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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-08-HSC-min.pdf Human Services Committee Minutes 1/8/97 Present: Jolly Anne Weinstock, Chair; Barbara Ciampa; Helen Cravis; Roz Gittleman; Eva Glick; Rick Safford; Nancy Freed, Social Services Director; Joan Abrahams and Suzanne Larsen, RePlace; Steve Baran (recorder). Absent: Julie Fenn, Lauren MacNeil, Minutes 12/4/96 The Minutes of 12/4/96 were approved. Youth Services Contract Nancy Freed continued to express concern about the quality and completeness of RePlace reporting with the exception of counseling which would be paid to date. Joan Abrahams replied that reporting from her staff had been incomplete. Nancy requested reporting in a new format to be retroactive to July and stressed the importance of unduplicated counts. With respect to preventive programs, Joan felt that there should be appropriate reimbursement for planning and collaborative hours Human Services Committee Charge - revisions/Human Services policy Review of the revised Charge and the Human Services Policy was deferred to the next meeting to allow members to review suggested changes prior to meeting. Helen Cravis noted that the Charge stipulated three-year terms whereas appointments of new members had been for two years. Steve Baran agreed to inquire with the Board of Selectmen. Distribution of brochures/Christmas list Members reviewed the human services brochure which they agreed was not sufficiently compelling. They did not feel that a brochure designed primarily for fundraising would serve the purpose of reaching out to needy people experiencing emergencies. A brief statement on colored paper in poster style, targeted to groups such as at the Food Pantry or applicants to Beacon Santa and Community Team Work would be in order Steve suggested that there might also be marketing through the forthcoming human services directory 1 Human Services Committee Minutes 1/8/97 Page 2 Human Services Fund/Fund for Lexington Steve mentioned additional funding to supplement the Human Services Fund was now available through the Fund for Lexington. He had been able to help a new ly located grandmother who needed transportation for a five year old to a preschool. Jolley Anne Weinstock questioned whether every possible resource, particularly extended day care, had been explored prior to approving the expenditure. Steve will review As to social policy, there was question raised as to whether preschool should be part of the public school mandate and whether parenting should be taught universally Hancock Church funding Steve reported on a proposal being sent by the Council on Aging requesting funding for a volunteer service that would serve elderly people needing assistance with shopping and errands. Concern was expressed by the Committee about the need for a program which would alleviate loneliness. Eva Glick mentioned the friendly visitor program she had helped to plan for this purpose. China Jolly Anne Weinstock shared her impressions from her recent trip to China, a socialist country where all needs are theoretically met by the society thus presumably obviating the need for social services. She noted in particular the social pressures being experienced due to the policy of allowing only one child per family leading as a consequence to the need for old age homes. She realized how much the Chinese value order and their desire that change should take place in an orderly way