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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-04-HSC-min.pdf Minutes Human Services Committee 3/4/98 Present: Barbara Ciampa, Co-Chair; Roz Gittleman; Eva Glick; Gregory Kotonias-Payne; Lauren MacNeil; and Steve Baran (Recorder), Social Service Department; Becket Rhodes and Laura Kurman, RePlace( Jodi Hill, Parenting Resources, Inc. Absent: Helen Cravis, Co-Chair; Linda Pucci; and Rick Safford RePlace Steve Baran commented for the Social Services Department that RePlace had demonstrated excellent accountability in reporting on utilization. There did remain question about reporting outcomes, as noted particularly by Dan Fenn in the last Selectmen's meeting during the report of the Social Services Department. The RePlace initiative in the area of domestic violence represented a promising contribution to the community Laura Kurman, reporting for RePlace, explained that Wayside had given careful attention to reporting hours in a new format and setting utilization objectives while payment was for services rendered only, a departure from past practice. Wayside was dealing with an inheritance from the past that was not always positive, but its emphasis was on moving ahead. RePlace has been in touch with the schools where there is continuing ambivalence. They are still waiting and watching. New services call for a greater emphasis on counseling while some programs have been eliminated because they were not successful. Becket Rhodes, at Barbara Ciampa's invitation, gave an example of outreach from her own caseload. She had responded to a special needs teenager with ADHD, assisted with advocacy in the school system and supportive counseling at home. Laura commented that most counseling took place out of the office. As to office space, RePlace was required to vacate its space in the Hancock Church by June,1999. They needed four to five counseling rooms and a waiting area. Lauren MacNeil volunteered to help in the search. Gregory Kotonias-Payne suggested that there might be space at the Follen Church while Steve Baran suggested getting in touch with the Chamber of Commerce. As to groups, Laura commented that in the past groups had been planned that never took place so that this time around the agency had done a needs assessment leading in one instance to groups focusing on transition to middle school. 2 Gregory Kotonias-Payne inquired about the medical and interpersonal consequences of eating disorders since one of the new RePlace groups dealt with body image and self-awareness. RePlace reported that 50% of girls who took a pre-assessment test revealed being at very high risk of developing eating disorders. The group advertised as being about body image had not been successful. Lauren MacNeil suggested that the group be advertised as a girls' issues group The more restrictive terminology led to parents' pressuring daughters to join. As to the group for parents of children aged up to one year old, RePlace had experienced little response to their extensive marketing. They wondered whether it might be pertinent to widen the age range. Parenting Resources had been running a group for parents of children ages two to six. Barbara Ciampa suggested that having the group in the springtime might yield better results while Eva Glick suggested being in touch with hospitals. Becket Rhodes replied that they had tried without success. Other aspects of the RePlace report dealt with crises, tracking and the peer program with peers engaging in tutoring middle school children, undertaking strategic planning and the developing of a mission statement. Steve Baran wondered if the peers might continue into the summer and begin considering the feasibility of a drop in center Barbara Ciampa suggested clean up projects. Briefly noted was the inauguration of a domestic violence project along with the development of a new brochure. The program was involved with 20 cases in the first three months of its existence. Suzanne Larsen, Barry Orenstein and Arnie Berger continue on the advisory board with Arnie active in the 24-Hour Relay Challenge. She has also helped to provide training for peers. Judy Zabin is also still involved. Selectmen's Liaison The Committee asked Steve Baran to contact the Board of Selectmen to suggest that they appoint a new Selectmen liaison, preferably Jean Krieger, or Dan Fenn, in view of his interest. Leo McSweeney had been the liaison but was no longer continuing as a Selectman having lost in the last election. Parenting Resources Associates Jodi Hill reported on the eight-session parenting group, which she had run at the invitation of the Human Services Committee, and with funding from the Children's Trust Fund. The group was composed of parents of children ages two to six perceived by the parents to be challenging. The Hancock Church provided 3 - space. An 81-year-old babysitter from Arlington assisted and was given a small stipend. There were 20 to 30 inquiries, and 13 parents registered while 11 parents (of 27 children) completed the eight sessions. 11 registrants were from Lexington while two parents, although not Lexington residents, had children in preschool in Lexington. All of the participants were female and all currently married. The market rate for such a group is $25 per session whereas parents were paying $5 per session to participate in this group Jodi will share the parent evaluations with the Human Services Committee. The sessions dealt with temperament, discipline and limit-setting, and marital relationships. Themes included getting kids ready for kindergarten, complaining about fathers' lack of interest. (the Wednesday morning meeting time may have been a factor in keeping fathers away) and grief work. Some parents expected kids who were developmentally on target. The children were quite challenging, and some were special needs children. Half had diagnosable issues and half were kids who had been previously evaluated. A portion of the group wanted to continue, and group members were invited to stay in touch with each other Jodi thought that if funding were available, it would be feasible to run another group in six months. She was also thinking about running a drop-in group for new parents since this represented a tumultuous and ( transient time in parenting. Survey Preparations are proceeding for surveying 1,060 parents of preschool children 0- 4 Costs for mailing and printing are being collated. Next Committee Meeting The next meeting of the Human Services Committee will take place on Wednesday, April 1 when there will be a discussion concerning the Food Pantry along with other items.