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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-11-29-YAC-rpt.pdf COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE YOUTH ADVISORY COMMISSION ON THE REPORT OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON YOUTH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES (A Subcommittee of the Selectmen's Drug Advisory Committee) The Youth Advisory Commission (referred to in this report as the "YAC") , through a special YAC Subcommittee, has undertaken a study of the Report of the Subcommittee on Youth Programs and Services submitted to the Selectmen in October 1976, and presents herewith its views and recommendations The YAC study was made at the request of the Selectmen and on the initiative of the YAC following the submission of the Report The two major premises of the Report are (1) A need in Lexington for both crisis intervention and counseling services for young people--a need that is largely unmet by presently-operating informal or formal organizations or programs (2) A need for a coordinated, integrated town youth services program to supplement and augment current town programs Ne The YAC agrees with these two premises and with the Report's stated goals The eta Report proposes to meet these two needs through the appointment of a Youth \eA Director, the formation of a Youth Advisory Council, and contractual agreements with an agency to provide the necessary social services I Youth Director for the Town of Lexington The role of Youth Director is not a new concept, and has been used success- fully in other communities In supporting this recommendation, the YAC recognizes a need for one person to assume the leadership for all youth and youth services in the community, as well as the need for a formal channel through which local, state, and federal funds could be sought and received in a creative manner Though the Report described one of the Youth Director's duties as "responsible for youth recreation", it was not clear how this could be accomplished with the -2- groups presently planning and implementing recreation The YAC had questions about the future of certain activity-oriented groups under the proposed structure II Formation of a Youth Advisory Council as a helping agent to the Youth Director The YAC agrees with this recommendation, but feels further study should be given to its composition as outlined in the Report It is our opinion that the chairman of such a group should not be chosen by the Selectmen from among its own body, but rather the Council should be given the freedom to elect its own chairman within the framework of its own rules and regulations Furthermore, it is our feeling that a member of the Selectmen should not be included in the Council representation as there are adequate opportunities for consultation with the Council and with the Youth Director through their regular supervisory functions Instead of the representation as suggested in the Report (from the School Department, Police Department, Recreation Committee, and Selectmen) , we would like to recommend a small Council composed of citizens who would not necessarily be members of other town bodies, but who should not be excluded from Council representation by their role in other town affairs We feel that the various town bodies have proscribed channels of communication through which they may express their views, whereas town residents are more limited in opportunities for expression We also recommend a greater representation from the youth in the town, either on a formal or re- source basis We agree that this Council should incorporate the duties and roles previously assigned to the Drug Advisory Committee and the Youth Advisory Commission III The role of Replace as initial contractor Jj To reach its stated goals, the Report recommends the town work through a private agency that is currently operating in Lexington--Replace, and that this agency be responsible for counseling services, supervised group therapy, for an outreach program, and for a drop-in center It is understood by the YAC that these services are presently available at Replace on a limited basis, but that -3- this extra funding through the Youth Director would enable them to broaden and pro- fessionalize their staff and programs Replace does seem the logical place to begin such operations as it already holds an established position in the town and among the youth Our recommendation is that the Youth Director would not only aid Replace in its extended faith but also would address services towards all types of youths The Report projects a future need for a second outreach worker The YAC recommends that consideration be given to placing this second outreach worker under the jurisdiction of the Youth Director, rather than Replace, thus per- mitting the worker to be used in direct conjunction with programs operated by town bodies It is our sincere hope that the Selectmen will review the YAC study and the Report as soon as possible with the aim of approving and implementing it within the next calendar year YAC Study prepared by Subcommittee members Margaret Cole, Chairman Stephen Politi Mary Fran Anderson Jeffrey Spencer Approved and submitted to the Selectmen, Town of Lexington, by the Youth Advisory Commission on November 29, 1976