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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-07-HSC-min.pdf Minutes Human Services Committee 1/7/98 Present: Helen Craves, Barbara Ciampa, Co-Chairs, Roz Gittleman; Gregory Kotonias-Payne; Linda Pucci, Rick Safford; Nancy Freed, Social Service Department; Steve Baran, Recorder Absent: Lauren MacNeil and Eva Glick Minutes of 12/3/97 The Minutes of 12/3/97 were reviewed. Instead of"Roz had contacted Donna Hooper and Julie Fenn about their availability for a farewell party," substitute Jolley Anne Weinstock for Donna Hooper (recognizing that Donna Hooper would also be invited). Corrections were noted on the list of Human Services Committee members. The revised list will be distributed to the Committee. Sunnort Committee for Battered Women Roz Gittleman requested and received approval of the committee to invite Roseanne Katchaturian, Director of Development for the Support Committee for Battered Women, to its next meeting. She will report on the work of the Support Committee, and at that time Nancy Freed and Steve Baran will report on the town's domestic violence program. Scheduling of Human Services Committee meetings Rick Safford reported that he no longer will be free to attend meetings of the Human Services Committee on the first Wednesday of each month. Steve Baran will canvass the committee to determine times which will be mutually convenient for everyone. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays were eliminated from the choice of alternatives. The committee will meet on Wednesday, February 4th prior to changing its schedule. 2 Warrant Article Update The Committee had previously agreed to submit a warrant article which, if accepted by Town Meeting, would establish the funding of a survey of parents of children of preschool age. The purpose of the survey would be to determine parents' need for preschool resources. Subsequently, Steve Baran and Nancy Freed had inquired of the Town Manager as to the feasibility of this approach and had been informed that for the relatively minor expense of the survey—estimated by Linda Pucci at less than $1,000—monies could be found, particularly since a large portion of this would be for postage. Therefore, it was agreed to proceed with planning the survey and to dispense with the warrant article strategy If the survey could be completed even in preliminary form, prior to Town Meeting, the results would be reported in Town Meeting with appropriate credit given to Ephraim Weiss, Town Meeting member, for his part in encouraging the Committee to look into this matter It was agreed that permission would be requested from the Board of Selectmen to undertake the survey Linda Pucci said that the number of potential parent informants would be 1,060, and it was agreed to circulate a draft questionnaire in advance to Committee members in order to elicit their comments at the February 4t meeting. Linda assured the Committee members that respondents' confidentiality would be respected. Food Pantry Steve Baran informed the Committee that he had received correspondence from the Food Pantry of an impending financial crisis. Gregory Kotonias- Payne and Helen Cravis, who is a Food Pantry volunteer, offered to meet with Food Pantry representatives to talk about fundraising strategies. Helen Craves had the impression that both utilization and funding were considerably lower this year than last. 3 r { Policy Statement Although the Committee had agreed upon a draft of its Policy Statement, Steve Baran offered additional corrections. These were accepted with further modifications by the Committee which deemed its work to now be completed. RePlace Nancy announced that a Request for Proposal for RePlace only would be drawn up by the Social Services Department. Input from RePlace would be solicited. Nancy further commented that the Town was basically satisfied with RePlace performance and that they had made real relationships with members of the School Department. The Committee requested that an outline of the RFP be presented in March and that RePlace be requested to report in March. Rick Safford mentioned that he had donated professional reading materials to RePlace and the Committee expressed their appreciation. Review of Human Services Committee Needs Assessment Survey The Committee continued with its review of the last needs assessment completed by the Human Services Committee 3 Youth and Family in Need of Services Court diversion program — implemented. Youth outreach worker— ongoing at RePlace Does the Committee still consider this worthwhile? Does outreach include counseling? It was agreed that this area warranted further discussion. 4 4 Substance Abuse Substance abuse is addressed through the health curriculum. Nancy and Steve attend quarterly meetings of the school's Health PAC review committee The Committee noted lack of hard data about whether current interventions in town were effective DARE — Committee members questioned the efficacy of DARE programs in general. It was agreed that the local program needed to be evaluated. Domestic Violence Task Force —done. CAPP — no longer being done through RePlace, now part of school program. Expansion of Police Family Services — done. The Committee agreed that it should monitor further progress. Diversity/Interfaith Clergy — for further discussion. Agenda for next meeting Battered women, preschool survey, food pantry, party, schedule of meetings.