HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-12-03-HSC-min.pdf Minutes
Human Services Committee
12/3/97
Present: Helen Cravis, Barbara Ciampa, Co-Chairs; Roz Gittleman,
Linda Pucci, Rick Safford, Eva Glick; Nancy Freed, Social Service
Department; Steve Baran, Recorder
Absent: Lauren MacNeil and Gregory Kotonias-Payne
Minutes of 11/5/97
The Minutes of 11/5/97 were reviewed. It was noted that there was no
mention of attendance. Present at that meeting were Barbara Ciampa, Eva
Glick, Lauren MacNeil, Rick Safford and Linda Pucci. Absent were Helen
Cravis, Roz Gittleman and Gregory Kotonias Payne. The Minutes were
otherwise accepted.
It was agreed that the practice would be continued of listing first and last
( names of members attending and absent, but it would suffice, as has been the
practice, to denote members by their first names only in the body of the
minutes. Also, under attendance, names of Co-Chairs and Recorder will be
noted.
Membership List
An updated membership list will be provided with the Minutes before the
next meeting.
Party for Donna Hooner and Julie Fenn
Roz had contacted Donna Hooper and Julie Fenn about their availability for
a farewell party They had suggested that this take place in January It was
agreed to have the party in January
Review of Youth Services Needs Assessment by Human Services
Committee. 7/31/95
It was agreed to review the 7/31/95 Human Services Committee Youth
Services Needs Assessment in terms of keeping adding, or deleting
recommendations. See below
RANK
I. Inadequate Coordination of Youth Services (It was agreed to delete
the word "inadequate").
Establish Community Coalition - A Youth Task Force was created. It
evolved into a 24-hour Relay Challenge event.
Seek federal grants - there is a continuing need to be alert for all, not
only federal, possible funding sources.
Strengthen connection between town and schools - real inroads have
been made through on the part of Nancy, Steve and the Senior Center
through Health PAC, the 24-Hour Relay Challenge and the Domestic
Violence Task Force. It was agreed that this goal should be retained.
Increase Human Services Department staffing - the department's
staffing has been augmented through grants and students. There
should be ongoing identification of staffing needs in light of programs
put in place.
Develop a "road map" publication-brochure - new brochure(s) needed
in light of changing events and need to target audience.
II. Youth Socialization/Hang Out
Provide Drop-In Center for H.S Youth - assess need.
Expand Drop-In Center to Middle Schoolers - explore feasibility of
providing drop-in center to middle school youth who are too young to
drive and too young to work.
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Evaluate appropriate number of locations - Nancy commented on
planning, now in its conceptual stages, for an intergenerational
community center This would entail the Senior Center moving out of
its present building so that weekend and evening programs could be
accommodated. It was agreed that seniors and youth, in many
instances, would need separate space.
It was agreed that space needed to be investigated in relation to high
school and middle school youth and in relation to the needs of other
constituencies.
Mentoring, big brothers/sisters, foster grandparents. .delete.
IlI Youth and family in need of services
To be continued in a subsequent meeting.
Sunnort Committee for Battered Women
Roz wished to report on the Support Committee for Battered Women. It was
agreed that this should be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
Assessment of Preschool Need and Warrant Article
Linda reported on preschool needs assessment planning. She underscored
the importance of assuring that services were provided to this vulnerable
population and suggested a survey that would identify need within the 0-4
population. A list of 1,060 households has been provided by the Town Clerk.
The short survey would ask.
Is your child attending preschool? Yes, No If no, would you like your
child to attend preschool? Yes, No If not, is this due to lack of
transportation, funding, or other reason. If funding were available would you
enroll your child?
The introduction would explain that the Human Services Committee
1 was trying to establish baseline data for assessing need.
Nancy and Steve agreed to follow up with the Town Attorney, Rick
White and Board of Selectmen.
The motion was made and seconded that the Committee would write a
warrant article assessing preschool needs, that a survey would be conducted.
This was accepted unanimously by Committee members. Lauren MacNeil
will be kept informed. Once the Warrant Article has been finalized, Barbara
and Helen will inform Ephraim Weiss.
Policy Statement
The Human Services Policy statement was revised and finalized by the
Committee.
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