HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-27-HSC-min Town of Lexington Human Services Committee
Tuesday 4/27/2021 @ 7 PM
Conducted by Remote Participation*
MINUTES
Participants: Gail Fields, Leslie Zales, Doug Lucente (Select Board Liaison), Betty Borghesam (Council on
Aging Liaison), Martha Kurland, Melissa Interess (staff), Tony Serio (staff),Pamela Joshi, Lea Elkin
Zoom Meeting Called to order 7:05pm
1. Welcome and Introduction
2. Reviewed and approved minutes of March 16th, 2021 meeting.
a. Identified Committee Member, Martha Kurland,to take minutes.
3. Committee Membership
a. Pamela Joshi announced her resignation from the HSC. We discussed her lengthy term of service on
the committee. She was a very valued member but is onto other important and exciting endeavors.
Lea had previously announced her resignation, however we had not yet discussed it as a group. So,
we discussed Lea Elkins service to the committee which was also very lengthy and meaningful. She
served as chair and co-chair and contributed in significant ways to the committee. Members
expressed their gratitude to both of these committee members.
b. Discussed process for obtaining new members to the committee. Some of the protocols around
committee memberships application and appointments have changed. Doug reviewed some of these
protocols. There will be a period of advertising in attempt to broaden the search. The Select Board
will then make a decision about identifying a new member. They are open to hearing input from the
committee.
4. Staff Updates
a. Melissa announced Community Safety Conversation scheduled for April 281h. Will address getting
tips around personal safety.
b. Department working on Programming for Mental Health Month
c. Tony has 3 additional QPR trainings schedule for May 10th 12th and 14th
d. Together We Rise hosting an event May 6th with guest speaker Mayor of Newton
e. Lexington Youth and Family Services is changing their name. They will now be called the Youth
Counseling Connection.
5. Leslie Reviewed a draft of presentation to the Select Board called: Exploring Social Services in
Policing. (Please see attached Power Point)
6. Discussion about Select Board Presentation: Social Services in the Policing
a. Chief Corr has indicated that the LPD is open to suggestions. Discussed issue of budgeting for even
a pilot program. Is it better to provide training to police vs. introducing social workers into the
department?
b. Disc'd issue of Chief Corr's resignation and whether that will affect us moving ahead with this
project. Doug notes the process of hiring a new chief could take 8 months.
c. Pam encourages the group to frame the presentation around what is the current concern. Is there a role
for Social Worker/Mental Health Clinician in the LPD.
d. Discussed importance of thinking proactively about how Policing may change in relationship to
Police Reform.
e. Disc'd value of understanding and learning from what other towns might be doing to address
social/psychological issues in the community.
f. Question about whether the data collected by the police accurately represents issues in the
community. Martha raises the question about whether the lens through which you are looking effects
what you see and whether having a social work presence on the call might expose other issues that are
not seen by the police lens.
7. Select Board Outreach Program
Doug shares that he is working on an outreach program where he is exploring the experience that
community members have with the police and if there are other things they are wanting/needing from
LPD.
8. Next meeting date—Monday May 17th 7PM 2021 (For a quick review of presentation to the Select Board).
Wednesday June 91h 7PM Discuss feedback received by Select Board.
9. Adjournment—at 8:39