2004-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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The department continued its relationship with Report of the Massachusetts Municipal Association through Human Services Department LOHSC, the Local Officials Human Services Council, and submitted two articles concerning Mashpee initia- tives for publication in the Beacon. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Mashpee In 2004 the department again provided an intern- ! ship for a graduate student from Lesley University, A The Human Services Department continued its The student was able to provide services to clients busy pace during calendar year 2004. The economy referred from the school department and the Council continued at a sluggish pace and local residents con- on Aging, in exchange for clinical supervision. tinued to struggle to obtain basic needs including housing, fuel, food, and income. The department was Finally, the Human Services Department Contin able to assist over 50 individuals and families with ues to work closely with the Human Services Committee on budget and policy decisions while the direct services in clinical counseling and Fuel Assistance applications. coordinator attends to day-to-day operations. In addition, the department responded to over 800 requests for a wide variety of services including Respectfully submitted, information and referral, and clinical consultation. Louise Patrick Director of Human Services The department continued to manage 16 con- tracts between the Town and various human service agencies providing services to Mashpee residents. There was ongoing participation in a number of Report of the community and local initiatives through the Mashpee Affordable Housing Committee, The Violence Mashpee Public Library Prevention Team at Mashpee High School, the Boys and Girls Club, the Upper Cape Domestic Violence Coalition, the Barnstable County Health and Human To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Services Advisory Council, and the Mashpee Human Citizens of the Town of Mashpee Service Council. Participation in the abovementioned groups has been contingent upon each group offering I report with pleasure that the citizens of ;? services or programs that benefit Mashpee residents. Mashpee continued to make great use of the library's Some of the initiatives included participation in pre- services and materials, which made it one of the vention programs at the high school, training at the busiest libraries on the Cape. Circulation for FY 2004 i Boys and Girls Club,and helping to organize a domes- totaled 111,196 items, which was an increase of 5 % s tic violence conference. more transactions over the previous year. The library had 8,058 registered cardholders and 3,804 people There was continued effort to collaborate with attended library programs. other departments such as the School and Police 'i Department and the Council on Aging in order to The library experienced its most significant address Mashpee residents' human service needs in a changes in staffing this year. Two long-time staff coordinated way. members left the library and three new staff were added. Kathy Makunas, Circulation Assistant, retired '? The Human Services Department successfully in January after many years of service. Sandy Price, lobbied the Falmouth Service Center to expand their Technical Services Librarian, resigned in August to food pantry to Mashpee residents. The six-month move south to a new position. We thank them for effort from April until December resulted in 52 house- many years of excellent service to the community and holds and 101 individuals in Mashpee receiving food wish them well in their future endeavors. Although from the Service Center. some of the faces are new, patrons will be pleased to see the tradition of excellent customer service contin The Human Services Department was responsi- ues. Janet Trask was hired as a Circulation Assistant ble for several new community initiatives including in February to fill Kathy's position. Susan Cannavo Mashpee Unplugged, and the first annual Mashpee Joined the library staff in July to fill a position that had Human Services Award to and individual and business been vacant for almost two years because of a hiring in the community. freeze. Janet and Susan join Lauren Kaminer to make 1, up our circulation staff. The trio's welcoming person 118