HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-11-01-HSC-min.pdf Human Services Committee Minutes
November 1, 1995
Present: Donna M. Hooper, Co-Chair; Julie E. Fenn; Eva S. Glick; Jeanne R. Luongo;
Richard Safford; Jolley Anne Weinstock, Co-Chair; Joan Abrahams, Arnie
Berger, Suzanne Larsen, Judy Zabin, CBHC/RePlace; Robert Scherer, Vice
President, Children's Behavioral Health Care, Inc., Sheri McCann and Laura
Domingo, CMARC Industries; Steve Baran, Human Services Coordinator
Absent: Rosalyn L. Gittleman
1 CBHC/RePlace
Joan Abrahams presented FY '97 Town-funding proposal. See separate draft. The
proposal overlaps with items in the basic budget of services provided at present. It
implied such concepts as implementing programs through joint staff from other
programs, e.g., Recreation Department; use of volunteers; and tracking to Human
Services Committee needs assessment. Priorities for RePlace are middle-school-
oriented substance abuse prevention; initiating a community coordinator position;
expansion of mentoring to involve peers, seniors, big brother-big sister, etc.,
overcoming duplication of services; and forging community alliances.
Joan also mentioned that CBHC/RePlace was considering responding to a day care
Request for Proposal and was in the middle of preparing a domestic violence proposal
to be submitted in conjunction with the Police Department.
RePlace will give an update to the Board of Selectmen on November 13 at 8 p.m.
Tom Keane, CEO, and Joan Abrahams to meet with Richard J White, Town
Manager, on 11/3
2. CMARC Industries
Laura Domingo, Lexington resident and employee of CMARC Industries, and Sheri
McCann, Executive Director, presented the CMARC program. Laura was especially
proud of her job at Brigham's because she was able to meet the customers and
enjoyed many different duties. Sheri McCann said that the CMARC goal was to get
people employed in their own communities. CMARC was now serving 32 Lexington
residents, last year placed three in industry where they had full time CMARC
supervision. CMARC has four job coaches who assist employers in breaking down
complex jobs so that CMARC workers can be well utilized.
CMARC will continue to seek funding from Lexington for a portion of its one job
procurement officer whose salary is $35,000. The agency has had a history of being
level-funded while serving increasing numbers of Lexington clients. Sheri
recommended that there be a funding increase on the basis of what has been the
average increase from other municipalities.
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Human Services Committee Minutes
November 1, 1995
Page 2
3 Reorganization
The Town Manager has proposed that the Human Services Coordinator be made part
of a Human Services Department to be headed by the current Council on Aging
Director who is now freed up due to increased resources to conduct human services'
long-range planning.
Concern was expressed that the Coordinator may have future increased staffing needs
due to his multiple responsibilities, particularly in responding to the increasing needs
of the elderly It is understood that the Coordinator will be able to tap into COA
resources in responding to need. Steve Baran commented that he had previously
worked closely with Linda Vine and expected that this type of relationship would
continue.
The proposal was unanimously accepted.
4 Candidates to Human Services Committee
Marilyn Goldman has withdrawn her candidacy while Wendy Friedman may have
different plans.
5 Other
Steve Baran mentioned continuing needs of single parents. Eva Glick is interested in
helping to form a group.
Julie Fenn, Steve Baran and Donna Hooper will meet 11/8 at 7 p.m. to prepare draft
budget to be reviewed by the full Human Services Committee on November 14 at 7
p.m. in Room 105 of the Town Office Building.
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