HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Human Services Commission - 11/18/2021 Kent Human Services Commission Meeting November 18, 2021
Minutes Kent, Washington
Final Approved
Date: November 18, 2021
Time: 3 p.m.
Place: Zoom Virtual Meeting
Agenda:
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Connie Stolpp, Chair
Gina Bellisario, Commissioner
Zenovia Harris, Commissioner
Kelly Guy, Commissioner
Zandria Michaud, Council Member
Merina Hanson, Human Services Manager
Lori Guilfoyle, Senior Human Services Planner
Dinah Wilson, Senior CDBG Planner
Absent:
Bill Hallerman, Commissioner
Rickie Robinson, Commissioner
Selam Demssie, Co-Chair
Christine Cain, Human Services Planner
3. Approval of October 21, 2021 Minutes
Commissioner Harris MOVED to approve the Minutes. Commissioner Guy
SECONDED the motion.
4. Afghan Resettlement
Sarah Peterson, Washington State Refugee Coordinator, Office of Refugee and
Immigrant Assistance provided an overview of refugee resettlement and current
information regarding Afghan arrivals. The majority of arrivals are called
"humanitarian paroles" and have some basic supports for up to 2 years. Supports
include housing, food, and legal assistance, and case management. The number of
recent arrivals is significant with more than 793 people arriving in Washington state
and a significant number of those locating in SKC. The Health Promotion Program
recently funded Afghan Health Initiative for a men's mental health program.
Housing is one of the biggest challenges - everyone wants to live in Kent (Sarah)
S. Youth Mental Health
Staff provided an update of the Youth Mental Health funds allocated by City Council.
6 organizations received funds and they programs have utilized funds in multiple
Kent Human Services Commission Meeting November 18, 2021
Minutes Kent, Washington
Final Approved
ways to support youth mental health and make better connections to mental health
providers. In Many programs, staff also received training to support youth mental
health and wellness. Many of the programs included elements of art and music
therapy, physical health and nutrition education, and forming healthy relationships.
All the programs had strong elements specific to culture, language and family
dynamics and worked to shift the culture of mental health and stigma in the
community.
6. 2022 Application Process Training
Staff provided a couple suggestions for commission training connected to the
upcoming grant review process but support the Commission overall equity
vision/mission. The suggestions are connected to Pillar 6 of the Grantmaking
analysis: Pillar 6-C - Community centered equitable decision making: Support
Commission members' desire to practice regular, authentic engagement with
community. Staff included:
• Facilitated discussion on viewing policies through a narrow lens (or even as
written) could impact equity: limiting funding priorities to existing ones;
continuing to fund larger, well-known organizations with a larger percentage
of HS funds when smaller orgs, which are often BIPOC-led, have historically
receive none or a smaller % of funds are expected to compete with larger
orgs without consideration of disproportionality
• Meeting with a funder(s) that shifted funding priorities to increase equity and
hearing how their thinking evolved
• CBO Panel & facilitated discussion on why it's important to value results
rather than service units and trusting the community to tell us the impact of
their work-this may include assessing impact with a new lens
• What should we consider funding that we don't already fund, e.g.,
organization capacity, space, technology (computers, printers, laptops,
tablets), organizational funding vs. program funding, etc.?
Next level anti-bias training (staff would explore options)
Commission did not reject any of the suggestions.
Commissioners also requested:
• A more detailed overview of the organizations/program funded
• Discussion/learning more about results/outcomes through an equity lens
Kent Human Services Commission Meeting November 18, 2021
Minutes Kent, Washington
Final Approved
• Panels of current partners as well as new organizations
• Panel on organizations serving Afghans
7. EPRAP Update
PowerPoint attached.
S. Updates
SWS - staff continue to work with community partners to develop options as well
as put together "kits" that will include hats, gloves, handwarmers and other such
items.
Dinah Senior CDBG Coordinator, Dinah Wilson, received the Catholic Community
Services of Western WA 2021 Jack Witte Spirit of Caring Award for her impact on
Katherine's and Rita's House, transitional housing facilities for homeless women in
recovery from substance abuse.
Staff coordinated (with ECD) a Communities Facilities Workshop. About 10
community leaders attended, Agnes Navarro Executive Director of the Filipino
Community Center provided and excellent presentation that included the steps they
recently took to develop the Filipino Village, a senior housing facility with space for
STEM learning center, which is located next to the Filipino Community Center.
9. Adjournment
Commissioner Stolpp adjourned the meeting at 4:28 pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Lori Guilfoyle