09/15/2023 HUMAN SERVICES Minutes

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HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER, 2023 11:00 AM ZOOM MEETING PRESENT Members: Lynne Barbee (Chair), Heidi McLaughlin (Vice-Chair), Mary Bradbury, Christine Willander Human Services Director: Gail Wilson Absent: Sam MacDonald (Clerk), Carol Sherman Guest: Alex Megerle (Mashpee Enterprise) In the absence of the Clerk, Willander took the minutes. CALL TO ORDER The Chair called the meeting to order at 11:03 AM. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. OLD BUSINESS Review of meeting minutes: 1. June 16, 2023 minutes—Bradbury moved to approve; McLaughlin seconded; minutes approved as presented (Vote: 4-0) 2. July 21, 2023 minutes—Barbee moved to approve; Willander seconded; minutes approved as presented (Vote: 3-0; 1 abstention) 3. August 18, 2023 minutes—Willander moved to approve; McLaughlin seconded; minutes approved as presented (Vote: 4-0) NEW BUSINESS Discussion and Possible Approval of Adjustment to Human Services Contracts Wilson advised the Committee that a new request for funding ($5,000) through the Human Services Department had been submitted by the Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC). Because the department's existing combined contract amount could not be exceeded, Wilson stated that, if the Committee were to approve this request, funds would have to be reallocated from another contract. Wilson spoke in support of HAC, stating that they are a great resource and that, just during the prior week alone, she had referred several callers to them for assistance. For consideration, she suggested that $2,500 could be reallocated from the VNA contract because, in recent years, Human Services had not come close to needing the full contract amount to maintain VNA programs/services typically offered. She proposed $2,500 as a reasonable amount for this first year contract with HAC. She reminded the Committee that any proposal to adjust the contract allocations would need Town Manager approval and, ultimately,the department budget needs Town Meeting approval. The question was asked whether Wilson had ever received follow-up calls from the people she refers to HAC, and Wilson answered not specifically; however, through annual contracts, the Human Services Department is able to establish relationships with these agencies and enhance its ability to meet the needs of residents. Wilson indicated these relationships are invaluable.