HomeMy Public PortalAboutHHS Meeting Packet_8.9.2023Town of Brewster
Health and Human Services Committee
2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631
(508) 896-3701
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA
2198 Main Street
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 @ 5:00 p.m.
This meeting will be conducted in person at the time and location identified above. This means that at least a
quorum of the members of the public body will attend the meeting in person and members of the public are
welcome to attend in person as well. As a courtesy only, access to the meeting is also being provided via
remote means in accordance with applicable law. Please note that while an option for remote attendance
and/or participation is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting/hearing will not be
suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast or affect remote
attendance or participation, unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with particular interest
in any specific item on this agenda, which includes an applicant and its representatives, should make plans for in-
person vs. virtual attendance accordingly.
Members of the public who wish to access the meeting may do so in the following manner:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87354818467?pwd=ZzNCNXJuTGgxTFVUT0k3cUNNTFRUdz09
Passcode: 027724
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Webinar ID: 873 5481 8467
To request to speak: Tap Zoom “Raise Hand”, then wait to be recognized.
When required by law or allowed by the Chair, persons wishing to provide public comment or otherwise participate in
the meeting, may do so by accessing the meeting remotely, as noted above. Additionally, the meeting will be broadcast
live, in real time, via Live broadcast (Brewster Government TV Channel 18), Livestream (livestream.brewster-ma.gov),
or Video recording (tv.brewster-ma.gov).
Please note that the Health and Human Services Committee may take official action, including votes, on any item on
this agenda.
1.Call to Order
2.Declaration of a Quorum
3.Meeting Participation Statement
4.Recording Statement: As required by the Open Meeting Law we are informing you that the Town will be video and
audio taping as well as broadcasting this public meeting. In addition, if anyone else intends to either video or audio tape
this meeting they are required to inform the chair.
5.Public Announcements and Comment: Members of the public may address the Committee on matters not on the
meeting’s agenda for a maximum of 3-5 minutes at the Chair’s discretion. The Committee will not reply to
statements made or answer questions raised during public comment but may add items presented to a future
agenda.
6.Approval of June 14, 2023 Minutes
7.Report on Meeting with Finance Committee and Town Manager
8.Grant Application Process, Time Frame and Organization’s to Present
9.For Your Information
10. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
11. Next Meetings: September 6, 2023, October 4, 2023 November 1, 2023, December 6, 2023
Health and Human
Service Committee
Members
Suzanne Kenney
Chair
Sean Parker
Vice Chair
Lisa Perkins
Secretary
Deborah Blackman
Jacobs
Patricia Hess
Mary Jo Murphy
Anne O’Connell
12.Adjournment
Date Posted:Date Revised:Received by Town Clerk:
TOWN OF BREWSTER, MASSACHUSETTS - REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
for FY 2024 Funding for Human Services Agencies
The Health and Human Services Committee was established to enhance the quality of life of all
Brewster residents by ensuring a range of health and human services in an effective and cost-
efficient manner. The Committee evaluates and assesses the health and human service needs of
the town, reviews and weighs requests for financial assistance, sets priorities and submits
recommendations concerning the funding of those agencies and organizations best able to
provide needed services to the town.
The TOWN OF BREWSTER, MASSACHUSETTS is hereby requesting applications for funding for
Fiscal Year 2024 from Human Services agencies serving the residents of the Town of Brewster.
Qualifying agencies are invited to submit funding applications, in response to needs identified
herein. Applications selected for funding will be included in an appropriation article or the Town
Operating budget submitted by the Town of Brewster at the 2023 Spring Annual Town Meeting.
Agencies shall submit ten (10) hard copies of their application packet to: Conor Kenny,
Project Manager, Town of Brewster 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 by October 14, 2022.
It is the responsibility of the agency to confirm that their application was received by the town.
Late or incomplete applications will require committee approval to be accepted.
Human Services Grant Funds will be allocated by the Town to supplement the overall operational
cost of agencies which provide services to local residents. The Town has designed this grant
program to help identify a clearer link between the grant funding it provides to Human Services
agencies and the needs identified in the community. While not an exhaustive list, funding shall be
targeted towards programs which address the following needs:
• Mental Health Services
• Substance Abuse Services
• Services for Children, Teens, Families-at-Risk, Elders
• Domestic Violence Services
• Legal Services
• Services Addressing Housing and Hunger
• HIV and Chronic Care Services
• Services for People with Disabilities
This RFP is for funding to Human Services agencies to offset the total cost of their
operations, provided in the form of a grant, and not subject to the provisions of MGL Chapter 30B,
the Uniform Procurement Act.
