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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-02-24-HSC-min.pdf Human Services Committee Minutes Goal Setting Retreat February 24, 1996 Present: Julie E. Fenn; Rosalyn L. Gittleman; Eva S. Glick; Donna M. Hooper, Co- Chair; Jeanne R. Luongo; Jolley Anne Weinstock, Co-Chair; Steve Baran, Human Services Coordinator Absent: Richard Safford Opening remarks The meeting was convened in order to look at the Committee s accomplishments in the light of issues and goals formulated on October 22, 1994 (see attached) and to determine long and short-term future priorities. Among the accomplishments achieved since that time were the Youth Needs Assessment, better communication with the school department and other groups and the use of a consultant for the development of an evaluation tool. ( II. Human Services Committee Charge and Policy Statement The Committee reviewed its Charge and Policy and agreed to request that the Selectmen formally adopt the Policy which would henceforth be an attachment to the Charge. III. Committee roles, issues, liaisons and subcommittees Pre-school population: The Committee agreed in response to a letter from Ephraim Weiss questioning the extent of needs and resources for the preschool population to carry out an inquiry in this area, so inform Mr Weiss and invite Deborah Packard who is in charge of early education in the School Department to its next meeting. There was some discussion around the needs of mothers of preschool children and the need in these times for formal support groups to supplant the informal support groups that earlier prevailed when most mothers stayed at home to bring up their children. Julie Fenn alluded to long waiting lists for preschool placements, and there was question as to whether an inventory of preschool resources existed. It was agreed to invite Debby Packard and Ephraim Weiss to the next meeting of the Committee. I" Human Services Committee Minutes Goal Setting Retreat February 24, 1996 Page 2 RePlace contract: There was the impression that RePlace may not be following through as vigorously as might be hoped on its various commitments. Examples include: • perceived lack of administrative capability on the part of the CAPP Program Coordinator; • failure on the part of the Program Director to connect up with the METCO (Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity) Coordinator The majority of young people currently using the Drop In Center are from the METCO program. How is the RePlace balance sheet being viewed by Children's Behavioral Health Care? What is the long range likelihood that they will continue to support the program? Is the RePlace program in danger of losing its coherence to the extent that it moves ( further in the direction of featuring recreational programming? What is the RePlace mission? In view of the numbers of dysfunctional young people suggested by the risk survey, particularly the extent of drug use, does the RePlace capacity to serve this population by a court diversion program and other counseling means need to be explored? It was agreed that the Co-Chairs would meet with Joan Abrahams, Program Director, and Arnie Berger, President. Steve Baran and Bill Deveney have met with the RePlace staff. The evaluation of their program will be completed by May with peer counselors assisting in data collation and reporting. Coordination: Steve Baran convened a meeting including Joan Abrahams of RePlace; Don Mahoney, Hayden Recreation; Karen Simmons, Recreation Department; Candy McLaughlin, Acting Assistant Town Manager; and Linda Vine, COA Director to talk about coordination in the area of youth recreation programs. The process will be continued with Phil Lanoue, High School Principal, and Martha Queenin, High School Guidance Counselor, joining the group The Human Services Committee Coordination Subcommittee will be meeting with respect to coordination beyond recreation, e.g., substance abuse, court diversion, health education. Human Services Committee Minutes Goal Setting Retreat February 24, 1996 Page 3 IV Planning Board Articles The Committee agreed to support planning board articles on assisted living with the proviso that there be support for low and moderate income populations. V Other issues It was agreed to resume the search for a candidate to the Human Services Committee to replace the seat vacated by Eva Havas. VI. Where do we go from here? The question of where do we go from here will be further explored in the next meeting of the Committee scheduled for Wednesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. The 1994 goal statement will be further reviewed.