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