Wasserman, Norm
Cohen, Stephanie Lawrence, Barbara Ciampa, Mimi Ballard, Betty Borghesani
The committee accepted the February meeting minutes.
Lea will investigate if next month's meeting can be moved to the 4th week of April
(4/26), due to Passover and school vacation.
April minutes will be taken by Gail (Lea will ask her). Barbara will be responsible for
May minutes.
New membership:
Lea has not heard back from the individual who was approached about joining the
committee. Lea will contact the selectmen's office to see if any resumes and letters
of interest have been sent submitted. Betty Borghesani has begun to attend
meetings regularly, representing the COA. She is a liaison, not an official member.
Betty's attendance is part of an initiative to enhance communication between town
committees.
Herb announced that he will be moving to Lincoln in a couple of months. Therefore
as of June, this committee may have two open positions.
Help for Chair:
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Lea accepted a co -chair position, but the intended co -chair hasn't been able to
remain on the committee. Lea would find it helpful if the meeting's minute -taker can
email AND bring in hard copies. Emily pointed out that minute taker is also
supposed to keep his /her rough draft. Technically, the final copy should be attached
to the agenda and the public meeting posting (explained by Charlotte).
Lea will continue to send agendas to the Town Cleric's office.
Presentation by Bill Blout regarding Lex. Youth & Family Services:
Bill has been working with a group of people in town to focus on youth at risk and
emergency care for teens after work hours.
Bill explained that the program will first open on the coming Friday, and then will be
open every Friday from 3:00 -6:00. The organization is led by a community board of
6 adults and 3 youth members. They are always looking for more board members.
LYFS has been designed as a place to go, no strings attached, no obstacles, no
parental involvement needed, for youth who need help. It will operate after school,
adjunct to school services. Walk -in counseling and immediate /emergency services
will be offered. There will be two counselors on site at all times, so that staff is
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always available to respond to emergencies. The idea is accessible counseling. LYFS
will begin with counseling, and later expand to become a drop -in center. There are
currently 6 volunteer clinicians participating.
How can we coordinate what our committee is doing with LYFS, asked Lea. Does
this avoid duplication of services? Bill came to the evening's meeting to find out if
there can be cooperation between this committee and LYFS.
Bill would like to meet with the Town Manager and hear her ideas about
collaboration. Charlotte will help schedule a meeting between Bill, Tim and Carl
(town manager).
Bill is hoping that eventually LYFS can offer small parenting groups.
The committee encouraged Bill to seek media coverage by the local papers.
Charlotte encouraged Bill to present to the Youth Services Committee as well.
Update from Charlotte:
There has been an approximately 40% increase in the demand for veteran services
in last 3 years. This significant increase is due primarily to the aging population, not
to Iraq and Afghanistan. The town's veterans' agent (Bob Martin) averages 12
hours /week. This has been a part -time, stipended position. Mass. law states that
every town must have a veterans' service agent.
Charlotte spoke of the need of more space for private counseling. She suggested that
there could be some space changes made within Muzzey that would be helpful.
Space constraints have been challenging for the staff.
The staff continues to be very busy processing requests for financial assistance, such
as fuel assistance.
Odds & Ends:
Barbara discussed the increase in numbers of local elders needing protective
services.
Emily said that the Human Services Department been conducting outreach to the
PTAs. HS recently made a brief presentation at'Hastings.
"The Race to Nowhere" is coming to Lexington in late April. There will be two
showings at Cary Hall, both followed by small group discussions.