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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Human Services Commission - 06/20/2019 (2)Kent Human Services Commission Meeting June 20, 2019 Minutes Kent, Washington Approved Date: June 20, 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 Zenovia Harris, Chair Rickie Robinson, Co-Chair Bill Hallerman, Commissioner Andy Rosas, Commissioner Connie Stolpp, Commissioner (Alternate) Dennis Higgins, Council Member Lori Guilfoyle, Coordinator Christine Cain, Coordinator Absent: Gina Bellisario, Commissioner Selamavit Demssie, Commissioner Sara Roach, Commissioner Merina Hanson, Human Services Manager Dinah Wilson, CDBG Coordinator Mike Heinisch, Commissioner Vacant, Student Commissioner 3. Changes to the Agenda There are no changes to the agenda. 4. Approval of May 16, 2019 Minutes No quorum. 5. Public Comment No Public Comment. 6. Presentation – Judy de Barros Judy de Barros presented on the evaluation of the first parallel application funding cycle. The evaluation is based on interviews completed by successfully funded programs and programs that applied but were declined. The parallel application cycle funds smaller, emerging cultural-based organizations. These providers serve residents that are under-resourced and underrepresented Kent Human Services Commission Meeting June 20, 2019 Minutes Kent, Washington Approved including immigrants, refugees, English language learners, People of Color, LGBTQ and/or people with disabilities. Recognizing the value of community-led organizations reaching vulnerable residents, in 2015-16, the Cities of Kent, Federal Way, and Tukwila, in collaboration with Seattle Foundation, developed the Parallel Application Process. Key findings include: • The Parallel Application Process reached many organizations that had never applied for Human Services funding. • Contracting, data reporting and invoicing were difficult. • Funding match provided by Seattle Foundation was missed the second year of funding. • Narrative reports told of successes and barriers, informing and educating funders. Participating funders and organizations recommended practice and policy changes that increase the accessibility of funding and support greater inclusion of smaller organizations by: • Adopting funding and reporting strategies that build capacity. • Building relationships with communities, other funders, and grantees. • Consider changing practices and guidelines to increase inclusion and accessibility. Through the process, Human Services funders gained an increased understanding of barriers to funding smaller organizations, built and strengthened relationships with smaller/newer organizations, and learned about new programs and communities. Parallel Application Participants that were successfully funded gained visibility, learned how to fulfill government contracts, and leveraged grants and training opportunities. Through this process, insights gained, and recommendations will be used to inform future strategies, practice and policy changes. 7. Community Engagement Debrief – Lori Guilfoyle Human Services Coordinator, Lori Guilfoyle, presented information collected from the Cultural Communities Board and other community engagement events. Common themes voiced by participants included gaps in services such as; state licensing restrictions affecting home-based childcare providers, funding for move-in costs such as deposits and first and last month’s rent, job/workforce development, places for youth to go after school that promote positive social interactions, substance abuse services, cultural orientation for newly arriving immigrants and refugees, and legal resources. Staff is looking at the six current Human Services priorities and asking the community for the following input: Do the current priorities still fit Kent? What’s missing? Is there wording that should be changed? Kent Human Services Commission Meeting June 20, 2019 Minutes Kent, Washington Approved Suggestions collected from the community include: • Changing Self-Reliance to Self-Resilience. • Redefining Strengthening Children and Families. Community members feel it is very family and child-focused. There is a desire for more emphasis on reaching older teens and young adults ages 18-24. • Adding a priority for older adults and aging in place that relates to eviction, isolation and mental health. • Broadening the definition of Community Building to include community safety, walkability and having safe places to be in the community. • Developing a clearer definition of community and how it intersects with Kent. Specifically, multi-cultural inclusion, integrating and coming together with others. • Creating an Opportunity Fund to be used for emerging, innovative ideas that is easier to apply for and outside the normal funding process. • Creating links between cultural arts, social networks, prevention, and wellbeing. Staff recommends canceling the scheduled July meeting and reconvening in August to review new priorities and strategies and a high-level draft of the Human Services Master Plan and CDBG Annual Action Plan. 8. Adjournment At 4:30 p.m. Commissioner Harris declared the meeting adjourned. Christine Cain Recording Secretary June 20, 2019