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Human Services Committee Minutes
October 20, 2015
Lexington Community Center Room 217
Present:
Lea Gardner Elkin and Gail Fields, Co-Chairs, Norm Cohen, Selectmen liaison, Betty
Borghesani, COA Board liaison, Barbara Chiampa, Gail Rogers, Maria Frye, Guest, Mao
Becket, MSW intern, Kristie Demirev, staff, and Charlotte Rodgers, staff.
Absent
: Pam Joshi, Bonnie Tempas
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 pm. The minutes of the last meeting – May 19, 2015,
were approved with one edit (include Gail Fields as present). Everyone commented on the new
Community Center space and the success of the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting!
Staff reports
:
Kristie Demirev introduced Mao Beckett, MSW intern. Kristie reported on quarterly statistics
for the department – there is a noted increase in walk in clients at the new Community Center,
especially for Veterans Services. Kristie is working closely with the Lexington Public Schools
Health and Wellness and Prevention staff. Kristie has arranged a new Parent Education Series
that kicks off October 28 with a talk about Teens and Sleep. 4 talks are planned. She is also
collaborating with Recreation and Community Programs to start an after school drop in Middle
School group. The HSD is also collaborating on “Family Fun Nights” at the Community Center.
Families are being contacted for the holiday programs, including Beacon Santa, and the fuel
assistance program is starting on November 1. “Lex Eat Together”, a community meal, begins at
st
Church of Our Redeemer on October 21.
Charlotte Rodgers reported on outreach efforts for seniors that include: Aging Mastery,
Caregiver Support, Parkinson’s Support, and Memory Café. Older Wiser Lifelong Learning
programs at the Community Center are in full swing and very well attended.
Discussion on Role of the Human Services Committee (HSC)
:
Lea gave an overview of a discussion held with Linda Vine and Norm Cohen to explore the
coordinating and communication
ability of the HSC to serve as a body between many of the
Town boards and committees that deal directly with human services issues. All agreed that a
plan to meet with these boards and committee representatives over the course of this year was a
good idea. Gail Rogers was identified as someone who would be a good representative from the
HSC to the Youth Services Council.
Action item:
Lea/Gail to work on a draft letter inviting other boards/committees to attend a HSC
meeting
Goal:
Identify unmet needs, strengthen communication, collaborate/share information
(Note: the boards and committees are listed at the end of these minutes).
Review membership
:
Lea and Gail noted that the HSC still could have new members – and as in May, identified the
need for diversity:
Someone with younger children (Lex Fun was mentioned)
Diverse cultural experience
Clergy member
A background in human services delivery or understanding of human services issues
Town Report
:
Committee members discussed updates for the 2015 Town report.
New Business
: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.
The next meeting of the HSC will be on Tuesday November 17 at 7:30 pm at the Community
Center. Gina Rada, Veterans District Director, will be invited to attend and give a presentation
on Lexington’s Veterans Services.
The following Boards and Committees were identified by Linda Vine and Norm Cohen as those
the Human Services Committee should invite to attend a meeting.
Commission on Disability
Recreation Committee
Council on Aging
Youth Services Council
Human Rights Committee