Boards and Commissions

Amended and Approved October 14, 2003

HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
September 9, 2003
7:30 – 9:35 PM
32 Courthouse Square

Members Present:  

Members Absent: Darrell Butler  Ann Reiss

Staff Present: Sarah Gicale  Mary Lou Jacobs

Guests: Eric Seleznow, Director, Workforce Investment Services
             Maggie Leedy, One Stop Coordinator, Workforce Investment Services

Re: Call Meeting to Order /Introductions

Bill Goodwin called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm and introduced guests, Eric Seleznow and Maggie Leedy to Commission members.

Re: Presentation on County's Workforce Investment System

Eric said that he had worked for the County for over twenty years.  His organization used to be a nonprofit agency, the Workforce Development Corporation.  It then became part of county government.  There is a thirty member Investment Board that helps make decisions as to whom to target with funds.  Eric operates a one stop career system with two workforce centers--one at Wheaton Plaza and one at Lakeforest Mall.  Their targeted groups are laid-off workers, under employed adults, youth, and anyone else interested in working.  Currently in Montgomery County the unemployment rate is 2.7%, welfare rates are down and the high school graduation rates are among the highest in the country.  In spite of this rosy economic picture, many people use their services daily.  Last year they served 12,000 people age 14 to age 95 years. While many of their clients come from down county, he will do a zip code analysis to see the number from Rockville.  Thirty percent of their clients earn $50,000 or more.

Three different levels of service are available.  Anyone can come in and use their facilities, as for example, an electronic resource library.  They also offer more intensive services and will pay for training, whenever funds are available.  Last year they spent $750,000 for this purpose.

Maggie Leedy then explained that they also provide services to businesses.  One of the services they provide at no charge is to screen applicants for jobs.  There have always been vocational services but they all had different locations and different eligibilities.  It was confusing for the job applicant.  The federal government decided that all services should be co-located.  Services available to anyone coming in include: 

• computers, printers, fax machines and telephones at no charge
  
• workshop training on topics such as resumes and interviewing
  
• computer workshops at no cost
  
• assistance with job searches

One to two hundred people come in every day.  Depending on each person's need, they can be referred immediately to a partnering organization, many of whom have a cubicle on site.  Anyone can be a partner.  For example, they have recently partnered with the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center to assist Chinese immigrants.  The ultimate goal is to match someone with a job by the end of the day.

Youth services are delivered at both of their sites, at alternative schools and at the Detention Center.  Everything is disability-friendly--each person gets immediate access to services.  Project Advance is available to work with people who are disabled and have been laid off.  Charlotte Zuckman asked if they were able to provide ongoing job coaches for people with disabilities.  Maggie said that their organization does not do job coaching for this population but knows other resources for this service.  Mary Lou Jacobs asked how their recent budget cuts had impacted their ability to provide services.  Eric said that $825,000 had been cut which had resulted in fewer core services.  But he did not think the average person would notice a difference.  Maggie said that one important cut was reducing the hours they were open at Lakeforest.

Eric said that his organization has an interest in establishing a presence in Rockville because it is centrally located in the county.  He said that they could install some computer terminals for people to use in job searches.  They have done some outreach here in the past, e.g., to Lincoln Park.  However, the electronic connection is simpler.  Mary Lou said that the City has a grant program for outside agencies and she would be happy to send Eric the application.  Bill Goodwin then said that he would like to schedule a follow-up conversation at the next meeting.  Eric invited Commission members for a tour of one of their facilities.

Re: Approve July 8 Meeting Minutes

On page four, the date of the next meeting was changed to September 9, 2003.  David L'Heureux moved that the minutes be approved as amended.  Deborah Hopson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 

Re: Committee Reports

• Gatherers Committee.  Allison Bunge explained that her job was to consider how to look at what Rockville citizens think are their needs of the community.  She said that she had consulted with her brother whose business specializes in determining what type of poll is appropriate in different situations.  He had advised that since the point of the Commission is to appoint members who are representative of different elements in the community, polling the community for additional information would be redundant.  The many members of the Commission have contact with others from whom they could solicit opinions.  In other words, Allison thought that the research should come from the members themselves.

Bill Goodwin reviewed the ways in which the Commission gathers information.  He identified the Census, site visits to outside agencies, expert speakers, a booth at Hometown Holidays and/or other special events, and forums (as, for example the Children's Forum sponsored by Community Ministries of Rockville three years ago).  He said that he could see a committee existing to plan something like that.  Tom Lawrey commented that you don't always get the broader picture if you just talk with each other or listen to friends.  He likes the system of speakers used by the Commission.  Bill responded that he thought it would be best to keep Gatherers as a standing committee should it be needed.

