HomeMy Public PortalAbout04-23-2013 Human Services attachments_201304181211541483 Town of Watertown
Town Council Committee on Human Services
Report of the Meeting January 22"d1 2013
The purpose of the meetings was to discuss updated information detailing the possibility of having a
Community Social Services Coordinator(now renamed the Social Services Resource Specialist), as
submitted by the Town Council on December 6`h, 2011 and review the report from the Committee on
Budget and Fiscal Oversight as it pertains to this issue.
The Committee convened on January 22, 2013 at 5:45 pm. Present were Anthony Palomba, Chair; John
Donohue,Vice Chair; Kenneth Woodland,Secretary. Also present were Town Manager Michael Driscoll,
Town Auditor Tom Tracy,Town Council President Mark Siderls, and the Director of Personnel Gale
Shattuck.
The details of the evening were as follows:
The committee started by examining new information of service with the intent of bringing forward to
the full Council a recommendation on its behalf.
Councilor Donohue brought up the BFO's question about the 60/40 split in funding as opposed to the
50/50 in this report. Also brought up was evaluating whether there was actually an unmet need of this
nature in town that this position would address, statistically speaking.
Councilor Palomba answered that they felt the SO/50 split was more fair than the 60/40 split. He also
referred to the previous testimony of various service providers throughout town who had previously
testified as to that need. He also referenced the new study that was put together by the outside
committee.
The Town Manger then brought up some issues the Committee may consider addressing:the
duplication of services,verification of delivery of service, town employee or contract, part-time or full
time, and confidentiality concerns, amongst others.
Councilor Palomba referred to several pages in the new proposal that discusses these concepts, and
further mentioned that some of the latter points would be judgment questions that the Human Services
Committee would exam.
Councilor Palomba then discussed some of the data and testimony from various town-wide service
agencies and the difficulty in assessing the number of people actually served against the number that
dialed in. Councilor Woodland brought up his desire to have concrete figures to reflect the number of
people that would benefit from this service,and work some sort of cost-benefit analysis based on those
numbers.
Councilor Donohue also brought up concerns that the current town organizations already have the
ability to refer to the proper venues. Councilor Palomba answered that the proposed position is more
than just referral, and entails more than that effort.
The Committee then discussed what the next steps should be:
Councilor Palomba proposed: Continue the meeting to find out whether the needed data could feasibly
be collected from town departments and service providers without creating an undue burden on their
staff( by seeing how other towns obtained their data) with the assistance of Ms, Shattuck.
Seconded by Councilor Woodland and voted unanimously by the Committee.
The meeting was then adjourned at roughly 6:58 pm.
Continued to 2-26-13 and convened at 5:55 pm.
In attendance we're vice-chair John Donohue, Secretary Kenneth Woodland, Town Auditor Tom Tracy,
and the Director of Personnel Gale Shattuck,
Councilor Donohue started off by stating the purpose of the meeting,to acquire some more information
as pertaining to the Jan 22od meeting.
Mrs. Shattuck discussed how other towns led to the finding that they had an unmet need that similar
positions as the one being filled would address:
Focus was on Arlington/Belmont, where they are part-time social workers. Shared w/COA,senior and
youth and family services in Arlington and under the BOH in Belmont who has other similar
responsibilities. Of 7 researched, none has a full time dedicated service provider. How Acton
determined unmet need: number of people showing up at churches and other help providers became
too great a burden to accommodate. So created 20 hour week position,then provided data to show full
time position was needed. In Lexington,transitioned a previous position that was closed and used the
resources to create a human services component(to cover all age groups). In Natick,got rid of the
human services coordinator due to budgetary reasons and split the responsibility between veteran's
service coordinator and council on aging. Now bringing the position back into operation.
Stoughton/Foxboro recommended checking the census and school departments.
There were also conversations with internal town departments:
Council on Aging- No unmet needs,addressing the calls that come in (about 2)
Fire- No unmet need (about 6 calls they handle fine)
Police-Go to"Advocates" so same
Public Health Department-Able to refer to places where need can be met, same
Councilor Woodland brought up concern about follow up on after referring to the different
organizations. The organization that gets referred to then has the responsibility.
Councilor Donohue brought up the types of liability the town could take down by adapting this type of
program. Main question being: would this program create the type of duty, which if breached,could
hold the town responsible? Donohue also referred to the Community Resource Guidelines which has
many services highlighted that may overlap the same responsibilities of this position.
Councilor Woodland brought up the method that was used in Acton,whether that overflow in the
private care sector that led to the Town's response was similar to the situation in Watertown? With the
level of services comparatively in the town, it is likely that this is not the same case.
Councilor Donohue, with information just presented, Mrs. Shattuck has done a great job w/diligence
(above and beyond internal audit from departments).
Motion was made to continue the conversation to a later date by Councilor Donohue, seconded by
Councilor Woodland. Then there was a motion to adjourn by Councilor Woodland and seconded by
Councilor Donohue concluding the meeting at 6:30pm.
Continued to 3-19-13 at 5:35 pm.
In attendance were Committee Chair Anthony Palomba,Vice-Chair John Donohue, and Secretary
Kenneth Woodland.
Councilor Woodland had brought up the idea of addressing proposals in a succinct and more focused
manner,and only do so within the Committee of Human Services, not recommendations from the
outside working group.
Councilor Palomba described the purpose of the meeting which was to address the BFO's
recommendation#1 Part A: identifying the unmet need.
Director of Personnel Gale Shattuck then gave an update of her report originally presented on 2-26-13.
The following community members spoke about the need in the community: Eleanor Donato (from
school perspective-few dozen per year per school), Kim Charleston (Watertown Commission on
Disability-emphasize follow up for individuals in crisis),Carol Katz (WSB), Father Bob Connors(St.
Patrick's Church-coordination problem-have services but need way to get them),Gerry Byer(Director of
Project Literacy-connection,forecast, and follow up w/folks), Ken Sarkassian (sees problems w/real
estate dealings, too many requests to handle), Missy Shea (1"Parish Watertown-average 55 requests
per year over past 4 years),Amy McCreeth (Church of Good Sheppard-once per wk),Jennifer Van
Camping, Lisa Capoccia,Andrew Bundy(WCF), Bob Shea-cost avoidance business perspective, Katherine
Button-social worker help within the library, Laura Kerman (Wayside),Susan Flint(Marshall Home Fund),
and Will Twombly. Attached please find their full comments.
A motion was made by Councilor Woodland to continue the meeting with the goal of addressing at least
4 of the 8 charges from the BFO at the next meeting. Seconded by Councilor Donohue and voted
unanimously.
Continued to 4-02-13 at 7:30 pm.
In attendance were Committee Chair Anthony Palomba,Vice-Chair John Donohue, and Secretary
Kenneth Woodland. Also in attendance were the Director of Personnel Gale Shattuck,Town Auditor
Tom Tracy, and several members of the community.
While starting to describe the unmet need addressed in the last meeting and continuing to address the
BFO's recommendations, an idea of an alternate funding source for the position was brought up. This
avenue would not impact the next fiscal year's budget and would be able to fully satisfy the position for
the2 year trial period (combined with the outside group's funding efforts). The outside group could
collaborate with others in the community and put in an application to the Harvard O'Neil Fund. The
Committee agreed this path would alleviate the vast majority of their concerns and would be in the best
interest of all Interested parties.
Councilor Donohue motioned we continue the meeting to explore this option. Seconded by Councilor
Woodland and voted on unanimously by the Committee. The meeting adjourned at roughly 8:15 pm.
Co
Human Services Subcommittee
3-19-13
Good evening councilors. My name is... COA, MHF, HRW
In the fall of 2004, 8 'h years ago, Deb Kaup, longtime director of the Watertown Food
Pantry, told me a very disturbing story. A middle-eastern gentleman had come to the
pantry that day looking for food. He and his son had been in the US for a year, but had
just moved to Watertown. They had come here because the boy, then 12 years old, had
been born with an extremely rare, life-threatening disease that causes physical deformity
and uncontrolled internal bleeding. The family had spent most of those 12 years
traveling throughout the Middle East, in a futile attempt to find help for this boy, who
was living most of the time at death's door.
Finally, they learned that a pioneering treatment had been developed at Children's
Hospital in Boston, which is where the boy had been for the year preceding their arrival
in Watertown. During this time, the dad had spent his entire life savings, and had no
more financial resources. While much improved, the boy's condition remained tenuous.
He fell into deep depression, and his doctors urged his mother to come to America to
support her husband and son. This meant leaving behind the other four children in the
care of the eldest daughter, then only 18. The State Department would not grant them
visas to come here with their mom.
The family was given an apartment to live in free of charge by a kind-hearted person
they met in the hospital. However, they had no furniture, no cookware, few clothes, and
no income.
Because this family's story is so compelling, and because there is nowhere for them to
go in Watertown for skilled help, I have been a volunteer advocate for them since 2004.
They have needed the ongoing assistance of an immigration attorney to guide them
through the impossible requirements of a broken immigration system. They have needed
money, furniture, clothing, and language instruction. They have needed emotional
support as they have struggled with the son's ongoing illness, over 8 years of family
separation, constant poverty, and a devastating accident in which the dad was struck by
a truck and received serious neurological injuries. None of this could have been
provided simply by handing them a printed resource guide, no matter how good, or
sending them to the internet.
I am not a social worker, and have none of the skills that this family really needs. It took
a great deal of time and many false starts to find the help they truly required. However,
thanks to their great personal courage and the assistance of many people in Watertown,
including some of you here tonight, they are scraping by, hoping for better days to
come.
I cannot help but wonder how the burdens of this family could have been lightened if
they had had the support and guidance of a skilled social worker right from the
beginning. Their story is not something that you read about in the paper every week. If
you haven't met them, you probably don't know about the unspeakable hardships
they've endured. But yet they're here, living only a few blocks away from where we sit
tonight.
And how many more folks like them are there in Watertown? People who are living
under tremendous physical, emotional, and financial stress are not visible, like potholes
in the sheet. They remain hidden from view, until the day comes when they become so
desperate a crisis develops, often calling for the police and/or fire departments to
become involved, at the town's expense.
After the tragedy in Newtown, I heard a mental health expert state emphatically that
there is a crisis in the availability of mental health services for young adults in this
country, and that it's easier for a young person to buy a gun than it is to find mental
health treatment. Professionals unanimously agree that early intervention in a person's
problems is key to expediting effective solutions and preventing a worse situation from
developing.
You have asked for numbers —how many people are there in Watertown with unmet
needs? This is presently an impossible question to answer quantitatively, because people
with unmet needs don't check a special box on the census, or wear signs on their
foreheads. So, we have to look to other kinds of information for the probable answer.
We know that the number of people using our food pantries are increasing each year.
The Watertown Food pantry alone served 5344 people in 2009, 5684 in 2010, and 5852
in 2011. I'm sure the St. Patrick's pantry has seen a similar increase in use. People who
are going hungry are living under tremendous stress. Their problems go much deeper
than the next meal. Where can they turn in Watertown for help?
For years the social worker at the Senior Center has done an exemplary job of providing
assessment, information and referral, and follow-up services to seniors. However, if
you're below age 60, you're not eligible for these services. But can we really assume
that no one has any problems, or needs support or information before their 60tn
birthday?
Likewise, our Veterans Agent serves the needs of veterans and their families very well.
But what if someone doesn't qualify for her help, what then?
We have the overwhelming evidence from other towns who provide strong social
services for their residents. In Acton, for example, a town about 3/4 the size of
Watertown, their town social worker started as part-time, but has become full-time, as
she simply couldn't do her job in less than 40 hours. How can we imagine that the needs
of Watertown residents are any different than those of people in Acton, Belmont,
Lexington, Arlington, or Newton?
Many of us in this room tonight are front line workers who provide certain kinds of
financial and emotional help to others, to the best of our ability. But not one of us can
say that we are able to do all that is needed. Our collective stories, along with all the
other information I've mentioned, should be enough to convince you, the decision
makers of our community, to give this proposal a fair chance.
