MANSFIELD DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

 

Thursday, June 3, 2004

 

  

I.                MINUTES: Minutes of May 6, 2004 meeting were adopted with minor grammatical corrections.

 

II.               NEW BUSINESS:

A.     Services to Veterans; special events and ongoing activities (discussion): J. Heald reported that she has concerns about the extent to which we are meeting the needs of veterans in this town.  She suggested that in addition to national holidays it would be nice to find an opportunity to recognize vets and do outreach.  E. Passmore suggested that a staff position could be created to provide services to vets.  Questions raised about what the needs are of vets in town, and how to do outreach to them.  M. Hauslaib suggested that when we look at agency funding requests this year, we should look at the possibility of using the money for staffing locally as opposed to an agency contribution.  E. Passmore suggested looking at inviting the Veteran’s Advisory Center to have a table at the “Know Your Town Fair.”  Also suggested having Woody Woodbury be available at the Senior Center on a regular basis to meet with Veterans.

B.    Process for identifying unmet needs in Mansfield (discussion): J. Heald raised the distinction between what is wanted vs. what is needed.  K. Grunwald reported that there was a survey that was distributed at “Know Your Town Fair”, but the response to this was fairly limited.  J. Heald raised the question of distributing a survey to residents to try to assess what the needs may be.  Some question raised about the value of a general survey that is widely distributed; suggested that we need a well-defined issue to focus on.  The issue of adolescent drug and alcohol use was raised as a potential area to survey.  The idea was raised that if the focus is on assets and strengths as opposed to deficits it is more successful at attracting individuals to participate.  Another suggestion was to provide opportunities for parent leadership.  Look at focusing on parenting adolescents and doing this in a positive way. 

C.    Other: none

 

III.                 OLD BUSINESS:

A.      Linkages to other advisory committees/proposed meeting schedule: a schedule will be developed for the balance of this fiscal year.

B.      Other: none

 

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: full-day K survey

·        LWVCT Community Conversations

·        School Readiness Grant

·        Adult Services

·        Senior Services: Wellness Center update

·        Youth Services

·        Parks and Rec. Scholarship Fund

·        Fee Waiver Program

C.    Other

 

V.        PLANS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

 

A.                 September: “Know Your Town Fair”

B.                 Balance of 2004: scheduling of Social Service program staff and advisory committees

 

VI.        ADJOURNMENT