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