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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-16-HSC-min Town of Lexington Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday 10/16/19 @ 7 PM Lexington Community Center, 39 Marrett Rd. Attendees: Gail Fields (Co-Chair), Lea Garden Elkin (Co-Chair), Pam Joshi, Leslie Zales, Martha Kurland, Melissa Interess (Director of Human Services), and Anthony Serio (Assistant Director of Youth & Family Services). AGENDA 1. Welcome & introductions Gail called the meeting to order at 7:16PM. 2. Review and accept minutes for September— all in favor, no edits required. 3. Reviewed staff reports and quarterly data for the Human Services Department. a. Trends — high overall interaction data over the summer. b. Reviewed types of interactions — In-home services, housing services, transportation information and mental health referral services. c. Reviewed types of financial assistance provided via FFL, HSEF, Recreation Scholarships, and food card assistance. d. Reviewed William James Interface statistics from May— 76 total cases. i. Discussion held amongst the committee about how Lexington data has been higher compared to other surrounding towns. e. Discussion about using Mental Health Task Force Intervention subcommittee focused on ways to design and administer advertisements to promote Interface. f. Interface and representation from the MHTF will be presenting initial findings to the Board of Selectmen on October 25th, 2019. g. Reviewed community interactions including special programs such as: knox box funded by Dana Home grant, age friendly needs assessment (data is currently being processed), development of postcard and bookmarks for increased community outreach. h. Discussed Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Kate DeAngelis, and upcoming "Play & Stay" program for children with special needs and support group for parents. 4. Liaison report by Leslie Zales - Domestic Violence support services updates (information attached): a. REACH - spoke to specific training given to Lexington Police Dept. on DV services and a point made about how these agencies interact frequently. b. DVSN — Partnering with LPD since 2008 for large scale trainings (23 officers), youth police academy, and 40hr advocate training —average 85 reports per year in Lexington c. Specific statistics are available at LPD —questions raised about obtaining data from Chief Mark Corr. 5. A discussion was held about the Human Services Committee charge and potential changes to committee structure. a. Questions were raised as to whether or not the committee and charge is serving the original purpose. The committee then discussed shared goals and purpose of MHTF, specifically with regards to advertising Interface referral service. b. Another point made to address areas of focus other than the mental health aspects, which are currently being covered by MHTF. The committee discussed the importance of continuing with organized meetings regardless of defined leadership. c. A discussion was then held about committee members serving in an advisory capacity for other community groups and committees to promote HSD initiatives, and learn more about specific programs and/or community events/programs. d. Committee agreed to focus new charge on advising HSD on additional groups/programs that could benefit the department and the Town. The committee also spoke to increasing committee membership given new focus of advisory role. 6. HSD will compile a list of community groups, mental health programs, and community organizations to assign to committee members, so that they can advise HSD on programs and promote HSD on a routine basis. 7. Next meeting date is scheduled for 12/04/19 from 7-9pm (Location TBD). There was a time when we worked closely with the Lexington Police Department (we were on a grant together!). For several years now, a sister program called Domestic Violence Services Network has included the LPD in their training and coordinated community response because Lexington is part of the Concord District Court (where DVSN focuses their work). Our service area includes Lexington as our services offering goes a bit beyond the DVSN model. We partner a lot. Our website has a lot of information about our programs. Our service is 27 cities and towns - mostly Middlesex County plus 4 communities in Norfolk - including Lexington. Stats for DV in Lexington should be available from the LPD. They can talk with you about restraining orders in effect, calls for service, including repeat calls, and how they work with DVSN or other resources. As for how a community can do more in the areas you describe, I wonder if you would like a visit from my colleague Jessica and maybe someone from DVSN (we work with Allison Tarmy a lot). Their website is www.dvsn.org. They are also on Facebook @DVSNInc. Let me know if you want me to make any introductions here or at DVSN. Happy to help! Hope all is well. LVZ Laura R. Van Zandt Executive Director REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, Inc.