CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Health and Human Services Committee Meeting | Thursday, October 27, 2022 | Levi Lincoln (North) Chamber | Convened: 5:33 P.M. | Adjourned: 7:43 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Sarai Rivera | | Vice Chairperson Morris A Bergman | | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Sarai Rivera
Councilor Etel Haxhiaj | | | | | Also: | President and CEO of Family Health Center of Worcester Louis Brady
Family Health Center of Worcester Physician Phillip Bolduc
Interim Director of Public Health Zachary Dyer
Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. Pottle, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
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| | | 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 attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated.
Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92440181651
Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Access Code: 924 4018 1651 | Attachments |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 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 October 12, 2022. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted. | |
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| | | 3a. | Order of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services host an open forum between members of the community, the city’s administration and representatives from the Family Health Center of Worcester in an effort to provide an opportunity for all interested parties to voice their concerns relative to the operations of the Family Health Center of Worcester.
# 12a CC September 29, 2022
In Committee October 12, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Hugh Silk, Harvard resident, spoke concerning the item
2. Jenepher Henkins, Rutland resident, spoke concerning the item
3. Anita Kostecki, Worcester resident, spoke concerning the item
4. Lucy Candib, no residence given, spoke concerning the item
5. Amie Richard, Worcester resident, spoke concerning the item
6. Jane Kimani, no residence given, spoke concerning the item
7. Amy Grassette, no residence given, spoke concerning the item
8. Monique Gouvea, no residence given, spoke concerning the item
9. Lily Gonzalez, Boylston resident, spoke concerning the item
10. Nathan Chen, no residence given, spoke concerning the item
11. David Collins, Northbridge resident, spoke concerning the item
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the President and CEO of Family Health Center Worcester, who discussed measures being taken to address community concerned associated with the operations of the FHCW.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized State Representative LeBoeuf, who discussed concerns relative to closures and layoffs associated with FHCW, the impact the institution has on the community and whether requests for funding have been received at the State level from the FHCW.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera discussed a timeline of when a request for funding will be provided to the State Legislature with the President and CEO of FHCW.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who discussed information required at the State level to properly determine funding requirements for the FHCW, as well as how FHCW plans on utilizing savings realized from closing the Southbridge site with State Representative LeBoeuf, the President and CEO of FHCW and the FHCW Physician.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera discussed FHCW’s Better Together strategic go-forward plan, including ways the city can follow up with the health center to hold them accountable with the President and CEO of FHCW and Interim Director of Public Health.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and Human Services meet with representatives from Family Health Center of Worcester (FHCW) on a regular basis to get updates relative to their strategic go-forward plan.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who discussed the FHCW’s short- and long-term planning for addressing staff resignations with the President and CEO of FHCW.
Chairperson Councilor moved to recommend the item be place on file.
Recommend File | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and Human Services meet with representatives from Family Health Center of Worcester (FHCW) on a regular basis to get updates relative to their strategic go-forward plan. | |
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