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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-19-HSC-min Human Services Committee January 19, 2016 Present: Charlotte Rodgers, Kristie Demirev, Mao Becket (MSW intern), Gail Fields & Lea Gardner Elkin, Co-Chairs, Bonnie TenPas, Betty Borghesani, Pam Joshi Absent: Gail Rogers, Barbara Chiampa, Norman Cohen Review of November 17, 2015 minutes – not done. The Human Services Department staff gave a quarterly overview of department activity. Holiday program provided 163 meals to seniors and families. 75 children received Toys R Us and TJMaxx gift cards Fuel Assistance – we’ve had 35 residents call for assistance, noting a downward trend overall in these requests, but call volume is increasing Financial Assistance – the department continues to process requests for financial assistance for utilities, rent and food cards (11 requests in last 3 months) Information and referral phone calls – each division noting increased call activity, Veterans Services notices increase in walk in clients. Kristie notes increase in case related emails The department is currently working with a couple of families facing eviction for lack of payment of rent Kristie discussed plans for Teen Nights, Drop in Middle School Group and Friday Fun Nights for families – in collaboration with Recreation and Community Programs. The drop in Middle School group is in progress but is poorly attended. Plans are underway to revamp and remarket the program to middle school youth and parents nd Kristie reviewed planning in process for the 2 annual “Parent Academy” to be held March 19, at the Lexington Community Center - most members of the Youth Services Council are actively involved th The Coalition for Youth group met again for a community conversation on January 13. This The next Coalition meeting meeting was very well attended and featured the voices of youth. th will be held at Grace Chapel on March 9 . The focus of this meeting will be to present the data from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The committee discussed the need to review the process for soliciting new members. The committee also discussed the need to outreach to other committees that have similar interests. These committees are: Commission on Disabilities Victoria Buckley vbuckley@rcn.com Council on Aging Nancy Adler nancya519@aol.com Human Rights Committee Sean Osborne sosborne@osd-ec-com Recreation Committee Fred DeAngelis rdeangelis@bostonproperties.com th The next meeting of the Human Services Committee will be held on Tuesday March 15 at 7:30 pm at the Lexington Community Center. Submitted by Charlotte Rodgers, Human Services Director