Mapping out a new path.

Slowly and steadily since she started her new job two months ago, Human Services Coordinator Alexis Silver is meeting with the leader of the myriad social service agencies across Framingham.

As she does, she is also working on a makeshift map, where the locations of the agencies are designated by different colored push pins. That setup is only temporary, said Silver, who plans to have a GIS version of the map made soon.

Until then, the plan for Silver, 44, of Jamaica Plain, is to get face time with as many social service providers as possible.

"My main task right now is to meet with everyone," said Silver, who has more than 20 years of experience in the human services field, including the development of partnerships between the private and public sectors.

She was most recently the associate director of development for the Jewish Rehabilitation Center of the North Shore. She has also been in charge of the South Bay Mental Health Center, a therapy program for Boston Public Schools students, adoption and community services in Cambridge and worked for the state Department of Social Services after graduating from college.

She earned her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and her master's degree in social work from Boston College. While this is her first job in the municipal government, she said, "I've always enjoyed working with people."

She looks at the new position as "a challenge," but said it gives her "an opportunity to use some new skills" and "an opportunity to bring people together."

Silver believes her experience has made officials from various agencies and some of the people in town who fret about the spread of social services more comfortable about her capacity to handle the job.

"I feel like I'm getting a positive reception," she said. "They respect my background and the fact that I have a comprehension of the human services field and the delivery of programs."

Even so, Silver realizes she's essentially starting from scratch in her newly created position. That makes it tough to know exactly what steps she should be following, she said, but she's figuring it out pretty well.

"I'm able to pretty much create this position," said Silver, who points to communication and relationship building as her top priorities. "When you can sit down and talk about these issues, the challenges that have been faced over the years will take on a different tone. It takes time to get there.

"There's a lot of distrust that was generated over the years. It didn't happen overnight. It's going to be a process to turn that around," she said.

Silver said she read the report compiled by members of the PILOT Impact and Study Committee last year when she was interviewing for the position. The report recommended the town create the position Silver now holds.

It also pushes officials to collect payments in lieu of taxes from social service agencies, an effort on which Silver and other town officials are now working. She isn't surprised about the high number of social service agencies that have put down stakes in Framingham.

"Framingham is an urban hub for the surrounding towns," said Silver. "It's really a center. It's a place people come to work and there's access to public transportation here. People are drawn to Framingham naturally.

"You can get here what you can't get in Ashland or Sudbury or Holliston or any of the other surrounding communities. This town provides people with so many opportunities for personal growth," she said.

But, Silver said, that doesn't mean Framingham should be taking on all of the social service agencies who are looking to provide services to the people of MetroWest.

"Other towns need to share in the responsibility, but ultimately it's the agencies who decide where they want to go," she said. "It isn't just about siting. The town needs to know about these agencies and what they do."

Silver has joined the Local Official Human Services Coordinators and the MetroWest Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force in an effort to learn more about the agencies that call Framingham home.

"The big piece is making sure Framingham will continue to thrive and the people who live here will feel safe," she said. "It's about education and openness, and putting aside any biases and fears long enough to take in the information about someone else's differences."

Silver understands the resistance by some residents to seeing the town taken over by social service agencies, but believes that concept is universal.

"There's always going to be certain services that people don't want in their community," said Silver. "At the same time, I think anyone who you talk to can name someone in their families who have had alcohol or mental health issues. It's not just in Framingham. It's across the country."

Silver spends her free time enjoying exercise, yoga and skiing. She grew up in Worcester and has spent most of her life living in Boston, aside from a short stint on Cape Cod.

Craig MacCormack can be reached at 508-626-4429 or cmaccorm@cnc.com.

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STAFF PHOTO BY BEAR CIERI
Silver was most recently the associate director of development for the Jewish Rehabilitation Center of the North Shore. She has also been in charge of the South Bay Mental Health Center, a therapy program for Boston Public Schools students, adoption and community services in Cambridge and worked for the state Department of Social Services after graduating from college.

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