HomeMy WebLinkAbout12112013 Human Services Contract Review Committee MinutesCONTRACT REVIEW COMMITTEE
Meeting of December 11, 2013
Minutes of the meeting of: The meeting took place at 2:00 at 4 Fairgrounds Road,
Nantucket, MA 02554.
Members Present:, Mary Wawro, Augie Ramos, Christy Kickham, John Belash and Linda
Williams, Holly McGowan
Staff Present: Ann Medina
Members of the Public: none
I. Called to Order: meeting called to order at 3:10
II. Quorum: a quorum was established
III. Approval of Agenda: the agenda was unanimously approved
IV. Public Comment: none
V. Action and Discussion: Interview agencies requesting funds: Martha’s Vineyard
Community Services, Family & Children’s Services, IFC Rental Assistance Program, IFC
Emergency Food Pantry
Meeting was called to order at 2:05. Mary explained to each applicant that the committee
would be following the same format as in previous years; each agency would make a brief
presentation and then the committee would ask questions. The CRC would then make
recommendations to the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee.
Holly came in at 2:10
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services Kathi Hackett $12,000
The funds from the town would be used to support staff and their travel to and from
Nantucket, transportation for families, (that have a family member with developmental
disabilities), to and from off island doctor’s appointments, staff training, and technology
support.
This is the twenty second year MVY Community Services’ have been available on
Nantucket. MVY has partnered with Autism Speaks and the STAR program on Nantucket;
the STAR program is having a parent holiday event where parents can drop off their family
member and socialize with other parents.
Kathi has met with Kim Horyn of Autism Speaks and they are looking at doing a sessions
on social and employment skills, how to dress for work, and appropriate conversations in
the workplace.
The legislature has approved funds for family support center for a person here on
Nantucket who would work for MVY but lives on Nantucket to help with respite events and
the Boys & Girls Club activities. This is seed money but we can ask for more so that instead
of 16 hours a month it would be 25 hours. The 16 hours would be in place till the end of
June. This would be extra hands to help Kathi and her community partners here on
Nantucket; this could be a parent already using the services. Hoping to have them start in
January 2014.
If this person were in place, would your position change? No, it would be in addition to,
MVY would like to expand on services; there would be no cutting back on Kathi’s hours.
There are four applications pending for services and a number of families that would be
eligible but for whatever reason have not asked for services.
Linda W. arrived at 2:36
Family & Children’s Services Peter Swenson $110,000
The funds from the town would be used to offset the costs of services for folks who do not
have adequate health insurance or none at all.
Family & Children’s Services (FCS) provides mental health and addiction services that
includes outpatient counseling, addictions services, emergency mental health crisis
response and in home family based services. Working with children in the home we can
see if there are problems with the parent’s and child.
FCS can now track and monitor in a precise way how many different actions have
happened with an individual, they can track that a session took place, each time they
encounter an individual 4 other things can also be seen. They can track things much more
clearly, see what the costs are, see what services are provided the most, where the
greatest demands are. Follow what is going on and where to utilize more accurately. Can
that data be tuned into a report? He can get accurate information of the services provided
and actively used.
Is there a child psychiatrist on staff? There is a child psychiatrist that comes from the
Vineyard 20 hours a month, he is great, and it would be good if you would like to meet
him. Is 20 hours enough time? No, we would like to get him more.
Interfaith Council Rental Assitance Program (NRAP) Janis Carreiro Rev. Georgia
Ann Snell, Terry Anne Vigil $35,000
The funds from the two will be used for one staff member to operate the rental assistance
program and the fuel assistance program.
The rental assistance program provides temporary rental assistance to folks who for some
reason are unable to pay their rent; they may have an illness and are unable to work at the
time, there is an unplanned move, they have to leave their current residence in 30 days or
less, or any other financial set back, NRAP will step up. In order to qualify, a person must
have lived on the island two years year round, show employability, that they will be able to
continue to pay the rent. A person can get up to $4,000; not everyone will get that
amount. If someone is here less than 2 years where do you send them? It depends, if they
have family here and they have a job the Board can make an exception
Fuel assistance: Last year 2012/2013 was the first year that Janis did fuel assistance, this
year (2013/2014) she has done 25 applications so far, and the heating season is just
beginning.
NRAP also receives funds from CPC, are you able to make it through the fiscal year with
funds? Yes, with that and other grants we do make it.
Interfaith Council Emergency Food Pantry Andy Reis, Terry Anne Vigil $40,000
The funds from the town will be used for the operation of the food pantry.
The food pantry provides food to individuals and families that are struggling to feed
themselves. The food pantry relies on grants, gifts, fundraisers and the Boston Food Bank.
The food pantry had served 10% of the population in 2010, 2011, and 2012. In 2013 it
dropped a bit to 9% but there are still a lot of people being served. They are trying to
provide more fresh fruits and vegetables, and more sugar free jelly and canned fruit. There
have been 948 clients so far in 2013 unduplicated which 36% were children.
With as much outreach as they do, there are still some folks that will not use the pantry.
One more thing Andy wanted to mention, he is not equipped to take food donations at the
food pantry there are five drop off locations for food donations: the Stop & Shop,
Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Saint Mary’s Church, Summer Street Church and The
Congregational Church.
The meeting adjourned at 4:15.
Respectfully submitted by
Ann Medina