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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-01-26-HSC-min.pdf HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE Minutes of the meeting of January 26, 1981 Present Ruth Butler, Nicky Osborne, Carol Perez, Steve Baran, also Bea Phear Guests Jack Gardner, Bill Page Health Workshops Bill Page and Jack Gardner discussed the possibility of a series of joint workshops between the Lexington Community Health Committee and the Human Services Committee In addition to the benefit of the "product' (the workshops) , they felt that the collaboration will give the two groups experience in working together Jack suggested as an initial topic the needs of the odler-old, age 75 and up This could consider the character- istics, their health, mental health, and social needs, and the ways to maintain self- sufficiency The workshop would be designed to emphasize prevention Steve felt that the Elderly Needs Assessment offered a timely topic to launch a series, and Ruth pointed out the importance of communicating the concept of prevention to the providers Jack mentioned as possible participants Symmes Hospital (ambulatory and acute care) , Minuteman Home Care Corp, Mystic Valley, the Recreation Department, the Housing Authority, the Visiting Nurses, and the CoA as well as clubs Ruth mentioned that pre-retirement expertise is also needed, and the support system for retirees that often isn' t there It was decided to continue the dialogue with the Community Health Committee and endorse the concept, but it is of concern that the charge to the H S Committee is large and time is limited. The Committee is unsure if it can actively work on the project, but wants to offer suggestions Agenda Ruth said she felt the Committee was getting out of control and was continually post- poning long term issues and its planning function She asked what Bea's role is now Bea explained that she is a management intern, on the staff part time until July 1, working on a variey of issues but with the job evolving into a quasi-human service coordinator's role There is a possibility that when the Veterns' Agent's baby is born, that job description will be expanded to include some coordinating functions, and Bea may be asked to do that There was some feeling that this indicated that a plan was being carried out in the Manager's Office without recommendations from the Committee, but Nicky pointed out that Nancy has oftne heard the Committee express the need for a coordinator, and the Committee has probably indirectly influenced this In any case, Bea is not a coordinator now Nicky pointed out that there are only three months left to answer the charge She suggested small work groups to come up with position papers Nicky draft of structural issues, committee representation, reporting mechanisms Ruth Butler policy statement, objectives, purpose Steve process issues Bea possible two year smorgasbord agenda of issues to consider L 2 e Elderly Needs Assessment Discussion focused around the main question of whether a "center' is the best way ( to meet the needs revealed in the survey Nicky felt that a lot of CoA services could be beefed up and meet the needs in in the church, and that a center doesn't address the issue of the homebound and isolated. Steve pointed out that Bea's concept had been in part a center as focal point for outreach and advocacy Steve asked if the CoA was clear on program needs and if they knew how to get from A to B without a center as a catalyst. Ruth felt the CoA stands ready, primarily, to help those with resources, e g money is need for trips On occasion she has called them with questions and they don't appear to see this as an opportunity for outreach She said the implication of a growing weight of nonproductive people on the whole population is not studied enough, and we have to look in terms of making resources available that are reinforcing to their functioning Nicky said that studies have shown co-location does not necessarily lead to a system, but we shouln't lose sight of the fact that it can help It is not an either/or question, and we should think through the process by which programs might be located together with specific recommendations Steve mentioned the danger of the H S Committee being seen as adversaries to their interest group Ruth said the danger of having a building is that everyone then assumes that the needs are being met. Nicky suggested spelling out a planning process that should occur, listing the steps needed in order to arrive at a decision, since there are still unanswered questions Bea said she thought the decision on Munroe would probably be made this year, but it was likely that Muzzey would be sent for further study Even if the recommendation was accepted, architectural and tredevelopment and colocation issues had to be decided. This is where a planning process could be used to help design a system. Carol will write a draft of the Committee's comments Selectmen's Schedule Bob Hutchinson passed by the door and said he thought the Selectmen would be discussing human service issues Wednesday evening (Jan 28) Nicky will try to go Next Meeting Elderly Needs Assessment Response draft of Carol Human Services Structural Issues draft of Nicky Respectfully ��submitted, ^ll Bea Phear L