MANSFIELD DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

 

Thursday, March 4, 2004; 2:30 PM

 

AUDREY P. BECK BUILDING, CONFERENCE ROOM A

 

 

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

 

I.                MINUTES: Minutes of February 5, 2004 meeting: accepted as written.

 

II.               OLD BUSINESS:

 

A.     Update on Scholarship Fund: online registration and Community Center membership form check-off: The committee had some discussion re: criteria for the scholarship fund and issues of how to establish priorities.  There was also a question raised of whether or not the scholarship fund is for Parks & Recreation programs outside of the fee waiver ordinance (bus trips and more than 2 sessions of summer camp).  It was decided that as a priority we should initially consider programs covered under the fee waiver ordinance.  These priorities need to be clarified relative to the development of the new Mansfield Community Fund.  It was also clarified that changes will be made on the on-line registration and program registration forms to allow for contributions to the scholarship fund.

B.    Fee waiver ordinance brochure and distribution: The brochure has gone to Dept. Heads for discussion re: administration of the waiver program.  It is anticipated that fee waivers will be handled by the Social Service Department for all programs except Parks & Recreation.

C.    Agency funding requests: K. Grunwald reported that recommendations have been submitted to the Town Manager.  Grunwald will develop and distribute a grid that identifies scoring and recommendation for all agencies that requested funding.  He also reported that the Women’s Center did not submit an application but did send a letter requesting funding.  They will be encouraged to formally apply next year.

D.    Mansfield Community Fund: K. Grunwald and B. Lehmann have met to move this initiative forward.  They will be identifying community leaders to serve as a steering committee for this fund and will be convening a meeting shortly.

E.     Status of annual budget process: The Social Service Department budget has been submitted to the Town Manager.  K. Grunwald will distribute his write-up requesting a new position in the Department to all members.

E.  At Risk Program: practices and procedures (handout), recommendations for review in April: The suggestion was made that there should be a mailing to participants, clarifying how the program works and who will be calling; along with developing a feedback mechanism if there are changes.  There was also a suggestion that we have a discussion about the larger purpose of this program, tie-in to social service/case management function, and other agencies including the fire department and the VNA; and possible discussion with Jean Kenny about how this relates to her work with seniors.    It was decided that staff will also review the intake form and conduct a re-intake for all participants.  We will invite Jean Kenny and Patty Hope to the May meeting to discuss the At-Risk Program.

F.     Other: none

 

 

III.                 NEW BUSINESS:

 

A.      Introduction of June Krisch: June introduced herself as a new committee member as of April, and committee members introduced themselves to her.

B.      Spring Week-end Update: K. Grunwald reported that spring weekend at UConn will start on 4/22; he has been working with the Substance Abuse Task Force to proactively address issues related to this event.

C.      As this was B. Lehmann’s last meeting she was acknowledged for her 10+ years of service to this committee and thanked for her many contributions.  She distributed a memo that summarized what she saw as the high points during her membership on this committee.

 

IV.         COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS: 

 

A.     Review of Department activity and other items in packet and discussion with SSD Director:

                       

B.          Program updates

·        Graustein Foundation Discovery Grant

·        LWVCT Community Conversations

·        School Readiness Grant

·        Adult Services

·        Senior Services: grant application to Senior Resources

·        Youth Services

 

C.    Other

 

V.        PLANS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

 

A.                 April: New meeting time: 3:30; new members, new Chair; critique of the agency funding request process.

B.                 Balance of 2004: scheduling of Social Service program staff presenting on new initiatives.

 

VI.        ADJOURNMENT: meeting adjourned at 4:50 PM

 

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Grunwald, Director of Social Services