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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-12-08-HSC-min.pdf HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE Minutes of meeting of December 8, 1980 Present Ruth Butler, Steve Baran, John Mackey, Ruth Nablo and Nicky Osborne (late) Also Bea Phear • The meeting was called to order at 7 40 p.m The minutes were approved as ammended Refugees Ruth Butler expressed concern that the committee was receiving the Christian Science Monitor series on refugees, but since we can not have it actively on our agenda perhaps the author should be referred to another group Ruth Nablo suggested St Brigids, First Parish, and Sacred Heart which are members of an ecumenical group helping refugees A social worker at Minuteman Vocational Tech , Marsha Stille, is one of the organizers Bea will make this referral Meeting With School Representative The preparatory meeting between Dr Lawson, Jim Crain, Steve Baran and Howard Levingston has been confirmed for 8 30 a.m. , Wednesday, December 10 A meeting with the whole committee will be December 15 at 7 30 p.m. with Dr Monderer It was decided to give Dr Lawson an outline of the committee's agenda (attached) and to let other issues come up in conversation re: why the committee is interested in schools 1 There is a large population of needs - 6,000 students and $18 million budget 2 Committee wants to develop an increased understanding of what they do and the services provided 3 The schools interface with the agencies we monitor 4 The High School provides alternative education (e g ACE) , and we want to know where cuts might be made in order to anticipate problems 5 We want to know how the school system sees its objectives in relation to out of school activities 6 To what extent do they deal with families 7 We want an update on the plan for pupil personnel program 8 There is a possibility of overlap of services, especially for the high school population, with the schools, Replace, Mystic Valley and CMARC 9 We want to learn about drop-outs current and anticipated 10 What impact will proposition 21 have - in the immediate future and for long range planning? - 2 Budget Setting Bea reported on recent budget meetings in the Town Manager's Office Mr Hutchinson had told Mystic Valley that he was going to recommend that they be cut as of January 1 They requested space and/or letters of endorsement in lieu of funding He plans to recommend level funding for Replace and the Council on Aging, and help the COA disengage themselves from funding the Senior Citizens Club and Minuteman Home Care it Corp His rationale appears to be based on the desire to let the state mandated programs be supported by the state while the town should support local efforts 1 Mystic Valley The committee was upset that the letter had not been sent to Mystic Valley Steve felt that M V could better arm themselves by answering these questions and it appeared that we may be perpetuating a prejudice It was agreed that the committee is working for the Selectmen and needs the information in order to make an independent recommendation Bea was directed to make sure that the letter would be mailed by the end of the week Ruth Butler said that if Bob has taken the position that the town will support local programs, it's important that we talk to Mystic Valley and dis- cover what they will cut with reduced funding If it is consultation, then Replace might be needed there while Mystic Valley picks up the third party paid clinical services It is felt that it is important to keep Mystic Valley in town 2 Replace Steve felt that they had one mundane problem in that the director does not like to do bookkeeping It is very important that they keep track of their accounting, and he hopes that the administrative assistant is not dropped in a desire to effect economies Ruth Butler feld that Replace has a good community representative support system that is a cost effective use of resources, but that they need to understand the need for stability and have the capability to be flexible John said that costs are not their problem, their revenues are their problem. It appears that they are walking a tightrope of trying not to be institutionalized and part of the bureaucracy, with a sense that if they charge fees it will interfere with communication. It is a strategy that needs to be examined Ruth Butler said if you are outreach, then you reach out and have linking programs however if you are a clinical service then you have a waiting list The committee felt they needed to know more about how much volunteer time was con- tributed and that Replace should articulate that, also what their method of contribution seeking included John suggested that they should have a letter and envelope request form for each client, especially adults There was discussion about the therapeutic impact from changing fees Bea was directed to telephone Bill Blout and ask 1 Timetable for responding to criteria questions 2 Presentation of actual expenses as well as budget 3 What fee procedure they have, or alternatives Bea will ask Bob Hutchinson about the payment for the drug telephone that had been in Charlie McManus' budget, and if Replace is picking up that expense Steve reported that Ernie Cook expressed the opinion that D.M.H might withdraw funding of Replace 3 Council on Aging Bea said they are going to consider using a volunteer for piano playing and that they will consider reducing payments to the Senior Citizens Club John suggested that they should set up guidelines so that the recreation funding is - 3 - reserved for those who cannot pay Ruth questioned the newsletter, saying it was a difficult format with weak print. It might be better to have it less frequently but more clearly done John felt the committee needs to know what their personnel budget will be Is it $15,100? Bea recommends that Well-Elderly Health clinics be offered at the COA offices It was felt that we need to know more about the impact of possible withdrawal of funding to Minuteman Home Care The Meeting was adjourned at 9 55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bea Phear 1, , BP kh Human Services Committee Outline For December 15 Meeting With School Representative A Introduction 1 Individuals on the committee 2 Why we are interested in the schools B In House 1 What does the counseling system do? 2 What are the job descriptions? 3 Which services are mandated? 4 Have they 9run9n7 eg drugs, divorce 5 What after school and vacation activities have they? 6 What is the number of students counseled, the number of contacts, and the number of contacts per student? C. Referrals 1 How do they make the decision to refer out? 2 How many students are referred? 3 What is their policy on reimbursements? The rationale? D Anticipated Impact of Proposition 21 % 1 Services which may be impaired? 2 Relationship to outside services available?