Human Services Advisory Commission

 Meeting Minutes
September 11, 2007
 7:40 - 9:35 PM
Glenview Mansion

Re:  Call Meeting to Order/ Introductions

Sarah Duffy called the meeting to order at 7 40 p.m.

Re:  Approve June 12 Meeting Minutes

Shari Cohen moved that the minutes for June 12, 2007 be approved as written.  Kim Dawkins seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Re:  Overview of Citizen Requests for Social Services and City’s Outreach/Access Initiatives

Sarah introduced Alfred Thompson, City of Rockville Community Services Referral Coordinator.  Alfred said that he has a background in clinical psychology and has worked for the City more than 18 years.  In his new position of Referral Coordinator he finds that human appraisal is very important; everyone comes from a unique position in life.  One of his job responsibilities is to manage the Rockville Emergency Assistance Program (REAP).  One issue with respect to this program is that the same people reapply for assistance.  To combat recidivism, he

• does an appraisal of individual finances
• offers money management workshops to those who lack information on handling finances
• makes attendance at a money management workshop mandatory for anyone applying for REAP a second time
• accesses other available monies 
• uses REAP as a gateway to teach people other skills

One challenge to the money management class is that attendees are on different levels.  Many people who attend are not allowed to open bank accounts because of things they did as teenagers.  The same is true when Alfred helps REAP applicants who are unemployed.  They are prevented from employment by their records.  Since September 11th, potential employers check many more items of information than previously.

The maximum payment that can be paid through REAP is $750.  Applicants often come in needing larger sums for utility or housing payments.  Alfred calls other community organizations and churches to help.  Programs like the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) are also available.  This results in REAP being used as a “last resort.”

Alfred sees affordable housing as a continuing issue for Rockville.  As with employment many people have difficulty renting because of their rent history.  There is a company in Silver Spring that does checks of people for landlords.  The rule that families can only live for two years in public housing has never been enforced because of the shortage of housing.  Many people have stayed for ten years or more.  Rockville Housing Enterprises (RHE) is working to change this.  Alfred works closely with RHE.  They have a new director and very dedicated staff.  He is planning to present workshops with their staff on how to get employment.  RHE has also recently developed their tenant council and he attends those meetings.

Shari asked if Alfred keeps statistics.  He explained that the Division has a tracking sheet for every applicant that comes in to the office.

Eric Wang asked if the City can help with foreclosure.  Alfred said that this is a new problem.  The first step is for the family involved to go to Montgomery County Health and Human Services at 1301 Piccard Drive where different funds are available depending on the situation.

Re:  Approval of FY 2007 Report to Mayor and Council

Two minor changes were recommended in the Human Services Advisory Commission Report on Activities and Accomplishments for 2006-2007.  Michelle Beadle then moved to accept the report with these changes.  David L’Heureux seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

Re: Discussion of FY 2008 Performance Measures for Community Services

Mary Lou explained that as part of the budget process, the City’s Finance Department provides a format that makes it possible for departments to explain differences between what is budgeted and spent each year and also to specify performance measures.  Ideally it is best to have measures that can be tracked year to year.  Commission members received a copy of the performance measures for 2008 in the mailing prior to tonight’s meeting.  They are changed slightly from 2007.  A few were added to reflect updated program initiatives.

In looking at the performance measure relating to number and percent of City employees who make a pledge to Montgomery Alliance during the annual C-CARE campaign, Tim Stranges said that he did not think this performance measure was under the Division’s control.  Mary Lou said that this particular performance measure came about because the City Manager wanted to capture how City employees support the non-profit community.  Michelle suggested that this measure be included in the performance measures for the City Manager’s Office.

Sarah asked how the performance measures are used.  Mary Lou said that funding is not tied to these directly.  The City has implemented a pay-for-performance system that affects employee pay.  As a manager, Mary Lou links performance measures to individual staff goals.  She said that the City is trying to measure outcomes in addition to outputs.

