Commission on Family Services

Commission on Family Services Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall May 1, 2024 7:30 pm Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Marjorie Goran, Hilary Hunter, Laila Iqbal, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Daniel Mann, Peggy Molina, Arnie Oskin, Melissa Ponce, Erin Ryan, Nancy Schwartz, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, Daniel Stalilonis, London Summerville, Melissa Versch (Staff Liaison) Absent: Commissioners Michelle Friedman, Jo Hammerman, Linda Lara, Valerie Riley, Naadirah Shapley-Wells, Trustee Edie Sue Sutker I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda Approved by consent. II. Approval of April 3, 2024 Minutes Approved as corrected. III. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack The Chair and Staff Liaison attended the Village budget meeting this evening. The commission’s accomplishments from the last year were shared with the Board of Trustees, as well as plans for the upcoming year. A flier was shared which listed accomplishments and showed photos from the commission’s events. IV. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch In April, Health and Human Services welcomed Sher, a new grants manager and data analyst. The previous staff member in the position presented to the Commission about the IPLAN, which focuses on affordable housing, access to prenatal care, and access to mental health care. Health and Human Services participates in many collaborative efforts in the community, including a Hoarding Task Force. Recently, the task force completed an updated Hoarding Task Force Guide, which is helpful for professionals and consumers. The Guide and a shortened one-page version is currently published on the CJE website. V. Old Business: A. Seniors Subcommittee - Update Harold reported that the next Boomers and Beyond Senior Resource Fair is scheduled for November 2025. This fall 2024, the planning committee will commence. Commissioners are welcome to participate. The subcommittee may consider other initiatives with partner organizations, and think about ways to extend what the commission is already doing. B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Diaper drive update London reported that the Diaper Drive starts next week. It is in the e-newsletter this week and next week. Already nineteen packages of diapers have been sold through the Amazon Wish List. There are four public drop-off locations. Faith groups will also be collecting. A new flier was created, which can be handed out and shared. Those who have volunteered to pick up from collection sites are asked to report back to London with the number of diapers. A commissioner shared that there is currently state legislation working to make diapers accessible to low-income families and at-risk families. C. Disabilities Subcommittee - Town Hall Meeting report Phil shared that Michelle was unable to attend the May Commission meeting as she was invited to share information about planning the Town Hall meeting with another group. The Town Hall meeting took place on April 14. Twenty-one registered participants showed up. Participants represented a diverse group of people, including parents of people with disabilities. Michelle welcomed the group, as did the Mayor. A number of people on the Commission attended - thank you to all who came. The data will be collected and analyzed by the library, then shared with the commission. Compliments were given to Michelle who had the idea and resources to drive the Town Hall Meeting planning. The next part will be hardest - taking the recommendations and implementing them. The event was excellent and well- organized. D. Commission pamphlet - Update Arnie reported that the commission’s pamphlet has been updated with donation drive dates, information about the diaper drive and town hall, and list of commissioners. Photos have been incorporated to illustrate past events. Draft brochures were passed around for review and will be emailed. E. Produce Initiate and food & clothes drives  June 30, July 28, August 18, Sept 29, Oct 27 London setup SignUp Genius events for volunteers to help with the weekly produce collection and monthly donation drives. Commissioners are encouraged to help out. The signup will be sent to St. Paul and student groups. F. Festival of Cultures and 4th of July events – Update Melissa has the schedule of volunteers who will be help at the Village table for Festival of Cultures. A signup was passed around for additional volunteers. In previous years, the event has been a good way to share information about the farmers market and senior resource fair. The brochures will be at the event.  For the Fourth of July parade, the commission shared a float with the Beautification Commission and passed out candy and brochures. Harold talked with the Chair of the Beautification Commission who is willing to share the float again this year. We’ll send out a sign-up for the parade. G. National Night Out – August 6, 2024 4pm – 7pm Health and Human Services plans to have a table at the National Night Out event on August 6. H. Dinner meeting, June 5 – Update Shajan will place an order with Grecian Kitchen for the dinner meeting. The order will be placed for 15 people, including a vegetarian option. VI. New Business: Hilary reported that she met someone at the Town Hall meeting who shared information about a conference for families with children with disabilities. Hilary shared information about the commission with her. She is very knowledgeable and may be interested in joining the commission. Hilary also reported that she has started a new job working with an organization that serves the homeless. As part of orientation, there have been many trainings that might be of interest to commissioners. Hilary will check if she can share the trainings with the commission. In the fall, Hilary may present to the commission information about her position. Several commissioners attended a housing forum and are interested in the topic of affordable housing. London mentioned that she is in touch with a refugee family who is looking for a sewing machine. If anyone has an old sewing machine, please reach out to London. VII. Public Comments: None. VIII. Adjournment at 8:17pm. Next Meeting: June 5, 2024, 7:00p.m. at Skokie Village Hall