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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-10-22-HSC-min.pdf Human Services Committee Meeting of October 22. 1994 Present. Donna Hooper Chairman; Rosalyn Gittleman; Eva Havas; Jeanne Luongo; Jolley Ann Weinstock; The meeting of the Human Services Committee, at 910 a.m. at the home of Rosalyn Gittleman, was held for the purpose of the committee to discuss and establish goals and objectives for the upcoming year Discussion revolved around the following issues. The importance of improving communication with Lexington Public Schools, Superintendent Young, Carol Pilarski Comprehensive Health & Human Services Coordinator and other staff involved in recommending and providing human services to the youth. Schedule a meeting with representatives from the Human Services Committee, Eliot Human Services, and Superintendent Young, etc. A need to more clearly identify Committee's methods to effectively outreach to the Town s youth. What role shall the Human Services Committee play addressing diversity issues and in increasing tollerance between the groups within the Town? Methods by which the Town should address alcohol and substance abuse of its youth and the incidences of unsupervised house parties. •Means by which the ongoing needs assessment may be brought to closure, possibly connecting findings with the DOE youth survey and other surveys. Methods for coordination of services/agencies such as Eliot Community Human Services, The Center for Mental Health, and RePlace. Availability of consultant services to be used for the development of an evaluation tool? Establishing formal liaison from Human Services Committee and the Coalition for Racial Equality •Sponsoring of an Open-House type function at the newly opened Drop-In Center in Depot Square, inviting the various entities within the Town which are involved in any way with the youth such as: Lexington Police, Lexington Public Schools, Hayden Recreation Center Lexington Recreation Dept. Lexington Clergy Association, and agencies including RePlace, The Center for Mental Health, CMARC, etc. Value of filling available vacancies on the Human Services Committee recruiting of new members. •Publicizing of Eliot s Drop-In Center welcoming Eliot as a Town service provider and importance of cooperation of various human service agencies servicing the Town s youth and families. Human Services Committee Goals and Objectives, October 22, 1994 The role of the Human Services Committee is continually changing and evolving over time as the demographic, social, and economic environment of Lexington changes. Within the broad parameters of the charge to the committee by the Board of Selectmen, the committee has reviewed its activities and established a set of long term goals for this year's activities targeted to meet specific objectives. Jong Term Goats 1. Conduct ongoing needs assessment for human services based upon input of various Town public and private agencies and demographics of the town. 2 Inventory resources and services available to Lexington citizens and promote integration of services, identify where town structures and services overlap, where gaps may exist and promote development of communication among Town boards and agency administrators. 3 Evaluate effectiveness of human service agencies responding to community needs and carrying out human services policies, recommending contracts between Town and human service agencies. 4. Respond to emerging community human service issues. ( FY95 Objectives 1 Issue report of needs assessment being conducted with various town entities and private agencies for a basis of recommendations of integration of services and establishment of services identified as needed and not readily available. 2 Promote the integration of Town services by sponsoring an Open-House type function at the newly opened Drop-In Center in Depot Square, inviting the various entities within the Town involved in any way with the youth and encourage opening lines of communication. Communicate on an ongoing basis with representatives of Eliot Community Human Services, representa tives of Lexington Public Schools and Superintendent Young on issues pertaining to the needs of Lexington's youth. 3 Develop evaluation tool to be used for assessment of performance of FY95 contracted agencies and as a basis of recommendations for future contracting. 4 Incorporate the awareness of community diversity as part of prevention component in educating citizens, providing diversity and conflict resolution training