MANSFIELD DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

 

Thursday, February 10, 2005

 3:30 PM

 

 

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

REGRETS: J. Peters

 

I.                MINUTES: Minutes of January 13 & 20, 2005 meetings were accepted as written.

 

II.               NEW BUSINESS:

A.     Social Service Advisory Committee: Director’s Vision Statement (revised): K. Grunwald distributed copies of a draft action plan, prioritizing six different objectives and identifying proposed tasks and expected outcomes for each.  J. Heald pointed out that she feels that the issue of domestic violence needs to be promoted; given more visibility.  We should look at ways of publicizing this; work with local agencies and providers who deliver services and those who may be serving victims in another capacity.  There is still a question of what the role of the Advisory Committee would be relative to these objectives: some discussion of Assisted Living in the context of the objective to expand services to seniors in Town.  K. Grunwald will be taking on some educational activities around this issue, including a presentation at the Senior Center in March.  M. Hauslaib brought up the option of Adult Day Care as an important element of a continuum of care for seniors. She feels that we should look at the possibility of linking a program like this to the Senior Center to provide for easier transitions.  J. Heald suggested that the committee might want to work on putting together a directory of services for low-income residents.  M. Hauslaib suggested that we could use student interns to do that.  J. Heald asked why transportation is not on the list?  She brought in information about commuter ride sharing.  M. Hauslaib strongly advocated for the use of volunteer drivers; suggested applying for a grant for a coordinator or dispatcher for this program.  K. Grunwald agreed to pursue creation of a directory of services that are focused on low-income residents.

 

B.    Agency Funding Requests: review of applications.

J. Krisch followed up on Sexual Assault Crisis Services for college students.  She reported that the services offered through this agency are not available on their college campuses. 

J. Heald provided information about Holy Family Home and Shelter: She was impressed by the comprehensive scope of services that are provided, and suggested that we fund them at the requested level of $3200.  K. Grunwald raised the question of why they only receive funds from Mansfield and Windham?  M. Hauslaib raised a concern about this being a large percentage increase from last year, and she wondered why this is so high? J. Heald responded that the information that they provided indicated that expenses have gone up significantly.  In light of this discussion, J. Krisch recommended amending the award to the Sexual Assault Crisis Center to be $4500.  M. Hauslaib suggested funding Holy Family Home in the amount of $2750.  In general, the suggestion was made that we look not just at the amount requested, but also the increase over the previous year’s funding.  Agreed to recommend funding in the amount of $2750.

J. Heald presented Literacy Volunteers; recommended that we fund them in the amount of $1500.  Agreed.

M. Hauslaib presented United Services; recommended that we fund them at the level of $8000, a 3% increase over last year.  Agreed.

Veteran’s Advisory Center: E. Passmore presented the information that this request is based on per capita use by Mansfield residents.  His feeling is that the need and demand for these services is increasing.  M. Hauslaib suggested that this is a lot of money (over $10,000), and feels that the Town should look at taking over this service next year.  It was agreed that the recommendation would be to fund them in the full amount of their request.

CT Legal Services: E. Passmore reported on this request.  He feels that they serve the most needy population.  Their projection for the number of cases for this year seems high, based on current use and last year’s utilization.  His recommendation is to fund at $4500; same level as last year.  Agreed.

 

C.    Other: none.

 

III.                 OLD BUSINESS:

A.      Other: none.

 

IV.       COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS: 

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

 

B.          Program updates

·        Early Care and Education

·        Adult Services

·        Senior Services

·        Youth Services

 

C.    Other: none

 

V.        PLANS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

      The next meeting will be on Thursday, March 3, 2005.

 

VI.       ADJOURNMENT

            Meeting adjourned at 5:00PM

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kevin Grunwald, Director of Social Services