HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-02-05-HSC-min.pdf Human Services Committee
Minutes
2/5/97
Present: Jolly Anne Weinstock, Chair; Barbara Ciampa; Helen Cravis; Julie Fenn; Roz
Gittleman; Eva Glick; Lauren MacNeil; Nancy Freed, Social Services Director; Joan
Abrahams and Arnie Berger, RePlace Steve Baran (recorder).
Absent: Rick Safford
Minutes 1/8/96
The Minutes of 1/8/96 were approved with the following corrections:
With respect to a young grandmother who was a recipient of financial
assistance the wording should be changed from:
'He had been able to help a newly located grandmother who needed
transportation for a five year old to a preschool.
( to: "He had been able to help a grandmother new to the community "
Jolley Anne Weinstock had questioned whether every possible resource, particularly
extended day care, had been explored prior to approving the expenditure. She asked
Steve if he had looked into this. Steve replied that, indeed, he had and this resource
was fully subscribed before the recipient could apply
The Minutes should also have shown that Barbara Ciampa was absent.
Three Year Terms
Steve reported that he had inquired of the Selectmen's office about length of
appointments for Committee members. They took note that the Charge did stipulate
three-year terms and would make the necessary corrections.
Arnie Berger
Arnie Berger was welcomed following the death of her husband.
RePlace reporting
l Steve, Nancy and Joan reviewed the progress of revised RePlace reporting. Nancy
commented that they had discussed timely and complete reporting. Joan noted certain
Human Services Committee Minutes
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current programs that were either being discontinued or, because of low utilization,
being considered to be discontinued. The value of reporting was discussed as an
evaluation tool with Nancy noting that the year-end reporting would be begun as a
process well before the end of the year to allow consideration of programming and
drawing up a contract for FY '98 Arnie suggested that there be a qualitative aspect to
the evaluation with Helen suggesting that respondents to an evaluation include
potential as well as current consumers.
Joan noted the availability of Beaverbrook counseling services for families with
preschoolers.
Review of Charge and Policy Statement
The Charge was accepted with previous revisions from the Committee.
It was suggested that the policy statement be redrafted so that there would be a
distinction between mission and implementation. Steve was asked to obtain, to the
extent they exist, samples of charges (and policy statements) from other Town
committees.
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Preschool
Lauren expressed regret that her daytime schedule precluded her ability to attend
meetings with preschool providers.
Barbara reported that there had been a meeting with Stacy Dimino Executive Director
of Communities United, a large preschool and day care provider Stacy had highlighted
the lack of response from parents who either don't know about their programs or are
over income and therefore not eligible. Another meeting was with Lexington preschool
directors representing a variety of auspices. They reported on a high demand for infant
care parents' need for education and support, and the need for a coordinator of
preschool programs.
Helen said that basic data was available through the School Department and Town
census. Steve reported that the Children's Trust Fund was preparing to release a
Request for Response for FY '98 Parenting Education and Support Grants. These
grants are for community-based parenting education and support groups for parents of
children ages birth to six years. Grants would be $2,500 each. Steve thought such
funding could be used to support a support group that had been initiated at the
Hancock Church preschool. Julie said that she had helped to run that group Lauren
spoke of how much some parents wanted to make their own parenting different from
what they had experienced as parents.
Human Services Committee Minutes
2/5/97
Page 3
Council on Aging
Roz reported on developments at the Council on Aging:
1 Social day care move
2. Air conditioning
3 Redevelopment of the dining room in the direction of a cafe
4 Expansion in the direction of a community center
Human Services Committee Report to Selectmen
Nancy will collaborate with the Committee in presenting a report on social services to
the Board of Selectmen on March 3 (tentative date).
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