HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-17
Council for Human Services
February 17, 2010
2 Fairgrounds Road
Minutes of the meeting of February 17, 2010. The meeting took place at 8:00 am in the
town building at 2 Fairgrounds Road Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Board
present were: Linda Barrett, Jackie McGrady, Dorothy Hertz, Rachel Rosen, Linda
Williams. Excused: Susan Marques and Maria Pena. Public present: Michael
Kopko.
Updates: On February 16th Barnstable County began operating a 24 hour
Homelessness Crisis Hotline (1-888-656-2233) Maryanne is the contact person
for Nantucket.
On March 1st the Human Services Collaborative Study Work Group (HSCSWG) will
have Peter Lee from Department of Public Health as their guest speaker. Peter
spearheaded the effort to form a collaborative on the Cape.
It is important for Human Services agencies to collaborate; more funding would
be available to a collaborative, an example is how prevention efforts for drugs
and alcohol help the police in dealing with people with substance abuse issues.
Status of Council for Human Services: On February 23rd there will be a public
informational session with members of the BOS and Town Administrator present
to talk about the future of the Human Services Department and what will take its
place. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
On March 1ih the HSCSWG will present a preliminary report to the BOS. The
new council membership might be seven members instead of nine with the
possible make-up being one member from BOS and FinCom and five community-
at-large members.
Fuel Assistance update: Dorothy Hertz, council member and volunteer who does
fuel assistance applications put in 25 hours last week; some applicants come
back because either fuel assistance requires more information or they just do not
understand what is needed and most times these folks are just so overwhelmed
by their situation they just want someone to talk to and help them out.
Food Pantry update: Linda will speak to Nat Lowell about working with the
Steamship Authority about getting a space for the food pantry van so that they
can access the Boston Food Bank which delivers food to the Cape. Andy Reis and
Jennifer Brooks are also working with the Steamship Authority. The food pantry
is in crisis, usage is way above this time last year. Is there any other way to get
funding?
These 8:00 am meetings are not good for everyone, noon is good for some and
after 4 o'clock is better. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20. The date and time
of the next meeting to be determined at a later date.
Respectfully submitted by
Ann Medina