Every one of the private funders who have committed good money to this project
believe in the need, the value, and the town's obligation to create the strongest possible
safety net for its most vulnerable citizens. We ask you here tonight to give this service a
chance. After two years you will have the numbers you are asking for, on which to base
an informed decision about the future of the program. But if you deny the opportunity,
and pass up this unusual chance to leverage private funds to benefit the town, countless
more individuals and families will suffer as they remain unable to gain access to the
social services that will get them back on their feet again.
I ask you to do the right thing, give this program a fair chance to prove itself. Support
this proposal.
Thank you.
Hello, my name is Katherine Button. I serve on the Board of Library
Trustees.
The first goal listed on the action plan for the Watertown Free Public Library
goes as follows: "Our library is a community hub where people meet,
interact, explore and learn in a welcoming and supportive environment."
From my viewpoint, the Library is a very safe place for people of all ages
and different backgrounds and abilities.
For the most part, the people using the library manage to police themselves. n- C�
From time to time, staff must refer people to the Library Code of Conduct. 0
It breaks my hart wh ver I learn about somebody asked to leave the
building for i --,, pRa e %e avior. One need that a town social worker e
could fulfill is to help staff deal with patrons with mental illnesses. '1 ,
" 6 i
Please note that our library, as part of the Minuteman Library System, X
attracts people from all the surrounding towns, what I call "Greater VW ,
Watertown." A question arose as to whether a social services resource
specialist contracted by the town would benefit Watertown residents only. It y
would be very helpful for a specialist to be able to make referrals to agencies
in neighboring communities when the need arises,just as the public library
serves all those people that enter the doors.
� <<
��� �J
Testimony for HS Subcommittee
March 19, 2013
My name is Susan Flint, I am a co-president of the Marshall Home Fund and a member of
the social services working group.
I'd like to speak about one of the many ways to think about why there is a need for this
service in Watertown. Which is to look at census and other data for Watertown, as well
as for some of the many other communities in our area have social workers to provide
assistance to adults,who are not yet senior citizens, and their families.
Some towns have been doing this over the long term, others created these positions
more recently because they recognized the need to provide assistance with human
services needs beyond what already exist.
Although communities structure these positions and services differently--- all that I will
reference have created and continue to maintain these positions, or if they eliminated
them at one point have reinstated them --- because they meet a clear and compelling
need; needs that cannot be adequately met through other existing services.
Watertown has many similarities to several of these communities -- so there is much to
be learned by examining and comparing some data.
So — here goes. First about Watertown.
Watertown's population, according to the 2010 census, is just about 32, 000.
Of the 32,000, 25,000 and change are under 60 years of age, thus below the age at which
they are eligible to receive the excellent services provided through the Council on Aging
/Senior Center.
And while the Veterans agent is very helpful to veterans and their families, only about
10% of the population are in Watertown are veterans.
And for some comparisons:
Lexington,which has a 4/5 time position to assist 19 to 59 year olds, has a population of
31,400. Virtually the same. And I don't deed to provide income data to show that
Lexington is a higher income community. Yet, in my conversation with the social
worker, it became clear very quickly that people that come to her for assistance come
from all segments of Lexington's population. Calls average between 85-95 /month.
And Natick,with the same population as Watertown,had a position which it ended in
2005, but subsequently reinstated it to respond to needs that were going unmet.
Acton, which has a full time person - has just 2/3 of the population (about 22,000). She
reports getting approximately 1,000 requests for assistance each year. In fact, this
position was part-time initially, but is now full-time because the demand was so great.
Belmont,with a population about 5,000 less than Watertown's,has a full time social
worker,who assists youth,as well as adults.
Canton, and Dedham, with smaller populations that Watertown both have full-time
positions.
Arlington though,with 43,000 people, has only a part-time person, although they are
hoping to expand to meet the need.
Other pertinent data about Watertown:
As of December, the unemployment rate is 4.7%
4.5%of families_in Watertown are below poverty level which is$19,300 for a family of
three.
6.3 %of individuals have incomes below$12,000 - the poverty level for individuals.
In Watertown, 24.3 percent of students receive free lunch, and another 5.9 percent of
students receive reduced lunch,while 4.8 percent receive reduced lunch statewide.
This is higher than the state average. To qualify for free lunch, the household income
for a family of 3 must be under $25,000/year.
The food pantry assisted 5,852 people ---with a total over 86,000 meals last year.
The food pantry, free lunches; while these meet some of a family's needs, we can
extrapolate that most people who are low income and food insecure have other needs if
they don't have enough money for food.
And with the median rent in Watertown (in 2009) at$1,339/month, its can be almost
impossible to pay rent, buy food, cover utility costs......
And it's always important to keep in mind, that at the time of the last complete survey,
there were 8,154 people in Watertown who spoke a language other than English at
home —which is 25% of the town's total population.
According to one estimate, there are about 6,000 people with disabilities in
Watertown.
Serving these populations can be more complex due to language, cultural, and the
many accessibility barriers, of numerous types, that exist.
Allen F. Gallagher
16 Hawthorne Street
Watertown, MA 02472
March 18, 2013
Honorable Town Council
Town of Watertown
Dear Friends,
I am writing in support(as a resident) of the proposal to hire a Social Service Resource
Specialist for the Town of Watertown. I understand that approximately 50% of the annual
salary will be funded (for 2 years) by private sources, leaving the Town with only 50%to
fund.
After reading the proposal, I think that this position will fill a need for services for those
in the age category of 19-59 and be a valuable resource for the Town. Seeing that many
surrounding Cities and Towns have a similar position also leads me to think that it may
also be appropriate for our Town.
During my 22 years at the Boys and Girls Club, we had many inquiries about human
services and we did not have anyone to refer those people to. Also, at the Rotary Club,
we had many requests for help, which we could not address and did not know where to
direct people to. I think this proposed position would be an asset to the Town and give us
the ability to be more helpful to those in need of assistance.
I hope that the Council will give this proposal serious consideration.
Respectfully,
Allen Gallagher
Chairman,Watertown Housing Authority
March 19,2013
Dear Human Services Subcommittee of the Watertown Town Council,
I'm writing to express my support for the proposed Social Services Resource Specialist(SSRS) position,
to serve Watertown residents between the ages 19 and 59 who need assistance accessing community
services and programs. I am a Watertown resident, and can appreciate the need for and benefit of the
proposed position based on my professional experiences working in public health and human services
programs for 15+years.There are a number of reasons this would be a positive direction for
Watertown, described below:
• We need to do what's necessary to keep Watertown's families strong. The 2011 report of the
Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that 14.8%of Watertown's hieh school students attempted
suicide, compared to 7%across Massachusetts. This is a concerning statistic. While we know
Watertown Schools and the Watertown Youth Coalition are working strategically to direct
available resources toward the needed prevention and risk identification programs to address
this issue,we also need to look at what supports parents may need to reduce risk factors at
home, and promote a healthy and supportive environment for their kids.We know that it's
harder to promote protective factors among youth if their parents are struggling with their own
issues. The SSRE is a cost effective way to help parents get what they need, so they can focus on
creating healthy and supportive environments for their children.
In my work at the Suicide Prevention Resource Center(www.sprc.org), I'm aware of
communities and health care providers across the U.S. that must face what to do after a suicide
tragedy has occurred.Watertown is in a position to address this issue before a tragedy happens
in our community, and to hopefully prevent future suicides and attempts from happening. I am
very confident that, among other things, adding a SSRS to our town's resource toolbox is an
important step in that direction.
• This position will save Watertown's health and human service providers(including town-
operated and funded programs)money.There is substantial research evidence that accessing
needed mental health and substance abuse services improves outcomes, reduces crises, and
reduces the need for more intensive treatment at later stages. Improving acces,or removing
barriers,to needed services has immediate benefits such as reducing need for law enforcement
intervention,crisis response, and intensive hospital treatment services. It has secondary effects
of helping adults remain employed, maintain housing, and care for their families.
• The need for"navigator"services is common.Social services are difficult to access in any
community, particularly for persons struggling with a crisis—whether it's employment,
housing, mental health care,or multiple issues. In any community, it can be difficult for an
average citizen not familiar with social services systems to know where to go for help. For those
who do know, it's extremely time consuming to make numerous phone calls to find the right
program. It also requires some skill to know what questions to ask. A part time SSRS will
become very knowledgeable very quickly on key items such as:what's available,who's eligible,
what's the capacity,and what are the costs,of various programs in Watertown.This person will
reduce the number of calls Watertown programs and Town departments currently answer from
citizens knocking on the wrong door.Yes, an informed town employee may have an alternative
to suggest and a phone number, but s/he will likely not know if the caller's unique needs and
situation will indeed correctly match the referral given. The person will make another call,and
learn that the organization contacted also is the "wrong door." Over time,this pattern becomes
challenging for people with pressing problems. Despite the excellent efforts of Watertown town
staff, local programs, and the availability of a Community Resource Guide,the system is
fragmented and confusing. Most social services and health care systems benefit from having a
"navigator"to help ordinary citizens access services efficiently.
• The financial contributions from community organizations are a strong indicator of the value
of this type of service among members of the Watertown community. I have worked in
community non-profit settings and can appreciate the significance of the local match you have
received for this proposal.That 50%of the position's funding comes from local, non-Town
resources demonstrates the community's desire for, and commitment to this type of service.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my input. I appreciate the work all of the Town Council
Human Services Committee members, and the contributions they and local groups and individuals
have put into the proposal. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email if you would like
assistance with this effort or have questions.
Sincerely,
Lisa Capoccia
42 Carroll St.
617-999-7813
lisa—capoccia@yahoo.com
I am here to urge you to fund a part-time Social Service Resource Specialist.
I know other ministers have testified to you &explained that we frequently are
called upon by people in our parishes or in the community who are in need of
services.
There are a lot of people in Watertown who are in need of social services.
Some of them get them without much trouble.They are people who
speak and write English fluently, have access to computers,
have money enough to take the bus, are clean and sober, and
grew up here or have worked here for a while,so have some
"social capital" that they can use -- people they can call,friends
to help them out when times are tough.
Some of them do not get the services they need.They do not have the
resources listed above. Or they have some of them but because
of mental illness, disability, domestic violence,or some other
challenge they are afraid to ask for them.
churches are one of first places people go, esp. if they are newer to the
community or afraid or ashamed in some way.
church buildings often open off hours &weekends,host support groups and
other community groups,and so people who are looking for help at
those times surface there.
Since I began: get about one call or visit a week from someone outside the parish
who is seeking help or services. And there is always at least one person or
family within the parish who is in need of new services.
Sometimes easy-- point them to the Food Pantry or Bristol Lodge.
But more often,complex-- poverty is complex; need is complex
overlapping factors: disability,relationship problems, addiction, mental
illness, language barriers, fear/shame, custody issues, credit problems
Where to start?Whom to call first.
I am not a social worker.
clergy not trained or qualified and do not have time to sit and work through
cases with people in extreme need.We are qualified to pray with them,
maybe help them get through the night, and point them to people who
can help them. If we do more,we can do damage&more than in
previous eras our churches spell out for insurance reasons and safe-
church reasons what we cannot try to do for people.
Fortunately, I am employed full time and my congregation asks me to be out the
community 1/2 the time.And so in my first few years in Watertown, I learned a lot
&met a lot of people to whom I could refer people. But most of the situations I face
are layered,and there is no one person who has records to track who has received
what services or how they were coordinated.And they are busy doing their jobs:As
Steve Ward testified here a year ago,a SSRS would SSRS would replace the time and
energy existing departments dedicate to addressing social service needs
at the expense of their core services.
I know the town is focused on planning for its future. I would invite you to consider
an SSRS as a great partner in that effort. The data such an SSRS will collect will help
the city plan,as your website says you want to do, to translate the community's
values into specific actions.
But in an age of widespread mental illness,
in a culture in which addiction negatively impacts nearly all families,
at a time when those who have always had enough are increasingly falling
into poverty and unprepared to deal with it,
in a community where the overwhelming majority of residents have moved
here in the last 10 years and therefore do not have the social capital
that most of the folks in this room can cash in when needed,
make this small investment alongside the much bigger investments you are
preparing for.
