Title
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB), August 24, 2017
Body
Social Service Human Relations Board Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB), August 24, 2017
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Vice-President Hyman called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Present were members Sorensen, Hastings, Jenks, Youngblood, and Medina. Absent was member Chilcott.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the special meeting of July 18, 2017, were approved as presented. M/S Jenks / Youngblood Unanimous.
3. AGENDA ITEMS
3.-A ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Member Youngblood made a motion that Vice-President Hyman and Member Chilcott, the slate of officers nominated at the Board’s meeting July 18, be elected President and Vice-President respectively. M/S Youngblood / Medina Unanimous
3.-B WORK GROUP PROGRESS REPORTS
Vice-President Chilcott reported that the Human Relations Workgroup (HRW) had met and agreed to meet with members of the Alameda Collaborative for Children, Youth, and their Families (ACCYF) to discuss planning and co-sponsoring an “In the Mix” conference for mixed- race youth, teens, and families in May 2018. The purpose of the conference would be for attendees to meet other mixed race Alameda youth and families, and hear from Bay Area authors on mixed race issues. This would be the second such conference, the first being held in the fall of 2006, at Girls Inc. of the Island City. Audrey Lord Hausman, who at that time staffed the ACCYF, has agreed to join a planning committee.
Member Sorensen shared that the HRW is preparing to solicit nominations for the 4th Annual City of Alameda Community Service Awards (CSA). A press release will go out the beginning of September, nominations will be due on September 28, and the awards presentation dinner will take place the evening of Thursday, October 26. The dinner will replace the Board’s October meeting, and will once again be held at the Alameda Elks Lodge. The CSA committee is made up of Vice-President Chilcott, Member Sorensen, and President Hyman. Past President Williams has also offered to work on the committee.
Member Medina announced that the AUSD Black Achievers Alliance will be hosting the 2nd Annual Unity Picnic Saturday, September 23 at Crab Cove. A number of community organizations will be supporting this event, and the HRW has agreed to be one of the participating organizations.
Member Medina also shared that AUSD will be holding a workshop on Hate Speech and anti-Semitism, on October 4, at the Alameda High School Little Theater. Alameda Police Department (APD) Chief Rolleri has agreed to attend to explain the difference between Hate Speech and Hate Crimes, and how APD deals with each. Member Medina will be helping coordinate this event in her role as AUSD Coordinator, Family Involvement & Community Engagement Programs. AUSD Superintendent McPhetridge and Kirsten Zazo AUSD Chief Student Support Officer will be speaking at the event, and AUSD staff is also working to identify an expert on hate speech and racial bias to speak at the workshop.
Member Jenks reported for the Assessment and Awareness Workgroup (AAW), and shared that the AAW had met on August 3. After hearing comments from Community Development Director Debbie Potter, and Alameda Housing Authority (AHA) staff Lisa Fitts regarding the draft survey, a few small changes are being made to the questions. Comments included the value of keeping a format similar to the 2012 community needs survey, so that “apples to apples” comparisons can be made regarding the community’s perceived needs. With the 2017 Community Needs Survey now being finalized, Member Hastings added that the next step will be having the survey questions translated into Spanish and Chinese.
Staff added that the plan is to launch the survey the first week of October and to have a preliminary report ready for Council in time for its January 2, 2018 meeting, so that SSHRB can include the data in its Community Needs statement.
Member Youngblood reported for the Homeless Action Plan Workgroup (HAPW), sharing that she had met today with AHA Systems Analyst Danielle Thoe, and found out how she will work with the Board to gather information and help streamline the workgroup’s process of developing the Homeless Policies and Programs. Member Youngblood added that Ms. Thoe also attended a committee planning meeting this afternoon, which was also attended by CDD Director Potter, President Hyman, Doug Biggs, Jennifer Williams, and Jim Franz. She reported that the August 10 Jean Sweeney Park eviction process went smoothly, but there are now some reports of increased presence of homeless individuals on Webster Street. There was discussion regarding ways we might reach out to businesses on Webster.
Because of recent changes in how the County serves the homeless, in particular the development of the Coordinated Entry System (CES), Member Youngblood shared that she will reach out to the County, and ask that they send a representative to one of our meetings to explain the new system. With the CES, all of Alameda County’s homeless will be on one waiting list, with housing opportunities offered to City of Alameda homeless most likely being in off the island.
It might be best to wait awhile to see how the new system is working, to get an idea of how it is working in other cities, and county-wide. This will help us make informed decisions as we develop policy and program recommendations.
4. BOARD/STAFF COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
President Hyman shared information regarding a rock thrown through a window at Temple Israel is being investigated as a Hate Crime.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - NONE
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM
M/S Jenks / Chilcott
Respectfully submitted by:
Jim Franz, Secretary