Regarding the performance measure dealing with site visits, Mary Lou said that the goal is to visit every Caregiver agency funded by the City once every three years.  She said it would be helpful if Commission members could participate in the site visits.  Three performance measures are related to the Holiday Drive.  Mary Lou explained that these are partly a function of how the program is structured.  Again the Division does not have total control over these measures.  For example, the number of residents served depends on the number referred by outside schools and agencies and also the number that actually shows up. 

Tim Stranges asked what form of measurement was being utilized to measure at-risk youth who show increased conflict resolution skills.  Mary Lou said that this measure relates to the Achievers program, which uses “Second Step,” a curriculum designed specifically for youth that includes a mechanism for measuring an increase in these skills.  Mary Lou also commented that, for the first time, performance measures related to the Caregiver agencies were being included with those of the Community Services Division.  She is excited that the community will have an opportunity to see them.

Sarah asked Commission members to email her with any other comments.

Re:  Updates

Salute to Nonprofits on August 24: Those Commission members who attended this event thought it had gone well.  Mary Lou commented that it is always a challenge to get people walking by to engage in the event.  Because it was so hot that day, the Italian ice helped generate interest.

Commission Brochure:  Mary Lou handed out copies of a completed draft.  There was discussion about the picture used with members suggesting a different format.

Re:  Committee Reports on Proposed Action Plans

Access to Services:  David L’Heureux said that the committee needs to designate a chair.

Employment:  the 2007 Action Plan for this committee had been mailed to members prior to tonight’s meeting.  David said that he would like to see a collaborative effort between the Chamber and the Commission in creating a flyer of jobs available that could be circulated in neighborhoods.  He also suggested a poster that businesses could display in their windows reading, “We Employ Rockville Residents.”  Tim said that locating a Montgomery Works office in Rockville would be helpful.  He added that the City could also use a Montgomery County Health and Human Services office in a more central location.

Youth:  Josh said that he thinks that youth services and access are both important to the city.  This committee needs to do more research on what youth services are currently available as well as access to youth services.  Eric mentioned the high English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Free and Reduced-cost Meals (FARMS) numbers in Rockville schools as an indicator of the need for youth services.  Sarah suggested he put this in writing.  Kim Dawkins volunteered to serve on this committee as well.

Mary Lou said that currently the City has an intern from South Korea.  She has a law degree and is currently working out of the Community Services office.  She is available to help one of the committees do research.

Re:  New Business

Community Services Division Monthly Report:  Kim asked about the meeting with the Collaboration Council.  Mary Lou said that she and Phil Bryan, former Superintendent of Recreation in the City, had met with the director of the Collaboration Council.  Their goal was to let the Council know that Rockville exists so they don’t earmark all their funds for the East County and Upcounty.  Mary Lou would like opportunities for the City to apply for future grants.  The response was that the new County Executive announced seven priority areas when he took office.  These areas will guide the Council in future funding decisions.

Community Outreach:  Mary Lou informed members of the work done by Toula Candanedo, the Community Services Outreach Worker, in creating a soccer program this summer.  She plans to continue the program in the fall and to expand to Rockville High School.  The program incorporates academic work as well as soccer.

Sister City 50th Anniversary:  David announced that a celebration of this event will be held on October 2nd.  Forty-one representatives from Pinneberg will be attending including their mayor.  Additional information is on the web under “Rockville Sister City Celebration” and also on the City’s website.

Volunteer Appreciation Party on September 7:  Shari announced that she had attended and wanted to thank the staff because it was such a nice event.

Sarah announced that Michelle Beadle had submitted her resignation and this was her last Commission meeting.  Michelle said that she was also leaving her position at Community Ministries of Rockville to become a full-time mother and would greatly miss her work in Rockville.

Re:  Adjourn

David moved that the meeting be adjourned.  Michelle seconded the motion.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.  The next meeting of the Human Services Advisory Commission will be held Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the Glenview Mansion Dining Room.