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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-30-HSC-min Town of Lexington Human Services Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday 9/30/2020 @ 7 PM Conducted by Remote Participation* Attendees: Gail Fields (Co-Chair), Lea Garden Elkin (Co-Chair), Pam Joshi, Leslie Zales, Martha Kurland, Betty Borghesani (COA liaison), Doug Lucente (Chair of Select Board), 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 7:05PM. 2. Review and approve minutes of the January 22, 2020 meeting - no edits; minutes were approved as read. 3. Human Services Department Reports - Melissa discussed the COVID-19 response and spoke to outreach efforts that had been done in coordination with other community organizations, including: CARL, CALex, Fund For Lexington (FFL), Neighbor Brigade, Lexington Interfaith Food Pantry (LIFP), and Compassion Fund to provide essential needs to residents throughout the pandemic. Melissa mentioned that there continued to be coordinated monthly meetings with the community connections and stakeholders groups. Melissa spoke to Lex Eat Together efforts providing additional food to Inn at Hastings who made prepared meals for LIFP, as well as food insecurity needs and the increase in families accessing the LIFP. A discussion was held with regards to various child care opportunities being offered in different communities, including Lexington. 4. COVID-related assistance - Melissa discussed the COVID-19 relief fund, assessment process, and eligibility requirements, and described the clinical team review and approval process with the Town Manager. Additionally, Melissa mentioned additional funding that had been contributed by FFL and discussed an upcoming meeting to discuss the utilization of remaining funds towards other potential needs within the community. A discussion was held about available testing options; Pediatric care near Target Woburn has been providing fast results. b. INTERFACE - Melissa discussed COVI D impact in that all behavioral health services are being provided via Telehealth. Updated referral numbers from December to May was 64. Lea and Martha spoke to an increase in referrals within the last month and Tony added that there had been increasing Human Service referrals as well. Melissa spoke to an upcoming meeting with Interface and will update the group when additional data is available. c. Mental Health Task Force - Task Force has been put on hold due to COVI D-19. A 3 month extension was granted by the CHNA board. Melissa will update the committee when the short- term direction of the Task Force is more clear. d. Other department activities - Tony spoke to QPR trainings in May and September, `Lift the Mask' documentary and panel discussion, `Teens, Tweens, and Quarantines' presentation with John Mattleman and Minding Your Mind, and upcoming pumpkin grab n' go event at the Community Center. Melissa spoke to partnership with the Human Rights Committee to provide active bystander training as well as `The Long Shadow" documentary and community discussion. 4. Committee members report outs on assignments from prior meetings - Betty spoke to efforts with community organizations to provide assistance to seniors during the pandemic, including alternative shopping options/hours. Martha mentioned her discussion with Valerie Overton from LexPride - offered opportunity to have diversity/inclusion conversations, Lexpride newsletter, etc. Leslie spoke to productive conversation with PTA/PTO Presidents Council where she was able to provide Human Services resources and information. Melissa noted Sharon's conversations with other groups like, IAL and CaLex. 5. Discussion of need, purpose, and future of Human Services Committee - Gail discussed refocused charge in terms of being the `eyes of the community' and requested guidance in direction of the committee moving forward. Lea discussed current committee structure in terms of being informative but not necessarily helpful or seen as contributing. Doug discussed prior experience with other committees that have developed future goals or have disbanded, and spoke to difficulty of identifying a vision when certain committee goals have been completed. Gail and Lea discussed the original mission of the committee in terms of trying to serve in an advisory role to the Human Services Department. Gail requested additional guidance from Human Services with regards to how the committee may be useful. Doug suggested re- envisioning committee goals and potentially taking information and data from department reports and focusing more on being the eyes of the community between meetings. Additionally, Doug suggested that there may be future opportunities for the Human Services Committee to serve in an advisory role for various upcoming Town initiatives and policies related to racial justice and diversity/inclusion. 6. Next steps - Suggestions were made on future focus of the committee including focusing on current day issues with regards to social justice/police emergency response protocol, or other current needs of the community. There was an interest in understanding Human Service Department's collaboration with the police department. Gail suggested the committee members view the Lexington Police Department videos (released in October) to collect ideas on potential Human Service needs for future discussion. Melissa will also try to get some specific call data from the police for the next meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4th, 2020. 7. Adjournment