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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-02-13-HSC-min.pdf Lexington Human Services Committee Minutes February 13, 1991 1) The meeting scheduled for 2/6/90 was not held due to a lack of a quorum. The minutes of 1/31/91 were reviewed and approved. 2) Renee Cochin reviewed a meeting held with Steve Baran and members of the faculty at Brandeis. They reviewed the needs assessment project from last year and possible plans for next year. One student may be available for work currently (Spring, 1991). Others would be available in the summer. It was suggested that we propose a project involving the rationale and design of a survey to assess attitudes and perceptions of public (local and state) officials regarding the role of towns, like Lexington, in the funding and provision of human services. Renee agreed to talk with the prospective candidate and report back to the Committee. 3) The budget discussion focused on the immediate issues regarding Lexington human services, particularly youth services. Barbara Levine reported on the results of several phone conversations she had regarding the peer counseling program at the high school. There were some mixed, but generally positive, reviews of the program, particularly of the peer education program. It is generally felt that kids are more likely to relate and effect change in other adolescents. One of the major benefits of the program was felt to be the benefit of training and development of the peer counselors, themselves. A general discussion of RePlace services and FY'91 contract requirements and conditions took place. Pros and cons of fee-for-service vs. grant-type contracts were discussed, including the problems with implementation of last year's fee-for-service recommendations for contracting with RePlace. The Committee acknowledged the unique situation this year which resulted from the competitive bidding of the RePlace contract. Several funding options for the human service contracts were reviewed, including level funding, 3% reductions and some other level with an adjustment for an emergency fund. Other funding organizations, such as the United Way of Mass. Bay have adopted emergency funding provisions in this year. The current financial conditions seem to justify the need for an emergency fund. Similarly, the Town Human Services Coordinator has documented the need with the current emergency fund which was the result of the donations of two corporations and the Trustees for Public Trust of Lexington. The Committee unanimously concluded that an emergency fund of$7,500 should be established in FY'92. Current contracts are recommended for funding at a level 3% below the FY'91 level. Procedures for award of the emergency fund will be established by the Town Manager, in consultation with the Human Services Committee.