The Rev.Amy McCreath, Church of the Good Shepherd,Watertown
U r c oa
S o-w.x�u--,�..e cx /��) w_�� �L—vr..C- �G �_✓vt c�i Fv--�-/r),�t✓�rr+- S
(?..t,iJ G� S l-, )�-- V U-+'✓v�s t"�-✓ J'-GLV'4j 14-L oJ_ -7, CZ-
cLc ctjLe
� rr
l'
VqC; tk i kw cwcl i nomad 2 60 C-0
h
Subcommittee Meeting, 3.20.13
Present: Tony Palomba,JD Donohue,Ken Woodland,Tom Treacy, Gail
Shattuck
(also present,Susan Falkoff, Marls Sideris, Kathy Button)
• Eleanor Denato MS teacher, resident. I see at least one family a month,and
this is just in my part of the school - the other departments see others every
month. This is a really big need in town.
• Kim Chanson, Chair of Disability Commission,often disability is a component
in the needs of families (child,psychiatric disability, coordination of services,
connecting to existing resources). $20,000 match commitment.
• Carol Katz,Marketing Officer at WSB. I witness all the wonderful services
going on in town, so many different ways. Unknown to those in needs,who
lack a church, not in schools,not computers, library/senior center, need is for
the people who do not have it together to reach out, certain publicness of the
role, might not know about the Armenian Relief, other resources. Carol is
doing the social work. Not really what we are set up to do.
• Father Bob Connors,pastor as St. Patrick's. Not about the services provided
by town, people in need can get assistance. People do not know how to get
the assistance- 30s or 40s, incapable, not able to manage their lives, a
million reasons,do not know,
• Gerrie Byer, Project Literacy director,people from all over the world, it is
both a connector and a person to help sort through...
• Ken Sheytanian,life long resident, real estate work, baseball season, knock it
out of the park.
• Missy Shay- Helen Robinson Wright- 60 per year, $14K,WCF support, lots
of repeaters,
• Amy McCreath,3 years, Those who get services are those people who speak
English, use computers,clean and sober,have social capital. Did not grow up
here, do not have connections. About once a week, every Sunday AM,people
come in and ask for help. Congregation has problem also. At least one family
in crisis. Sometimes it is easy to help people,with a map or a walls to the
food pantry,and sometimes it is not. Not social workers. A lot of rules now,
in churches,about what we are not supposed to do -to keep people safe.
This will also be a good source of data.
• Rachel Benson, grew up here,live her. Nancy Dutton's daughter. People are
willing in the community. Best Buy deliver. Mark, Nancy,Amy. 16 more
days in the masters program, as a clinician. A lot of shame attached to asking
for help,very serious mental health issues. Schizophrenia, complex trauma,
bipolar disorder,vulnerability,trained to assess, also really sit, trained to
listen, invaluable. We work for very little.
• Jennifer van Campen, ED of Metro West Development, stunned by how much
happens by volunteers in Wtown,there is not a non-profit that does this kind
r
of work. As an ED, Good investment, reaching out to people early on, helps
reduce fire,police, 911,blight, declines.
• Mark Harris, 17 years,very basic needs, Nancy is a part-time social worker
• Bob Erickson, 15 years veterans officer, defacto social worker, in that role,
every day,hear stories. The most important- outlook contact file, tell people
where to go,health,financial, housing, medical,this person needs this...
Force multiplier... High suicide attempt rate in town...
• Lisa Capoccia,lives here,3 years, EDC, Suicide resource center, efficiencies
that you gain, defined role for the resource coordinator, we are taking care of
our folks, not just single problems - this is someone who can work with the
family on multiple issues --would make me proud to live here...,
• Andrew Bundy-Watertown Community Foundation supports this work as
one of the non-profits that has pledged its support.We also did intensive
community needs assessment work in 2007 and 2008 and in each instance,
the need for social services resource coordination was the number one issue
- and those with greater expertise than we have are confirming that the
overall need, if it has changed, it has increased since that time. Other big
need that this proposal addresses is the need of the town- residents, non-
profits, community agencies,the town leaders, elected and appointed-to
continue to build on the history of successful public-private partnerships in
Watertown. This is a really good opportunity to do that! Special thanks to
the Town leadership, elected and staff, for your role in doing the due
diligence, and ensuring the careful stewardship of resources of the town.
• Bob Shay- Business perspective, how you run em,start em. Longtime
resident of town, used to serve on Multi-Service Center board. How to
quantify the need? Do this project! This is a great chance to generate the
data that is needed, using a mix of public and private funding,so the risk to
the Town finances is low, and test it,see how well it works. A two year
process will give us the data that we all want, in a way that no other research
or planning process could do.
• Kathy Button, Library Board of Trustees,speaking as an individual, most part
people police themselves,library code of conduct, disruptive behavior, one
need is to help staff of Library deal with people who have mental illness, or
are in crisis. Police come in. Cachement area of library- all surrounding
towns, Greater Watertown...
• Laura Kurman, 23 years at Wayside, landscape of what is funded, grants and
contracts,trying to get money, prevention and community-wide work,we do
a lot of wonderful work,but not to help people individually. Do not have the
funding. Unmet- helping people bridge to help,making calls,paperwork,
trauma, etc etc.
• Susan Flint, Co-Pres of Marshall Home Fund,social services working group.
Data: Lots going on in other towns. 32,000. 25,000 under 60. Veterans -
about 10% are veterans, 20-30% including families of vets. Unemployemnt
rate 4.7%. 4.5% are below poverty level. 6.3% have incomes below 12K.
21.3% Free lunch, 6% reduced lunch. Quarter of families income below
86,000 meals with food pantry. $1375 median rent. Last time full
survey, 8K speak a language other then English. 6K with disabilities. Serving
those who are not English speakers is harder. 30K Lexington gets 85-95 calls
per month. Natick 30K had a position, ended in 2005, then reinstated it.
Action 22K, 1000 request per year. Belmont has a FT social worker.
Canton/Dedham, 20K, FT social workers. Arlington has only a PT person.
• Will Twombly- Fall of 2004, Deb Kaup told me a story, middle eastern
gentleman had come to pantry,looking for food, boy born with a rare life-
threatening disease, had spent years looking for help, pioneering Children's
Hospital procedure,while much improved,need his Mom, so she left for US
also,leaving kids with 18 year old daughter, donated free of charge, no
cookware, nowhere to go, I have been a volunteer advocate, immigration
attorney, money, furniture,clothing, ongoing illness, 8 years of family
separation,accident, none of this could have been provided,with a guide,a
great deal of time, many false starts,great personal courage, several folks
here,they are scraping by. I cannot help but wonder how their struggle
would have been unburdened, if they had had the help of a social worker.
Not visible. High levels of stress. Crisis in availability of mental health for
youth. Easier to get a gun than mental health. How many people are there
with unmet needs. Not knowable. We know that food pantry use goes up -
5344, 5682, 5882 in 2009, 2010, 2011. Problems go much deeper. Many of
us are frontline workers, but not one of us can say, "We can do all that is
needed." Everyone of the private funders believe in the value of this work.
Give this service a chance,after two years you will have the numbers. If you
deny the opportunity, countless more individuals and families may lose out -
give this program a fair chance to support itself.
r '
Human Services Subcommittee
March 19, 2013
This is a list of those who attended the meeting. Names underlined
indicate that the person addressed the Subcommittee.
Nancy Dutton
Eleanor Donato
Rev. Mark Harris
Ken Shevtanian
Council President Mark Sideris
Katherine Button
Lora Sabin
Rev. Amv McCreth
Carole Katz
Missv Shav
Roberta Brown
Teri Baver
Susan Flint
Kim Charlson
Laura Kurman
Lisa Capoccia
Tennifer Van Camaen
David Benson
Bob Shav
Rev. Robert Connors
Bob Erickson
Jennifer Quinlan
Andrew Bundv
Councilor Susan Falkoff
Rachel Benson
Will Twomblv
-2-
Individuals who sent written communication or testimony and were
present included:
Lisa Capoccia
Rev. Robert Connors
Rev. Mark Harris
Will Twombly
Individuals who sent written communication but were not present
included:
John Airasian
Allen Gallagher
John Portz
Annoymous
I
JOHN S. AIRASIAN
43 Bailey Road
Watertown, MA 02472
March 18, 2013
Dear Members of the Human Services Subcommittee,
Re: Social Service Resource Specialist
1 have previewed the proposal.
I recognize the need for this proposed position and would
support the establishment of it after more information is
forthcoming. I would want that information before I could fully
endorse it.
That information would include the definition of the
position, its funding, what happens after the initial funding runs
out, who this person report to, how it interacts with other town
agencies, be assured it constitutes no duplication and info
regarding privacy issues.
I would urge the committee to consider all those and other
aspects with the intent of moving forward.
Very truly
John S. Airasian
f
Allen F. Gallagher
16 Hawthorne Street
Watertown, MA 02472
March 19,2013
Honorable Town Council
Town of Watertown
Dear Friends,
I am writing in support(as a resident) of the proposal to hire a Social Service Resource
Specialist for the Town of Watertown. I understand that approximately 50% of the annual
salary will be funded (for 2 years) by private sources, leaving the Town with only 50% to
fund.
After reading the proposal, I think that this position will fill a need for services for those
in the age category of 19-59 and be a valuable resource for the Town. Seeing that many
surrounding Cities and Towns have a similar position also leads me to think that it may
also be appropriate for our Town.
During my 22 years at the Boys and Girls Club, we had many inquiries about human
services and we did not have anyone to refer those people to. Also, at the Rotary Club,
we had many requests for help, which we could not address and did not know where to
direct people to. I think this proposed position would be an asset to the Town and give us
the ability to be more helpful to those in need of assistance.
I hope that the Council will give this proposal serious consideration.
Respectfully,
Allen Gallagher
Chairman,Watertown Housing Authority
a(19/13 Gniall-Soda]Serkes Specialist
Social Services Specialist
Portz, John <j.portz@neu.edu> Tue, Mar 19, 2013 at 10:16 AM
To: "apalomba@watertown-ma.go%/' <apalomba@watertown-ma.goi,>, "kwoodland@waterIown-ma.go\/'
<kwoodland@watertown-ma.gov>, "jdonohue@watertown-ma.goV' <jdonohue@watertown-ma.gov>
Dear Tony, ID and Ken,
I hope you're successfully navigating our latest snow storm!
I wanted to pass along a quick note related to the social services specialist issue. A few friends in town have
forwarded material to me related to this. I teach this evening at Northeastern so I'm not able to attend the
scheduled meeting, but I would encourage you to move this issue forward with a positive vote for additional
deliberation by the full council and the manager. The background material I saw provided a quite strong
rationale: an important need in the community, broad community support, and partial funding from
key organizations in town. Also, to implement this as a contract rather than staff hire gives the town more
flexibility to assess in a few years whether this is a service that should be continued. I realize we have budget
challenges, but this looks like a worthy endeavor for the town.
I hope the meeting goes well (and I'm back to snow shoveling!)
Best,
John
! ` a
March 19, 2013
Dear Human Services Subcommittee of the Watertown Town Council,
I'm writing to express my support for the proposed Social Services Resource Specialist(SSRS) position,
to serve Watertown residents between the ages 19 and 59 who need assistance accessing community
services and programs. I am a Watertown resident, and can appreciate the need for and benefit of the
proposed position based on my professional experiences working in public health and human services
programs for 15+years.There are a number of reasons this would be a positive direction for
Watertown, described below:
• We need to do what's necessary to keep Watertown's families strong. The 2011 report of the
Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that 14.8%of Watertown's high school students attempted
suicide,compared to 7%across Massachusetts. This is a concerning statistic. While we know
Watertown Schools and the Watertown Youth Coalition are working strategically to direct
available resources toward the needed prevention and risk identification programs to address
this issue,we also need to look at what supports parents may need to reduce risk factors at
home, and promote a healthy and supportive environment for their kids.We know that it's
harder to promote protective factors among youth if their parents are struggling with their own
issues. The SSRE is a cost effective way to help parents get what they need, so they can focus on
creating healthy and supportive environments for their children.
