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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-03-30-HSC-min.pdf HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE Minutes of the Meeting of March 30, 1983 Present Roberta Black Steve Baran, Dave Enman, Tom Zarle, Nancy Zarle, Stan Finkelstein, Bea Phear, Renee Hatten 314.ilR. Ol, The Minutes of the meeting of March 14 were approved as corrected The date of the next Providers Council was corrected to April 19 Providers Council Renee presented her plans for the April 19 and May 16 meetings on respite care She reported that there had been good response to the meeting with Beth Jones of the Concord Area Crisis Team, and that the attendance was the same as at the prvious meeting 18 Those people who had not been able to attend had specifically asked that they be kept on the list and sent minutes Steve asked why Cooperative Elder Services was included on the panel with the two state agencies Renee had wanted to show the variety of types of services and the variety of ages served Nancy suggested "Quality Care" as another vendor with a different approach Renee asked the committee if they were interested in designing an evaluation form to be distributed at the April meeting It was decided to try to relate the committee goals to the evaluation Ilene suggested a brief summary of each meeting followed by a space for comments This will be at the April meeting and mailed to no-shows Bea reported that the United Way computer I & R project CAIRN, did a "road show" and might present at a June meeting There was concern that the providers were being taught to be too passive and it would be better to have the June meeting for goal setting and discussion Steve aslo suggested trying for a breakfast time slot Enablement Dave gave a summary of what his committee has been doing 1 Curb Cuts They have identified two priority sites, but are discouraged that the engineers now say there is no money left Dave wrote the Manager, who has responded that he will review the question and get back to Dave on April 15 The cost of a curb cut is $500-1,000 depending on type of sidewalk and quality of work 2 Share-A-Ride Dave said that under law, transportation should be provided to disabled people as to the able bodied; however he recognizes that is unrealistic Nonetheless the Enablement Committee feels that the current 6 hours per week is insufficient. Steve said the data on ridership shows very low use There was discussion on why use is low, and it was felt that people may already have solved their transportation probelms after years of no public assistance, that there is an element of not wanting to impose, and that people are still reluctant to assert themselves 3 Publicity The committee is trying to get regular articles in the local paper about issues of disability, including transportation 4 Access to Lexington study The study was approved by the Selectmen on January 17 A group of 8 people are involved, and the instrument is almost ready for mimeo Churches and schools will be examined first, using students 2 Steve commented that he was impressed by the amount of work the committee had accomplished in such a short time A-95 Review Bea reported that Angela Frick the Lexington representative to the MAPC was interested in meeting with the committee It was decided to invite her to the next meeting Bea also reported that she was now responding to the grant proposal of Share-A-Ride, and had asked the committee for comments The committee felt they had insufficient knowledge to expand on the proposed concurrance School Reorganization Plan Roberta asked the couuuittee to respond to the School Superintendant's proposed reorganization, which eliminates the position of Direstor of Pupil Services (special Ed, guidance, counseling, health, testing) Roberta feels this is the only position in the central staff that speaks to human services, and has budget input. Otherwise the functions would get lost among a variety of administrators The Superintendant had been asked to reorganize to cut the number of central people, and he had felt that these functions were most easily dividable Steve commented that it also had the effect of giving less status to human service policy issues He had talked to Florence Koplow about a possible school liaison, on a policy level, and she was interested Stan wanted to know the Superintendent's position on the reorganization before taking a stance Steve wondered if the committee would like to invite the Superintendant to a meeting It was felt that we should rather write a letter to the School Committee expressing concern about the possible effect on human services, and suggesting that moe time be devoted to studying the issue, and hope that no action will be taken to jeopardize human services We would offer to be available At the same time we could request a formal relationship between the two committees Bea will draft Mystic Valley Stan reported that he had received a letter from Frank Donnely appologizing for not inviting Stan to the Board Meeting at which the new director was appointed He extended an open invitation to all meetings Mystic Valley had offered the position to Richard Weiss, a psychologist who serves as Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health and Forensic Services for Ohio Dr Weiss has accepted a two year contract. Emergency Services Following discussion at the February Providers Council meeting, Bea met with Linda Roemer of the Board of Health to discuss emergency and health issues Linda reported that Choate/Symmes is interested in a determination of need for a new inpatient psychiatric unit, but will have more information in the late summer Similarly the crisis contract will have been awarded by DMH in a few months It was suggested that this issue be pursued informally until these decisions are made A meeting that committee members might want to attend is DMH Area Board to discuss crisis contract April 6, 7 30 pm Cafeteria Conference Room at Symmes Hospital ( Choate Planning April 4, was cancelled Bea and Steve will talk to them) 3 Wild Acre Inn Howard had finally received a telephone call from the attorney, Mr Mason, and met with him last week Howard then reported to the Selectmen that the committee's questions had been answered referrals are word-of-mouth and private there is no relationship with the Department of Mental Health average length of stay is 3-6 months payment is $10-40 per day, depending on room style meals, and services residents pay privately they teach "life skills" such as job interviews, budget, they screen and do not accept criminal or sexual abusers nor substance abusers Howard told the Board that he and not met with the committee, but he had no reason to recommend denying the license, since this was the best way to monitor that was available to the town He told the Board of the upcoming hearing on the community residence siting bill, and thought that when that was passed would be a good time for Lexington to establish a community residence policy Nancy and Tom said the 3-6 month stay was wrong, as they have seen a number of the same clients for many years Charitable Trusts Bea reported that the Selectmen had been satisfied with the contracts as drafted and the additional data supplied It has now gone to the Trustees however there will be a delay as there is a vacancy on the Trustees, and the chaiman does not want to make a decision without a full board The Selectmen will be appointing a new member shortly 'Eli This delay will not harm Cooperative Elder Services since the letter Bea sent appears to be a sufficient statement of intent Department of Social Services PPPP Steve and Bea reported on a meeting they had with the DSS Regional office at which time the PPPP program procedures were explained in yet a third way Bea and Steve feel that this explanation is probably the correct one, which requires a new letter of intent to go to the Regional Office, and then the RePlace program would be put in the regional IMP (Internal Management Plan) , if it were pushed by the Area Director Bea feels that Peter Koehan, the Area Director, is less than enthusiastic about RePlace and that a campaign strategy is needed There was discussion about what approach to take at the DSS Area Board Meeting since our most recent communication with them was to express frustration It was decided that Bea would write Stephen Doran for the supportive letter he had promised to the Regional Director (cc Peter Koehan) and that at the meeting itself, the tone would be working together, in order for them to understand Lexington's position We will be meeting with the DSS Area Board on Wednesday, April 6 in room G-15 of the Town Office Building This is an Area Board regular meeting, not a special meeting for us Cable TV Steve showed his diploma for completing the cable tv course He reported that Adams Russell is planning to have a news program, and invited suggestions We should let the program director know that we would like human services included, perhaps going through the providers council The only hitch is that it would be work as we would have to produce it Steve will write Continuing Membership Steve asked members of the committee to think about whether they were interested in reappointment, also to look back at the charge and evaluate the committee's performance Do we want to suggest staggered terms? Recruiting? Invite Dave Enman to be a full 4 member, or is that a conflict of interest? Stan and Roberta said they were interested in continuing to serve Nancy and Tom both said they were not interested, as there were too many conflicts Steve is undecided. Next Meeting Wednesday, April 6, 7 30 pm room G-15 DSS Area Board Meeting (committee invited) Tuesday, April 12, 7 30 pm room 201 (Public Works) with Angela Frick Monday, April 25, 7 30 pm room 111 Respectfully Submitted, L Beatrice Phear Human Services Coordinator