Commission on Family Services

Commission on Family Services Meeting Minutes March 3, 2021 7:00 pm Present: Harold Primark (Chair), Yolanda Bender, Bonnie Eckstein, Wendy Katzhelson, Jaime Garcia, Jo Hammerman, Laila Iqbal, Shajan Jose, Heather O’Donnell, Arnie Oskin, Nicole Perry, Michael Stiehl, Trustee Edie Sutker, Melissa Versch, Mike Charley (Staff), Brian McHugh (Staff) Absent: Rebecca Abraham, Matthew Mackellar, Edward McCarron, Joshua Orlan, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, I. Call to Order @ 7:00 PM II. Approval of Minutes: No minutes to approve III. Welcome and Opening Remarks (Chair Harold Primack): Primack communicated that it has been a year since the last meeting. Meetings were suspended due to COVID-19. Primack read the commission’s mission, reminded the attendees that this commission meets the first Wednesday of the month. Primack provided some background on things that this commission has done in the past. The Boomers and Beyond has been help twice annually, the last event was held in 2019. Education program on various topics have been sponsored by this commission. Each summer this commission has assisted with the “Produce Initiative” where produce is collected at the Skokie Farmers’ Market and donated to the Niles Township food pantry. In 2019, 4,000 pounds of produce was collected/donated. One of the connections that this commission has is with the Family Engagement Skokie Resilient Community Collaborative (SRCC), later Nicole Perry will provide additional information on this. Primack expressed his sorrow for the passing of Angelo Melitello a past commissioner, passed away December 27, 2020. IV. Approval of Agenda: Agenda was approved V. Introductions: Each commissioner introduced themselves. How long a resident of Skokie, how long on commission and tell the commission a little bit about themselves. VI. Reports: A. Mike Charley, Director Health and Human Services: Charley Presented Health and Human Services updates. Charley communicated that in the fall of 2020 Human Services was consolidated with the Health Department into the new “Health and Human Services Department”. Human Services continues to offer all the previously offered programs such as Social Service referral/linkage, the STAR program, Assist a Family, Benefit Access, SHIP, mediation and well-being visits to homebound residents. Charley presented information on the Village’s COVID-19 response including COVID-19 case data and an update that the Village has 32,000+ residents registered on the Village’s vaccine pre-registration list an that approximately 9,486 doses of vaccine had been administered to-date. Charley communicated that the Village is currently administering the Moderna vaccine. B. Brian McHugh, Human Services Social Worker: No Updates C. Skokie Resilience Coalition Collaborative (SRCC) Nicole Perry presented. Group put together 2 ½ years ago and included several school districts, mental health organizations and some public health community organizations. The SRCC was established to help educate and train and deal with the problem of Adverse Childhood Events (ACES) in Skokie. SRCC has been meeting with an ACES group from the State. Last met in March of 2020. Back in March, SRCC was going to  participate in a three-day ACES interface training. Training was finished up just prior to COVID- 19 shutting down everything. The goal was then to take the training out in the community to help those organizations understand the impact of ACES. The SRCC received funding from the Skokie Communities Foundation to sponsor the training and present to the community. There have been 12 presentations to 1,200 persons in Skokie. If the commission knows groups that would like ACES training (30 persons trained to train), please let Nicole Perry know. VII. Old Business: None VIII. New Business A. Produce Initiative: Harold Primack communicated that it is his hope that it will be safe to be back at the Farmers’ Market so that surplus produce can be collected for the Niles Township Food Pantry. Wendy Katznelson agreed that this is an important initiative. B. Boomers and Beyond Senior Resource Fair: Harold Primack communicated that due to COVID-19 that this event will not be offered in 2021. Charley suggested that in lieu of an in-person event to consider offering a virtual event. Harold communicated that due to the amount of COVID-19 work being done by the Health and Human Services Department that now may not be a good time to use staff resources to plan for an event. Melissa Versch responded that as an employee of the Northshore Senior Center, she does not feel there should be an in-person fair, if there can be a virtual fair the Northshore Senior Center can assist with the virtual fair. Harold suggested that we consider a Zoom opportunity with Seniors. C. New Initiative Suggestions: Harold Primack communicated that in the next few months the commission consider revisioning the commission to ensure that the commission is meeting the needs of the community. He suggested that this be investigated and discussed at future meetings. He asked that commissioners email him, Mike Charley or Brian McHugh with any ideas. IX. Citizen Comments (See information at top of page) X. Adjournment @ 8:18 PM Next Meeting: April 7, 2021, 7:00 p.m. Village Hall-Board of Health Members – Virtual via Zoom Meetings