09/19/2025 HUMAN SERVICES Minutes (2)

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HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 11:00AM ZOOM MEETING PRESENT: Lynne Barbee (Chair), Gail Wilson (HS Director) Heidi McLaughlin (Vice Chair), Karen Yetra, Sandra Pacheco Guests: Robyn Argo and Donna Jackson CALL TO ORDER: 11:06AM PUBLIC COMMENT: none OLD BUSINESS: none NEW BUSINESS: Presentation: Vinfen, Robyn Argo and Donna Jackson Vinfen is a non-profit health and human services organization servicing Massachusetts and parts of Connecticut working with the homeless and mentally challenged to connect them with services in their communities. Funding is received primarily from the Dept of Mental Health. Services include income assistance, medical and mental health referrals, housing placements, substance abuse support, education and employment assistance. It is a transitional program in which clients usually are working with the organization for 3 to 6 months, but no longer than a year. Outreach is one through events such as the Coffeehouse in Hyannis, St. Barnabus community lunches, visits to encampments and streets and referrals. Anyone 16 and older is eligible for services. Clients must be homeless and have mental health challenges to be ligible for the programming. Lack of mental health and shelter resources are constant obstacles to their mission. In addition to funding from the Department of Mental health, Vinfen also does additional fundraising and grant writing. In Mashpee they work with the police department and also have contact with the Wampanoag community. Update on Credible Mind/Behavioral Health 360 Gail Wilson reported on the progress of the Behavioral 360 online mental health platform that will be free to all Mashpee residents and employees. Gail has reached out to the schools to explain the Platform and CredibleMind recommends this site for ages 14 and up.