Watertown Commission on Disability

Watertown Commission on Disability Public Meeting Minutes from March 19, 2008

Watertown Commission on Disability
March 19, 2008

In Attendance: George Donahue, Alex Liazos, Kim Charlson, Marilyn Devaney, Ann Doughty, Gayle Shattuck, Carol Menton

Guests: Dr. Edward Cohen, Reed Academy; Jennifer Van Campen, Watertown Community Housing; Maggie Doben

Meeting called to order at 7:00pm

Guest presenter, Dr. Ed Cohen described the services provided by the Reed Academy in Framingham. Children in the academic program work on a plan, get ready for class, participate and do their work. The program is designed for children diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar, excessive compulsive, rare disorders, anxiety disorders and the spectrum of autism. Emphasis on respect. They get points for rewards and can save/spend them and learn to budget. The After School program is designed work on social skills through indoor and outdoor games, non competitive games. Therapy is three times per week. The Goal is to return the child within three years back to the home community and school system.

Jennifer Van Campen, Watertown Community Housing, presented plans for 1060 Belmont Street, a small brick building fronting three streets each containing 6 units.
The design is for 18 permanent housing units on the site. She would like WCOD’s input on design considerations, marketing ideas, resources that she could explore. The costs per unit is over $300k. One unit in each building will be handicapped accessible. Mass. Rehabilitation Commission recommended one 2-bedroom for someone who needs a home health care attendant to live with him/her, and two 1-bedroom. All units are rentals and for low income families. Construction begins January 2009 with completion in the Fall of 2009.

Maggie Doben presented her documentary project “Labeled Disabled”. She lives in Watertown and teaches elementary school in Cambridge. She is screening her documentary at the Watertown Free Library on May 31st with a panel discussion after. She raised $2400 from Cambridge COD. Kim made a motion to cover the costs of interpreters for the event, vote, motion carried unanimously. Ms. Doben will work out the cost details and inform Gayle.

8:00 pm Break

Marilyn asked that the January minutes reflect that she came to the meeting from another meeting.

SPED Update

Elisabeth Schaefer from the School Department answered some questions that were brought up in a previous meeting. The district’s support for inclusive programming and the relationship between special and general education services are intertwined. Tiers of learning model was described. Funding for special education: the intent was for Federal government to pay for 40% of the special education costs but the local level is actually receiving only 8%. Two sources of State funds, Chapter 70 has a piece for special education, and then circuit breaker for private school costs (reimbursement of up to 70% of out placements over $31,616 per student.

Treasurer’s Report was motioned, seconded, voted, and approved.

February Minutes: moved to approve as corrected.

Kim asked if there was a process for recognizing commission members who leave. Kim suggested a letter from the Chair. Carol thinks that in the past members were recognized at their last meeting. Alex suggested that the commission send her flowers.

Kim asked that the agenda be emailed again instead of finding it on the WCOD website. It is easier for her to get it. George said that he wants to get a tentative agenda out 10 days before the meeting so that people are aware of guest speakers.

Closed Captioning discussion. Tamarah has told George that there is another piece of equipment that is needed to be purchased and Gayle discussed potential issues with which entity is actually responsible for closed caption.

Bus stop: George read the Town Council motion.

Motion made and accepted to adjourn.