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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 HRCS Meeting Minutes CITY OF LANSING HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD January 25, 2011 Minutes CALL TO ORDER The January 2011 meeting of the Human Relations and Community Services Advisory Board was called to order by Board Member Jonathon Solis at 5:35 pm in the Foster Center Conference Room #211, Lansing. Present: Lamar Wilson, Katie John, Jonathon Solis, Edwina Marshall and Gail Fournier Absent: Chad Johnson Staff: Toni Young, Contract Manager, acting for Joan Jackson Johnson, Director HRCS LPD Liaison: Not assigned APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Board member Gail Fournier moved to approve agenda. Motion carried. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER Newly appointed Board Member Katie John was introduced to the group by Toni Young. Board Member Katie John relates she lives on the West side of Lansing and she works for the University. She desires to be more involved in local government and have more of an impact on her community. PUBLIC COMMENT No Report COMMUNICATIONS No Report APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board member Lamar Wilson motioned to approve minutes from the July 27, 2010, supported by board member Gail Fournier. Motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS None PETITIONS/COMPLAINTS None CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT None DIRECTOR' S REPORT Toni Young discussed the Point in Time count scheduled for January 26, 2011, that counts the numbers of homeless. Teams will be located at the VOA, CATA bus station, District Library and the DHS lobby. Board member Jonathon Solis asked how the homeless that are "couch surfing" (staying with friends or family) are counted. Toni Young agreed that it is a problem. However, we are hoping to catch people who are imminently at risk for homelessness at the various locations. There are definitions in the information requested that allow for people who are "couch surfing". Board member Gail Fournier commented that DHS cannot really help them if they are staying with family/friends as they are not considered homeless. Toni Young reports our "Homeless Prevention & Rapid Re-housing" grant works to prevent foreclosures, and homelessness. Also, the Legal Services of South Central Michigan and Capital Area Community Services, two agencies involved with that program are doing a good job of helping prevent homelessness. Other agencies in the community involved with collecting data for Point In Time count are Carefree Medical, emergency rooms at both of the hospitals, county and city jails. Board member, Katie John asked how the data collected is used. Toni Young replied the information is used in two ways, surveys determine how people become homeless and allows us to do a needs assessment, and the data collected are entered into our HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) which our office coordinates. All the shelters use this system; the Continuum of Care uses the HMIS system, and numbers are reported to HUD,which is a factor in determining funding. Board member Katie Johns asked if this was just Ingham County. Toni Young stated that we handle Ingham County but the Point in Time Count is done nationally on this specific day. Toni Young reported we also still host the Mobile Food Pantry the third Saturday of every month and any board members that would like to be involved are welcome to volunteer. Board member Edwina Marshall shared about the City's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, with theme of "The Legacy Lives On Thru Action". HRCS Director Joan Jackson Johnson received a proclamation from the Mayor's office for community service. This year was well attended. Human Relations does a good job with that program. The Board discussed how they can be effective in celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. day by planning an outreach to the community next year, in addition to our City program. Board members discussed visiting the new Family Center shelter on Cedar Street. Toni Young relayed the tour would need to take place when the residents were not present. Board member Katie John asked if they need volunteers to serve meals. Toni Young responded they need volunteers but she was not sure in which areas. Toni Young reyorts the Project Homeless Connect for 2011 has been scheduled for Friday, September 23' . This year we are changing the name to Project Connect, to include people at imminent risk of homelessness. An invitation to Board Members interested in volunteering was extended. Toni Young announced that the HUD supportive housing program was approved and that brings in $1,884,797 for housing/shelters and funds our HMIS program, permanent supportive housing, employment, and homeless youth programs. Information was distributed to Board Members regarding the upcoming Food Security Conference on February 171h at the South Washington Complex. Toni Young shared that she, along with four others representing local agencies who are involved with the Office on Violence against Women grant attended OVW training in Washington D.C. Violence against women is an ongoing problem, and this grant addresses violence against older women and seniors. LPD LIAISON'S REPORT None OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS None NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for February 22, 2011, at 5:30 pm. Meeting at Foster Community Center, 2nd floor, Room 211 located on Foster Street, Lansing, Michigan. ADJOURNMENT Katie John moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Gail Fournier. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. TO: City Clerk's Office FROM: Judy Page Human Relations & Community Services Department DATE: February 22, 2011 SUBJECT: HRCS Advisory Board Please find attached meeting schedule for Human Relations & Community Services for 2011. Board agenda and minutes from meeting of January 25, 2011. HUMAN RELATIONS & COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE FOSTER CENTER BOARD ROOM 211 5:30 PM UNTIL 7 PM (Fourth Tuesday of each Month) January 25,2011 February 22, 2011 March 22,2011 April 26,2011 May 24, 2011 June 28, 2011 July 26, 2011 August 23,2011 September 27, 2011 October 25,2011 November 22, 2011 December 27 (Probably will be cancelled because of Holidays) We will always attempt to notify you if our meeting has to be cancelled. CITY OF LANSING HUMAN RELATIONS & COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD �oi.�eiair/civa/ssieii-ia::ioi�isirsrissasi•.,:cixio-,s^ivvo,:r,:ssiri.�-o.:v,�iio�ssa:/si/rkwc ir+isi••airirri:5::,-i sit.i,.i�::r�:v,:r,.:i^ri.,niscs;:crir.�is�iv,:virt/a;�a::aa::riovei Date of Meeting: Tuesday,February 22, 2011 1 Time of Meeting: 5:30 p.m. o Place of Meeting: Foster Community Center,200 Foster St. a Board Room #211 (2"d Floor) AGENDA I Call to Order II. Attendance III. Approval of Agenda IV. Public Comment V. Communications VI. Approval of Minute's from January 2011 meeting VII. Committee Reports VIII. Petitions/Complaints IX. Chairperson's Report X. Director's Report XI. Old Business XII. New Business Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday March 22. 2011 at 5:30 p.m., Foster Community Center, 200 N. Foster St. Board Room#211, Lansing, Michigan XV. Adjournment CITY OF LANSING HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD June 28,2011 Minutes CALL TO ORDER The June 2011 meeting of the Human Relations and Community Services Advisory Board was called to order by Advisory Board Member Chad Johnson at 5:40 pm in the Foster Center Conference Room #211, Lansing. Present: Lamar Wilson, Katie John, Jonathon Solis, Edwina Marshall (attended by conference call) and Chad Johnson Absent: Gail Fournier—excused Staff: Joan Jackson Johnson, Director HRCS, & Judy Page, Office Assistant HRCS LPD Liaison: Absent APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Board member Katie John moved to approve agenda. Jonathon Solis 9econL i motion. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT No Report COMMUNICATIONS No Report APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board member Lamar Wilson motioned to approve minutes from the February 22, 2011, supported by board member Jonathon Solis. Motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS Board Member Chad Johnson expressed interest in the Program Committee developing a unique program for children and borderline youth. Director Johnson remarked we have a successful Boys and Girls Club program and HRCS helps support many city programs for youth. Board Member Chad Johnson would like the Program Committee to look at the existing programs for children and youth. Director Johnson asked that a list of all City of Lansing funded youth programs be sent to Board Members. She also suggested that we contact Carmen Turner, Director, at Boys & Girls Club and invite her to attend our August board meeting. Board Member LaMar Wilson states he is directing a football program for young boys ages 6 to 14 at the Southside Community Center. Board Member Edwina Marshall volunteered to contact the Arts Program for Children for the board members. PETITIONS/COMPLAINTS None CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Board member Chad Johnson gave an update regarding the Greater Lansing Alliance Against Hate Crimes. The monthly meetings are 1:30 every 4th Wednesday of the month at the Foster Center if anyone is interested in attending. They are planning to do an event in August. DIRECTOR, S REPORT Director Johnson remarked the HRCS Advisory Board needs to elect members for offices on the Board. Director Johnson reported we are preparing for the Mayor's Ramadan Dinner, to be held at the Lansing Center on August 26th, proceeds from this event go to two local food banks. The current year end Homeless Client Profile Summary will be provided to the Board as soon as it is available. She also requested that copies of the HRCS funded agencies for 2011/2012 be sent to board members. Director Johnson addressed the revamping of the Bridge Card program to take effective on October 1 this year. LPD LIAISON'S REPORT Director Johnson reports LPD has assigned someone for the HRCS Board. We will be contacting LPD regarding that assignment. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS None NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for July 26, 2011, at 5:30 pm. Meeting site to be announced, we are looking at one of the One Church One Family homes as a possibility. ADJOURNMENT Katie John moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Jonathon Solis. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. CITY OF LANSING HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD July 26,2011 Minutes CALL TO ORDER The July 2011 meeting of the Human Relations and Community Services Advisory Board was called to order by Advisory Board Member Chad Johnson at 6:01 p.m. at 818 N. Fairview, Lansing. Present: Katie John, Jonathon Solis, Edwina Marshall, Gail Fournier, and Chad Johnson 1_.3 Absent: Lamar Wilson—excused Staff: Joan Jackson Johnson, Director HRCS, & Judy Page, Office Assistant IIACS; =� LPD Liaison: Absent - � r APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Board member Jonathon Solis moved to approve agenda. Chad Johnson second motion. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT No Report COMMUNICATIONS Director Johnson invited the Board Members to the Mayor's Ramadan Dinner on August 26rn. The HRCS Department will be using the City Suite for the Lugnut game on August 26tn, Director Johnson invited Board Members interested to call the HRCS office for tickets. