7:35 - 9:05 PM
Glenview Mansion
| Members Present: | |
David L'Heureux | Agnes Saenz | Tim Stranges |
Deborah Hopson | Ann Reiss | Eric Wang |
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| Members Absent: | |
Michelle Beadle | | Tom Lawrey |
| Staff Present: | |
Mary Lou Jacobs | | Sarah Gicale |
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| Guest: | |
Andrew Shapiro, Rockville Resident |
Re: Call Meeting to Order/ Introductions
Tim Stranges called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Re: Approve July 11 Meeting Minutes
Tim asked that “Community Services Division” be substituted for the word “we” in the last paragraph, first page. David L'Heureux then moved that the minutes be approved as amended. Deborah Hopson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Re: Subcommittee Reports
Affordable Housing Subcommittee
Tim said that this committee has not met. He plans to call the new Director of Rockville Housing Enterprises. He would also like to invite the new director to the next Human Services Advisory Commission meeting. Mary Lou Jacobs reported that Ed Duffy, Community Development Program Manager for the City of Rockville, is considering convening a task force to consider the issue of affordable housing in Rockville. As soon as the task force is official, she will notify Tim; possibly a Commission member could serve on the task force. Agnes Saenz expressed interest in serving.
Subcommittee on Residents with Disabilities
David L’Heureux said that he is the only member of this subcommittee. He is having difficulty researching the topic, as there is no source of data specific only to Rockville. Mary Lou asked David if Montgomery County has a commission for people with disabilities. David said there is a commission but there is no real oversight for people with developmental disabilities. Mary Lou suggested that he contact the ARC. Tim suggested doing a breakdown by zip code since there is no available data specific to the City of Rockville.
Gang Prevention Subcommittee
Deborah passed around a handout in which the results of the subcommittee’s telephone calls to the Latino Outreach Program and the Korean Community Service Center had been entered into a table. She said that the table will be completed with data from the telephone call made to the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC). Eric Wang said that he had called CCACC and did not get much information because that agency serves adults primarily.
Eric added that he believes that since the various levels of government have limited resources, school, church, business organizations and the family should all work together as a team to prevent delinquent behavior. As an example, each church should have a “reach-out” program to help its member families and could adopt one or two youth who need help. Local business organizations could donate funds to provide after school programs for youth.
Agnes Saenz said that she would update the chart and distribute it at the next meeting. Tim said he is already beginning to see trends in the information and that the Commission could discuss recommendations such as Eric’s at their next meeting. David said that many churches in the area have youth coordinators; perhaps they could be surveyed or invited to provide an overview of youth in Rockville. Agnes said that Community Ministries of Rockville (CMR) is doing an inventory of all the member congregations (21). Most have youth directors. An additional six churches in the Rockville area have not joined CMR. David said that St. Raphael’s has a new youth coordinator. Ann Reiss said that she is strongly opposed to combining religion with City business. Mary Lou said that the Community Services Division should make certain that it does not duplicate services. That would be one reason for finding out what the youth coordinators are doing.
Re: Finalize Commission’s FY 2007 Work Plan
There was general agreement that the Commission should wait to finalize its work plan until after the Community Services Division had completed its needs assessment.
Re: Review Nominations for Volunteer Employee Group to be Recognized at Salute to Nonprofits
Tim announced that the Committee planning the Salute to Nonprofits had received just one nomination for “Employee Group of the Year” so there were no nominations to review.
Re: Update on Community Services Needs Assessment
Sarah Gicale said that approximately 80 people have been interviewed for the needs assessment to date including public school personnel, City staff from several departments, representatives from Rockville nonprofit agencies, and Rockville residents. Needs identified include:
Volunteer recruitment and screening for school-based mentoring programs
Community-based after school programming for youth from low-income families, specifically middle and high school age
Increased outreach to minority populations
Facilitating minority parent participation in their child’s education
Increased access to ESOL programs for new immigrants including child care and transportation
Supervised activities for youth at Town Center
Commission members provided ideas as to other places Sarah could contact.
Eric then returned to the topic of churches providing programming for suspended youth or youth who are not doing well at school. Tim said that would be a recommendation for Agnes to make through CMR. Mary Lou said that the Commission could consider some type of formal communication with CMR’s board president. Historically, CMR has not had programming for youth. David suggested that the Commission write a letter to the new director of CMR. Ann said that she does not agree with contacting area churches.
Re: Updates from the Chair
Board Vacancies: Tim reminded members that currently there are three vacancies on the Commission: one vacancy for a consumer representative, i.e., someone who has received service from a human service program and two at-large vacancies for residents of Rockville.
Salute to Nonprofits: the Salute is scheduled for September 30th in downtown Rockville between Courthouse Square and Middle Lane. The hours will be 12-4 p.m. To date, twenty nonprofits have completed applications. Tim encouraged members to let other nonprofits know about the event. The only stipulation is that they must serve residents of Rockville. This year the nonprofits will recruit volunteers and accept donations at the event. A drawing is planned at which a contestant will be able to win $500 for him/herself and $500 for his/her favorite charity.
Re: Plan Agenda for Next Meeting (October 10)
Re: Adjourn to Executive Session
David moved that the meeting be adjourned to Executive Session. Deborah Hopson seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. The next meeting of the Human Services Advisory Commission will be held Tuesday, October 10, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. in the Glenview Mansion Dining Room.
