Title
Discussion of Social Service Human Relations Board FY 2024-25 Work Plan
Body
To: Honorable President Scott Means and Members of the Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Each year, SSHRB presents an annual work plan to the Alameda City Council for its consent. SSHRB’s annual work plan is typically approved by the Board at its April meeting in order to be presented to the City Council at its first meeting in June. Staff has proposed a timeline for the 2023-24 Work Plan.
BACKGROUND
The City of Alameda’s Municipal Code (AMC) describes that one of the duties of SSHRB is to adopt a plan for the performance of its delineated functions “with advice and consent of the City Council.”
The 2023-24 Work Plan, which was approved by SSHRB on April 27, 2023, received by the City Council on June 5, 2023, and is attached as Exhibit 1, focused on four main areas:
1. The Dissemination of the 2023 Community Needs Assessment (CNA)-primarily circulating and promoting the CNA to local community organizations.
2. The Road Home and the creation of a Homelessness Work Group-monitoring and participating in community awareness of homelessness activities
3. Human Relations / Alamedans Together Against Hate (ATAH)-attention to creating a welcoming city for all residents.
4. Domestic Violence Work Group-leading and participating in the City’s Quarterly Domestic Violence Task Force meetings.
Under the proposed Work Plan, SSHRB also continued its oversight of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding levels.
At its July 27, 2023 meeting, SSHRB consolidated its community awareness activities surrounding the CNA and homelessness into a new Outreach and Community Engagement Work Group.
During the past fiscal year, SSHRB also discussed the needs and challenges of older adults in Alameda. At its May 25, 2023 meeting, SSHRB heard a presentation by Rafi Nazarians, the Advocacy Director for AARP California, on the Age-Friendly States and Communities program. On October 2, 2023, the City of Alameda’s Housing and Human Services (HHS) staff, with significant contributions from SSHRB, submitted an application for $162,348 from the Local Aging and Disability Action Planning (LADAP) Grant Program, which is offered through the State of California Department of Aging.
DISCUSSION
SSHRB’s annual work plan is typically approved by the Board at its April meeting in order to be presented to the City Council at its first meeting in June. Staff recommends that the Board begin consideration of its 2024-25 Work Plan with the following draft timeline:
January-Review activities of preceding year and identify three new or continued areas of focus
February-Identify tasks for each area of focus in Work Plan
March-Review final draft work plan and revise as needed
April-Approve the Work Plan
May-Prepare City Council presentation
June-Present to City Council
RECOMMENDATION
This item is for discussion purposes only. No action is needed.
Respectfully submitted,
Andre Fairley
Management Analyst
Exhibit:
1. 2023-24 SSHRB Work Plan