CITY OF WORCESTER

Public Health and Human Services Committee Meeting

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber

Convened: 5:01 P.M.

Adjourned: 5:38 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli

Committee Members

Chairperson Sarai Rivera
Vice Chairperson George J Russell
Councilor Gary Rosen
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Sarai Rivera Councilor George J. Russell Councilor Gary Rosen
 
Also:Commissioner of Health and Human Services Dr. Matilde Castiel Director of Public Health Karyn Clark Homeless Projects Manager Evis Terpollari Homeless Outreach Strategist Eniya Lufumpa Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk
 
1.

Virtual Attendee Call-In Information

1a.

Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may join us directly within the Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber, follow the below link to join via the WebEx application or dial the direct line as indicated. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user you may dial *3. - Phone Number: 415-655-0001, Access Code: 2317 815 1234.

https://cow.webex.com/cow/onstage/g.php?MTID=ebd8c964e5fe6216c7ba4049f1d47b764

Attachments
2.

Approval of the Minutes

2a.

Order- That the City Council Standing Committee of Public Health and Human Services hereby approves the minutes of the Public Health and Human Services Committee meeting on August 4, 2021.

View Agenda

Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved for a roll vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

3.

Miscellaneous Item

3a.

Resolution of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby support the city’s recommendation to create a process where social/outreach workers and/or licensed specialists are deployed during a mental health incident, and a future appropriation to accomplish this goal. # 16k CC March 2, 2021

Attachments
In Committee for informational purposes only

Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, who discussed the process of putting a crisis intervention team together.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Rosen, who discussed other examples of programs, such as CAHOOTS, that are deployed during mental health emergencies.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

4.

Communications of the City Manager

4a.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a report detailing outreach efforts conducted by the Homelessness Outreach Team. # 8.17A CM March 30, 2021

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Homeless Outreach Strategist, who discussed the protocols used by the Homeless Outreach Team to connect homeless individuals with appropriate services.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services and Homeless Project Manager, who discussed the city’s policy to not break down homeless encampments, as well as strategies the Homeless Outreach Team utilizes to provide homeless individuals with better environments.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Russell, who discussed the procedure for providing services to a homeless encampment on Commonwealth of Massachusetts property.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Homeless Outreach Strategist, who discussed the Homeless Outreach Team’s relationship with the HUB.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

4b.

Transmitting informational communication relative to a Syringe Services report furnished by AIDS Project Worcester (APW) # 9.17C CM July 21, 2020

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the Director of Public Health, who discussed city’s involvement with AIDS Project Worcester’s syringe services, as well as the challenges with the issues as a result of COVID-19.

Chairperson Councilor Rivera brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and Human Services provide City Council with an update concerning the Syringe Services report furnished by AIDS Project Worcester (APW).

Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and Human Services provide City Council with an update concerning the Syringe Services report furnished by AIDS Project Worcester (APW).

4c.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the status of the HUD Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Grant. # 10.4C CM March 26, 2019

In Committee November 20, 2019 - Held

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

4d.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the impact of the Plumley Village Health Services closure and steps being taken to accommodate patients served by that facility. # 9.17B CM April 24, 2018

In Committee June 27, 2018 - Held

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be placed on file.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays