LEN STEWART, Director
BARNSTABLE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
BARNSTABLE COUNTY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL
POST OFFICE BOX 427 BARNSTABLE, MASSACHUSETTS 02630
Web
www.bchumanservices.net
OFFICE (508)375-6628
FAX (508)362-0290
TDD (508)362-5885
Barnstable County Health and Human Services Advisory Council
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Hyannis Transportation Center ~ 9 – 11 AM
In attendance (Members):
Barnstable County Council for Children, Youth & Families: Kerry Bickford (Rep), Kathy Quatromoni (Alt)
Barnstable County Human Rights Commission: Jacqueline Fields (Rep)
Cape & Islands HIV/AIDS Service Coordination Collaborative: Pat Fecher (Rep)
Cape & Islands Regional Domestic Violence Council: Mary Ann Mills Lassiter (Rep)
Cape & Martha’s Vineyard Community Health Center Network: Claire Goyer (Rep)
Cape Cod Council of Churches:
Cape Cod Healthcare (At Large): Carol Summersall (Rep)
Cape Cod Hunger Network: Mary Anderson (Alt)
Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition:
CAREER Collaborative: Deb Battles (Rep)
Community Action Committee of Cape & Islands (At Large): Estella Fritzinger (Rep)
Community Benefits:
Community Coalition of Cape Cod:
Community Health Network Area (CHNA): Katherine Wernier (Alt)
Consumer: Jeanne Adams (Rep)
Disability Network (At Large): Hadley Luddy (Alt)
Grant Makers Collaborative: Kristin O’Malley (Rep)
Leadership Council to End Homelessness: Caronanne Procaccini (Rep)
Legal Aid Coalition of SE Mass: Sue Davenport (Rep)
Lower Cape Councils on Aging: Elizabeth Smith (Rep)
Mid Cape Councils on Aging:
Power in Aging Collaborative: Marilyn Nouri (Rep)
Substance Abuse/Behavioral Health System:
Town Health Departments:
Tri County Collaborative for Oral Health Excellence: BL Hathaway (Rep)
Upper Cape Councils on Aging: Jim Long (Rep), Jan Timmons (Alt)
Upper Cape Health & Human Services: Gail Wilson (Alt)
Wampanoag Tribal Health Center:
Staff: Barnstable County Department of Human Services: Beth Albert, Chair, Kathie Callahan and Warren Smith
Elected Officials: Assembly of Delegates: Ø Commissioners: Sheila Lyons
Guests: Jocelyn Andrade – BMC HealthNet, Thomas Ryan - Cape Cod Council of Churches, Josie Bouvier - Life Inc.
Unable to attend: Sandy Vickery, Shirley Lamson, Kristin Braun
Welcome Introductions
Introductions were made by all in attendance.
June minutes reviewed:
Motion by Jeanne Adams, seconded by Claire Goyer to accept the June minutes as written – unanimously approved.
Compassion Fund:
Tom Ryan, representing the Cape Cod Council of Churches reported that the Faith Community approached the County Commissioners re: setting up a Compassion Fund within the County budget. There have been difficulties convening a governing board and raising additional funds. The Council plans to ask the County Commissioners to dissolve the Compassion Fund which currently contains approx. $2,800 and asked for suggestions as to how the funds will be dispersed. Suggested that the funds be given to the Needy Fund but there was no definitive decision made. Tom noted that the Council will go forward with the request to the Commissioners to dissolve this fund.
Cape Cod Foundation: “Understanding Cape Cod” Report
Lisa McNeill and Kristin O’Malley reported that the Foundation staff completed a needs assessment of Cape Cod communities. Through the efforts of staff, a consultant, and an intern the Foundation reviewed existing data from their 2006 “Listening Circles” and compared that data to information currently available from reports and resources such as the Monitoring the Human Condition Study to publish this broad snapshot as a resource to learn more about issues and programs in our community. There are seven sections presented in the report: Affordable Housing & Homelessness; Health & Healthcare; Child & Youth Wellness; Environment & Energy; Basic Human Needs; Workforce & Employment; and Arts & Culture. The data compiled in this report reflects pressing issues facing Cape Cod; however, it is important to note that the data is a “look back” at what has already happened. It is also important to note that this is not an exhaustive report on all issues concerning Cape Cod. It is the hope of the Foundation to hold a series of Community Forums in the summer and fall and that the report will be used to help inform community members, start discussions around issues and solutions, and engage more people to meet the challenges and strengthen the Cape Cod communities. For copies of the report visit www.capecodfoundation.org or call them at 508/790-3040. Beth Albert noted that the HHSAC would be a valuable resource for participation in the Community Forums.
Department of Human Services Updates – Beth Albert:
· HHSAC orientation: Beth reported that the County Commissioners approved the 2009 slate of members to the HHSAC and welcomed new and returning members of the Advisory Council. Binders were distributed to members with brief discussion about its contents i.e. vision statement, ordinance, governance & structure including member responsibilities, member info, subcommittees and a section to retain meeting agendas and minutes.
· Research Projects for FY2010 for DHS: With 5+ years of data collection and publications of the Monitoring the Human Condition Study the Department now recommends focusing research in the areas of mental & behavioral health and access to health care. Marilyn noted that “research informs action” and it was agreed that focus of research should be around universal topics considering interventions, implementation and desired outcomes. The HHSAC Data subcommittee will reconvene over the next 1-2 months for discussion and make recommendations to the full Council re: the focus for DHS research going forward. Several members indicated that they would like to participate with the Data Committee on this topic- Katherine Wernier, Liz Smith, and Marilyn Nouri.
Announcements:
· Beth Albert distributed the RFP for the Mass 211 project. This project will be accomplished with oversight by the Barnstable County Department of Human Services. Responses are due no later than July 29th.
· Jackie Fields thanked everyone for their support of the Human Rights Commission Immigrant celebrations held in July.
· BL Hathaway: Tri County Collaborative for Oral Health Excellence is moving their office to CACCI building at 115 Enterprise Rd in Hyannis.
· Mary Anderson: The Family Pantry, 133 Queen Anne Rd. in Harwich is celebrating its 20th anniversary. They will be hosting a party on Sunday August 9th from 4-7 pm at the Pantry featuring entertainment, food & beverage.
· Jeanne Adams: Falmouth Service Center event on July 26th from 12-4 pm.
· Claire Goyer: Duffy received a grant from UMass to hire a consultant to work with at risk and homeless youth.
· Kristin O’Malley: Cape Cod Foundation will host a technical assistance grant workshop on August 20th from 2-4 pm at the Museum of Natural History in Brewster.
· Kerry Bickford: Governor’s Commission on Grandparents raising grandchildren will host an event on September 14th at 6:30 in Bourne.
· Beverly Costa-Ciavola will be leaving Independence House and has accepted the position of Director of the Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition beginning 7/27.
· Sheila Lyons: Informational session on the government on Cape Cod will be held July 24th in Truro @ Adrian’s.
· Mary Zepernick: the Cape Care Community Trust bill is in the state legislature. We anticipate a hearing this fall before the Joint Health Care Finance Committee and need citizen lobbying help in the districts represented on it. For a committee list and sample letter contact Mary Zepernick at
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 AM
NEXT MEETING: September 24, 2009, 9 – 11:00 AM at the Hyannis Transportation Center
PLEASE NOTE: No meeting of the HHSAC in August 2009.