HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-06-18-HSC-min.pdf Minutes
Human Services Committee
6/ 18/91
Present Renee Cochin, Bob Cushman, Co-Chairmen; Dick Dougherty;
Ann Irving; Dennis Murakami ; Steve Baran, Human Services
Coordinator (recorder) Absent Jack Sarmanian
The purpose of this meeting at the home of Renee Cochin was
to make plans for FY ' 92
Areas of interest initially identified were money options,
special needs and youth services in the schools ( potential for
School Department to bill Medicaid? )
A tentative work plan featuring a needs assessment was
distributed by Steve who stressed 1 inductive thinking to
avoid Committee preconceptions of what the Town needs; 2
consumer orientation; 3 PR through meetings, newspaper, etc
The Plan included the following sections (a)assess need
for human services ; (b) inform community on need for human
services ; (c) advise Selectmen on appropriations; (d) evaluate
Lexington Human Services Fund
Committee concerns with parts a & b were 1 avoid reports
getting shelved ; 2 determine fact-finding format--"hearing"
( just getting input) or "forum" (dialogue + input) ; 3 undertake
background work (Census data, school budget, comparisons with
other towns, etc )
It was agreed that some form of "report card" on how the
Town was doing in social services would add to the Town' s
interest in the products
The decision was reached to focus in the next year on the
needs of youth up to the age of 18 The following areas were
initially identified child care, child abuse and neglect, high
school drop outs, delinquency, AIDS prevention, school guidance,
hunger, homelessness, special needs, mental illness, recreation,
sports, summer camping and child advocacy
At the same time that youth is the focus of a needs
assessment, the Committee will be concerned with recreation as it
affects the elderly ( limited opportunities for the elderly) and
special needs population ("Sing Along" @ $ 1 , 600 cut from
Recreation budget, summer camp) ; and cut backs as these affect
the elderly
A tentative time table for the year was identified August
finalizing plans ; September and October focus interviews with
individuals and groups ; November forum; December recess ;
January follow-up; February community report card