MINUTES

Thursday, May 1, 2003; 2:30 PM

AUDREY P. BECK BUILDING, CONFERENCE ROOM A

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

REGRETS: Jim Peters

I. MINUTES:

Minutes of April 3, 2003 meeting: minutes accepted as written.

II. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Continue facilitated discussion of mission and purpose of SSAC: the discussion around this item continued from the previous meeting, with K. Grunwald disseminating input that had been provided by several members. It was agreed that this document should be as brief as possible, identifying a broad mission for this group that supports the mission of the department in an advisory capacity. K. Grunwald will incorporate these ideas into a final document that will be sent to members for their review.

B. Discuss and adopt a mission statement for the Mansfield Department of Social Service: the committee developed a working mission statement for the Social Service Department. It was agreed that staff members should finalize this mission statement.

C. Update on SSAC collaboration with Recreation Advisory Committee on Community Center fee reduction policy/schedule:

K. Grunwald handed out a draft memo to be sent to the Town Manager for his approval on recommendations on the revised fee waiver policy. The committee agreed to endorse this recommendation.

D. FY ’04 Budget update:

1. Report on April 14 Town Council meeting: K. Grunwald appeared at theTown Council meeting to discussion the Social Service Department budget proposal. There was minimal discussion among council members.

2. Discussion of a Town contribution to the Special Needs Fund: although the Town Manager supports the idea of including a contribution to the Special Needs Fund in the departmental budget, it was felt that this could not be done this year due to budget constraints.

E. Discussion of a proposal to establish the Mansfield Community Fund: The creation of a fund to meet a variety of financial needs of Mansfield residents was discussed at a meeting of K. Grunwald, M. Hauslaib, and B. Lehmann, as they explored possible options for creating this fund. K. Grunwald will send a draft of these ideas to committee members prior to our next meeting. M. Hauslaib suggested that we look at referring the issue of funding of before and after-school programs to the Youth Services Bureau for study and recommendations. K. Grunwald will follow-up with YSB staff.

F. Other: none

III. COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS:

A. Discussion with SSD Director, Kevin Grunwald

K. Grunwald distributed copies of the Departments’ quarterly report. J. Heald raised the question of what we know about the needs of Mansfield residents relative to Social Services. K. Grunwald responded that he is interested in collecting data on that issue, since much of what we know is anecdotal.

B. Review of Department activity and other items in packet: K. Grunwald reported on his involvement as an observer with other Town officials at the recent Spring Weekend at UConn.

C. Program funding updates

· Graustein Foundation

· School Readiness Grant

· OPM Underage Drinking Grant

· Real Choice Systems Change Grant

· Senior Services Nurse/Wellness Center

· General impact of State budget cuts/closure of Willimantic DSS office

D. Other

IV. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Other: B. Lehmann distributed the “Fun for Kids Calendar of Events”, and asked that members distribute them to local churches.

V. PLANS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

June 5: Senior Services: Marilyn Gerling; review of service needs for seniors
September 4: Agency funding review process and a presentation on Assisted Living plans (tentatively Bill Rosen, Jane Ann Bobbitt and Marcia Zimmer)
October 2: Orientation to Social Services’ Programs and Advisory Committees
November 6: Agency funding requests
December 4: Legislative meeting