• Explorers:  Immigrants' Needs Committee.  Ann Reiss was absent so Agnes Saenz gave the committee report.  She passed out a written summary of the committee’s work during the past two months which covered the following topics as they relate to the immigrant community in Rockville:  the need of ESOL classes, the need to better educate immigrants on existing resources, immigration issues, affordable housing, employment and income, outreach efforts, and Rockville University.  Charlotte asked if the committee had attempted to define “immigrant”.  Agnes said they had not but her definition would be anyone from another country who has been in the United States for an hour or for twenty years.  David said that he thought that the committee would need to look only at legal immigrants, that is anyone who has come to this country on an immigration visa.  Agnes said she thought the definition should include everyone.  Tom said that many immigrants coming to Manna have little formal education and have difficulty speaking and writing in their own language.  This group uses many resources but they are not mentioned in the report.  Bill Goodwin said that he would like to set aside more time on the agenda next month for reaction to the written report.  He also asked Agnes if the committee would be willing to meet again and to work on reworking their report in the form of a written proposal to the Mayor and Council.  Agnes said she would like feedback on what the Human Services Advisory Commission could do.  Mary Lou suggested that it might be helpful to have a City staff person attend the next committee meeting.

• Explorers: Health Care Needs.  David passed out a report which, he explained, was an introduction to the business plan requested by the Mayor and Council.  Bill Meeker commented that information regarding market research would need to be added, i.e., who would be served.  Bill Goodwin added that the committee should also consider what other resources would be needed.  Agnes said that Community Ministries of Rockville is doing some of the same work in order to start a new clinic.  They have invited representatives from sixty to sixty-five groups, both medical and caregiver, to attend focus groups.  Thus far the response has been good.  They can share their information with the Commission.  Mary Lou said that she had a call this week from Mobile Medical Care looking for a letter of support.  They are planning to set up a clinic in Twinbrook to work with people with chronic problems.  Bill Goodwin recommended that the committee continue to meet and that they choose a spokesperson.

Re: Provide Guidance on Rockville Reports Insert

Commission members considered the proposal they had received in their meeting packet regarding the contents of the insert in the December issue of Rockville Reports.  Charlotte suggested that the central phone number to call should be highlighted.  Deborah Hopson said that she liked the idea of providing the information on individual caregiver agencies in Spanish as well as in English.  She would sacrifice the rear page of the insert for this year in order to create sufficient space for the translation.  David said that he thought all of the English text should be translated into Spanish.  Agnes agreed that in terms of sensitivity, the entire text should be translated.  Deborah said that currently she has noticed that just certain parts of the newsletter are in Spanish.  Bill Goodwin suggested that Commission members choose which option they would prefer:

a) Spanish only (0 votes)
b) The same exact text in multiple languages (7 votes)
c) Some text in English only; some in Spanish and English (1 vote)
d) English only (0 votes)

With regard to the last page, Bill Goodwin said that he had never envisioned that the system of nominating community volunteers for recognition would be continuing.  Agnes said that she would like to include City services with Caregiver services.  Charlotte said that the first article should include a note as to whom to contact if you are interested in volunteering.  Bill Goodwin asked if the article on business should be eliminated.  Agnes said she thought it would have to be eliminated because of the need for more space for Spanish.  David said he would suggest a good article on volunteerism (in place of recognizing individuals) and this should also be translated into Spanish.

Re: Confirm Commissioner Involvement in Spirit of Rockville

Mary Lou explained that the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services would be hosting a table at the Spirit of Rockville from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and that members of the Commission were welcome to take part.  It was agreed that individual members would call Mary Lou if they have the time.

Re: Plan Agenda for Next Meeting

• A fuller discussion on services to immigrants
  
• Follow-up discussion on Workforce Development
  
• Debriefing on site visits
  
• Give health services group until November to report their findings
  
• Invite Ed Duffy to speak regarding low-income housing

David added that he thought the Commission should consider having some sort of social gathering to get to know each other.  It was agreed that this should be scheduled after the first of January 2004.

Re: Adjourn

David L’Heureux moved to adjourn the meeting.  Agnes seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 PM.

The next regular meeting of the Human Services Advisory Commission will be held Tuesday, October 14, 2003, from 7:30 - 9:30 PM, at 32 Courthouse Square.