Title
Review and Approve Minutes of April 25, 2019
Body
City of Alameda, California
SOCIAL SERVICE HUMAN RELATIONS BOARD (SSHRB)
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019
DRAFT MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
President Hyman called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.
Roll Call: President Audrey Hyman, Boardmember Cheryl Harawitz, Boardmember Kale Jenks, Boardmember Mark Sorensen, Boardmember Pravda Wright
Excused: Vice-President Christine Chilcott
President Hyman presented Boardmember Kale Jenks with a certificate of recognition for his service on the Board. Jenks is stepping down due to his move out of the area.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Boardmember Sorensen moved to approve the minutes of March 28, 2019. Boardmember Harawitz seconded. The minutes of March 28, 2019 were approved as written.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
4. AGENDA ITEMS:
• Ana Bagtas provided a brief overview of the Plan to End Homelessness:
2018 Strategic Update developed by EveryOne Home, the federally-designated Continuum of Care agency serving Alameda County. A strategic plan was developed more than ten years ago, and this current plan provides an update on the state of homelessness in the county and delineates the strategies to address the problem in the region. The City of Alameda, along with all the other incorporated jurisdictions in the county, adopted the original plan more than a decade ago. EveryOne Home presented the Plan to End Homelessness: 2018 Strategic Update to the Board at its November 29, 2018 meeting. The Board was asked to take a motion to recommend that the City Council adopt the 2018 update to the plan.
The Board discussed the plan’s alignment with the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) and other housing and homeless projects planned or already underway in Alameda. Concerns about attracting more homeless persons to the island by establishing services was discussed. Bagtas responded that homelessness is a regional issue that requires a regional approach. Since Alameda currently has limited resources and services for the homeless, Alameda’s homeless clients go to neighboring cities, such as Oakland, to access services. Similarly, Union City welcomes homeless individuals from Alameda living in their cars to utilize its sanctioned parking program at night. Alameda needs to do its share to be part of the regional solution.
Boardmember Sorensen made the motion to recommend that the City Council adopt EveryOne Home’s Plan to End Homelessness: 2018 Strategic Update. Boardmember Jenks seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
• Workgroup Progress Reports
Assessment and Awareness Workgroup-Chilcott/Jenks
o Eric Fonstein provided an update on the Census 2020. On April 1, the Mayor convened the first meeting of the 18+ member Steering Committee, representing various “hard-to-count” populations. The next meeting is planned for May 6. A subcommittee met on April 16 to plan for a fall kick-off “I Count” event, possibly in October at Crab Cove. In the meantime, the City will create a separate webpage with an on-line pledge form and FAQ. Finally, Bagtas and Fonstein staffed a table at the City’s Earth Day event at Washington Park on April 20, handing out Census fact sheets, soliciting volunteers, and answering questions.
o Due to Boardmember Jenks’ resignation from the Board, Vice-President Chilcott has been approached and has agreed to be the Board’s representative on the Alameda Complete Count Committee Steering Committee
Homeless Action Plan Workgroup-Harawitz /Hyman/Wright
o Boardmembers Wright and Harawitz reported on the progress of the HEAP Ad Hoc Committee. The committee has met twice since its establishment in March and spent a great deal of time reviewing and analyzing the projects proposed by various community stakeholders. The committee has narrowed down the list of projects that may be funded through HEAP. Establishing a day center was identified as the most immediate need, which may be used as a site to deliver other services, including laundry and shower facility, meal program, job training, outreach, and enrollment to services. The list of projects recommended by the HEAP Ad Hoc Committee was presented to the Board.
Updates on Homeless Programs and Initiatives
o Public Works finished marking the sites for the installation of
the parking meters in downtown locations that will collect donations for the homeless. The next step is installing the meters and promoting sponsorship to local businesses. Installation is anticipated this summer.
o Dine and Connect continues to be an important gathering for
homeless individuals and members of the community. Monthly dinners at Immanuel Lutheran Church average 40-50 people and are a great way for Building Futures to do its outreach to clients and enroll them in services.
o The Alameda Warming Shelter’s last day of operation was
on April 15. The program served 89 unduplicated individuals and provided 66 days of shelter from the rainy and cold nights this past winter season.
5. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
• Bagtas reported on the Early Learning Communities Network, a program of First 5 where local jurisdictions have an opportunity to develop an Early Learning Community Plan for success for children ages zero to five. By becoming part of the Early Learning Communities Network, Alameda is eligible to apply for a grant through First 5 to develop and implement its plan. The Alameda Collaborative for Children, Youth, and their Families has taken this on as a project, and several members of the group participate in Network meetings and planning.
• Boardmember Jenks reported that a small workgroup met with Full Court Press, Supervisor Wilma Chan’s public relations firm, to help conceptualize the youth mental health messaging campaign for Alameda. Barriers to accessing mental health services for youth need to be addressed, including the stigma of mental illness, cultural factors, and family support. The campaign hopes to address these issues.
6. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA
• Fonstein reminded the Board to help spread the word about the vacancies on SSHRB and to announce it at community meetings they attend.
• President Hyman announced that she will not be able to attend the Board’s May 23 meeting. Vice-President Chilcott will preside over the meeting. The City of Alameda’s Climate Action Plan will be presented at the May meeting.
7. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
8. ADJOURNMENT
Boardmember Jenks moved to adjourn the meeting. Boardmember Harawitz seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.