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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-19-HSC-min Town of Lexington Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes September 19, 2017 Attendees: Gail Fields, Co-Chair, Pam Joshi, Bonnie Tempas, Helen Walsh, Doug Lucente, Selectmen Liaison, Betty Borghesani, COA Board Liaison, Charlotte Rodgers, Human Services Director (staff). Guests: Brent Maracle, Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association Co-President, and Lana Bastianutti, both representing the Lexington Coalition for Youth. Gail called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm and everyone introduced themselves. Attending this meeting were 2 representatives from the Lexington Coalition for youth, Brent Maracle and Lana Bastianutti. The next item on the agenda was to approve the minutes of the June 20, 2017 Human Services Committee meeting. Once the minutes were introduced, the Coalition guests asked to speak about the minutes, specifically expressing concern that the minutes stated that "the work of the Coalition could be confusing to residents". A conversation followed with Charlotte Rodgers clarifying that the statement referred to a general lack of clarity regarding the alignment of goals and initiatives between the Town, Schools and Coalition, which may be confusing to some in our community as they may believe that the Coalition is the Town and Schools. The Coalition guests spent about 30 minutes discussing the work of the Coalition, its' goals and initiatives, and presented the updated service map, created by members of the Coalition. They expressed a desire to work more closely with the Human Services Committee moving forward to identify gaps in services and develop solutions. The minutes of June 20, 2017 were approved. Charlotte Rodgers presented the staff report, with updates on each department division: Senior Services: • Melissa Interess, LICSW was hired in June to replace Kelly Axtell as the Assistant Director of Senior Services, and the department has a MSW intern this year from BC. • Senior Services stats for the first quarter, FY 2017 note about 225 calls and referrals, often from out of town children who are visiting their parents, 30 home visits and 100 walk ins. • Senior Services Nurse making home visits, flu shot clinics, office hours and support groups. Also collaborating with LPD and LFD to distribute the new Lojack Safe Return bracelets to eligible residents. • Senior trips, classes and programming going strong! Meals on Wheels—we noted a large increase in deliveries to seniors in 2017. Youth and Family Services: • Philip Doyle, LCSW, interim social work while hire process temporarily on hold while the Town determines need for services. • Youth and Family partnered with Recreation to provide additional Recreation Scholarships for low income residents. • Providing information and referrals, assistance with benefit applications, financial needs assessment, and assistance with Food Pantry applications. • Noting an increase in complex cases with multiple financial and social needs. • Scheduled community Narcan training to be held on Monday November 13. Transportation Services: • Transportation Manager position is vacant. • Working on programming for Middle School students to learn to ride Lexpress. • Taxi voucher program going strong, serving well over 500 seniors. Veterans Services: • Bedford continues to have high number of Chapter 115 cases (low income) — Lexington now has about 10 cases. Gina Rada, Veterans Services District Director notes a large number of intake and referral clients and those asking for assistance with Federal cases. Discussed the Age Friendly Community initiative, the Human Services Department will ask for funding for this program in FY 2019. Discussed the need to tie in Age Friendly with mental health — making sure the focus in on all ages in our community. Developed a plan to meet with the Lexington Schools Prevention staff(Julie Fenn and Kristie Demirev) at the next Human Services Committee meeting to help understand what the schools are doing. Discussed the Board of Selectmen, School Committee joint meeting to be held on September 27, 2017. This will be a 2 hour meeting to discuss mental health services in Lexington. Human Services Committee members encouraged to attend. Next meeting: October 25, 2017 at 7—8:45 pm at the Community Center.