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
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Human Services Committee Minutes
1/8/97
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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