HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-22-2008CITY OF
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WASHINGTON
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
ADDENDUM MINUTES
July 22, 2008
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m. in Conference Room three located on the second
floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA.
Committee Members present were: Chair Suzanne Limric, Michael Cummings, Barbara Derda,
Virginia Lloyd, Gary Masterjohn, Michael Harbin and JoAnne Walters.
Members not present were: Marian Thomas and Tony Ladner.
Staff present was: Human Services Manager Planner Michael Hursh and Community Services
Project Assistant Kirsten Reynolds.
II. This meeting was called as an addendum meeting; no business was conducted at this time.
Presentations were given from agencies applying for funding; there was general discussion
regarding the new program presentations.
III. AGENDA
A. Valley Cities: COD Treatment for Non-Medicaid Program
Representatives from Valley Cities spoke about the history and growth of the agency. The
COD Treatment for Non-Medical Program helps clients with out medical coverage who have
mental health and chemical dependencies. Common symptoms clients have include, but are
not limited to, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia and depression. Valley Cities provides an
assessment to each client; the IOP-intensive out patient program is still being offered. The
men and women groups are operated separately with set curriculums. Vocational services are
provided to move clients forward after their treatment. Valley Cities reported these clients
frequent jails and hospitals; they require more contact over a longer time frame to make an
impact on behavior. When staff receives phone calls from local hospitals they will go to the
site to help the individuals, if they meet the criteria. The representatives reported a funding
gap for clientele with substance abuse and mental health issues.
This COD Treatment for Non-Medicaid Program is new for Auburn; there was a program in the
past that utilized vouchers. The agency is asking for $25,000 for this pilot program, providing
intensive services to 18 Auburn based clients. If funding is not received in full the number of
clients would need to be lowered.
General group discussion: cost was $1,300. per a person.
B. WWEE: REACH Program
Representatives from the program shared background information regarding the WWEE
organization, including that they've been around for 26 years. The REACH program is geared
around developing self esteem and crisis management, other pieces include: computer skills,
building resumes and working with employment agencies. During a two year follow up other
services are offered include: gasoline assistance, housing assistance, one-on-one interview
practice opportunities and use of the small career center. The agency is asking for $9,000 to
help nine individuals.
The WWEE mission is to help low-income clients succeed. Some clients are referred by DHS
offices; others come to the program through word of mouth in the community. The program is
run out of their Renton office on Harrison Street located inside the Alliance Center. Currently
there is not a location in Auburn but Auburn clients come to the agency for service. It was
reported that nearly all clients finish the entire program.
They have a clothing boutique that offers women's clothing. Males are welcomed to the
program but because of the agency's name not many males enroll. Clients must be over 18
years old, type 25 words per minute and meet the low income criteria they've set. The agency
is looking to service more Hispanics in the future but there is currently no interpreters provided.
General group discussion: cost was high at $1,700. per a person. Several Committee
Members liked the two year follow up aspect to the program.
C. Ukrainian Community Center: Refugee Program
A representative from the Ukrainian Community Center spoke about the last 10 years of
history; in the beginning there were volunteers who spoke English helping immigrants as they
entered the area. There were huge issues with trust, even within the community. This
program started as a religious group; once the founding pastor sanctioned his support in 1997,
people in the community felt ok visiting the center.
The agency's naturalization project has helped over 500 clients. They offer help with medical
bills, naturalization and general case management. No clients get turned away.
In the senior project program clients must be of 50+ years old. Historically, in their home
country, seniors are taken care of by their family. The Ukrainian Senior Project helps provide
all the services seniors need. Seniors are also offered English as a second language.
Parenting classes started six years ago, modifying the curriculum over time. The agency has
good relationships with Government which has helped get their clients through systems such
as CPS and the Courts.
A new curriculum is in the development stages for youth, ages 5 through 13, because of the
high drop out rate from school. The agency helps parents understand the value of education
in the US; there are major cultural differences in this area of education.
There is a large Ukrainian and Russian population located in Auburn. The Center has served
over 180 clients from the Auburn area. The agency has facilities in Renton, Tacoma and
Marysville. Another office will be opened in Federal Way; all facilities are tied to churches who
own their own land which Auburn does not currently have; there are off site programs offered
in Auburn. The peak timeframe for immigration of the Ukrainian and Russian community
happened in 1992-1996.
The agency is asking for $7,500 for community education, which includes but not limited to,
promoting how clients can access health care, maneuver through the legal system, get
parenting education for discipline and general case management services.
General group discussion: $180,000 of their budget is for salaries. They have 12 total
volunteers, two of which are full time. Several Committee Members commented they are
offering good services for parents.
C. Consejo: DV Advocacy Program
Representatives from Consejo, a multi-service agency talked about their five separate program
areas. They were asking to receive funding for the DV Program. One four unit house utilized
is called Mi Casa, there are 23 other units utilized for the program located elsewhere. The
community advocacy program is new, it started in 2006. In 2007 Auburn client numbers
picked up to 15%; this is the third largest community served through the program.
With the cooperation of other agencies, Consejo has been able to give clients better services
finding shelter, food and general housing. There is now a support group for clients located in
South King County that serves clients from Federal Way, Kent and Auburn. Clients seek help
in legal advocacy, legal divorce actions and from domestic violence. Every Thursday there is
an advocate group that comes to help Consejo's clients; the clients get to jump the long wait
list.
Their office is located in Kent at the Alliance Center; the main administration office is located in
Seattle. There are multiple satellite offices, but none are located in Auburn yet because of slim
staffing. Consejo would be open to co-locating in the One-Stop Center once it's open.
Most clients being served speak limited Spanish and/or no English. They've found many
speak indigenous languages which need to be interpreted over the phone if the client chooses.
Consejo does a cost average of clients because some clients are labor intensive and others
get just a few hours of services. They do not track clients because services are given based
upon what the client asks for.
General group discussion: Several Committee Members commented on the large budget and
reflection of salaries being high. Salaries include: a Data Coordinator, a Program Manager
and the Executive Director.
IV. Next steps: Michael to sit down with Finance to discuss the $20,000 - $25,000 dollars to work
with. There will need to be a final funding recommendation made by September 9, 2008.
Michael Hursh will bring a proposed budget to the August 12, 2008 meeting for review. There
was further discussion around the one-stop center and the community center being separate
and how agencies. Update the list of agencies applying for funding.
V. OLD BUSINESS
Next meeting is on August 12, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Mike Harbin's house.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
The July 22, 2008 meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Project Assistant
APPROVED THE L2day of, 2008.