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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-06-03-HSC-min.pdf HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE Minutes of the Meeting of June 3, 1985 Present Roberta Black, Marion Shepp, Judy Zabin, Leonora Zola, Ed Foley, Bea Phear New Memberships Bea reported that Paul Marshall had agreed to the recommendations of the Committee regarding appointment schedules The Board is expected to appoint Jan Eustis tonight, and will welcome recommendations for a new slate on the basis of three year terms They will be able to appoint at the July 1 meeting, effective September 30 Interviews were tonight and will be June 17 for the other four Bea will draft a letter to those who are not selected, inviting them to become active in other ways Committee Structure Marion suggested that the h3 icapped housing committee become a subcommittee There was discussion about their advocacy role and it was felt to leave them as they were, with the disability subcommittee (in the form of Marion at this time) continuing as liaison There was agreement that subsommittea= should be more active beyond the budget process, and make more regular fuller reports to the committee as a whole Bea suggested that the full committee meet only monthly, in order to free up more time and encourage subcommittee meetings It was decided to not lose the bimonthly value of frequent interaction and feedback The discussion of subcommittee structure will be explored further at the July meeting Providers Council Judy, Sheila, and C.C. had met and decided to recommend that the goals of a providers P meetings should be twofold `, Give us an opportunity to know the network better Give providers a sense of how the Human Services committee functions The format would be a two hour meeting with some focused time and some social time 1 Bea make a statement of purpose for the meeting 2 Roberta make a statement of the role of the committee 3 Marge Battin lead a presentation of a discussion of needs that have been identified in past meetings and through subcommittee efforts 4 Time for socialization It was decided that this should occur in late September, on a weekday from 4 00-6 00 p.m. with wine and cheese The new senior center may be a good site Agencies, town officials, and corporate people will be invited. Tasks were preliminarily identified as follows 1 Guest list (see enclosed old list) 2 Printed list of invitees, with a brief description 3 Elucidation of needs (for discussion June 24) 4 Invite Marge Battin to speak (Judy Zabin) 5 Telephone follow-up to invitiations 6 Brochure on Lexington Human SErvices (Bea & Roberta) r Coordinator's Report The Department of Mental Health has announced the development of two new Intermediate Care Facilities on the Met State propoerty They are holding an information meeting on June 18, which Bea will attend. Richard Weiss reported that negotiations for the Lexington site for the Kelleher workshop have stalled, and Mystic Valley is looking at a different site in Arlington. Richard Weiss informed the Town that Mystic Valley has hired a new counselor to fill the vacancy at the Hancock St house It is Denise Sepos, for 20 hours per week Marion reported that there are only two out of a possible four residents, since two are in the hospital She wonders why they are not filling the house Bea asked for any suggestions on changes committee members hoped to see in the contracts with agencies She will be rewriting these during June for the July start of the new year Please send in writing if possible Tne Trustees of Public Trusts made a donation to the Visiting Nurses of $2,800 for the Senior Health Monitor program. Replace Roberta reported that RePlace is experiencing an increase in clinical and crisis service needs They are busier than ever, despite a small decline in ( the drop-in. They are continuing the battered women's line The Department of Mental Health has expressed interest in transferring three positions from the Mental Health Center to the consortium of RePlace, AYCC, Burlington Life, and Woburn Council This may translate into an extra fifteen hours of professional services for RePlace The committee will follow this development with interest, and ask Richard Weiss how it will effect Mystic Valley Housing Marion reported that the housing committee for disabled citizens is going strong, having met with representatives from DMH, the Housing Authority, and a private developer They are exploring various options for their children One concern is that people want to live with the friends they have developed at LABB another is that funding is continually channelled to those most in need, always by-passing the children of this group, who are being cared for by parents Roberta reported that she is finding the congregate study very interesting A full report will be forthcoming in the fall They appear to be discovering a need for a continuum of care, such as a life care community Leonora said there was the same kind of issue for children through the Department of Social Services, with specialized housing needs emerging but too few sites Next Meeting Monday, June 24 7 30 pm Respectfully Submitted, Bea Phear