HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-11-07-HSC-min.pdf Human Services Committee Minutes, 11 /7/90
( Present Renee Cochin and Bob Cushman, Co-Chairmen;
Dick Dougherty ; Ann Irving ; Dennis Murakami ;
Jack Sarmanian ; Sheri McCann (CMARC) ; Bill
Blout and Judy 2abin, RePlace ; Steve Baran,
Human Services Coordinator
Jack Sarmanian
Jack Sarmanian was welcomed as a new member of the Human Services
Committee
Minutes 10/24/90
The Minutes of 10/24/90 were approved
Human Services Coordinator Report
With the exception of the Club House Director
Community Human Services has had no other cuts
The Special Needs Committee is seeking to obtain
housing among affordable housing units that may be made
available
Chapter 30B, Uniform Procurement Act, would seem to
call for the awarding of Human Services contracts to be
preceded by a formal RFP process
Lexington Interfaith Outreach is organizing food
distribution to begin 11 /7
Committee comments
The Human Services Coordinator was asked to extend an
invitation to Special Needs Committee and to keep the
Human Services Committee abreast of food distribution
developments People needing food may have problem
with the embarrassment factor
Sheri McCann CMARC
A judicial hold has been put on cuts ordered by EOCD so that
transportation of clients and service coordination will continue
as before
Since 1988 CMARC has lost 6 positions, two from management
There has been no cost of living increase since 1987 This year
there has been a $ 10, 000 cut in funding Business in general is
poor, and this is having a detrimental effect on hiring CMARC
clients and getting contracts (even though there is a tax break
when doing business with CMARC) CMARC is currently serving 24
clients, an increase from the 19 served last year
6
Human Services Committee Minutes, 11 /7/90 2
1 II
CMARC raised $66, 000 last year in private fundraising It is
currently publicizing its activities and funding problems in the
Minuteman While there was some discussion of breaking out cost
per person, it was decided to remain with the existing formula
for funding which is to contribute to the cost of procurement
staffing The CMARC philosophy of making its clients productive
members of society was seen as consonant with the Town' s human
services policy
Jack Sarmanian offered to provide CMARC with federal funding
information
ReFlace
Bill Blout distributed report covering FY ' 90
Options were reviewed for dealing with the loss of $23 000
Department of Mental Health funding for the position of Executive
Director
RePlace is exploring additional revenue sources Medicaid fees,
Blue Cross and client contributions Jack Sarmanian suggested
additional funding possibilities connected with substance abuse
Judy Zabin said that RePlace planned to request level or
increased funding She expressed disappointment that RePlaue did
not appear in the Town' s basic budget as initially recommended
by the Town Manager , for FY ' 91
Committee members encouraged Judy and Bill to make a case for
funding especially indicating revenue sources, presenting request
in terms of what the Town wishes to purchase, recognizing that
last year the Town eventually did decide that the RePlade request
was valid, emphasizing need and working proactively and early in
cooperation with the Town
It was agreed to review RePlace reporting and its contract at the
next meeting on the 28th The Council on Aging is invited to the
meeting on December 5th for a general review of need and
budgetary issues facing us Steve will report on community
foundations
Respectfully submitted,
Stephen Baxan,
Human Services Coordinator