HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-07-HSC-min.pdf Human Services Committee Minutes
February 7, 1994
Present: Donna M. Hooper, Chairman; Rosalyn L. Gittleman: Eva S. Glick; Eva Havas; Jeanne S. Luongo;
Richard W Safford; Stephen Baran, Human Services Coordinator
Absent: Jolley Anne Weinstock
Minutes of 1/5
Instead of "Martha Queenin will be interviewed" should be "Martha Queenin will be further interviewed.
Minuteman article on human services
Steve will attach Minuteman article on human services to minutes when they are mailed. Eva Havas objected to
generalizations in the article, e.g. inability of single parents to often pay for day care. This should have read:
"Some single parents cannot pay for day care.
Chairman report
Steve distributed notes, and Donna Hooper reported, on the meeting of the Human Services Committee with the
Board of Selectmen on 1/12/94. She heard after the meeting that RePlace might request additional funds through
Town Meeting and seek to become a department of the Town.
One of the Selectmen remembered when young people would drop into the Hancock Church attic. At that time,
the place had a universal appeal. Later, when there was a drop-in center under RePlace auspices, the
understanding grew up that it was only for deviant youth.
Another Selectman was concerned that RePlace had not obtained enough private funding.
Steve reminded the Committee of the Town Manager's remark that after-hour services which were not
recommended by the Human Services Committee in its youth services budget would be considered as a service
component during the youth services bidding process.
Coordinator report
Steve attended a meeting of the School Department Early Education Committee meeting convened for the
purpose of exploring resources for families. Much information was exchanged, and there will be further
meetings to explore scholarship possibilities.
Human Services Fund
Steve noted the relatively low Human Services Fund income and expenditures for this year. He is planning to
distribute the brochure in various places by way of making the Fund more widely known.
Invitations to Bid
Invitation to Bid drafts for youth services and services to the disabled were reviewed by the Committee. It was
noted that 24-hour on-call response was a part of the Invitation to Bid for youth services. The following
sentence was added: "Nothing in this document precludes subcontracting arrangements.
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Needs Assessment
Meetings were being scheduled with the high school peer counselors and high school "smokers" Jolley Anne
Weinstock will meet with the clergy.
Eva Glick and Roz Gittleman reported on their meeting with RePlace peer counselors who spoke of alcohol
consumption being a major problem among high school youth. They recommended: 1. training for youth in
mediation skills for avoiding conflict; 2. institution of a mentoring/buddy system in relation to the experience of
mental illness; 3. math tutoring;4. condom availability and 5. pregnancy testing.
lIt was unclear how the RePlace peer counselors differed essentially from the high school peer counselors.
Overall, there was the sense that young people are very sophisticated and aware of ways of making systems
work better. For example, buses leaving the high school at the end of the day are largely empty This wastes
resources. At the same time, transportation was not available at times when sports were going on that young
people would like to attend. Steve suggested that the Committee consider having a youth member.
Hearing accessibility
Rick Safford has been comparing notes with Joan Madden, Arlington ADA Coordinator. The Arlington Town
Meeting has a loop system which requires that seating be only in certain locations. This does not make for an
inclusive feeling. He thought an FM system would be better.
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