HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-01-05-HSC-min.pdf HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Minutes of the Meeting of January 5, 1981
Present Ruth Butler, Ruth Nablo, Nicky Osborne, Steve Barran, also Bea Phear (late)
The Committee sepnt the first part of the meeting listening to Bea's presentation of
the Elderly Needs Assessment to the Board of Selectmen It then moved downstairs
The only agency that responded to the review criteria questions was CMARC Ruth
Nablo will study their responses and draft a report which she will discuss with
Ruth Butler and then bring to the Committee for approval at the January 12 meeting
Without material from the other agencies, the committee feels immobilized
Bea was asked to contact Mr Wright and discover if Mystic Valley is requesting funds
for fiscal 1982 With a new director coming to Mystic Valley, it is hoped that a
better relationship can he built
Ruth Butler feels there is a difference in perception of the Committee's role between
committee members, the Selectmen, and the Manager This needs to be clarified, and
better communication between the Committee and Jim Crain (Selectmen's liaison) needs
to be developed, both by inviting him to more meetings and through memos and reports
The Committee is interested in shifting the emphasis of human services towards
prevention and early intervention for vulnerable populations rather than addressing
special needs groups They want to do this by working as a facilitator of human
service programs by addressing policy issues, structure, and the educational
components rather than by making specific budget recommendations The development of
the realtionship with CMARC is an example where the mechanism of a contract helped
CMARC focus its direction It is hoped that this supportive relationship can
be replicated with other agencies Bea will try to draft a report for discussion
next week that clarifies this role
Bea spoke of some of the ways she hopes to facilitate programs the development of
a usefu]. and flexible infor mation and referral mechanism, the revitilization of
the Human Services Providers Council and participating on State boards such as DSS
Next week the committee members will take turns discussing their perceptions of the
Selectmen's charge to the Committee and their own "agendas for action
Respectfully Submitted,
-14420,_ TlkaR4
Beatrice Phear
Addendum. It is my understanding that the Committee was encouraged to learn through
the Minuteman newspaper that the Selectmen and the Manager will be consulting the
Tax Policy Committee regarding the fiscal 1982 budget A memo to that effect is
being sent to the Manager, per Ruth Nablo's request (attached)