HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-04-12-HSC-min.pdf HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Minutes of the Meeting of April 12, 1984
Present Steve Baran, Marion Shepp, Ed Foley, Judy Zabin, Bea Phear
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of March 26, 1984 were approved as mailed
Future of Committee
Roberta Black informed Bea that she plans to resign, but will continue to serve
until a replacement is appointed, in order to assist in continuity
Paul Marshall has been designated as the Selectmen's liaison
Judy suggested contacting those people who had been interviewed last year
and asking if they are still interested, thereby saving them the burden of
reapplying, and also putting a notice in the newspaper to invite new applicants
She thought the committee might discuss recommending criteria to be used
in the selection of new committee members Judy, for example, does not necessarily
think there needs to be "balance" on the committee
Steve will not volunteer to interview again Marion Shepp will volunteer to
assist the Selectmen in interviewing prospective members
Steve will discuss these issues with Paul Marshall and suggest a two year term for
all new appointees
Crisis
The Crisis Response Center has invited members of the Committee to their open
house on May 4 from 2 00-5 00 pm It will be at the Residence, on the grounds
of Symmes Hospital in Arlington.
Providers Council
Bea reported that Roberta had hoped that the "question" could address possible
action to meet the identified needs, either by having a two-part origional
question or a second phase It was decided that the time would be too tight
to do this, and that the needs would suggest programs
Marion thought a second meeting could be scheduled in the fall to discuss
implementation of programs She also said that in her discussions with the
clergy, Polly Guild had been very interested and may be a spearhead to involve
clergy more in planning
Steve suggested having an evaluation form that includes an open ended question
toregister their interest in planning together further
Judy thought continuing of the Providers Council could be a role of the Committee
in the fall
Public Trusts
Bea reported her conversations with recipients of public trust funding
Home Sharing Program. Lexington residents have used the program for information
and referral, but there has been only one match in the year The Home Sharing
Program is planning to expand into a broader program of housing alternatives,
such as equity conversion and congregate They have informally discussed
funding this with Minuteman Home Care Corp There will be a new 40 slot congregate
in the Tarkey School in Woburn, but there is a greater need for moderate income
congregate than those supported by the Housing Authorities that must abide by
state and federal income limits Judy thought this might have implications for
reuse of Franklin School
Lifeline There are eleven units in Lexington Bea will find out about the
composition of the waiting list re low income
Elder Day Care Three Lexington residents are using the sliding fee supported
through Trusts Joanna Fuller told Bea that she thought level funding would be
needed to continue to support those three, but that there was no evidence of a
greater demand She does not know why Lexington residents seem to use the
program somewhat less than other towns, nor what the implications of their move
to Arlington will be Steve pointed out that to withdraw this funding would
leave these three with no service
Possible use of Public Trust funding will be discussed at the next meeting, and
a recommendation will be made to the Trustees In addition to the information
about current recipients, it is expected that the Providers Council meeting of
April 25 will generate ideas
Day Care
Bea reported that she had spoken with Kathy Lenox, of the Children's Center They
have a waiting list of 76 children, of whom they can take about 20 She feels the
need for another site is incredible The Children' s Center sponsored an advocacy
meeting in March, about 30 attending, and there were two separate pairs of
potential sponsors of new nursery schools The Church of Our Redeemer is very
interested in having some of its space used fop this purpose, especially after
the senior center moves into Muzzey It appears there is some real movement in
the development of more child care
Retardation Needs Assessment
Approximately 20 questionnaires have been returned Bea has not yet tabulated
them, but her sense is that ther in considerable interest in developing housing
alternatives Bea will attend an EOCD & EOHS workshop on using Chapter 689
funds (housing for the handicapped) Marion pointed out that the designation of
"retarded" excludes some developmentally disabled, such as her daughter, and
this population should be considered as well
Goals
There was discussion about what goals to present to Town Meeting Marion thought
the planning function should be emphasiszed Ed suggested coordination among
Town boards and committees such as Housing Authority and Recreation and School
Judy emntioned the ongoing needs assessment function, which is where she thinks
Bea's work has been most valuable
R
Steve will write a draft for April 23 meeting, to be presented to Town Meeting
report on April 25 The draft will emphasize purpose, with some examples,
rather than a list of goals
Judy also felt they should make a statement about staffing of the department.
Bea has been working more than she is being paid for, and is still unclassified
after over a year of requesting classification. Judy moved that the Committee
discuss staffing questions with the liaison. It was voted. Steve will talk
to Paul Marshall about staffing issues as well as future committee composition
and appointment. Bea pointed out that the classification question is one for
the whole departemnt coordinator, two CoA staff, and Lexpress She feels this
is a more important issue than the overtime hours, as it relates to questions
of respect within the structure as well as salary rates
RespectfullyRespectfully
�submitted,
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Beatrice Phear