HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-11 Budget Committee MinutesSOCIAL SERVICE GRANT PRESENTATIONS
March 11, 2009- Page 1-7
Social Services Grant Presentations
Minutes
March 11 and 12, 2009 7pm
Civic Center, Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street
CALL TO ORDER
The Citizen's Budget Committee meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm on March 11, 2009 in
Council Chambers, 1175 East Main St., Ashland Oregon.
ROLL CALL
Committee members Everson, Heimann, Slattery, Jackson, and Thompson were present on
March 11, 2009. Everson, Heimann, Slattery, Jackson, Thompson, and Lemhouse were
present on March 12, 2009.
STAFF PRESNT LEE TUNEBERG, ADMINSTRATIVE SERVICES/FINANCE DIRECTOR
BRYN MORRISON, ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE
MELISSA HUHTALA, ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY
ELECTION OF A CHAIR
Heimann/Everson ms Thompson as chair. All ayes.
PUBLIC INPUT
None
STAFF REPORT AND PRESENTATIONS:
Thompson thanked the organizations that applied. She explained that there are 24 applicants
requesting a total of $184,324 and 118,342 is available for distribution. She discussed how
each Subcommittee member reviewed all paper work and will work hard on making decisions
on how the funds will be distributed.
The Committee decided to allow each organization 3 minutes to present.
Committee questioned whether Social Service groups have a minimum allocation. Mr.
Tuneberg stated he is not aware of any agreement. $1000 is the least that has been granted in
past years. The Committee decided that $1000 would be the minimum.
Help Now Advocacy Center -Larry Kahn. They do critical crisis intervention. They help people
in crisis situations when they are too traumatized to help themselves. They are proposing
funding for an outreach and support program of emergency services. This organization has
been active for the passed 5 years.
Mr. Slattery asked if they received less then $3100.00 what would that mean to the
organization. Mr. Kahn answered that the amount of time able to expand on the project might be
limited and more volunteers will be needed. Ms. Everson questioned what category the
organization falls in based on the City's Human Services Grant history? Mr. Kahn answered
SOCIAL SERVICE GRANT PRESENTATIONS
March 11, 2009- Page 2-7
emergency and safety services. The Outreach would be fire department and police department
and other groups such as SART, Dunn House.
The Gleaning Network -Ralph Patterson. The Gleaning Network has existed in Southern
Oregon for 30 years the foundation is based on people who want to support the community by
providing food stubs. Due to the economy it is difficult to support families with food. They are
asking $30,000.00 to acquire a refrigeration vehicle. Distribution would be more adequate with
a refrigeration vehicle. This program has helped people who cannot provide for themselves.
Ms. Everson asked what their tax status is. Mr. Patterson answered 501(C) (3).
Mr. Heimann asked if they were looking for a used refrigerator vehicle. Mr. Patterson answered
yes. They have looked around at prices but no commitments have been made.
WinterSpring Center -Sue Carroll. This is a community based grievant support agency for
adults, teens and children. They help people who are grieving and give support. They are
requesting funding for the children and teen programs. Research shows that grieving teens
likely to have depression, anxiety and poor academic performance. They have a number of
school based services in Ashland. They provide support training and education to staff, parents
and community members.
Community Works -(Street Outreach). This is a program that serves the runaway, homeless
and street youth of Ashland. The program focused on meeting the basic survival needs of the
youth, giving them access to emergency shelter and education for maintaining safety. The
second focus is to empower youth to become self-sufficient members in the community. Street
advocates and volunteers are able to provide food, clothing, hygiene and first aid needs. They
also provide alcohol and drug services as well as education on sexual exploitation and violence
issues. They have formed collaboration with Planned Parenthood for the youth to be supplied
with birth control and to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STD's). They focus on
empowering the youth to have a positive way of living. Ms. Everson asked if there are other
providers of homeless youth in Ashland. They answered not in Ashland but there are in
Ashland.
Community Works -(Dunn House). This is an emergency shelter for woman and children who
flee due to domestic violence. It is a 30 day stay they house up to 13 adult woman and as many
children that are with the woman at a time. The provide food and bedding. They provide a
parenting group, support group for woman, a children's therapist and a children's play activities
group and support groups for the woman. They have support groups 24/7. Due to the remodel
a year and a half ago they were able to expand how many people they can house. People are
staying longer then 30 days because it is more difficult to find jobs and housing due to the
economy.
Community Works- (Sexual Assault Victim Services). They are a crisis response service for
the sexually assaulted they are available 24/7. They provide clothing for the victim to leave the
hospital. They don't serve children but If a child is sexually assaulted they still go and support
family and friends. They take calls from victims and accompany them for what services they
need such as medical appointments or court appointments. Since the last applications they
have had an increase of 42% of sexual assault victims they served. They work with Ashland
Police Department, SART, and the Women's Resource Center at SOU.
Community Works-(Helpline). This is a 24/7 information and crisis line. Crisis calls have
increased. They are the phone service for after hour Jackson County Mental Health. They also
provide reassurance calls to seniors. They are requesting a big increase because they are
operating with a part-time staff for a 24/7 service. They need more money for staff to be
sufficient and effective system for Jackson County.