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board member Katie John motioned to approve minutes from the June 28, 2011, supported by board member Jonathon Solis. Motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS Board Member Chad Johnson reminded the Board Members that there would be a meeting of the Program/Budget Committee following the HRCS Board meeting. PETITIONS/COMPLAINTS None CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT None DIRECTOR' S REPORT Director Johnson spoke to the Board Members about the One Church One Family home the Board was meeting at, regarding how the program works. The current year end Homeless Client Profile Summary proof has been released and will go to press soon. A copy will be provided to the Board Members as soon as it is available. Director Johnson reviewed the 2011/2012 HRCS budget sent out last month with the Advisory Board. Director Johnson addressed the proposed revamping of the DHS assistance to take effective on October 1 this year, and possible effects on residents. Board Member Gail Fournier, DHS employee, explained it is clients, who have been on the cash assistance portion of the program that will be affected, bridge card recipients' will still receive assistance. The bill has not been passed to date according to Board Member Fournier. LPD LIAISON'S REPORT LPD has been in contact with HRCS and they have appointed someone for the HRCS Board. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS None NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for August 23, 2011, at 5:30 pm at the Foster Community Center, 200 N. Foster St. Board Room#211, Lansing, Michigan.. ADJOURNMENT Katie John moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Jonathon Solis. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. CITY OF LANSING HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD October 25, 2011 Minutes CALL TO ORDER The October 2011 meeting of the Human Relations and Community Services Advisory Board was called to order by Board Chair Chad Johnson at 5:45 pm in the Foster Center Conference Room #211, Lansing. Present: Katie John, Jonathon Solis, Edwina Marshall (by Phone), Gail Fournier and Chad Johnson Absent: Lamar Wilson Staff: Joan Jackson Johnson, Director HRCS, Judy Page,Assistant LPD Liaison: Lt. Daryl Green APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Board member Katie John moved to approve agenda. Jonathon Solis second. PUBLIC COMMENT L=3 No Report COMMUNICATIONS No Report APPROVAL OF MINUTES == CD Board member Chad Johnson motioned to approve minutes from September 27, 2011, supported by board member Gail Fournier, second Katie John. Motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS Reach Program: Council Member Edwina Marshall reports she would like the Advisory Board to consider the "Reach Arts Program"; they have a great Board of Directors. She has researched the program was very impressed, and feels this would be a good fit for committee involvement. She reports the Reach Program is very diverse in the children they help and they have continued to expand since the beginning of the program. Board Member Katie John asked if the Reach Program would be eligible for City funding. Director Johnson asked Board Members if they would like the City to consider funding for this program. Director Johnson suggests that we request the Reach Program present their program to the Advisory Board. Board Member Gail Fournier suggest this may be a good program for the Board as the City of Lansing schools have had to cut funding for Arts programs. Board Member Edwina Marshal will follow up and request the Reach Program put together some blurbs about how the group operates. PETITIONS/COMPLAINTS None CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Board Member Chad Johnson reports the "Greater Lansing Alliance Against Hate Crimes" met with Lansing Fire Chief Tom Cochran, Ingham County Sheriff and East Lansing Police Chief regarding hate crimes. They focused on bullying and elder abuse. DIRECTOR' S REPORT Director Joan Jackson Johnson discussed the proposed Department of Human Services changes and attended a faith based/citizens meeting regarding a law suit to hold off proposed changes in cash assistance to DHS clients. These proposed changes will eventually catch up with the HRCS Department as citizens seek help on one level or another. One of her biggest concerns is the children these changes will affect. Director Johnson expressed concern regarding the 25% drop out rate in Lansing Schools, and feels we must do more as a community to prevent this problem. She reports the PATH program thru Lansing School District has been successful however, many residents are not aware of this program; they recently graduated 70 at risk students. The "One Church One Family" program has several homes ready for occupancy and we have applicants that we are processing for eligibility. The "Weekend Backpack Survival" program, which provides food to help supplement family meals, is a merger between HRCS, Mid-Michigan Food Bank, Greater Lansing Food Bank and Lansing School District. Food will be distributed to approximately 1,000 children in need, two times monthly. This program is to start in November. LPD LIAISON'S REPORT LPD Liaison Lt. Daryl Green reports the protestors for "We are the 90%" group are still in tents located at Riddle Park in downtown Lansing. They have seen some homeless integrating with the group. So far there are no real problems with the protestors. Lt. Green reports eleven LPD officers have returned from layoffs and 3 officers assigned to local High Schools. He also reports crime is down by 1% for the year; however there is a rise in burglaries and robberies. There have been four homicides in Lansing since September 71n. LPD is getting some new technology in the Department. Lt. Green reports that as of September I't citizens can go to crimemapping.com put in your address and find information regarding crimes committed in your area. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS None NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for November 22, 2011, at 5:30 pm. Meeting at Foster Community Center, 2"d floor, Room 211 located on Foster Street, Lansing, Michigan. ADJOURNMENT Board member Jonathon Solis moved to adjourn meeting, seconded by Gail Fournier. Motion passed. With no further business,the meeting was adjourned.