HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-05-HSC-min.pdf ( Human Services Committee
Minutes
3/5/97
Present: Jolly Anne Weinstock, Chair Barbara Ciampa; Helen Cravis; Julie Fenn; Roz
Gittleman; Rick Safford; Steve Baran (recorder).
Absent: Eva Glick; Lauren MacNeil
Minutes of 1/8/97
Corrections:
Instead of 'The Minutes of 1/8/96", change to "The Minutes of 1/8/97" were
approved, etc.
Barbara Ciampa should have been noted as absent in the Minutes of 1/8/97
Review of Charge and Policy Statement
Copies of a revised policy statement for human services in the Town of Lexington were
distributed by Barbara Ciampa.
Preschool
Steve was asked to contact Debby Packard, Early Education Director, and ask her to
meet with the preschool subcommittee.
It was suggested that data be requested from the School Department on numbers of
preschoolers. Similar data should be obtained from the Town Census, if it exists.
There was a discussion on state special education policy Lexington's trend to
mainstream gifted children was seen as related to an overemphasis on special
education with its severe impact on the budget. Preschool training, on the other hand,
would be cost-effective and a worthwhile capital investment. It was felt that some
parents whose children are in special education classes should pay for extra services
according to their means.
( Human Services Committee Minutes
3/5/97
Page 2
Council on Aging
Roz Gittleman reported:
1 The social day care program will be moved, and there will be an open house, in
April. Accommodations will include a large ranch house with an attached garage
in Lincoln adjacent to Minuteman Science Technology High School. The fee for
Social Day Care is $22.50 per day It is anticipated that once the program is in
new quarters it will be able to accommodate participants on a five-day-a-week
basis.
2. Roz will be in touch with the Selectmen's representative to the Support
Committee for Battered Women. The Police Department has applied for a small
grant to train volunteers.
Teenagers
There was a discussion of teen violence and illegitimate births. Helen Cravis said that
she had witnessed the whole gamut of exercise of responsibility including a class
valedictorian who had an illegitimate baby The mother went on to college while the
grandchild was cared for by the grandparents. It was noted that kids start becoming
sexually active and using drugs in middle school, that Lexington does not see any
(illegitimate) births since the mothers obtained abortions, that girls became pregnant in
order to feel needed.