Title
Draft Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB), September 28, 2017
Body
Social Service Human Relations Board
Draft Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB),
September 28, 2017
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
President Hyman called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Present were Vice President Chilcott, and members Hastings, Jenks, Youngblood, and Medina. Absent was member Sorensen.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the special meeting of August 24, 2017, were approved as presented. M/S Jenks / Hastings Unanimous.
3. AGENDA ITEMS
3.-A PROGRESS REPORT ON SSHRB DEVELOPMENT OF CITY OF ALAMEDA HOMELESS POLICIES AND PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS BY DANIELLE THOE, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS ANALYST
Ms. Thoe shared that she has been with the Alameda Housing Authority for three months and has been assigned to assist the Homeless Workgroup in its development of the city of Alameda’s Homeless Policies and Programs. Before joining the Alameda Housing Authority, Ms. Thoe worked for the city of San Mateo, providing oversight for its CDBG and Home Funds, and housing development.
She added that she has been interviewing homeless providers, and APD/other city staff, in addition to members of the workgroup.
Ms. Thoe has also interviewed members of the Operation Dignity homeless outreach team, and Everyone Home staff. She shared that the Alameda County Coordinated Entry System (CES) is just now being rolled out, shared a CES flow-chart (Attachment 1) explaining how the system works, and said that she expects that it will take a few months to be in place throughout the County. The CES goal is to enroll all Alameda County homeless, and rank each individual\household according to their level of need. Those in dire circumstances and with the greatest need will be the first to be offered housing, but, because this is a County-wide program, the available housing may not be in the city in which they are currently homeless. While it is certainly defensible to give priority to those in the County in the most dire circumstances, a major question the workgroup will consider is how to serve the city of Alameda’s homeless on the street whose needs do not rise to this level. The plan is to have a first draft of the recommended policies and programs language before the end of the year.
Speaker:
Alameda resident, Helena Lengel shared that she knows people who are living in tents in Alameda, adding that she is excited that the CES program is being implemented, and hoping that it will help some of those on the streets in Alameda. She added that she would like to be kept up-to-date as to the progress of the CES and other programs serving the homeless in Alameda.
3.-B WORK GROUP PROGRESS REPORTS
Member Youngblood reported for the Homeless Action Plan Workgroup (HAPW), sharing that she has reached out to staff at Everyone Home and will invite them to come to the Board’s
November meeting to give an update on the rollout of the Coordinated Entry System (CES). She added that, 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. She went on to say that CES is a program for those who are literally homeless, on the street, and that agencies serving those in shelters or at risk of becoming homeless will have other issues for us to discuss as we develop Alameda’s policies and programs.
Members Jenks and Hastings reported for the Assessment and Awareness Workgroup (AAW), and shared that the Community Needs Survey questions have now been finalized and the survey is in the process of being translated into Chinese and Spanish. Plans are in place to launch the survey at the end of October, and allow the community five weeks to participate. This will enable the workgroup to have a preliminary report ready for Council in time for its January 2, 2018 meeting.
Vice-President Chilcott reported that the Human Relations Workgroup (HRW) will meet with members of the Alameda Collaborative for Children, Youth, and their Families (ACCYF) to plan and co-sponsor an “In the Mix” conference for mixed- race youth, teens, and families in May 2018. ACCYF members have agreed to take on this partnership with the Board.
The 2nd Annual Community Picnic took place on Saturday, September 23, at Crab Cove, drawing a crowd of around 150 people. Participating organizations brought food, led games and activities, and joined in an aerial photo, spelling out the word UNITY. The photo appeared in today’s issue of the Alameda SUN.
The 4th Annual City of Alameda Community Service Awards event will take place on Thursday, October 26. Nominations must be submitted by midnight tonight, and the awards presentation dinner will replace the Board’s October meeting. As in past years it will be held at the Alameda Elks Lodge, and, to be successful, we will need the help of all Board members.
4. BOARD/STAFF COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
Member Hastings shared that the AUSD is developing a Resolution related to Cannabis Businesses in Alameda, and plans to recommend that the Alameda City Council consider that the businesses be a greater distance from schools, parks, childcare centers, than the 600 feet required by State Law.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - NONE
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM
M/S Hastings / Chilcott
Respectfully submitted by:
Jim Franz, Secretary