HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-21-HSC-min.pdf Human Services Committee Minutes
September 21, 1994
Present: Donna M. Hooper, Chairman; Eva Glick; Eva Havas; Rosalyn Gittleman; Jeanne Luongo;
Richard Safford; Steve Baran, Human Services Coordinator
Audience: Nancy Adler, Roberta Black, Judith Zabin
Donna Hooper/meetings
Donna Hooper reported that she had attended meetings with the Town Manager, Carol Pilarski (Curriculum
Coordinator, Lexington Public Schools) and the Health Protection Advisory Council.
Ellen Widen, Eliot Community Human Services, Director of Clinical Services: Update on transition of
youth services
RePlace and Eliot representatives have agreed to be invested in working together on behalf of youth services.
Eliot will:
• subcontract CAPP program to RePlace with Eliot&RePlace cooperating around parenting
component;
• obtain space at downtown location for drop-in program;
• hire outreach worker and program coordinator.
( Planning:
• Eliot and RePlace outreach workers to collaborate providing easy access for youth to feel free
to go to either or both drop in centers;
• Eliot and RePlace are preparing a letter explaining Eliot origins and how both agencies provide
an array of programs and services;
• Eliot smoke-free drop-in center to occupy space of former beauty parlor to the left of The
Cooperative Bank in Depot Square--front space for drop-in; rear space for interviewing. Target
date for opening is Oct. 15; hours to be flexible with after school and weekend time depending
on need; each drop-in center (RePlace&Eliot) to develop own identity and ways of engaging
youth;
• Eliot outreach worker (with Bachelor's degree, not clinical; oriented to organizing,
networking, problem solving, mediation with shopkeepers, etc.) to play a major role in peer
program and be available to youth in Depot Square and elsewhere; will look to youth for ideas
of how they would like to spend their time--trips, activities, community service;
• Ellen is scheduling meetings with key people, e.g., Superintendent Young, Carol Pilarski,
Police&Hayden Center representatives; will include outreach worker in meetings;
• no case transfers are anticipated from RePlace to Eliot; current caseloads suggest full
involvement with youth needs on the part of both agencies.
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Human Services Committee Minutes, 9/21/94 Page 2
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Donna Hooper asked RePlace Board of Trustee members present at the meeting if they would like to add
anything to Ellen's transition update. Bobbi Black essentially stated that they were attending the meeting as
observers and as citizens. No further comment was offered.
Youth Services Needs Assessment
Assignments:
Lexington Clergy Association Jolley Ann Weinstock
Lexington Pediatrics Roz Gittleman
School nurses Jeanne Luongo
PTAs'/PTOs' Donna Hooper
Intergenerational/SPANS Roz Gittleman
Eva Havas suggested that further discussion of this project would be appropriate at the Committee's planning
retreat to be held in October.
Human Services Committee Membership
Listing of Committee members was reviewed. Positions of Eva Havas and Roz Gittleman expire in September
( 1994. Invitations to renew have already been sent. Donna asked members who are not planning to continue with
the Committee to be in touch.
Human Services Emergency Fund
Steve reported:
• requests remain consistent;
• will reconcile accounts;
• will summarize by year number of requests, average amount of request, pay backs;
• will meet with Trustees of Public Trusts;
• low number of pay backs each year even though Fund depends on this mechanism; people may
not have the means or they may need supportive follow up which has been lacking due to time
constraints.
Eva Havas suggested that volunteering be offered as an alternative to paying back in dollars. Steve will explore.
An article may be sent to the Minuteman to encourage contributions; also report to past contributors.
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Human Services Committee Minutes, 9/21/94 Page 3
Other business
Cary Hall Accessibility to Hard of Hearing Project
Rick Safford has located less expensive equipment than equipment he previously tested; will try to test
equipment in Cary Hall. Bobby Black suggested that FM might be a less expensive alternative; referred
Rick to Temple Isaiah.
Health Protection Advisory Council
The Committee after exploring materials obtained from a meeting of the Health Protection Advisory
Council determined that physical abuse and violence during dating and bullying behavior were
additional issues to be explored through Committee's needs assessment.
Steve Baran/extension of hours
Steve Baran reported that he would be working full time with the Town with his responsibilities
extended to installing and operating an intake system for the Council on Aging.