In my work at the Suicide Prevention Resource Center(www.sprc.org), I'm aware of
communities and health care providers across the U.S.that must face what to do after a suicide
tragedy has occurred.Watertown is in a position to address this issue before a tragedy happens
in our community, and to hopefully prevent future suicides and attempts from happening. I am
very confident that, among other things,adding a SSRS to our town's resource toolbox is an
important step in that direction.
• This position will save Watertown's health and human service providers (including town-
operated and funded programs)money.There is substantial research evidence that accessing
needed mental health and substance abuse services improves outcomes, reduces crises,and
reduces the need for more intensive treatment at later stages. Improving acres, or removing
barriers,to needed services has immediate benefits such as reducing need for law enforcement
intervention,crisis response,and intensive hospital treatment services. It has secondary effects
of helping adults remain employed, maintain housing,and care for their families.
• The need for"navigator"services is common.Social services are difficult to access in any
community,particularly for persons struggling with a crisis—whether it's employment,
housing, mental healthcare,or multiple issues. In any community, it can be difficult for an
average citizen not familiar with social services systems to know where to go for help. For those
who do know,it's extremely time consuming to make numerous phone calls to find the right
program. It also requires some skill to know what questions to ask. A part time SSRS will
become very knowledgeable very quickly on key items such as:what's available, who's eligible,
what's the capacity,and what are the costs,of various programs in Watertown.This person will
reduce the number of calls Watertown programs and Town departments currently answer from
citizens knocking on the wrong door. Yes, an informed town employee may have an alternative
to suggest and a phone number, but s/he will likely not know if the caller's unique needs and
situation will indeed correctly match the referral given. The person will make another call,and
learn that the organization contacted also is the "wrong door." Over time,this pattern becomes
challenging for people with pressing problems. Despite the excellent efforts of Watertown town
staff, local programs,and the availability of a Community Resource Guide,the system is
fragmented and confusing. Most social services and health care systems benefit from having a
"navigator" to help ordinary citizens access services efficiently.
• The financial contributions from community organizations are a strong indicator of the value
of this type of service among members of the Watertown community. I have worked in
community non-profit settings and can appreciate the significance of the local match you have
received for this proposal.That 50%of the position's funding comes from local, non-Town
resources demonstrates the community's desire for, and commitment to this type of service.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my input. I appreciate the work all of the Town Council
Human Services Committee members, and the contributions they and local groups and individuals
have put into the proposal. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email if you would like
assistance with this effort or have questions.
Sincerely,
Lisa Capoccia
42 Carroll St.
617-999-7813
lisa_capoccia@yahoo.com
3112113 GwIt-Thaniz for the Opportunity
Thanks for the Opportunity
Robert Connors<rbob@stpatswatertown.org> Tue, Mar 12, 2013 at 9:40 AM
To: kwoodiand@watertown-ma.gov, jdonohue@watertown-ma.gov, councilorpalomba@gmail.com
To: Ken, JD and Tony:
Speaking to a few parishioners involved in city government, they suggested I write to thank you for the open
meeting next week. Although I don't usually get involved in social services decisions, I want to thank you for the
opportunity to offer our perspective at the meeting next Tuesday. Several of the ministers over the past year have
raised this issue and just having you consider it is wonderful. How it works out is up to you but the issue will be
aired before you. I look forward to sharing some of my experiences over the last few years. God bless,
Fr Bob
Rev. Robert L. Connors, Pastor
St. Patrick Parish
26R Chestnut Street
Watertown, MA 02472
617-926-9680
Thanks for giving Watertown residents a chance to tell you about the needs we see every
day.
When I spoke I said three basic things.
1. Three clergy spoke at this meeting telling how people are always coming to our doors
seeking assistance. I am sure this is true of all the churches in town. The town of Acton
decided to respond to this need by creating a similar position once they heard from the
church how much need exists. Father Bob also spoke at the meeting. One thing he did
not report was the number of people who come to St. Patrick's food pantry. In an email
he told me the following :
I will get you the statistics, but we serve about 30-40 people a week, often
higher. I am planning on being present at the meeting to share my thoughts.
BC
2. The second thing I mentioned was the myriad number of requests we receive,
and how a social services coordinator could help people juggle the coordination
of the various problems that they experience. Some of that variety of needs is
spelled out in what I wrote below:
Last year the Helen Robinson Wright Fund of the First Parish helped approximately sixty
families or individuals giving out approximately$13,000 to provide groceries,to pay an
electric bill before someone was shut off, to pay rent before someone was evicted, to pay
for fuel for heat,to shelter the homeless in a motel for a night so they didn't have to sleep
in their car. We have requests from all kinds of people—many of them single mothers,
who are working but can't make enough money to support a home, especially one where
the children are sick or have special needs. Or perhaps they need to stop working
because they have been diagnosed with cancer, and want to learn how to apply for social
security disability. Who is going to help them? Who can advise those in need about
housing, fuel assistance or negotiating with NStar. Must the churches take on the burden
of social service needs in the town? Are we a community that cares for all its citizens?
We see the need knocking at the doors of the churches.
3. The last thing I said was a reference to the churches taking on this town wide
need. My church administrator has virtually become a part time town social
services coordinator, but she does not have the training or even the knowledge to
help them coordinate or apply for the various programs where they might get
help. BUT she gets asked the kind of questions mentioned above, how do I
apply? Etc. She does the best she can. In a way this loops back to the initial
point. Ther experience of the churches shows that this need exists.
Thanks,
Rev. Mark Harris
Human Services Subcommittee
3-19-13
Good evening councilors. My name is..W���
In the fall of 2004, 8 '/z years ago, Deb Kaup, longtime director of the Watertown Food
Pantry, told me a very disturbing story. A middle-eastern gentleman had come to the
Pantry that day looking for food. He and his son had been in the US for a year, but had
just moved to Watertown. They had come here because the boy, then 12 years old, had
been born with an extremely rare, life-threatening disease that causes physical deformity
and uncontrolled internal bleeding. The family had spent most of those 12 years
traveling throughout the Middle East, in a futile attempt to find help for this boy, who
was living most of the time at death's door.
Finally, they learned that a pioneering treatment had been developed at Children's
Hospital in Boston, which is where the boy had been for the year preceding their arrival
in Watertown. During this time, the dad had spent his entire life savings, and had no
more financial resources. While much improved, the boy's condition remained tenuous.
He fell into deep depression, and his doctors urged his mother to come to America to
support her husband and son. This meant leaving behind the other four children in the
care of the eldest daughter, then only 18. The State Department would not grant them
visas to come here with their mom.
The family was given an apartment to live in free of charge by a kind-hearted person
they met in the hospital. However, they had no furniture, no cookware, few clothes, and
no income.
Because this family's story is so compelling, and because there is nowhere for them to
go in Watertown for skilled help, I have been a volunteer advocate for them since 2004.
They have needed the ongoing assistance of an immigration attorney to guide them
through the impossible requirements of a broken immigration system. They have needed
money, furniture, and clothing. They have needed emotional support as they have
struggled with the son's ongoing illness, over 8 years of family separation, constant
poverty, and a devastating accident in which the dad was struck by a truck and received
serious neurological injuries.
I am not a social worker, and have none of the skills that this family really needs. It took
a great deal of time and many false starts to find the help they truly required. However,
thanks to their great personal courage and the assistance of many people in Watertown,
including some of you here tonight, they are scraping by, hoping for better days to
come.
I cannot help but wonder how the burdens of this family could have been lightened if
they had had the support and guidance of a skilled social worker right from the
beginning. Their story is not something that you read about in the paper every week. If
you haven't met them, you probably don't know about the unspeakable hardships
they've endured. But yet they're here, living only a few blocks away from where we sit
tonight.
And how many more folks like them are there in Watertown? People who are living
under tremendous physical, emotional, and financial stress are not visible, like potholes
in the street. They remain hidden from view, until the day comes when they become so
desperate a crisis develops, often calling for the police and/or fire departments to
become involved, at the town's expense.
After the tragedy in Newtown, I heard a mental health expert state emphatically that
there is a crisis in the availability of mental health services for young adults in this
country, and that it's easier for a young person to buy a gun than it is to find mental
health treatment. Professionals unanimously agree that early intervention in a person's
problems is key to expediting effective solutions and preventing a worse situation from
developing.
You have asked for numbers—how many people are there in Watertown with unmet
needs? This is presently an impossible question to answer quantitatively, because people
with unmet needs don't check a special box on the census, or wear signs on their
foreheads. So, we have to look to other kinds of information for the probable answer.
We know that the number of people using our food pantries are increasing each year.
The Watertown Food pantry alone served 5344 people in 2009, 5684 in 2010, and 5852
in 2011. I'm sure the St. Patrick's pantry has seen a similar increase in use. People who
are going hungry are living under tremendous stress. Their problems go much deeper
than the next meal. Where can they turn in Watertown for help?
For years the social worker at the Senior Center has done an exemplary job of providing
assessment, information and referral, and follow-up services to seniors. However, if
you're below age 60, you're not eligible for these services. But can we really assume
that no one has any problems, or needs support or information before their 60`"
birthday?
f f
Likewise, our Veterans Agent serves the needs of veterans and their families very well.
But what if someone doesn't qualify for her help, what then?
We have the overwhelming evidence from other towns who provide strong social
services for their residents. In Acton, for example, a town about'/a the size of
Watertown, their town social worker started as part-time, but has become full-time, as
she simply couldn't do her job in less than 40 hours. How can we imagine that the needs
of Watertown residents are any different than those of people in Acton, Belmont,
Lexington, Arlington, or Newton?
Many of us in this room tonight are front line workers who provide certain kinds of
financial and emotional help to others, to the best of our ability. But not one of us can
say that we are able to do all that is needed. Our collective stories, along with all the
other information I've mentioned, should be enough to convince you, the decision
makers of our community, to give this proposal a fair chance.
Every one of the private funders who have committed good money to this project
believe in the need, the value, and the town's obligation to create the strongest possible
safety net for its most vulnerable citizens. We ask you here tonight to give this service a
chance. After two years you will have the numbers you are asking for, on which to base
an informed decision about the future of the program. But if you deny the opportunity,
countless more individuals and families will continue to suffer as they remain unable to
gain access to the social services that will get them back on their feet again.
I ask you to do the right thing, give this program a fair chance to prove itself. Support
this proposal.
Thank you.
Hi, I am so sorry that I am unable to make the meeting tonight. I think what Nancy and the committee
have been working so hard at doing for creating a position in Watertown that residents could reach out
to in hardships situations such as me and my family have experienced would be so helpful and take so
much pressure and time from searching out assistance when time is needed to be focused elsewhere.
When I was 34 years old,on Dec. 17, 2010, 1 was as at work and received the worst imaginable call—it
was from my fertility doctor,that had been working with me and my husband on helping us try and
conceive a 2Id child -she was calling to give me an update from the procedure I had done two weeks
prior. I had polyps removed from my uterus and was told that the y would be send to pathology but not
to worry it was less than a 5%chance of there being any malignancy... Well I fell into that 5
category... I had Grade 1 Endometrial Cancer. I was shocked and horrified. The first thing I said to her
is,Am I going to die? What do I do now? She said I have put in a referral for you at Dana Farber you
need to make an appointment immediately.
Within the next two weeks, my husband and I were sitting in the Director of Gynecological Cancer at
Dana Farber's Cancer Institute's office. He came in and introduced himself and then cut right to the
chase and said I am going to cut to the chase—you need to have a Full, Radical Hysterectomy with
everything removed. He said for the Grade my cancer was, between how young I was(34 years old at
the time)and that I already had a child it would be ridiculous to take any chances at trying alternative
methods and that surgery alone would"probably"take care of removing the cancer.
