Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity

DRAFT MINUTES AD HOC COMMITTEE ON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Friday, May 11, 2018 @ 11:30 a.m. Council Conference Room, 10th Floor, City Hall Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 11:35 a.m. Committee Members Council Member Carol Wood, Chair Council Member Brian T. Jackson, Vice Chair - excused Council Member Patricia Spitzley - excused Others Present LaSondra Crenshaw, Council Staff Tammy Lemmer – TCOA Dax Carpenter, Disability Network Stacey Locke – Peckham Heather Sumner Julie Rodocker—Consumers Energy Matthew Boughton MINUTES No Quorum minutes will be held until the next meeting. Discussion Continue conversation on EMI Score Council Member Wood informed the group that the Information pertaining to the EMI score is not due until July, looking for the Mayor’s office to come to another meeting so we can discuss further. We want to get the complete form from the Mayor’s office then distribute to everyone. Detective Bryant was LGBT person who has worked with LGBT community, Council Member Wood asked Ms. Rodocker who recently was appointed the t the Board of Police Commissioners if she check with the LPD and see if anyone else is doing that role. If not please find out if they are they actively seeking someone. Ms. Locke asked if we can share the EMI form with the community once the report is complete. Council Member Wood advised that yes we could. Discussion Veteran Issues Mr. Carpenter explained the handout and PowerPoint regarding Veterans. Council Member Wood asked how you calculate those numbers. Mr. Carpenter advised that if you put on your census form that you are a veteran they use that information. This is 2016 census information so it may be a little off but as close to accurate as we can be right now The Tri-County area has the 4th largest veteran population, which include Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Lansing. Males 94.4% - Females 5.6% Veterans A lot of skill trades jobs once occupied by veteran’s are now opening back up, we are losing the WWll population rapidly. The ability to retain is better in other states; the MVAA wasn’t going to all the bases explaining what they have to offer. This is now making it difficult for them to play catch up. ACAPS Army allows time for you to brush up on your skills. Counselors strictly look at military skills, not what you did previously. Ratio of how many veterans we are hiring, retaining and what they have to offer determines if they are Bronze, Silver, or Gold level employer. The City Of Lansing is a bronze level employer. The problem is we have everything available but no way of getting the information out. Ms. Locked asked if there is anything on the Lansing website that talks about the Ad Hoc Committee. Council Member Wood stated there are some ways to add that information, not sure about under Ad Hoc but under events or services where we can add a link about veteran’s information. Mr. Carpenter stated that Lansing has access to many gold level colleges, the student veteran programs will give you $500 - $1500 scholarships. Lansing Community College is the most active student veteran association. The veteran government rate is higher than the national average. It’s more than just PTSD the highest growing number is sexual trauma for females. We need to do a better job of evaluating a person’s skill level when leaving the military. Lansing is one of the only major municipalities in Michigan without a dedicated Veteran’s Commission/Committee. Council Member Wood asked if there is one for Ingham County. Mr. Carpenter advised he was not sure. If we partner with VFW or any veteran organizations, we need to keep everyone advised. We need to be a veteran friendly community, assist people transitioning and figure out what they need, and make sure they are aware of all VA entitlements. It’s important we empower not enable veterans Ms. Locke asked how they are connected to rehabilitation counselors. Mr. Carpenter advised they have to reach out to the VA. Council Member Wood advised the group that the Police Department is requesting that we hire a Social Worker as part of the Police Department. This may be a good opportunity to start this discussion. Mr. Carpenter stated that veterans go to school tuition free in Florida, Texas, California and Georgia. We should lower tuition rates to attract more veterans. There has been a drop on the west side and Mid-Michigan regarding the number of people joining the military. Ms. Sumner stated that the VA building is not safe, in a good part of town or secured, and next to liquor store. Mr. Carpenter agreed and added that the best social workers, and doctors in the state are in Lansing. Invest Vets is looking to expand, currently 6000 active job seekers, first employer summit took place a week ago they are trying to close the cultural gap. There are good things going on and we want to make sure everyone is aware. Council Member Wood advised the group that she wants to ask our Human Resources Director to attend one of our meetings, after the budget process. Since Human Resources will be doing the hiring we can talk about our concerns. Look at putting information on our website, follow up with Ingham County to see if there is a Commission there and if not if they have a desire to do something there. OTHER Updates on Participants in the Committee Older Michiganians Days at Capitol May 16, 2018 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. TCOA 5k (All Ages) May 19th Hawk Island Park at 9:00 a.m. Cristo Rey Fiesta May 25th – May 27th Elder Abuse Symposium Wed June 13th 1:30-4:30 at Hannah Community Center Saturday Sept 8, 2018 at Benjamin Davis Park – Lansing Harmony Celebration Sparrow Volunteers- if over 55 go through VIP office Adjourn Adjourn at 12:47 p.m. Submitted by, LaSondra Crenshaw, Administrative Assistant Approved ____________________________