Commission on Family Services

Commission on Family Services Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall November 2, 2022 7:00 pm Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Jo Hammerman, Shajan Jose, Linda Lara, Daniel Mann, Arnie Oskin, Nicole Perry, Nancy Schwartz, Naadirah Shapley-Wells, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, Daniel Stalilonis, Melissa Versch (Liaison), Absent: Commissioners Michelle Friedman, Marjorie Goran, Laila Iqbal, Heather O’Donnell, Valerie Riley, Michael Stiehl, Edie Sue Sutker I. Call to Order at 7:01pm A. Approval of Agenda II. Approval of Sept 7, 2022 Minutes A. Minutes approved with 1 spelling correction III. Chair’s Report: Chair, Harold Primack A. Wendy Katznelson submitted a letter of resignation from the commission due to personal conflicts but appreciates the opportunity to work with the commission. IV. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch A. This week is the one-year anniversary of the co-responder program with Brian McHugh and officer Blue. They have been very busy over the last year. The Program has been very successful and will be continuing. A commissioner requested data from the co-responder program. Melissa will try to obtain the numbers. B. Over the last month, HHS was working with the governor’s office to help in response to asylum seekers, who are connected with agencies to provide support services. HHS has helped facilitate communication and donations from various agencies. C. In September, HHS rolled out the Seniors Matter Rideshare Transportation program through the Safelight Foundation and with funding from AARP. The program is available to residents who are at least 65 years old and able to use the Lyft service can register. Rides are scheduled in the HHS office for grocery stores, pharmacies and medical appointments within the Village of Skokie. The program is scheduled to go through the end of December or until funds are exhausted. The program started with $5000 and has been granted an additional $2000, so it is not anticipated that funds will not run out. To date, there have been 28 unique riders with 116 rides and over $2000 used. The feedback from seniors has largely been positive. The program has been advertised in the e-news, organizations and word of mouth. Interested residents can call HHS to get an application. There are no income requirements. Whether the program will continue past December is to be determined. The previous STAR program through the Village was discontinued in the spring. Commissioners suggested the program should continue to be advertised. Melissa will share program information with commissioners to spread the word.  D. HHS is gearing up for the holiday Assist A Family program. The program is funded by donations and provides holiday gift cards to Skokie families in need who meet 150% federal poverty level income criteria. We reach out to families assisted over the last year. Applications are also available to interested residents online or by paper. Last year, 157 families were assisted. The application deadline is November 21. Distribution is in December. Advertisement has been through the e-newsletter and partner organizations. Households do not have to have children to be eligible V. Old Business: A. Produce Initiative The produce initiative is winding down. Thanks to everyone who helped. Over 5800lbs of produce was collected from vendors and taken to the Niles Township food pantry. The market will continue through November, weather permitting. The amount of fresh produce usually drops off by this point, but some people from St. Paul may continue to stop by. B. Farmer’s Market Food and Clothing Drive During monthly collections at the farmers market, 235 bags of clothing were collected. The community was incredible with donations. These were two very successful initiatives that provided a great value to the community. C. Boomers and Beyond 2023 The Seniors Subcommittee is trying to put together a program for next fall. Boomers and Beyond is a senior resource fair which has occurred every other year with Department of Human Services and the Commission. 2019 was the last time it was held. There were about 350 people who attended, 40 different vendors and half a dozen lectures. About one month ago, a few commissioners met with the Skokie Chamber of Commerce, who is interested in partnering. Harold and Melissa will be meeting with the Park District. Another meeting will be held on November 16 with a number of steering committee members – Park District, Skokie Public Library, Department of Human Services, Health Department, various non-profits, CJE, North Shore Senior Center. There may be other partners that join. The event date may be a Friday in November. More information to come. D. Subcommittee discussion Harold reported that the At Risk and Families subcommittee tried to meet but had technical difficulties. The subcommittee for People with Disabilities did meet. Phil reported that they discussed gathering data as a place to start, whether the data exists or a survey is needed. The group will look into organizations that might have done surveys. Harold suggested talking with Commissioner Mike Stiehl, who has some data. Shajan reported on the seniors subcommittee meeting: The subcommittee discussed different vendors to invite. The event will be November 2023. Harold suggested that it would be helpful for someone to take a leadership role on each of the subcommittees. Groups can look at initiatives for the commission, like a program or advocacy opportunity. It could be an opportunity for education for the community or outreach. You may want to consider someone as a liaison from other organizations that are doing work in your  particular area. Maybe attend their meetings occasionally. The most effective work is in collaboration with other groups. You may also discuss whether or not to have subcommittee meetings outside commission meetings. If you choose to meet, about 4-5 people are allowed to meet without violating the Open Meetings Act. Otherwise, meetings must be posted and open to the public. Subcommittees held a breakout session for 15 minutes. Melissa reported on the Seniors subcommittee discussion. For Boomers and Beyond, a meeting is scheduled with the Park District. There will be a Steering Committee Meeting on November 16. We made a list of items that should be discussed at the meetings. Materials are being shared on a Google Drive folder. Phil reported on the People with Disabilities subcommittee discussion. The group is exploring ideas for actionable items that can be done before collecting all data, and next meeting location. The At Risk Youth and Families subcommittee reported that they are trying to identify issues like immigration, students and schools. They would like to have the co-responder program or clothing closet present to the commission. Melissa can try to schedule. VI. New Business: Melissa reported that Liz Nelson from the Health Department may present about IPLAN at the January meeting for the commission. Discussion was held about moving the January meeting to the following week. VII. Citizen Comments: None VIII. Adjournment at 8:10pm Next Meeting: Dec. 7, 2022, 7:00 p.m.