Me and my husband left there devasted and scared. The unknown of my health and how were we going
to survive financially without me working for 6-8 weeks. I work for a small family owned business and
do not have any sort of short term disability. I had researched different companies to see about buying
into short term disability but was constantly denied because my daughter had been born 8 weeks
premature and I was high risk.
On February 3, 20111 had my Hysterectomy at Brigham and Womans Hospital. After my surgery I woke
up to my husband holding my hand and telling me I did great, but his eyes were filled with tears and I
could tell he had been crying—something was wrong. He told me during the surgery they found that I
had cancer on my left ovary too.
After a long week of waiting to hear if anything had spread to my lymph nodes or abdomen, I finally
received the call from the Dr. nothing had spread. However, because of the location of where the
cancer was on my ovaries and that I had two separate primary cancers he wanted me to meet with a
medical oncologist and was recommending me for Chemotherapy as well as Genetic Testing. Again, all I
could think of is more time I am going to need off from work.
My family was suffering severally financially with me being out of work. Everyone kept telling me I
should not worry about that at this point. But we needed to pay our bills. There was the food pantry,
there was Springwell who gave me different places to reach out to for help—one of them being First
Parish. I spoke with Nancy(First Parish) right at the beginning when I was going to start Chemo and
with Nancy's help and the help of the Helen Wright Fund they were able to assist me and my family with
paying our rent for the first month I was in Chemo. It was so wonderful and such a blessing to actually
not have to worry about being evicted and focus on my health.
i
In the beginning of March 20111 was deemed strong enough to begin treatment It was recommended
that I start with 6 rounds of Carboplatinum and Taxol once every three weeks and I did hear those
words I had been dreading, I would lose my hair.
So this was my life for the next 5 months. The first three days after treatment were always the worst.
Then over the next two weeks I gradually began to feel better. My biggest problem during Chemo was
Bone and Muscle pain. Obviously fatigue and weakness played a big part too. My doctors were
horrified to learn that I was going to try and still work. But I had to... I needed to pay my bills.
I reached back out to First Parish when I was getting back to work on a more regular basis but we still
could not pay our bills. To pay rent,we couldn't pay electric and etc. We always had to rely on my
parents for financial support. Which was awful because they themselves were living off of Social
Security. Finally in the beginning of 2012 my husband and I had to claim bankruptcy.
It has been almost two years since I completed Chemo and apparently is when I can say I am in
remission. I have completed the Genetic Testing and have now been diagnosed with a PTen mutation.
It is also know in the Genetic world as Cowden's disease which makes me high risk for Uterine,Thyroid,
Breast,Skin, Colon and Kidney cancers. I have had two surgeries(Lumpectomy and Thyroidectomy)
since Chemo and will be facing my biggest surgery yet in late summer/fall (Bi—Lateral Mastectomy).
Anytime I have a surgery I am out of work for a minimum of 2 weeks. The mastectomy that I need to
have will have me out of work for at least 2 months.
I called Social security to see if I could collect through disability and was told no because I need to be out
of work for a minimum of a year. It just feels its a no win situation. My family in me are in desperate
need of help.
It would be so great to have a contact in Watertown to reach out to during these difficult times and if
anything I hope my story can be an example of why it is needed.
Thank you.
Proposal to Contract with a Social Service Agency for a
Social Services Resource Specialist
for the Town of Watertown
January, 2013
Contents
Proposal Summary 2
Scope of Services 3
Budget S
Background 7
Appendices:
Frequently Asked Questions 9
Definitions of Terms 12
Program Evaluation 13
Selected Municipalities Providing Human 14
And Social Services for Adults
Documented Requests for Services in Watertown 16
(January 2011 —February 2012)
Statements of Support 18
Acknowledgements 25
Letters of Commitment from rom Private Funders
and Letters of,Support
Proposal Summary
1) The Town of Watertown will purchase,by contract,Social Services Resource Specialist(SSRS)
services for 24 hours per week at a cost of approximately$55,000 for year one and approximately
$54,000 for year two. The contract will be funded, in pant,by private contributions totaling 50% of the
contract.The contracting agency will be selected through an RFP process or by other means determined
by the Town Manager and Town Council.
2) These services will be provided by a Masters-level social worker (or equivalent degreed professional)
who is a part-time employee of a qualified social service agency under contract with the Town. The
contract will also require the agency to provide clinical supervision,data collection and program
evaluation.
3) The services provided to the residents of Watertown through the SSRS contract will include
assessment,information and referral, short-term intervention and follow-up as necessary. The services
will not include the coordination of any social services provided by the Town.
4) A town official, designated by the Town Manager, will serve as the administrative supervisor for the
SSRS, as well as the designated manager of the contract with the social service agency.
5) A key component of the SSRS contracted program will be data collection and program evaluation. It
is especially important,as a new program,that the need and effectiveness of the SSRS's services be
documented and reported to the Town Council and Town Manager on a periodic basis,to inform
decisions regarding Riture funding of the services.
6) The program's primary social worker will be readily accessible to all Watertown residents in a location
mutually agreeable to the Town and the social service agency under contract. Clients eligible for
services from other Town departments(Council on Aging, Veterans' Agent, etc.),will be appropriately
referred.It is anticipated that most of the SSRS's clients will be between the ages of 19 and 59.
2
Scope of Services
Provided by Contracted Agency for a
Social Services Resource Specialist
OVERVIEW:
Often an individual or family in need of services does not know where to turn for help. If and when
services are found, significant barriers to accessing them may still exist,due to complex eligibility criteria,
language barriers, and other circurnstances.
• This Social Service Resource Specialist(SSRS)will be a single,well-publicized access point to a
wide variety of social services.
• The SSRS will have a direct impact on a large number of Watertown residents by efficiently
identifying the most suitable services from the most appropriate sources,assessing needs,providing
accurate information, and making professionally-based,efficient,and cost-effective referrals.
• The SSRS will provide important data to help town departments,private social service agencies,
and private finders to identify and assess critical needs. The SSRS will refer individuals to Town
departments serving seniors and veterans, The SSRS will not coordinate the services of any Town
department, though the SSRS will attend meetings as requested by the Town.
• This proposal recognizes the financial constraints of public flmding by creating a public/private
partnership and by leveraging in-kind support from the contracting agency.
ESSENTIAL.FUNCTIOS TO BE PERFORM_ ED BYCONTRACTED AGE M'S PMMAR1C
SOCIAL WORKER:
• Provide assessment,information&referral,short-term intervention and follow-up
services to Watertown residents
• Comnnn»eate, as needed,with emergency providers (e.g,health,police,and fire),
emergency fitnders, and other social service providers for case consultation and
information&referral. (Note:No privileged client-specific information will be shared by
the SSRS with anyone without the explicit informed consent of the clients)involved.
The only exceptions to this guideline are those specified in Massachusetts law regarding
mandated reporting.
• Document contacts with clients and service providers on bebalf of clients(clicrt-
authorized phone calls with other service providers, etc.)
• Provide bi-weekly time sheets indicating hours worked per day and activities performed
during those hours.
• Perform all duties in accordance with the highest professional standards and practices,
particularly those regarding confidentiality. (The SSRS's primary responsibility will be
to provide services to clients in confidence,and will only share client-specific
information with others after receiving the client's informed consent,the only exceptions
3
being those noted in Massachusetts mandated reporting laws.)
• Participate in supervision meetings with supervisor, and other clinical meetings,as appropriate.
• Participate in in-service trainings and appropriate continuing education opportunities to maintain
professional licensing.
• Collect data and report statistics on a regular basis for purposes of program evaluation,
• Prepare and submit periodic reports.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REOUIRED OF PRIMARY SOCIAL WORKER:
To perform the SSRS job successfully,the social worker should demonstrate the following competencies to
perform the essential fiuictions of this position.
• Knowledge regarding and demonstrated experience providing assessment services with adults and
families
• Documented experience collaborating with other service providers and emergency responders
• Knowledge of the social service delivery network,including eligibility and access criteria.
OUALIFICATIONS OF PRIMARY SOCIAL WORICER:
Masters in Social Work or an equivalent Masters degree
Current valid MA Drivers License
Reports to: Clinical Supervisor at contracted social services agency. Reports to a town official,designated
by the Town Manager, for administrative supervision. Provides both individuals monthly data collection
and survey reports,
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTED SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY:
CLINICAL SUPERVISION
The contracted social services agency will provide clinical social work supervision to the SSRS.
PROGRAMEVALUATION
A key component of the SSRS contracted program will be data collection and program evaluation. It
is especially important,as a new program,that all the SSRS services and their effectiveness be documented
and reported to the Town Council and Town Manager on a periodic basis.
The expectation is that a program evaluation professional will design the evaluation,review and analyze
the data, and write periodic reports.
Program evaluation will be built into this program's design and implementation right from the beginning.
Good program evaluation provides information that helps a program improve along the way, in addition to
measuring its effectiveness.
For addittonat information about program evaluation and definitions of terms, see Appendices.
4
Budget
Below is an estimated budget,presented with the understanding that the services listed on Pages 2 and 3 are
to be purchased as a package,by contract,with a qualified social service agency. Standard town bidding
procedures will be followed in securing these services.
The initial contract period for the Social Service Resources Specialist program will be two years, During
this period,50%of the contract will be funded by private contributor's,and 50%will be funded by the
Town of Watertown. The private contributions already pledged are shown below.
The total cost of the program is projected to be$54,952 in Year 1, and$53,872 in Year 2. Estimated line
item costs are tentatively listed below,
SSRZS Budeet—Year 1
R'xpenses to be covered under one contract with selected agency:
Personnel
Social Services Resource Specialist(24 hours/week) $31,200
Clinical Supervision 0,000
Evaluation Design and Evaluation 5,000
Taxes and Fringe(24%) 8,688
Program Support(8%)(supplies,materials, cormnunication,etc.) 2,896
Administrative Overhead (15%) (accounting, legal, etc.) 7.168
Total contract expenses, Year 1 $54,952
Funding
Town of Watertown(50%) $27,476
Private contributors (50%)
Watertown Savings Bank 11,500
Watertown Commission on Disability %500
Helen Robinson Wright Fund 975
Watertown Community Foundation 1,250
Perkins School for the Blind 1,250
Mount Auburn Hospital 3,000
Pledged to date $27,475
Total funding,Year 1 $54,952
5
SSRS Budect—Year 2
Expenses to be covered under one contract ivtth selected agency.
Personnel
Social Services Resources Specialist(24 hours/week) $31,200
Cost of Living(2.5%) 780
Clinical Supervision 0.000
Evaluation Design and Evaluation 3,000
Taxes and twinge(24%) 8,395
Program Support(8%)(supplies, materials, communication, etc.) 3,470
Administrative Overhead(15%)(accounting,legal,etc.) 7,027
Total contract expenses,Year 2 $53,872
Funding
Town of Watertown(501/6) $26,935
Private contributors (50%)
Watertown Savings Bank 12,000
Watertown Commission ou Disability 9,500
Helen Robinson Wright Fund 900
3 P611 Watertown Community Foundation 1,035
Perkins School for the Blind 1,000
Mount Auburn Hospital 2,500
Pledged to date $26,935
Total funding,Year 2 $53,871.
SSRS Buda.et bevond Year 2
The SSRS program will be evaluated by the town before the end of Year 2,using the data, statistics,and
evaluation information documented during the first two years of the program. The Town Councll and
Town Manger will determine whother the SSRS program is to continue,and if so,how it will be funded.
NOTE:All private pledges listed above are contingent on a commitment from the town to provide its
share of funding,
6
Background
In 1968, Watertown established a Human Services Department. Based at the Watertown Multi-Service
Center, staff provided a comprehensive array of social services to town residents.Residents could approach
the"Multi"on their own, or could be referred by others,such as the Police,Health,Fire, and School
Departments, Qualified professionals offered a range of services,from information and referral to
counseling to comprehensive case management.
