HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-06-04-HSC-min.pdf Human Services Committee Minutes 6/4/0
Present Renee Cochin and Bob Cushman, Co-Chairmen; Dick
Dougherty, Sheila Martin and Dennis Murakami ; Steve
Baran, Human Services Coordinator
Steve reported that the two special needs groups--the Enablement
Committee (for physically disabled) and the Lexington Citizens
with Special Needs (parents of adult children with special needs)
were now inclined to seek subcommittee status under the Human
Services Committee and were in touch with the town, DMR and DMH
re special needs housing The Trustees of the Public Trust are
interested in setting up an emergency fund that would shortcut
red tape for people needing assistance Steve would report on
need patterns to Human Services Committee A fee policy from the
Council on Aging was adopted by the Board in May Linda Vine
will send information
Ruth Anne Villon, representing the Integrated Recreation Panel ,
spoke about the mission and activities of her group which is
interested in integrating disabled young people in work,
recreation and the school system They are seeking to promote a
climate of public acceptance while offering assistance and
support to leisure time providers such as the Hayden Center whose
staff might be reluctant about taking risks They have succeeded
in facilitating integration of special needs youngsters at the
Camp for All Kids Renee, speaking for the Human Services
Committee, offered its support and advised that the Panel
continue to work with other special needs groups in the town
It was agreed that the Human Services Committee would provide
suggestions regarding contracts that Steve is drawing up with
Town-funded human services from the point of view of programs and
policy
Renee said that she had read the needs assessment report from
Brandeis and had questions about its tone and judgment used in
commenting on certain aspects of human services The consultants
will meet with the Human Services Committee on Wednesday, 6/ 13.
Later, Selectmen and others will be given information about the
report There was concern that the students had not provided a
draft version for Committee input before producing a final draft
The students had met with the Committee to present their findings
verbally and obtain the Committee' s suggestions
Renee encouraged Committee members to attend 6/5 meeting on
formation of an AIDS task force
Renee reported that a new citizens' group--Lexington Interfaith
Outreach--made up of church members, wanted to take action on a
social problem, possibly homelessness Mr Howard Quinn is the
group' s representative Steve said that he had talked with him
previously
Steve Baran