HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-28-2016 Minutes
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
MINUTES
March 28, 2016
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Human Services Committee Meeting was called to order at 4:05 pm on Monday,
March 28, 2016 at 25 West Main Street, Auburn, WA
Committee Members present: Barbara Derda, Jason Berry, JoAnne Walters, Maryelyn Scholz
Committee Members absent: Lela Brugger
Staff present: Director of Administration Dana Hinman, Community Services Assistant
Emily Pearson and Veterans & Human Services Coordinator Erica
Azcueta
Public guests: Carrol Stripling
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Member Maryelyn Scholz moved to accept the February 22, 2016
minutes; Member JoAnne Walters seconded the motion. All
Committee Members were in favor of adopting the minutes as
submitted.
The February 22, 2016 minutes were approved.
III. AGENDA
Miscellaneous
Agency visit reports:
Member JoAnne Walters reported on the visit to Children’s Therapy
Center on March 9. They’re serving 290 Auburn children and there is a
waiting list of about 900. Services are for children from birth to age 18 and
provide therapy such as horseback riding. Early intervention is key. Cases
are chosen by severity, but are also on a first-come, first-served basis.
Member Barb Derda reported on the visit to Birth to Three on March 29.
Clients are referred by pediatricians. Birth to Three has been around for
50 years. Director Maryanne Barnes led the tour and a class of 2-year-
olds was observed; parents are often quite engaged in the therapy. It was
noted that United Way is no longer funding them as homelessness has
become a much bigger priority. They also help immigrant families with
paperwork and have a 90% success rate.
JoAnne Walters visited the King County Mobile Medical van on March 3
and the dental van on March 14. Patients were lined up to be seen at both
events and must either be currently homeless or homeless within the past
year. Chair Jason Berry noted that as a group making funding decisions,
it’s important to acknowledge the great job KCMMV does at spending
resources efficiently.
Maryelyn spoke on the Ukrainian Community Center of Washington visit
on March 7. The organization originally started in Ukrainian churches.
They also help other immigrant groups such as Muslims and East
Africans. She noted that they are looking for space in South King County
to host a young women’s meeting group. Jason said the Auburn Valley
YMCA may be able to accommodate them. Emily Pearson will get in touch
with Oleg Pynda to help coordinate details.
Rita’s House, which is run by Catholic Community Services was visited on
March 23. They are currently housing 3 occupants but the facility can
accommodate 6. The women in the program are all recovering from
substance abuse. Residents provide one-third of the rent and it’s based on
a sliding scale. Some come from jail; all must apply for a spot for housing.
CCS is also currently looking for more board members.
There was some discussion regarding the disclosing of interests among
board members, service providers and committee members. Maryelyn
said there is bound to be some overlap in these areas; Emily Pearson had
recently asked the City Clerk’s Office about the specifics of these roles
and had been referred to the City Attorney but hadn’t heard back yet.
Housing & Homelessness presentation:
Nadia Yeracaris is the City of Auburn’s Housing & Homelessness
AmeriCorps volunteer. She helps connect those in need with local
resources. This is a valuable tool since the City does not provide direct
services. Nadia administers community education and awareness to help
reduce the stigma of being homeless. Outreach is provided via a
partnership with the Auburn Public Library. JoAnne asked how often this is
going on, and Nadia said she’s at the library every Friday afternoon from
1:30 – 3:30. She likes being able to follow up with individuals she’s helped
although not everyone follows through. Nadia helps coordinate the City’s
meal program providers’ group. She’s also volunteered with United Way
for the Free Tax Prep program. Erica Azcueta stated that Nadia is
developing a program manual to help ensure that the program remains
sustainable for the next AmeriCorps volunteer. Storied Streets is a
documentary about the impact of being homeless and Nadia was able to
secure a showing of the movie at the Auburn Avenue Theater last
November. Maryelyn Scholz said she’d love to see it, and Nadia said the
library will be showing it soon after the positive feedback from the
community after the first showing. We’ve had great response from our
community partners.
IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Pediatric Interim Care Center (PICC) visit is scheduled for tomorrow,
Tuesday, March 29, at 10:30 am.
The Community Volunteer Appreciation Event is Thursday, April 14 at
4:30 at Bogey’s Restaurant at the Auburn Golf Course.
The next Human Services Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday,
April 25, 2016.
V. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
APPROVED THE _____ day of ________________, 2016
_______________________________ __________________________
Jason Berry, Human Services Committee Chair Dana Hinman, Director of Administration