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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Human Services Commission - 01/16/2020Unless otherwise noted, the Human Services Commission meets at 3 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in Kent Centennial Center, Centennial South, 400 West Gowe St. Kent, WA 98032. For additional information please contact Christine Cain at 253-856-5063 or via email at Ccain@KentWA.gov. Any person requiring a disability accommodation should contact the City Clerk’s Office at 253- 856-5725 in advance. For TDD relay service call Washington Telecommunications Relay Service at 7-1-1. Human Services Commission Agenda Commissioner: Rickie Robinson - Chair, Connie Stolpp – Co-Chair Centennial Center, Centennial South, Kent, WA 98032 January 16, 2020 3 p.m. Item Description Action Speaker Time 1.Call to order Rickie Robinson, Chair 1 2.Roll Call Rickie Robinson, Chair 1 3.Changes to the Agenda Rickie Robinson, Chair 1 4.Approval of November 21, 2019 minutes Yes Rickie Robinson, Chair 5 5.Public Comment No Rickie Robinson, Chair 5 6.Commission Alternate Seat Introduction No Rev. Dr. Joyce Parry Moore 5 7.Anti-racist, Multi-cultural Continuum Yes Kyana Wheeler 75 8.Updates/Announcements No Staff 10 9.Adjourn No Rickie Robinson 1 Kent Human Services Commission Meeting November 21, 2019 Minutes Kent, Washington Pending Approval Date: November 21, 2019 Time: 3 p.m. Place: Centennial Center Room 401 Agenda: 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 3:12 p.m. 2. Roll Call Rickie Robinson, Co-Chair Gina Bellisario, Commissioner Selamavit Demssie, Commissioner Mike Heinisch, Commissioner Connie Stolpp, Commissioner Dennis Higgins, Council Member Merina Hanson, Human Services Manager Dinah Wilson, Senior CDBG Planner Lori Guilfoyle, Senior Human Services Planner Christine Cain, Human Services Planner Absent: Zenovia Harris – Chair Bill Hallerman - Commissioner Sara Roach, Commissioner Vacant, Commissioner Alternate Vacant, Student Commissioner 3. Changes to the Agenda There were no changes to the agenda. 4. Approval of October 17, 2019 Minutes Commissioner Robinson motioned to approve the minute from October 17, 2019. Commissioner Bellisario MOVED to approve the minutes, and Commissioner Demssie SECONDED the motion. Motion passed unanimously by a vote of 6-0. 5. Public Comment No public comment was provided. 6. King County Housing Authority Assessment - Presentation Director of Resident Services, Jenn Ramirez Robinson, presented information and updates from the King County Housing Authority (KCHA). Kent Human Services Commission Meeting November 21, 2019 Minutes Kent, Washington Pending Approval KCHA manages 5,000 public housing units throughout the County. Currently there are 17,000 households on the public housing waitlist and the expected wait is 4-7 years. The waitlist will be opening February 12 through 25, 2020 for the first time since 2017. Applications for the waitlist will be available online. 2,500 households will be selected via a randomized process to be placed on the waitlist. New voucher holders will be eligible for move-in financial assistance. They expect to exhaust the current waiting list by the end of February. When KCHA last opened the waiting list in 2017 there were 20,000 applicants. Based on data, Native American/Alaskan Native, Hispanic, African American, and homeless populations are highly underrepresented in their housing. A Racial Equity and Diversity team has been formed to aid intentional efforts in reaching these underserved populations. KCHA is applying to the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Grant Program to fund a Service Coordinator that will serve the public housing properties in Kent and Auburn. A needs assessment surveyed five sites (347 units) and responses were received from 88 households, citing the following community needs: financial literacy, financial security, health and wellness – dental care, help with anxiety and stress, employment services, employment specific to those with disabilities, child care, and transportation. In response, KCHA is proposing to have a dedicated financial empowerment coordinator to facilitate training and workshops for both staff and residents on financial management. KCHA is developing a community restoration initiative using a Human-Centered Design approach to restore residents’ sense of wholeness and safety. Two community summits are being planned for residents to define where they want to go and how they want to get there. KCHA plans to coordinate with community partners and host two community summits in May in Kent and Auburn. 7. Human Services Commission Co-Chair Nomination Commissioner Robinson motioned to nominate Connie Stolpp as the next Human Service Commission Co-Chair. Commissioner Heinisch so MOVED, and Commissioner Demssie SECONDED. Motion passed unanimously 5-0. 8. Updates and Announcements • Human Services is currently seeking applications to fill a commission alternate seat. Applications can be submitted here. • Holy Spirit Church is working with staff to be a backup location to the Severe Weather Shelter at Kent Lutheran Church. Catholic Community Services will continue to partner as the service provider at either location during a severe Kent Human Services Commission Meeting November 21, 2019 Minutes Kent, Washington Pending Approval weather activation. Union Gospel Mission has offered to assist in supplying mats, blankets and laundry service. • The Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy have three RFP’s open: o Understanding Community Priorities – A community-based assessment program to complement VSHSL community partnership efforts; 2-year, $40,000 per year contracts will be issued to representatives of communities with unique conditions or needs that may not be well captured through conventional community partnership approaches. o Civil Legal Services for eviction prevention - This program will provide equal access to legal representation for veterans, seniors and vulnerable populations facing a legal eviction. o Promoting Financial Literacy – This program will fund a community- based organization or organizations to provide financial literacy services to seniors referred by VSHSL-funded senior centers. • December Winter Celebration location and details TBD. 8. Adjournment Commissioner Robinson adjourned the meeting at 4:26 pm. Christine Cain Recording Secretary November 21, 2019