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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-09-22-HSC-min.pdf 9-22-1980 HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE Present Ruth Butler, Steve Baran, Ruth Nablo, Nicky Osborne Also Elizabeth Pressman Absent Carol Perez, Howard Levingston, John Mackey The meeting was called to order at 7 40 P.M There was some discussion about the amount of work members can now give to the H S committee Steve has agreed to chair the workshops Scope of the workshop was discussed Also discussed was the definition of 'needs " It was suggested that needs arise at transition points in life Categories of needs were discussed It was pointed out that Dr John Lawson, Superintendent of Schools, has chaired a state-wide committee looking at particular needs of Junior High age children Perhaps he would speak to the H S committee about his group's findings Ruth Nablo asked whether or not social service agencies are reacting to the possibility of passage of Proposition 2-1/2 Ruth Butler asked whether the committee was ready to send agencies the evaluation criteria, along with a preface about the committee's feelings toward promotional care The committee is increasingly aware of the need for thought on preventive care, she added Further discussion of needs ensued Nicky offered that the committee must come to agreement with the Selectmen on priorities Needs as mentioned in (1 a ) of the criteria should show target population, demographic data of population, and a range of needs represented by that population Such information would give clarity on what the agency perceives as need, Ruth Butler stated A sample of the agency s intake forms would be useful, she continued, to see the data base, used by the agency Perhaps each agency could share its forms and other materials at the workshop An agency should know how to use information collected How to use routine data would be a good topic for the workshop to address The committee would like a copy of the State Jr High report At some future time Dr Lawson might be invited to the committee perhaps to the workshop Criteria for evaluating agencies were reviewed Ruth Butler feels that an agency's overriding orientation can be found in their statement of goals and objectives (1 b ) Once this is determined, it can probably be seen that the agency's materials and treatments are skewed toward that orientation Nicky suggested getting agency forms in advance of the workshop then using them as a teaching device She also felt that it would be helpful to the agencies if the H S committee listed all its questions in advance Steve asked what the committee hopes to get out of the workshop One objective is to move agencies toward a preventive view Discussion of a revival of The Human Service Council followed Nicky emphasized the need for staff support by the Town for such an undertaking, though to begin with one agency could chair the group Such a group would facilitate an exchange of ideas and programs 9-22-1980 An outcome of the workshop would be mutually agreed upon criteria for agency evaluation Steve felt that line people from the agencies would probably come to the informal meeting, then "higher-ups" to the second workshop Also, Steve has spoken to Bill Page and Steve will attend the next Health Committee meeting Changes to Nicky's criteria were made as follows 1 f take out 'primary prevention - add at the end, "and indicators of outreach service " 1 g (new section) "How would you measure effectiveness of primary prevention? Please include measurements in terms of staff and programs" 4 a add 'On what basis is satisfaction determined? 5 (New Section) 'Please discuss a sample of your agency's most effective work Indicate any innovative or special activities carried out during the past year It was suggested that when the agencies are invited to the workshop, it must be made clear that they are not to respond to these criteria They are only suggestive as guidelines for working something out together The committee will welcome at least one board member from each agency, as well as at least one staff member Steve will draft a letter to the agencies to invite them for the H S meeting October 6 or 20, or another mutually agreed upon date After the meeting with the agencies, Ruth Butler would like to invite Dr Lawson to try to see if there is a basis for working with him at the Junior High REPLACE and MVMHC might also want to work on such a project It would be reenforcing something coming from the schools October 6, 20 and 27 were set for H S committee meetings Ruth Nablo suggested that Bea Phear correct the statement in the "Minuteman" that LWV and COA volunteers will be conducting interviews All these volunteers will be doing is making phone calls to remind people to send their survey forms in to the Town Elizabeth Pressman suggested the possibility of a Heller School Management Lab to work with the H S committee Discussion followed Possible tasks for the lab could be to look at different H S models and then to recommend a model for Lexington, or to help agencies in Town develop a common reporting system Ruth Butler asked how do you measure preventive outcomes? Nicky stated as an objective looking at the structure of a human service system and the role of government Ruth Butler added that a lab would have to have a clear charge with expected outcome and continuity Minutes of 9-9-80 were approved as written Meeting adjourned at 10 10 p m Respectfully submittedh, Elizabeth Pressman