Funding applications must be in the form of a lump sum request. Payments to agencies
funded by the FY2024 appropriation shall be made semi-annually, in two equal payments.
The Town of Brewster reserves the right to contact any applicant for additional information
if needed and to exclude from consideration any funding application which does not provide all of
the information requested or does not comply with the requirements described.
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1. APPLICATION COVER SHEET
A completed application cover sheet (attached), signed and dated, is required specifying
the amount of funding requested for Fiscal Year 2024 and indicating which of the Town's identified
Human Services needs the application will address.
2. PROGRAM APPLICATION
A. Description of Operations.
1. Provide the Mission Statement of your organization.
2. Describe any trends that you are seeing relative to the needs of Brewster residents.
3. Describe any new or continuing efforts to coordinate your program/service with similar
programs offered by other organizations.
4. Indicate where your services will be provided from, the proposed method of contact to
receive your services and proposed outreach and public awareness efforts.
5. Detail the number of service providers by number and category: [e.g. social workers,
teachers, professional doctors, nurses, volunteers, administrative, management.]
B. Funding
1. Attach listing of all sources of funding and dollar amounts for each source.
2. Attach a breakdown of the services you provide by type and the estimated cost for each.
3. How would the requested Town of Brewster funding be used?
4. Advise your projected need for funding of services for the next three years with detailed
explanation of any substantial request for increases during this period.
5. List number of years Brewster has contributed funding.
C. Agency Data
1. Describe how you measure your effectiveness in providing your programs and services.
2. Your agency's definition of "Units of Service (UOS)".
3. Does your agency have a cap on the number of individuals who can be served? If yes
please explain why.
4. Provide the following information for your agency (1) overall and (2) in Brewster only:
a. number of unduplicated clients:
b. number of Units of Service (UOS):
c. cost per Unit of Service (UOS):
D. Required Documentation. In addition to the above requested information, please include the
following items:
1. Evidence of IRS 501(c)(3) status or monitoring by a qualified agent.
2. A list of Board members or Steering Committee members.
3. Current fiscal year program and organizational budgets including revenues and expenses.
4. The most recent audited financial statement, annual report or equivalent.
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IV. Review of Applications/Selection of Applications for Funding
Applications will be reviewed by members of the Brewster Health and Human Services
Committee using the following evaluation system:
Evaluation Criteria Description
NEED Do the proposed services respond to any of the specific needs set forth in
this RFP?
Do the services meet grant requirements and priorities?
Will the service impact the community's ability to achieve its mission
statement?
ACCESS Is the agency based in or have a presence in Brewster?
Are the agency’s programs designed to facilitate easy access?
BUDGET Is the agency’s budget reasonable and cost-effective?
Does the agency’s budget support appropriate activities?
INTERRELATEDNESS
WITH OTHER SERVICES
Does the agency demonstrate collaboration with other service providers
and/or organizations and/or departments within the Town of Brewster?
EVALUATION Does the agency measure the scope and effectiveness of its services for
Brewster residents?
Does the agency demonstrate continuous improvement?
The Health and Human Services Committee selection of organizations recommended for
funding, as well as their levels of funding will be based on the following:
1) Town needs expressed by Human Services Committee;
2) Meetings with new proposers;
3) Evaluation of the agency with regard to the items listed in the table above.
Applications selected for funding will be included in an appropriation article or in the
Town’s operating budget submitted by the Town of Brewster to its 2023 Spring Annual Town
Meeting. The Human Services Committee will present the appropriation request to the Brewster
Finance Committee and the Brewster Select Board prior to Town Meeting. Following Town
Meeting, grant applicants will be advised of the outcome.
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APPLICATION COVER SHEET
FY 2024 Human Services Grant Program
TO: Town Administrator, Town of Brewster
2198 Main Street, Brewster, Massachusetts 02631
The undersigned agency ________________________________ hereby submits this
application as a Human Services agency serving the residents of the Town of Brewster for
FY2024 funding in the amount of $___________________.
Check the identified Human Services needs addressed by this application (check all that apply):
if addressed by
this application
Identified Human Services Need
Specify group(s) served
(e.g., children, elderly, etc.)
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES
SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, FAMILIES-AT-
RISK, AND ELDERS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES
LEGAL SERVICES
SERVICES ADDRESSING HOUSING NEEDS AND
HUNGER
CHRONIC CARE SERVICES
SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The undersigned certifies that this application has been made and submitted in good faith
and without collusion or fraud with any other person. As used in this certification, the word
"person" shall mean any natural person, business, partnership, corporation, union, committee,
club or other organization, entity or group of individuals.
Pursuant to MGL Chapter 62C, section 49A, the undersigned duly authorized officer of the
company hereby certifies that said organization has complied with all the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts relating to taxes.