In 1993,when fire town discontinued funding for the Human Services Department, the Multi continued to
provide counseling and other clinical services under agreemerrt with a private,non-profit organization
(which merged with Wayside in 1996). However,due to funding limitations,the role of social services
coordinator was discontinued. In subsequent years,social service and emergency assistance options for
town residents have become increasingly fragmented, The School Department's collaboration with
Wayside has met a portion of the needs for Middle and High School children,although there is no
designated ongoing school social worker, The Council on Aging avid Springwell offer a range of social
services for those over 60, and some services to the disabled. However,people between the ages of 19 and
59 without disabilities,and children who do not attend public schools, generally do not have easy access to
services,or even to basic information about resources in the connnunity,
Several years ago,recognizing the acute need for more coordination between emergency assistance
Randers,service providers,and town departments,the Watertown Community Foundation took the
initiative to organize a loose,voluntary network of agencies and private fiinding organizations, This group
is linked by an email listsery in order to facilitate communication between members, so as to expedite the
processing of requests for assistance from individuals and families in crisis, This step has improved the
delivery of emergency assistance,but has also highlighted the need for far more coordinated,
comprehensive services. This need was further documented by two needs assessments conducted by the
Community Foundation, These clearly demonstrated that comprehensive coordination of social services,
within tile,town,were considered a top priority by residents,town officials,agencies, and social service
funders•
The most recent recession has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people using local food pantries
and seeking other forms of assistance, as evidenced by the spike in calls to local churches,charitable
organizations,and the Multi. Also,financial pressures may have increased incidents of family conflict and
substance abuse. Currently, it is extremely difficult for young and middle-aged adults to locate sources of
assistance in town. If they are fortunate,they hear about organizations such as the Watertown Community
Foundation,the Helen Robinson Wright Fund at the First Parish,the Marshall Home Fund,Metro West
Community Development, and the Rotary Club,which receive numerous requests from individuals having
emergency needs for food,housing,clothing, eye-glasses,medication,medical,dental,rent or mortgage
assistance,Beat,utilities and/or transportation help,Applicants are often single mothers with small children,
people who are unemployed, or homeless. Because none of the above mentioned community organizations
are equipped to offer financial counseling,employment assistance,job training,or mental health services,
they often feel frustrated and ill-equipped to truly help.
7
APPENDICES
8
Frequently Asked Questions About the Social Services
Resource Specialist Proposal
Will the SSRS be a lown employee?
No, The services provided by the SSRS will be provided through a contract between the town and a
social service agency.
Wlty a contracted servlee?
A contracted service is more efficient and less encumbering for the town at this time. All fringe
benefits,support services,etc, are the responsibility of the contracting agency.Also,the agency will
provide the critical clinical supervision for the SSRS that the town would not be able to offer.
Will the SSRS coortllrtate servlees already offerer)by Cite lo wit?
No, the SSRS will not coordinate the services provided by any Town department or employee. The
SSRS will refer seniors and veterans to the appropriate Town department and will meet with Town
departments as requested.
How and to rvhotn will fhe contracting agency be accountable?
Under this proposal,the Town Manager will appoint a town department head or other town
official to manage the contract with the agency. This person will be responsible for snaking
sure that the terms of the contract are met on an ongoing basis. However,this town employee will
not be responsible for the day-to-day or clinical supervision of the SSRS, which will fall to the
contracting agency.
Hat precedents crtrrently exist for this I(Ind of agency relationship with the town�
Presently the Watertown Police Department has a Jail Diversion program contract with Advocates,
Inc, to provide mental health counseling, Information,referral, and follow-up when needed, to
persons involved in incidents to which the.police respond. Also,the Wayside Youth&Family
Support Network works with certain Watertown youth and families under contract with the School
Department,
Will the SSRSproposal duplicate existhtgservlees In totvrt?
Currently,town-sponsored services address the needs of specific populations, including the
elderly, veterans,some people with disabilities,some who have been involved in police matters,
and some school children and their families.There are other large segments of the town's
population, especially those failing between the ages of 19 and 59,for whom no specific
assessment,information &referral, and follow-up services exist.
While the work of the SSRS should be closely coordinated with the work of the Senior Center,
Springwell, the town Veterans' Agent,and the Police,Health and School Departments,this work
will not duplicate ally existing services, but should sake all services more coordinated,more
efficient,and more streamlined.
9
Why does the SSRS need to be clinical social worker If she or he sport't beproviditigpsychotherapy?
Highly professional clinical skills are required for sound assessment, appropriate short-term
intervention,MR and follow-up,not just for therapy. Equally important, communication between
all clinical social workers and clients is privileged,thus assuring the highest standards of
confidentiality.
.Flow do we know there is a steed for a SSRS in Watertown?
Between 1968 and 1993,the town's Human Services Department,based at the Multi-Service
Center,provided a frill range of social services to town residents. However,since this department
was abolished due to budget constraints, emergency assistance finders in Watertown,town
department heads, and existing social service providers have become increasingly aware of more
individuals and families in crisis,and have not always been able to respond to them appropriately,
The Watertown Community Foundation has conducted two studies of community needs that have
identified the need for coordinated social services as a Number 1 priority. Private organizations
such as the Helen Robinson Wright Fund at the First Parish receive a significant number of calls
each month for assistance from people in crisis,often due to unemployment,doinestic abuse,or
other causes beyond the capacity of the finders to address. Statistics contained in this proposal
indicate the number of requests for service received by some of Watertown's providers in 2011.
They total almost twelve hundred,
Will a Social Set-vices Resource Specialist save floe town money indirectly?
Yes, If assessment, information&referral, and follow-up services were readily available to town
residents, the implementation of these services at an early stage would alleviate the need for some
crisis responses later on by the Police, Fire, and/or Health Departments.Early intervention in
problem situations has positive, lasting,effects for both the individuals involved and for all town
services.
Do other towns provide shnilar services?
Yes. Included among these are Arlington,Belmont,Brookline, Concord/Carlisle,Marlborough,
Newton,Acton,and Lexington, See Selected Municipalities Providing Human and Social
Services to Adults (under age 60)in the Appendix.
Where would the MRS be located?
It's important that the SSRS be located in an easily accessible office in Watertown. The exact
location will depend partly on where the contracting agency is based, and partly on the terms of the
contract negotiated with the town.
Xs there((potential conflict of interest f f the SSRS Snakes referrals to hetdltis own agency?
The SSRS will make every effort to coimect a client to the appropriate services. This may
include suggesting more than one service provider and may include a department or service
within the agency holding the SSRS contract with the town.
Because the Town will he contracting with an agency for the SSRS's service, spill the expectations and
needs of other To wit departments'conflict with the SSRS's obligation to rnabilaiu confidentiality its
dealing with clients?
It should be understood from the outset that the SSRS's primary responsibility is
to maintain confidentiality,and only share client-specific information after
obtaining the informed consent of the client(s).The only exceptions to this policy are those listed in
Massachusetts mandated reporting laws. Thus any sharing of information by the SSRS must be
done with the client's explicit permission. This is the same standard observed by other Town
departments, such as the Council on Aging,
10
What will happen after the secorul year of the SSRSpragrvan?
Data collection,statistical reports, and evaluation tools will be included in the SSRS contract from
the outset. These statistics and reports will inform the Town Manager and Town Council as they
decide whether to continue the program beyond the second year.
Who has been involved hi Putthig this proposal together?
The idea of having a SSRS was born approximately seven years ago in meetings of town
department heads, social service providers,and emergency assistance Rindeis that were organized
by the Watertown Community Foundation.The need was continually expressed, but no concrete
actions were taken until April of 2011, when Councilor Tony Palomba organized a series of
meetings that involved over 30 representatives of the groups mentioned above. Out of these
meetings evolved an active working group that has authored this proposal.
tl
Definitions of Terms
Assessment
The SSRS will assess the needs of each person requesting assistance. The assessment ivill include:
• Reasons why the person is asking for assistance and what additional problems might be relevant;
including urgent needs (food,housing)immediate safety concerns(domestic or other abuse,mental
health safety), substance abuse,family issues
• Information such as age,gender,occupation, language spoken, living situation, children at home,
disabilities,veteran status,etc.
• Person's strengths,availability of resources and other supports(financial,medical insurance,
family/friends, spiritual community), any assistance currently received (inedical, food, etc)
c Barriers (psychological,sociological, logistical)that might make it difficult for clients to accept and
access services.
Information and Referral
The SSRSwill provide Infornratton &Referral to clients based on their individual or family needs;
• Provide clients with information about available resources for which they are eligible; explain what
each of these benefits/services provides and how to access them.
• Counsel clients about ways fir which particular services can assist them with their specific
problems; answer their questions and address concerns.
Short-term Intervention
The SSRS will provide tm geted short-term Intervention when appropriate:
• Assist clients with applications and other paperwork required to apply for services/benefits and with
logistics of accessing services (e,g. transportation, translation and interpretation).
o Build rapport and trust with clients to encourage them to accept services and assist them in
overcoming barriers to getting needed services.
6 Counsel clients who are reluctant to utilize services with the goal of encouraging them to seek
appropriate assistance.
• Involve additional household/family members as needed.
• Make calls on clients' behalf: o.g,negotiate a reduced payment to avoid utility shut off,etc.
• If appropriate, coordinate with other service providers involved with a client.
Follow-up
The SSRS will follow-np with every client:
• Check in with those who have been referred to other agencies to determine if they have followed
through.
e Determine if they were able to access services to which they were referred. If yes,have the services
been helpful? In not, why not,and what other service might better meet their needs.
C If they did not follow-through,or were not able to access the services,why not? What additional
assistance might the SSRS provide?
12
Program Evaluation
A key component of the SSRS contracted program will be data collection and program evaluation. It
is especially important that all SSRS's services and their effectiveness be documented and reported to the
Town Council and Town Manager on a periodic basis.
Good program evaluation is built into a new program's design and implementation right from the
beginning.
The evaluation will be designed to answer the following questions:
To what degree did this program accomplish what we expected?
How do we Imow this?
What are particularly strong aspects?
What are the weaknesses?
What changes might be needed to improve the program?
In order to design a good program evaluation,goals for the program will be outlined so they can be
measured, This will determine what data need to be collected(in addition to any other data for
administrative purposes),
The responsibility for the program evaluation will rest with the contracted social services agency. The
expectation is that the agency's program evaluation professional or consultant will design the evaluation,
review the data,and write reports,
Reports to Town officials will be provided at specified intervals,with a more comprehensive report at the
end of two years. The purpose of reporting at"benchmark"points is to provide interim information about
the program for the purpose of making mid-term, or ongoing corrections. Good program evaluation
provides information that helps a program improve along the,way,not just giving it an up or down at the
end.
Types of data that may be collected:
Primary reason person is seeking assistance;Additional issue(s)
Was person referred to SSRS? From where?
Number of people involved (family,household members)
Outside agencies involved
Where was person referred?
Time spent in"intake"meeting; additional time spent
13
Selected Municipalities Providing Human and Social
Services to Adults (under 60)
Acton Population: 21, 924
Position: Social Service Coordinator(full time)
Funding:Town Budget
Number Served:Approximately 1,000 requests for assistance per year
Scope of Services:Assistance with resources for food,housing, fiiel assistance,medical substance abuse,
domestic violence,etc.
Arlinuton Population: 42, 844
Position: Case Manager(Dart-time) tinder the Arlington'Youth Counseling Center. Case Manager oversees
the Community Resource Services program.
Funding: New position for 101u'slwk.; f nded entirely by a$15, 000 grant from a church.
Number•Served: 80 (2011)
Scope ofServices: Connects residents with and helps them navigate housing,heattli insurance, fuel
assistance and other identified needs. Referrals to the Case Manager made through police,schools, health
department, counseling center, Council on Aging(for people tinder 60),housing agencies, churches.
Sehnont Population: 24,729
Position: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker(full-tinie)
Funding: Town budget
Number Served:Not available
Scope of Services: Provides information and referral (1&R) to help families and individuals to identify and
address their needs, locates resources,connects families to services,and provides case management to help
navigate the many systems in which they are involved. Works with local community groups to provide
funding to families in financial crisis,offers budgeting education and assistance. Provides information
about state, federal and local social services available to support families with financial,mental health,
physical disability and educational concerns,
Provides free crisis intervention and counseling to students; makes referrals to private mental health
services based on clinical assessment.
