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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, /'lilt a4/' Beatrice Phear