HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-01-22-HSC-min.pdf January 22, 1980
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Present Stephen Baran, Ruth Butler, Carol Perez, Ruth Nablo, Howard Levii Ston,
Nicky Osborne
Also present Elizabeth Pressman
Absent Barry Marshall
The meeting was called to order by chairperson Carol Perez at 7 35 p m.
The minutes of the January 8, 1980 meeting were accepted
Mrs Jacqueline Ward of the Community Health Committee was introduced to
the H.S Committee Mrs Ward has been appointed the liaison from the C H Committee
to the H.S Committee She said that her committee wished to know how the two
committees can best function together After some discussion Mrs Perez suggested
that the two groups have a joint meeting It was mentioned that Dr England of the
State is forming a new committee (agency) to structure human services in the Commonwealth
Mrs Ward said that there should be a push to get geographic areas for various state
human service departments be the same Mrs Perez thanked Mrs Ward for coming
Mr Irwin Alterson of the CMARC Board introduced himself He had some
written material to give the committee, including some letters about the current
status of CMARC and the latest Quality Assuarance Report He told the committee his
understanding of some of the background that led DMH to decide to terminate their con-
tract with CMARC After the resignation of executive director Chet Sewall and some
management changes agreed to by the CMARC board, Dept of Mental Health withdrew notice of
termination A search for a new director is underway Interim support and consultation
will be provided by the Greater Boston Association for Retarded Children Department
of Mental Health has offered some interim help as well
Ruth Nablo discussed the recommendations of her subcommittee's report on
CMARC that 1) no funds be given to CMARC unless DMH funds are restored and 2) a con-
tract be written between Lexington and CMARC regarding the use of Lexington funds
In a discussion that followed it was reported that a contract developer, working on
commission only, has been hired by CMARC Mrs Perez read the report of the sub-
committee on CMARC A joint plan of the CMARC board and DMH was worked out on
January 21, 1980 setting up a priority of tasks to be accomplished The committee
wanted to know exactly what changes DMH had recommended Mr Alterson said that they
are working with the CMARC board and have not yet specified changes
After some discussion the report of Ruth Nablo and Ruth Butler was
unanimously accepted by the committee There will be updates as further
information is gathered
Howard Levingston suggested that other forms of fund raising be
tried by CMARC and that parents also make donations Some discussion
followed
Mr Levingston ' s recommendations on REPLACE were presented to the
committee Steve Baron said that he thought he and Howard should write
a letter with questions for REPLACE similar to the questions sent to
Mystic Valley The two men have many similar questions , though their
recommendations at this point differ Discussion followed
Human Services Committee -2- January 22 , 1980
Mrs Perez suggested inviting the Youth Commission to a meeting
The Committee agreed
Mrs Ward suggested that the Committee look at the new Guidance
Report coming out on April 1
Further discussion on REPLACE included the need for facts on numbers
and kinds of cases they saw this past year The subcommittee will
send a letter to the REPLACE director, Bill Blout with specific questions
Mr Baran reminded the Committee of its assignment to develop a
philosophy of human services and passed out a draft of such a policy
statement
Mr Martin Gilman of the Appropriation Committee has been in touch
with members of the committee and is very interested in their
recommendations
Mrs Perez adjourned the meeting at 10 25 p m
Respectfully submitted ,
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Elizabeth H Pressman
Management Intern