Brooldine Population: 58,732
Position: Human Services Coordinator for the Health Department(frill-time)
Funding:Town budget
Number served: 800 (2011);new and ongoing cases
Scope of Services: Assists individuals,families acquire mental health, substance abuse and other services.
Provides consultation,treatment planning, referrals,monitoring and support, Provides preventive services
and coordination related to hoarding,housing, food, and other emergency needs. Is available to community
for workshops,educational and other community events.
14
Concord/ Carlisle Population: 17,668 (Concord);4,852(Carlisle)
Position: Community Services Coordinator(part-time)
Funding:Position established by the Concord Town Manager's Office(2004) with a grant from Concord-
Carlisle Community Chest
Number Served: 700(2011 approx)
Scope of Services: Provides individuals and families with information,referrals and assistance in the
following areas: food, energy,housing and furnishings,domestic violence,mental health,disability, lower
cost health insurance,vehicles, legal and emergency financial assistance.
Lexineton Population: 31,394
Position: Assistant Director Adult&Family Services(4/5 time)
Funding., Town Budget
Number Served 200 cases;average of 85-95 calls per month
Scope ofServiees: Financial and other assessment,crisis stabilization, information and referral, case
management and service coordination
Marlborouah Population: 38,499
Position: Municipal employee(part-time); heads Marlborough Human Services Department
Funding: City budget; 32 hour/week position
Number Served:Not available; not required to keep/report statistics
Scope of Services: Primarily information&referral;systems coordination and collaboration to fill service
gaps. At one time provided more direct service but now only in emergency situations(due to cutbacks).
Major needs of residents(under 60)seeking assistance include budgeting,adults with developmental
disabilities oi�mental illness who had lived with parents who are now deceased. Need exists for the
Human Services Dept, to do for people under 60 what Council on Aging does fo•seniors. Has access to
Mayor's Charity Fund for financial assistance to individuals.
Newton Population: 85,146
Position: Community Social Worker,(full-time); situated within Health and Human Services Department
Funding: City budget
Nwnber Sewed: 475 new cases(2011)plus several hundred ongoing cases
Scope ofSe+vices:Primarily food, fuel/utility assistance,housing,financial, and other emergency
assistance. Also hoarding(a few cases).
Note: Number Served data are not uniform. Sot e towns track and report only new cases, others report
total number. In addition, some report every call or request for assistance,even though the same individual
or family may call multiple times (duplicated count). Others track and report the number of clients(an
individual or family unit), no matter how many repeat calls they snake(unduplicated count).
Also, the amount of time needed per request for assistance varies greatly, Some are handled by phone,
others require face-to-face appointments, often multiple ones. Home visits are warranted for some cases.
Additional Note: Information collected separately by the Town Personnel Director is not included.
15
Documented Requests for Service in Watertown
Requests for Social Services in Watertown 2011
Presented by Laura Kurman,Wayside Multi-Service Center
Compiled February 2012
1. Phone calls Received:
• Wayside Multi-Service Center:
48 youth
48 adults/families
o Helen Robinson Wright Fund:
2 youth
22 adults
33 fatuities
• Watertown Health Department:
52 adults/families
• Marshall Home Fund:
15 over age 55 adults (souse live with children and grandchildren)
• Watertown Council on Aging: s
107 adults/families/elders for food pantry
209 adults/families/elders for emergency assistance&Salvation Army fund
71 adults/families/elders for legal assistance
192 adults/families/elders for fuel assistance
579 total--this includes the numbers of calls and visits,not number of people
*According to director, over half of requests are made by elderly residents.
Total Calls: 50 youth only calls, 815 adults/families= 865 total calls
2. Cases Seen: (originated as calls for services)
• Wayside Youth &Family Support Network:
135 youth(in-school services)381 total number of contacts
107 olients/families served (Outpatient Counseling,In Home Therapy, Support and Stabilization)
16
• Advocates: (Psychiatric Emergency Services and Jail Diversion)
38 youth(triaged to Wayside)
37 adults(either single or parents of children)
1 elder
Total Cases Seen: 173 youth, 185 adults/families=318 cases handled.
(Multiple calls and client contacts for each person/family)
GRAND TOTAL: 1183 total requests for service and cases seen(223 youth, 1010 adults/families)
17
Statements of Support
(1)Watertown Community Foundation
Presentation to the Committee on Human Services
Andrew Bundy, President
March 20, 2012
Mission of WCF—A Strong, Close-Knit Community
WCF is a public foundation that benefits the people and non-profit organizations of Watertown.Its mission
is to promote a strong,close-knit community by fostering connections,mutual respect,and support for
those in need among Watertown's diverse.residents.
WCF Convening;efforts--Asking the Community What is Going On, and What Matters Most
One of the core jobs we do is to convene people to taekte problems that are community-wide in nature.
Years ago,we did some convening over the branch libraries and the possible uses of those buildings. More
recently, we have been the conveners of an ongoing set of community meetings about the future of the
Watertown Riverf'ront.
WCF Meetings to Assess Community Assets and Community Needs—
Irt the fall of 2007 and again In the fall of 2008, WCF convened meetings to develop a stronger community
dialogue about our assets and our challenges and needs,as a community,
• Disclaimer: Not a scientific study,not even a study, Just a convening of concerned residents,
community leaders, and town officials,a soundlug out of their views and concerns,and reflection
back to the larger community.
• Whent Fall 2007,Fall 2008. Good that there are others here with current data and reporting. But
the first message was very strong in 2007,second message,in 2008,strongly re-affirined it,
• Who: 50 people representing over 40 organizations,town departments; who's who of
community/town leadership. Supt of Schools,Chief of Police, then-Rep Kaprelian,then-Town
Councilor Jon Hecht, nnauy others, lists are a part of reports.
• Assets: Many,too many to list. People. Diversity,strong community links, Terrific
organizations, Vigorous and engaged town government and civic leadership. Innovation in
programming, Special funds in town, Tradition of helping,caring.
• Challenges; Major changes in US,in region, that affect us—tough economy, higher levels of non-
criminal issues that the police must deal with,homelessness,housing needs, Then,in 2008, carts,
big pressure on existing service providers,big sense that people are falling into, and through,the
cracks.
o Target Group; More resources for elders, for children,and families with children than for
people 18-60
o No social work,or worker,for those in the middle
o Need for Coninector; Many organizations and town departments do some portion of the
work—veterans, seniors,children,families—but the people they are set up to support
sometimes never make the connection.
t&
o Big need for Communication/Aeccss: Both helpers and those seeking help are in need of
ways to access the right person, organization,resource,
• Recommended Action Steps:
o Create a designate!Resource Coordinator
o Work with all the existing resources
o Consider a public/private collaboration for funding
o Use networks of"point people"
o Make better use of the data we have on resources,create a database
o Hold monthly meetings of key agencies/leaders
Watertown is Constantly on the Move;While Much is Consistent with these Past Needs/Assets
Conversations,Much has Changed
• Since 2008, LOTS of forward motion,ACTION on these ideas:
o WCF facilitated an Emergency Assistance fenders network
o Social service providers have held monthly meetings
o Former WCH/WCD,now MetroWest Collaborative Development—does an annual
Community Resource Directory...
o Edinburg and now Advocates, Inc. partners with the Police Department on mental health
support in the Jail Diversion effort
o Hoarding treatment through the Compassionate Care effort.,.
o Lots of good stuff underway.
(2) First Parrish Church
Presentation to the Human Services Committee
Nancy Dutton, Church Administrator
March 20, 2012
My name is Nancy Dutton. I am church administrator for First Parish of Watertown. I am also
administrator of the Helen Robinson Wright Fund. This is a charitable fiord set up in the early 80's from
proceeds of the sale of Ms. Wright's home in Watertown given to the church at the time of her death. The
ftmd provides financial support for Watertown social service organizations and individuals and families in
need. Grants from the fund are disbursed by a volunteer conunittee at First Parish. For many years most
grants were awarded to organizations and agencies,whether they applied for them or not. However by the
fall of 2008 the committee began to receive many more requests for help from individuals. I was then asked
to be the first line contact for these applicants. I began to hear the needs of the most vulnerable in
Watertown. Some applicants could be referred to the Marshall Home Fund or the Council on Aging if they
were over 55. Most calls however were from individuals and families in their 30's 40's and early 50's.
The stories began to have recurring themes... Single women raising families without a husband, individuals
on disability or out of work.
The needs were for fuel, electricity,phone,food,prescriptions,eyeglasses and day care. I would try to sift
through their stories to see how we could best help and what other resources were available for them. Were
they using the Food Pantries, were they getting any help to bettor manage their finances,had they applied
for Fuel Assistance etc. The difficulty that I find is that often by the time the person gets to us they are
either almost out of oil,have an electricity shut off notice,are threatened with eviction or they have no
money for food until their next paycheck or disability check. There are often tears. They are overwhelmed
trying to sort it all out, They thank me for listening as they do not always feel heard when they try to work
their way through.the complicated systems to get help. I do the best I can but I know they need more
19
consistency and support. I thought that it would be helpful to tell you the stories of several different
applicants.First is a 54 year old woman who moved to Watertown several years ago to live with her son
who was in his 20's and showing signs of mental illness, He began to not be able to work and needed help
with prescriptions and doctor visits. He was finally admitted to McLean's Hospital.During this time she
was going through her savings. They started getting behind in rent and were facing eviction. Many phone
calls later between the Marshall Home Fund, St Patrick's Church and the Wright Fund we were able to
assist them with their back rent. Her son is now able to get disability and Mass Health which means they
can hopefully get back on their feet, It took several months and a lot of coordination to get this to happen.
She is extremely gratefidl The second is a single woman on disability living in public housing in
Watertown who has collie to us on several occasions for help with her expenses. She acknowledges being
depressed at times and not able to manage her life, She says she is not eligible for Mass Health because she
says they tell her she makes too much on her disability,so she pays for the prescriptions herself, She then
gets behind and does not fill her prescriptions which makes her depression worse. We help her one more
time but tell tier she needs to get help with managing her finances. Springwell has this service and I give
her their number. Will she follow through?Will her sister help her look into why she is not able to get
Mass health?I think we will hear from her again. Tire last applicant came into our office just today. She
randomly heard of the Wright Hind from a friend who had been helped by a Unitarian Universalist church
in another town. She is 42 and has lived in Watertown for 23 years and is working full time as a care giver.
She has 4 children and is paying$1700 a month for rent. Her husband who had worked 26 years for a
company fell at work and hurt his back. He is unable to work.They owned their own home and lost it 3
years ago.Now she is unable to pay rent and is behind for large amounts of money to NStar,National Grid
and rent. I am overwhelmed with how to help this womam. It would be wonderfid to have someone to refer
her tol In summary over the past four years,the Wright Fund has seen a dramatic increase in the number of
applications from younger and middle-aged individuals and families in crisis. Although we do our best to
Provide short-term financial relief, we are simply not equipped to offer comprehensive assessment and
longer-term follow-up. People often find us by accident, and the help that we can offer is Ihuited. The more
I work with these folks the more I am convinced that the town urgently needs a Community Social Service
Coordinator to provide more consistent and comprehensive care for so many of its citizens. Thank you for
considering this.
(3)Nancy Powers, Coordinator, WIC
Presentation to the Human Services Committee
March 20, 2012
Ms. Powers explained that although WIC is a nutrition program, she and her staff are spending more time
making client referrals than they are on nutrition education. She feels that Watertown needs to offer"one-
stop shopping"for social services—a central location where families and individuals could receive all the
referral information they need.
Ms. Powers spoke of visiting shelters and speaking with families who have lost jobs and homes,and have
no idea where to turn for help, She is especially concerned for those who may still be working, but eariring
insufficient income to meet basic expenses. Often they do not know whom to call or where to go for help,
and ultimately lose their homes. During this process families become fragmented, and children become
unhappy and act out. Many families are too proud to ask for services, or are afraid of being treated badly
(which does happen at some agencies). If Watertown had a SSRS, agencies such as WIC could solid clients
there knowing that individuals and families would feel safe.Agencies sending clients to a SSRS would feel
confident that the clients would actually gain access to appropriate and available services.