AGENCY NAME/PHONE: _______________________________________________________
PRINTED NAME/TITLE: _________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE: _________________________________________ DATE: ______________
THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL IN ORDER FOR APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED
Town of Brewster
Health and Human Services Committee
2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631
(508) 896-3701
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m.
Present: Sean Parker, Chair, Suzanne Kenney, Mary Jo Murphy, Patricia
Hess, Anne O’Connell, Deborah Blackman Jacobs, Lisa Perkins
Absent: Conor Kenny, Town Project Manager
1.Declaration of a Quorum: A quorum was reached.
2.Meeting Participation Statement was read by Chair, Sean
Parker.
3.Recording Statement was read by the Chair.
4.Public Announcements and Comment: None
5.Approval of November 16, 2022 Minutes: Minutes were
approved 7-0.
6.Elect New Committee Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary:
Sean noted that he would be stepping down as a
Chairperson of the committee. He indicated that he
would continue on the committee and provide support
to the new officer team. Sean also noted that Jonathan
O’Neil had resigned from the board. Suzanne Kenney
volunteered to serve as Chair. Sean indicated that he
would serve as Vice Chair. Lisa volunteered to continue
in the role of secretary. Committee vote for each of the
three offices was 7-0.
7.Discuss the Annual Funding Cap: Sean reviewed the
discussion at our last meeting regarding whether the
HHS committee should have to adhere to the town’s
funding cap. This discussion came about due to the fact
that funding a new agency in any given year would
necessitate a reduction in the amount recommended for
each agency if we were required to keep the total
amount of our funding recommendations to less than or
equal to 2.5% increase of what was awarded the prior
year. Anne noted that based on this year’s reaction from
the select board to our request for an increase of greater
than two and a half percent, it would appear that we
would be able to recommend an amount over the cap if
a new agency were added to the list. Sean discussed
framing our recommendation in a way that showed we
are adhering to the funding cap for the current agencies
and that new requests would be separated from this
total. He recommended that he and Suzanne meet in
August with Conor Kenny to discuss this and that the
committee convene after that meeting.
8.For Your Information: None.
1.Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair:
Members of the committee discussed the variability in
the completed funding applications received this past
year, noting lack of adherence on the part of the agencies
to specific requests for information on the application.
Suggestions included revamping our cover letter, with
the purpose of clearly delineating application
requirements. Upcoming meetings would include
meeting to revamp the letter and, perhaps, the
application itself in the hopes of having it ready to go to
agencies by October. Given the inability to meet with
agencies during the pandemic years, members discussed
wanting opportunities to meet with funded agencies for
more current information and becoming more
acquainted with what is happening in town more
generally. The consensus of the group was to invite
Brewster Police Chief Eldredge to our September
meeting. Patricia noted that there was a new non-profit
agency in Brewster dealing with drug rehabilitation and
wondered if the committee was still interested in finding
new agencies to support. The committee supported this
idea. Discussion ensued about the date and time of our
monthly meeting. After discussion (and follow up post
communication with town office), the consensus was
that we hold our meetings the first Wednesday of the
month at 5:30 p.m. with a goal of returning to more
frequent monthly meetings (with the possible exception
of summer months). Sean will check the time with town
office to determine if that date/time is available and if
Conor would be available at that time as well.
Additionally, Suzanne raised the issue of how much
impact does our funding have-especially when the
agency was very large. Members agreed that this would
be an important topic to review at a future meeting.
Finally, the Committee thanked Sean for his service as
Chairperson for the past 5 years.
2.Next Meetings: The meeting date will be August 9, 2023
at 5:30 p.m.
3.Adjournment at 7:44 p.m.
September 2023
Dear Applicant,
The Town of Brewster is pleased to invite your organization to apply for Town funds in support
of the important work you provide Brewster residents. Please be advised that all information
requested must be completed and timely submission is required for your application to be
considered. Any proposal received without requested documentation including attachments
will no longer be reviewed regardless of past funding. The request for Town funding has
become more competitive and with that the challenge of meeting all requests given budgetary
constraints. In addition, if your organization has received prior funding, your Fiscal Year 202 (?)
application will only be considered if final reports and invoice from the previous fiscal year have
been received by (DATE).
Applications are due by (DATE). Applicants may be asked to attend a Health and Human Service
Committee meeting prior to approval of the grant in late fall or early winter. Any questions
about the process prior to the due date for submission may be directed to Connor Kenny, Town
Program Manager (email or phone?).
The Town of Brewster is grateful for your continued mission-based efforts in meeting the needs
of our community.
Sincerely,