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Home My WebLink About1982-02-09-HSC-min.pdf Human Services Committee - Minutes February 9 1982 Present Steve Baran, Stan Finkelstein, Howard Reynolds, Ilene White, Nancy Zarle Tom Zarle, Judy Zabin, Ruth Nablo also Bea Phear a yyd The meeting was called to order at 7 30 pm tl Scheduling It was decided that meetings will begin promptly at 7 30 pm and end at 9 30 Meetings will be held on alternate Mondays Minutes The minutes were approved as read Steve clarified that continued contact • with agencies included feedback on budgetary decisions Human Services Budget Stan reported on the Selectmens meeting of February 3, when they decided the budgets, and Bea distributed the summary figures The Selectmen had decided 4-1 to support Safehouse Politi against, despite the Manager's opposition and acknowldged accountability problems and the question if Safehouse was the right vehicle for Mystic Valley support Linda Conrad of RePlace, spoke on their request She said if there was less money they would pay consultants less, but they felt unequipped to deal with the uncertainty of getting other funding sources Jim Crain moved to adopt the Manager's recommendation, which was a 33% increase which was adopted 3-2, Battin and Politi against Mary Miley said she would work to get the schools to support RePlace Stan observed that nontof the organizations appeared very well represented The Council on Aging budget was adopted as they requested, with the Music Director and Senior Trips but without the mental health consultation CMARC, VNA, and Veterans was not discussed, as there were no • controversies on the requests The next step will be for the Appropriation Committee to make its recommendation and then Town Meeting will vote It was felt that it is not the Committee's place to lobby • the Appropriation Committee but we could provide information Steve will check with Jim Crain It was also felt that if there was new information, the Committee should up date the Selectmen Tom suggested we give an'interim report prior to Town Meeting through Jim Crain Agency Feedback RePlace Judy talked to Linda Conrad, and RePLace is now geared up to talk to Jack Monderer at the School Department This is a sign that they are seeking other sources They had not yet decided how they will restructure Stan had spoken with an accounting friend who said it was unusual to cite inkind contributions in a budget, as it invites criticism Mystic Valley Stan received two phone calls from Althea Korte who was pleased by the Committee's support Their Board is interested in continued dialogue She is scheduling a meeting with Tom, Stan, Don Lund, herself and another Board member Council on Aging Howard had spoken with a Board member who was concerned about the lack of support for the music director He will talk with them further, to see if they perceive flexibility in their budget CMARC Ruth has not yet received a letter from Ralph Richarson, Sheri McCann will February 9 page 2 seek out a response White HOuse Conference on Aging Ilene and Howard attended the post mortum The administration's hand was heavy in dictating procedures, and it was an eye opener politically Lucille Shuck felt there was more need for a resources inventory than a needs assessment There is also a need to plan in advance for aging, such as preretirement planning Also they pointed out need for better community involvement, such as boy scouts shoveling walks Review Process It was decided that the review process time table needed revision, and the agencies needed firm deadlines, that include mandatory continued dialogue throughout the year Bea will redraft the 11/19/81 schedule with more realistic dates (enclosed) Wheel Chair Van policy Bea is forming a committee to draft policies for Lexington's time on the Minuteman Home , Care Corporation's van Sara Arnold, transporation coordinator; Joan Melcher, Council on Aging Coordinator; David Enman, a multiple schlorosis patient; and Elaine Dratch, from MMHCC will serve Ruth su4geeted asking someone from FISH as well This committee will circulate a draft for comment before sending it to the Selectmen Stan told Bea to make sure the committee understood that Bea was the Human Services Committee representative Mystic Valley Hours Mystic Valley's special permit for evening hours is due to expire and they want the I'I Human Services Committee to support their renewal including staying open until 10 00 pm for Board Meetings Does this include clinical hours? Bea will clarify exactly what they want for the next meeting Frank Donnell/ of their Board had made therequest Safehouse INcident Bea reported that there had been an incident at Safehouse regarding supervision issues Stan and Tom will investigate the supervision at Safehouse Student Intern Bea reported that she is making a request for a graduate student intern in social work administration or planning to work on one or more of- the following projects network and clearing house for volunteers; youth needs assessment and staff to Youth Commission, reactivating the providers council; community residence and other human service agency siting issues Workfare It is expected that the Selectmen may want the Committee's views on Governor King's workfare proposal Bea asked the committee to start thinking about this issue Cable TV Workshop Town participants will have to pay to attend the workshop, but the Town will pay Stan and Steve definately will attend Bea will ask Roberta 7 February 9 page 3 Needs Assessments Bea briefly reviewed the 1978 Boston College needs assessment The Committee has some copies which are being shared. 355 households were surveyed and an agency study was conducted Recommendations included service issues and structure issues Skirt tem needs included information and referral, transportation, elderly services (especially meals) , and child care Long term needs were for low and moderate income housing and economic stability, including employment, job counseling, financial assistance, and budget counseling It was pointed out that the short term needs were all being addressed much more than in 1978, and the fact of the needs assessment was a major step in the Town's commitment to human services Structural issues included a mechanism for policy statements, budget evaluations, accountability, and coordination These also are being addressed Health care, mental health counseling, and recreation were felt to be well provided. Agencies showed a lack of communication, especially the Town agencies such as recreation, veterans, health and library Mystic Valley was the most heavily communicated with but they didn't perceive themselves as having close communication Respectfully submitted, Beatrice Phear I