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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-01-24-HSC-min.pdf Human Services Committee Minutes January 24 1996 Present: Julie E. Fenn; Rosalyn L. Gittleman; Donna M. Hooper, Co-Chair; Richard Safford, Jolley Anne Weinstock, Co-Chair; Joan Abrahams, CBHC/RePlace; Steve Baran, Human Services Coordinator Absent: Eva S. Glick; Jeanne R. Luongo 1 Chairpersons/Coordinator Comments It was agreed that there would be a retreat for the Human Services Committee--a facilitator may be provided through the Town Manager--on Saturday, February 17, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the lower floor of the Senior Center Donna Hooper received a letter of resignation from Eva Havas. Donna suggested that Steve Baran get in touch with Marilyn Goldman and Wendy Friedman who had earlier indicated an interest in joining the Committee. If neither is interested, Steve should proceed to put a letter in the Minuteman. Donna Hooper further reported that she had been asked to sit on a panel for the hiring of an Assistant Town Manager Donna Hooper and Steve Baran reported on a presentation to the Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee made by Bill Apgar, Director of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Dr Apgar had talked particularly about the role played by attitudes of members of communities like Lexington eager to attract minorities but where, in addition to a lack of financial incentives, there was a lack of a mixture of racial-ethnic groups. This had the effect of particularly discouraging African- Americans who might feel isolated in such communities as opposed to other communities where such a mix prevailed. Steve Baran reported on results of a Council on Aging retreat and the possibility that their social day care program might be relocated outside of the Senior Center Steve mentioned that he had a student from Salem State College School of Social Work placed with him this year She is pursuing her B.S.W degree. Jolley Anne Weinstock noted her own very positive impressions of Salem students. Human Services Committee Minutes January 24, 1996 Page 2 A letter was distributed from Ephraim Weiss requesting that the Human Services Committee investigate needs of pre-schoolers and their families. Steve noted that there was a need on the part of some families for scholarships. Mr Weiss was also asking about the extent of children at risk in Lexington. Joan Abrahams noted that CBHC had some experience in this area and could act as a resource. Steve Baran said that he would report to the Committee at its next meeting on the needs that had been earlier assessed in this area. It was agreed to keep Mr Weiss informed of developments. 2. FY '97 Human Services Budget Recommendations a. Children's Behavioral Health Care/RePlace recommendations Steve Baran was asked to check into the status of supplementary budget recommendation for RePlace. He had recommended a total of $92,090 including the supplementary budget of $22,256 on top of a service level budget of $69 834--3% increase over current $11 000. Projected full funding in relation to youth services needs assessment is $264 000 Joan Abrahams mentioned that the precise mix of programming might need to be altered before the end of the year in light of emerging needs. Joan Abrahams reported: Drop-in Center Joan Abrahams had met with Karen Simmons, new Recreation Director Karen previously worked at the Fernald School. The potential was noted of the drop-in center eventually being integrated into a multi-service center along with recreational resources. This would have to be justified in relation to the resources that the Hayden Recreation Center already makes available. Joan is looking forward to some initial collaboration with the Recreation Department around Outward Bound programs and weekend activities. Staffing at the drop-in center includes: B.0 Sociology Senior, David Shea, 3 days from 3-6, also attends staff meetings; intern, one day a week; volunteer an older student, one day per week and practicum students. The drop-in center is open 5 days a week from 3 to 6 except for Wednesday when it is open from one to six. It can comfortably accommodate 12 per day is currently seeing a core group of between eight and ten. Activities include interaction with staff, pool, games, bingo video once a week with discussion Human Services Committee Minutes January 24, 1996 Page 3 and cooking. They are planning to get a video games. Most of the students coming to the drop-in center are male and black (two-thirds). Joan has not been in touch with Cheryl Prescott-Walden, the high school Metco coordinator, but intends to do so. She has met with Gail Cody, middle school Metco coordinator Outreach: at Hayden Recreation Center pick up basketball involving RePlace kids is going on. They seem to be well accepted at Hayden. RePlace is beginning to provide services in the elementary school by doing a six grade boys counseling group at Clarke Junior High School. These boys come mostly from the homes of single parents. A substance abuse group for girls in the middle schools will deal with eating disorders problems and body image. "How can you feel good about yourself? You're fine the way you are." The RePlace outreach worker is increasingly accepted by the high school smoking group Counseling: cases were coming in at the rate of 2-5 per week. CAPP• Joan referred to some delay in getting the CAPP program underway since the former coordinator had not trained the new coordinator Maria Tramantosi. A new task force with 18 members has been formed. Julie Fenn expressed concern that she had received a CAPP pamphlet without a cover letter Evaluation: Steve Baran had not heard from Bill Deveney consultant, who has contract to do evaluation of RePlace. Steve will be in touch with him. There was a question of whether CBHC did evaluation of counseling as part of its mental health managed care contract and/or whether Tom Keane, CEO, had committed CBHC to evaluate RePlace counseling. b Central Middlesex Association for Retarded Citizens $15 000 had been recommended by Steve Baran to bring contribution from Lexington within range of per capita contributions from other communities.