20
(4) Wayside Multi-Service Center
Presentation to the Human Services Committee
Laura Turman, MA, LMFT, Program Director
March 20, 2012
Thank you for having me here to present to you tonight about the numbers and kinds of calls and requests
received from Watertown residents needing social service related assistance, I have gathered this
information froin emergency funders in Watertown and from town departments and agencies who
provide direct services. Data was received from Wayside,the Health Department,Council on Aging,
Advocates, the Helen Robinson Wright and Marshall Horne Funds. This does not cover all of the
agencies who receive requests but those who I was able to gather data from to this point.
The approximate numbers of calls collectively received shows that in a snapshot of one year,2011,nearly
1200 total requests were made. This breaks down to roughly 200 youth specific calls and 1000 adults,
parents or families, Calls and requests come in for needs such as assistance for fuel,rent, utilities, medical
supplies such as eyeglasses,or help with food,to direct service requests for counseling referrals, and legal
help,
My experience over the past 21 years as Program Director at Wayside Multi-Service Center affords
me the opportunity to have a pulse on the needs of the Watertown conunumty along with a firm
knowledge of the resources available to residents.
As you know,since 1968 Wayside Multi has been in Watertown and used to be charged specifically
with providing social service information and referral to residents. Because of this history,people still
turn to us at times when they are in trouble acid even though this service is outside the scope of what
our specific work currently is they know we will do our best to help them comiect to other resources in
fire community,However, these other resources in the community also do not have staff dedicated to
respond fully to the nearly 1200 calls,which further indicates the need for this social services
coordinator position.
As indicated previously, there are many,many adults in Watertown,soine with children, some without,in
need of help directing them to social services they need,who come across barriers to accessing
information and resources. I also want to call attention to a particular subgroup of adults with specific
challenges, for whom recent research shows that there are very serious barriers-Young adults, ages 18-24,
have a great deal of difficulty successfully living on their own as they have the highest unemployment
rate, (24%federally), the fewest skills for navigating adulthood, and the least amount of services that are
really knowledgeable about that age group. This is especially a concern as they are then most vulnerable
to get in trouble in areas such as substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and violence.
A brief example of a call we received is from a single mother of 2 young children,ages 4 and 7,fairly new
to town, who had an unexpected car repair and suddenly found herself without enough inoney to pay her
utility bill. She had budgeted carefully in order to pay her bill but found herself in a difficult situation. So
we helped her by connecting her to the Council on Aging who administer the town's emergency assistance
find and to the Helen Robinson Wright Foundation of the Unitarian Church to assist with some small cash
assistance.However, through talking with this mother,it came to light that she was a victim of past
domestic violence and was having some issues with her youngest daughter who had witnessed the violence
in their home and was now exhibiting signs of trauma, We referred her to a suitable therapist to help this
21
mother help herself and her daughter. An important poilit to mention is that neither we nor the other
community resources have the capacity to follow up oil these requests which is a critical need in most
cases.
I am sharing this story as one of many that we have been presented with in recent times to further illustrate
the need for a central professional point person to receive and triage requests,provide short term assistance,
make referrals and oversee follow up as Will has outlined lii the proposal lie presented. I also know that
although Wayside and others may be successful obtaining grants for some programming, the nature of
finding for direct services has changed and there is very little support available or even grants to apply for
this kind of direct service proposed. Thank you.
(5) First Parish of Watertown
Presentation to the Human Services Committee
Rev, Marls Harris, Minister
March 20, 2012
Clergy have always been visited by a variety of people who have material needs. These include people
passing through town or homeless people looking for meals, gas, or a quick handout. Cash is usually not
given,but some kind of food card or the like, Clergy also assist individuals and families who are
residcntstparishioners, and have ongoing needs for food,rent,phone and electric bills,oil,etc, simply
because they cannot make ends meet due to unemployment, poor management, or unexpected bills.
Checks are issued to the vendor in such cases where it is felt an emergency need exists.
I work with my church Administrator,Nancy Dutton, and a First Parlsh church committee to administer the
Helen Robinson Wright Fund, an endowed charitable fund established to help individuals and families in
Watertown with emergency financial assistance. We have given out approximately$13,000 annually to
individuals. Because of the downturn in the.market we have found it necessary to do more find raising—
offerings from the congregation,benefit concerts, grants from other agencies and foundations, and
individual contributions all added to a find that has been eroding its endowment with payments of grants,
I note two things especially that have happened with this find in recent years, This find has existed for
about thirty years. I am now in my sixteenth year here as minister. During my early years,most of the
money was granted to local social service agencies to help them administer their programs. There were
virtually no individual grants. In recent years almost all of our funds have gone to individuals who have
emergency needs such as rent, electric bills and fuel assistance. Sometimes we work with the vendors as
well. This reflects tine increased poverty levels and basic human needs that are not being met in our
country and community.
In prior years the church committee charged with finding these grants was able to do so in quarterly
meetings, but with all the individual demands it soon became evident that we needed to respond to people's
needs on a more personal and timely basis. This resulted ill the employment of the church Aduvnistrator at
First Parish as a part-time Administrator for the Wright Fund. During the last four years she has been
acting as a social worker for tine church handling phone calls,requests,meeting with people and doing
intake of information,contacting other agencies,and working with me on decision making, This has meant
that we have needed increased funds to pay her to do this work,and it also takes away from her work as
church Administrator, so that she can help people ill the town, most of whom are not members of the
church, This is a strain on a small and financially strapped institution, as it assists a wide number of people
in the community,
22
All of these factors make it apparent that the need is evident in the community, and the burden for taking
care of these people has fallen on other voluntary institutions when a town wide program could alleviate
some of this financial and labor burden we now bear.
(6) Presentations to the Human Services Committee
March 20 Meeting
Dr.Sarah Abbott,Director of the Jail Diversion Program at Advocates, presented a recent situation that
involved Watertown's police and the Jail Diversion social worker and how the services of a SSRS would
increase the effectiveness of the program and the efficient use of police services.
Steven Ward,Director of the Health Department for the Town of Watertown, spoke in favor of the
proposal, He emphasized that the position would have a positive financial impact on the'lbwn in that the
SSRS would replace the time,and energy existing departments dedicate to addressing social service needs
at the expense of their core services.
(7) Statement of Support
Wayside Multi-Service Center
Presentation for the Budget and Fiscal Oversight Committee
Laura Kurman, MA, LMFT, Program Director
June 18, 2012
Statement of need:
For many people in Watertown having a Social Services Resottces Specialist(SSRS)would fill a gap to
help our most vulnerable residents obtain the necessary social and human services assistance they need. It
would provide for one central place for people to call to help them assess their needs, connect them to
proper resources and help them to navigate a myriad of systems,This could include connecting residents
with resources to help pay their utility bill,navigating Mass Health insurance to referral to ongoing social
services for those in need.This help will prevent repeat calls for assistance(to the police,health
department,social services agencies,private foundations)thereby cutting down on the continued need for
assistance and help over time as people would be directed much more quickly to services they need. With a
point person in this position town departments,agencies and private foundations,etc. who receive calls for
assistance throughout the year would be able to dramatically reduce time spent helping residents find and
obtain services which can many times be time consuming and costly.
Why it compliments current Wayside services and does not compete with Wayside services:
Wayside provides many services for Watertown children,adolescents and families including prevention
and treatment services(community wide health promotion initiatives,in-home therapy, outpatient
treatment,part time school based counseling and referral,eta). These services are fronded by specific State
and Federal contracts and grants as well as health insurance, all of which stipulate what services we can
provide. There is no specific contract or grant that can allow Wayside to provide the services proposed in
this Social Services Resouces Specialist(SSRS)proposal.
23
For residents who need assistance who are adults not connected to kids in some way, there would be no
overlap as Wayside primarily works with youth and families. Currently, for those residents who do seek
assistance who are not involved in or eligible to be involved in Wayside services,we give resource
information out but this may be a one-time thing with no follow up or help provided. People then may also
seek out assistance from another source in Watertown and it is hard for one department or foundation to
know what another is doing for this person already.This is one of the reasons why a SSRS position is so
vital as there can be quite a bit of overlap and time spent figuring out what assistance someone is already
receiving.
All in all,this SSRS service would complement the work Wayside does by providing support for a staff
person with dedicated time to provide assessment, information and referral services to those in need.
24
ACKNOWLDEGEMEN'TS
We would like to acknowledge and tbank the following individuals for their input and contribution to this
effort shrce April,2011.
1. Sarah Abbott, Program Director,Jail Diversion Program,Advocates,Inc.
2. Andrew Bundy,President, Watertown Community Foundation
3. Alfredo Bartolozzi, Watertown Food Pantry
4. Rev. Mike Clark,Minister, St.John's United Methodist Church
5. Peter Centola,Director,Watertown Recreation Department
6. George Demos, Sergeant, Watertown Police Department
7. David Downes,Watertown Educational Foundation,Inc.
8. Nancy Dutton, Administrator,Helen Robinson Wright Fund,First Parish of Watertown
9, Bob Erickson(retired),Watertown Veterans Service Officer
10, Susan Flint,Marshall Home Fund
11. Louise Forrest, Co-Founder,Watertown Gardens
12. Caryl Fox,Director, Council on Aging/Watertown Senior Center
13. Allen Gallagher,Executive Director,Boys and Girls Club
14, Frank Oalligan, President, Friends of Matt Galligaii
15. Rev. Mark Harris,Minister,First Parish Church
16. Jonathan Hecht,Massachusetts House of Representatives
17. Mary Jewers, Coordinator,Parent Child Home Program
18. Mary Hunt Johnson, Director, Community Health, Mt. Auburn Hospital
19. Linda Krieger, Coordinator,Parent Child Home Program
20. Laura Kurman,Program Director, Wayside Multi-Service Center,
Wayside Youth and Family Support Network
21. Kathleen Lockyer, Watertown Education Foundation,Inc.
22, Rev, Arny McCreath,Minister,Church of the Good Shepherd
25
23. Patricia Moran,Public Health Nurse, Watertown health Department
24. Deborah Peterson, Watertown Resident
25. Carol Vincent Pennington,Saint Patrick's Food Pantty
26. Nancy Powers, Community Coordinator, Watertown WIC
27. Ruth Beckerman-Rodau,Assistant Director, Springwell
28, Beth Sahakian,Director of Community Education, Watertown Public
Schools
29. David Sampson, Sergeant,Watertown Police Department
30. Michael Schade,Executive Director,Watertown Community
Foundation
31, Arlene A. Smith,Coordinator,Watertown Family Network
32. Tim and Linda Tracy,Miller/Tracy Children's Foundation,Inc.
33. Will Twombly,Marshall Home Fund, Helen Robinson Wright Fund,and
Council on Aging
34. Susan Viskin, Supervisor of Literacy, Project Literacy
35. Steve Ward,Director,Watertown Health Department
26
23, Patrleia Moran, Public Health Nurse, Watertown Health Department
24, Deborah Peterson,Watertown Resident
25. Carol Vincent Pennington, Saint Patrick's Food Pantry
26. Nancy Powers,Community Coordinator, Watertown WIC
27, Ruth Beckerman-Rodau, Assistant Director,Springwell
28. Beth Sahakiau,Director of Conununity Education, Watertown Public
Schools
29, David Sampson, Sergeant, Watertown Police Department
30. Michael Schade, Executive Director, Watertown Community
Foundation
31. Arlene A. Smith, Coordinator, Watertown Family Network
32. Tim and Linda Tracy, Miller/Tracy Children's Foundation, Inc.
33. Will Twombly,Marshall Rome Fund,Helen Robinson Wright Fund,and
Council on Aging
34, Susan Viskin,Supervisor of Literacy,Project Literacy
i
35. Steve Ward,Director, Watertown Health Department
?.G