MINUTES

Thursday, February 13, 2003; 2:30 PM

AUDREY P. BECK BUILDING, CONFERENCE ROOM A

PRESENT: B. Lehmann (Chair), J. Heald, M. Hauslaib, E. Passmore, J. Peters, K. Grunwald (Staff)

I. COMMUNICATIONS:

A. Discussion with SSD Director, Kevin Grunwald:

Transition and orientation to the new position continues to go well, despite funding reductions and program cuts in the community. Director is looking for ways of expanding services to a larger portion of the community; primarily around providing resources and education on issues of public interest.

B. Review of Department activity and other items in packet

Minutes of other advisory meetings provided, along with a copy of the second quarter departmental report. The report includes information on the activity of the counselor at E.O. Smith, which is funded by the department. Preliminary plans have been made to eliminate funding of that position and to explore alternative ways of providing services to high school age youth.

C. Program funding updates

· Graustein Foundation: We have received permission from Graustein to carry over unspent funds from 2002 through the balance of 2003. A revised budget and work plan will be submitted by 3/31.

· School Readiness Grant: There is still no word from the State on whether or not Mansfield will be eligible for this grant after 6/30/03. The Center Directors have agreed to engage in fund-raising to cover a deficit of almost $1700 that resulted in a reduction in funding for this year.

· Senior Services Nurse/Wellness Center: The McSweeny Center has offered to cover these services through a grant from the Area Agency on Aging through September of this year. We are exploring the possibility of submitting a joint application with them to cover the program for subsequent years. K. Grunwald will be meeting with representatives of Windham Hospital to explore their interest in supporting these services.

· General impact of State budget cuts/closure of Willimantic DSS office: While no immediate impact of the office closure has been seen, we will be tracking the impact on Mansfield residents.

· Report on the status of the Special Needs Fund and fund-raising activities: It was suggested that we look at using some regular publications (Mansfield Record, Senior Sparks) that go out to the community to publicize the existence of the fund and to request contributions. K.Grunwald will follow-up to explore possible ways of promoting the Fund and seeking contributions.

D. Other

II. MINUTES:

Minutes of January 7, 2003 meeting

A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be approved as written.

III. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Update on SSAC collaboration with Recreation Advisory Committee on Community Center fee waiver policy/schedule: There has not been a meeting scheduled with the Recreation Advisory Committee to adopt a fee waiver policy for membership in the Community Center. E. Passmore raised the question of whether or not this policy would apply to other Town services as well. He asked whether or not there is or should be a generic policy in place that applies to fees for other Town services and programs. This is a complicated issue and needs to be addressed jointly by the SSAC, the Recreation Advisory Committee, the Town Council, and other interested parties.

B. FY ’04 Budget update: The budget for the department has been submitted and the Town is in the process of incorporating this into the FY ’04 budget.

C. Other

IV. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Report on agency funding requests: The Town Manager has asked to receive the agency funding requests as soon as possible. K. Grunwald reported that based on conversations with M. Berliner, it is likely that funding amounts will probably be reduced. B. Lehmann stated that she feels that this committee should advocate for services to the Town’s neediest residents. M. Hauslaib stated that she feels that we need to take into account the Town’s fiscal challenges and present balanced recommendations that appreciate that there is limited funding available.

Agency Funding Requests:

· United Services (M. Hauslaib): United Services reports approximately 7000 contacts per year, at a rate of $1.22 per contact. It was recommended that they be funded at the level of $8550. Approved.

· CT Legal Services (E. Passmore): Recommendation is to fund them at the level of $7500, open to other possible reductions. Approved.

· Women’s Center (J. Peters): recommendation is to fund at the same level as last year ($5000). The estimated cost is $125-250 per client, for a projection of 36 Mansfield residents served. Some concerns were raised that this is a high cost per client. Approved by the committee.

· Holy Family Home and Shelter (B. Lehmann): This agency clearly meets all of the criteria established for agency funding requests. The recommendation is that we meet their request for $2500. Approved.

· WAIM (J. Heald): Reported that what they do is not necessarily an “essential service”. The recommendation was made and approved that they be funded for $2000.

· Veteran’s Advisory Center (E.Passmore): Recommended that they be funded at the level of $4000. Approved.

B. Lehmann suggested that at the next meeting we take some time to review and discuss this process.

B. Review of the At Risk Program

· A reminder was given about calling new participants.

· K. Grunwald received a list from the VNA of “essential patients.” He will call to see if they are responsible for following up with monitoring of these patients, or to see if they should be added to the At Risk Program.

C. Discussion of mission and purpose of The Social Services Advisory Committee:

K. Grunwald handed out information to consider on the elements of an advisory committee for review prior to our next meeting.

V. PLANS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

March 6: Mission and Purpose of SSAC
April 3: Assisted Living presentations
May 1: Marilyn Gerling
June 5: tbd

VI. ADJOURNMENT: meeting adjourned at 4:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Grunwald

Director of Social Services