HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-06-02-HSC-min.pdf Human Services Committee
MINUTES OF JUNE 2, 1993
Present Donna Hooper Chairman, Eva Glick, Eva Havas Ann Irving
Ruthie Liberman Richard Safford Absent: Steve Baran Human Services
Coordinator
MINUTES OF May 5, 1993
The minutes of May 5 1993 were approved with the following
amendments
Page 2. Children s Issues This section was amended to read
"The Committee discussed alternative options for learning more
about children's needs forum vs. focus groups. Focus groups were
favored as a means of assessing needs including children in
kindergarten. there is a growing population but not enough
programs "
HUMAN SERVICES COORDINATOR REPORT
In his absence, Steve Baran submitted the attached report of recent Human
Service Coordinator activities.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Donna Hooper reported that she had written a letter to the Editor/
Lexington MinuteMan seeking new members. It was anticipated that the
letter would appear in the 6/10/93 edition
Leo McSweeney was unable to attend the meeting of 6/2 but is planning to
attend the committee s next meeting on 6/23 at RePlace.
Ms. Gerri Weathers, Chairman, Fair Housing Committee, was unable to
attend the meeting as scheduled. Donna will check with Steve Baran to see
if Ms Weathers wishes to reschedule for the August meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Census . The Census Committee continues to edit drafts of the report.
After the next meeting a copy of the report will be forwarded to the
Planning Department for comments
Disabilities Rick Safford attended a June 2nd meeting sponsored by the
Lexington Housing Authority pertaining to assessment of Lexington s
housing needs for the disabled. He will check with Rita Sullivan, LHA
Director to obtain a copy of the needs report to be produced by
consultants The ACCESS Group/B C. Stewart & Associated.
Minutes of 6/2/93 cont Page 2
COMMITTEE REPORTS, cont.
Recreation No Activities
Elderly. No Activities
Children s Issues/Youth Services The remainder of the meeting 6/2/93
meeting is reserved for discussion of options, suggested at the last meeting,
for learning about children s needs.
DISCUSSION ON CHILDREN'S ISSUES•
To establish a time-frame for activities to be completed, it was questioned
when the Request for Proposals for FY95 Youth Services needed to be
issued. Steve Baran will be requested to investigate this process
An appropriate time frame might be to conduct interviews and
assessments during the month of September and compile findings during
October
Rick Safford suggested it might be effective to conduct a 2 stage process
with qualified agencies initially being requested to inform the Town of its
needs ,and then the Town issuing an RFP for services.
Further discussion suggested the target group be youths from grades 6
through 12.
Focus groups of parents and youth were recommended along with the
distribution of a short questionnaire
Use of PTA's as a possible conduit for questionnaires at meetings was
recommended along with possible use of 'back to school nights and large
groups of parents Interviewing PTA presidents was also suggested.
Inclusion of a questionnaire with the first 1994 Lexington Public Schools
newsletter was also suggested.
A meeting with the Superintendent, principals, and guidance was
recommended either right before the end of school or during the summer
Questionnaires students, parents
Focus Groups Students, parents
Minutes of 6/2/93 corn Page 3
OTHER RESOURCES TO CONTACT
Churches Police Department
Interfaith Group Chamber of Commerce
Participation by youth could receive possible credit from the high school
requirement for Community Service
Ruthie Liberman volunteered to pursue writing letters to colleges to
possibly retain an intern to crunch the questionnaire data. Donna Hooper
mentioned that Steve Baran was inquiring about an intern through Salem
State College. If he was successful, this project may be something to add to
the intern's list of activities.
Ruthie Liberman suggested the group develop a concept paper which will
clearly explain what the committee sought to accomplish. This will help
those with whom we will be contacting to better understand our goal and
purpose
Discussion pursued regarding our goal, focus, etc. Donna volunteered to
develop a draft copy of the concept paper by June 9th for Eva Havas to
review and comment (copy attached). The paper will be finalized for use
It was suggested that after the forums/questionnaires, as phase II the
committee might inquire with other towns what are they funding for
human services?
Discussion on questions for possible use by a teacher with middle school
students during the last week of school for ideas/thoughts to be included
on the questionnaire included.
I What do you typically do after school, weekends, holidays,
vacations, summers, etc for recreation.
2. Where do you like to "hang-out"?
3 Who do you turn to confide in? - peers, family, church, etc.
4 If you had a friend who told you he/she was abused, what would
you do?
5 What kind of facilities or programs and experiences do you think
is missing that you wish Lexington offered?
Minutes of 6/2/93 cont. Page 4
Issues generally revolved around recreation and health/safety
Suggestion was made that maybe we could get free food, etc donated by
organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce to encourage youth to
participate in the focus groups/forums/questionnaires
Donna Hooper will contact the Superintendent of Schools to inform him of
the committee s plans and wish to meet with him in the near future Ann
Irving will contact the director of Guidance, Bob Miner to touch bases with
him and schedule possible meeting before school ends for the summer
Eva Havas will check with a teacher at Diamond Middle School to see if she
has time and would be willing to pass a few of these questions by the
students for input.
Committee will meet again during the summer to continue with the project
and be prepared to go ahead during the month of September