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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-02-HSC-min.pdf Minutes Human Services Committee 6/2/99 Present: Cathy Abbott, Selectman Liaison; Nancy Bartlett; Barbara Ciampa, Co-Chair Roz Gittleman; Eva Glick; Khalil Khatri; Christine Yedica, Steve Baran, Human Services Coordinator Linda Cahill, Police Department, Becket Rhodes, RePlace —Domestic Violence Response Team Absent: Helen Cravis, Co-Chair Gregory Kotonias-Payne Minutes of 5/5/99 The Minutes of 5/5/99 were accepted with the exception that the following was amended at the suggestion of Cathy Abbott from: 'Cathy Abbott said that Jay Kaufman had introduced a bill seeking broader based eligibility criteria for families in need of preschools' to Jay Kaufman would support broader based eligibility criteria for families in need of preschools. Domestic Violence Response Team Report Linda Cahill!from the Police Department and Becket Rhodes of RePlace delivered a report on the accomplishments of the Domestic Violence Response Team: Evaluation:The Team was in the process of developing an evaluation of its effectiveness in working with clients. A new report would cover the December—May 1999 activity period. Evaluation would be difficult, Linda said, if actual involvement with the program was a main criterion since many people go for years before asking for help. Of all individuals seen, 27% had been ready to speak to the RePlace advocate during the last reporting period. Statistics: Barbara Ciampa asked about the figure reported that 38% of all domestic arrests involved individuals aged 13—21 Linda clarified that this figure was derived from numbers of encounters, not numbers of individuals served. In other words, one individual seen many times would have disproportionately to the figure. She noted that very few calls involved elder abuse. When the police arrive on the scene:A brochure has supplanted the card that police officers gave to victims in the past. Usually the police only see that there has been a verbal argument. When the police see evidence of abuse, e.g. a fresh cut and bleeding, the officer will make an immediate arrest. Then the victim must testify in court that the event actually took place. Often, the victim will not want the process to continue and state that her husband was momentarily out of control. Advocate interaction with the victim:Becket Rhodes commented that the worker tries to let the victim who typically has been controlled by others direct the intervention; not every victim wants involvement with an advocate. The majority of victims are often already known to agencies. Community education: The Team has provided a variety of classes, e.g. to a biology class, training at the police and fire departments. The 'Yellow Dress' a play about dating violence which was followed by small group discussion,was done twice at the high school. 2 Funding: Funding was cut 100% during the year and 50% of that was restored with intervention from Jay Kaufman, State Representative The 'Yellow Dress' would cost$1,000 to be performed again. It was suggested that the Lebngton Council on the Arts might sponsor this in the future and RePlace might contribute through its grant with the Town. Response Team:To be expanded to include representation from other community groups. Human Services Committee Liaison to the Team: Eva Glick is the liaison to the Team from the Human Services Committee and will try to be at the next meeting. RePlace Location Becket reported that RePlace was likely to be moving to a new location in mid-July Report to Board of Selectmen Barbara Ciampa announced that she would be giving a report as Co-Chair on Human Services Committee activities to the Board of Selectmen on Monday June 14 She asked the Committee to review the year's accomplishments with respect to their liaison roles. Support Committee for Battered Women Roz Gittleman reported that Bessie McAndless would be honored at the annual dinner meeting of the Support Committee for Battered Women. Senior Center Long Range Planning ( Roz Gittleman reported that members of the Council on Aging had been visiting different senior and intergenerational centers in relation to their long range-planning project. PreSchool Nancy Bartlett reported that Communities United was conducting a survey of needs of preschoolers and their families,that the Early Childhood Education Committee was beginning to plan for full-day kindergarten. CMARC It was not clear from the CMARC presentation if they needed volunteers or paid staffing at the local community residence. Roz Gittleman said she would clarify LexFest! Barbara Ciampa reported that LexFest! was held on May 22 in excellent weather There were many performers and vendors. Jeff Drake, "First Teachers" Jeff Drake presented the 'First Teachers' project which focuses on parents as being the first teachers of children. The program is preventive-oriented, designed to reach kids 'falling through the cracks' and be a response to violence and other social problems.Two parenting groups would meet every two weeks with 12 parents per group to discuss a curriculum of 12 topics affecting children 0-6. 3 Jeff planned to do outreach with the idea that the community needed to develop a sense of ownership of the program.A proposal for seed money had been filed with the Children's Trust Fund.The budget would be $8,800, and the grant would provide $2,500 while additional funds would be raised locally possibly in part,through the Preschool PTA. Marketing would be through lists obtained from the Preschool PTA and the Town Clerk. He is seeking a 501-c-3 sponsor The initial groups would be encouraged to stay together and assist in training subsequent groups. Jeff is a private psychotherapist; there would be no conflict of interest. Next Meeting There will be no meeting in July The next meeting chaired by Helen Cravis will be held on Wednesday August 4 l