SOCIAL SERVICE GRANT PRESENTATIONS
March 11, 2009- Page 3-7
Jackson County Child Abuse Task Force. They have been providing services for over 18
years and have served over 13,000 children. In 2008 they served 895 children. They have
trained child abuse therapists and provide 3 mentoring programs. They work with 23 other
agencies all of which bring the children to the Advocacy Center to perform the services required.
Ms. Everson questioned the client base increase? There has been a steady increase of about
10% a year in all cities except Ashland which is lower.
SOCSTC-Leslie Curren. They are an outpatient program which serves children with server
mental problems who have medical cards. They are referred through schools, Jackson County
and Physicians. Each year they exceed the number of clients projected and they are projecting
that there will be a strong need for their services due to the economy.
SOASTC-Bob Lieberman. They are based in Grants Pass. They serve ages 4-24. They
serve children from Jackson County but not many from Ashland due to no staff directly in
Ashland. They treat families who have children with mental health problems. They use a
Respite program that allows the families to choose their choice of provider. They had a
reduction of funds last year so they are requesting a roll over to utilize the dollars previously
given to them. Ms. Jackson asked if families in Ashland can get help in Ashland. Mr.
Lieberman said yes they use their Respite service to find a provider.
Children's Dental Clinic -Deb Silva. They serve low income families who do not have dental
insurance. 24% of school children who are without dental insurance and will more likely have
dental decay. They have served 51 years in Jackson County. They have a volunteer staff of
35 Dentists, 8 hygienists, 20 OIT student volunteers and15 specialist who see children in their
own offices. They provide essential dental care and preventative care. Last year they served
324 children and provided $285,000 of free dental care for those children. There has been an
increase in demand for their services this year. They have scene 12 children from Ashland.
Their current costs are $19 per child. Ms. Jackson asked how people get referred to them. Ms.
Silva responded that most referrals come from the school nurses. They also collaborate with
other programs such as Happy Smiles that make referrals. Ms. Everson asked how they work
with Happy Smiles. Ms. Silva explained that Happy Smiles makes referrals after they screen
the children. Ms. Thompson questioned why only 12 children have been scene in Ashland. Ms.
Silva stated that the schools are not distributing the applications properly.
RV Manor Foster Grandparent Program RSVP -Becky Snyder. This program was brought to
the Rogue Valley in 1975. The program is federally mandated and they require a 10% local
monetary match to qualify for federal grants. They utilize volunteers ages 60 and above. They
emphasize on lower income volunteers. If they need the income eligibility of 125% of poverty
they are eligible for a non-taxable non -declarable stipend of $2.65/hr. The level is $1,128/month
for a single person household or $1,518/month for a 2 person household. The median income
of an Ashland resident serving as a foster grandparent is $926.00/month. During the last fiscal
year 5 foster grandparents Ashland residents worked at 7 different sights and they worked with
over 100 children.
RV Manor Community Services RSVP -Becky Snyder. This program was brought to the
Rogue Valley in 1976. RSVP volunteers are ages 55 and above. The volunteers are all income
inclusive. The RSVP program helps senior clients here in Ashland. They provide support for
the volunteers with mileage reimbursement. There were 40 individuals who received 286 rides
through the medical transportation program and 120 Ashland residents received help for
medical issues. The need and support for volunteers will continue to increase.
Ms. Jackson asked if they have a volunteer coordinator and established training programs. Ms
Snyder answered yes; they have an executive director and an assistant director. They also
have administrative assistants in each program to do the paperwork.
SOCIAL SERVICE GRANT PRESENTATIONS
March 11, 2009- Page 4-7
Ms. Everson questioned if they were ready for volunteers to help with the closure of Trinity? Ms.
Snyder answered yes.
Southern Oregon Drug Awareness (SODA), no one to present.
Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)-Susan Mullen. They provide free trained examiners
and comfort for the sexually assaulted. They have nurses who provide tools for public safety
and health. They are asking for funding for the sexual assault nurse examiner program. 1 in 4
women among us will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime as well as men. The numbers they
are serving are growing and will continue to grow
Ms. Everson questioned the numbers going up. Ms. Mullen answered that statistics nationally
suggests that there is a sexual assault once every two days. As for SOU students they see
sometimes none in a year and believe it is because nothing is being recorded. Oregon has the
highest non -recorded rate in the Country, about 10% report.
Mr. Heimann asked if they are going to put more effort into education. Ms. Mullen responded
yes, they are looking into finding more administrative support.
Center for Non -Profit Legal Services -Debra Lee. They are the only legal services program in
Jackson County. They have 5 attorneys on staff. They have a 37% increase of new clients due
to more collections and foreclosures. Their staff specializes in Family Law, Housing, Consumer,
Public Benefits and Individual rights unit. Ms. Everson questions the big increase. Ms. Lee
responds it isn't that big and that they serve about 6% of Ashland residents.
Mediation Works -Mary Miller. This is a conflict resolution organization. They started in
Ashland in 1990 and have a strong base in Ashland more then 50% of their volunteers come
from Ashland. One of their larges programs is in the schools. They do 3 types of programs in
schools one is called Choice Point and it is the bullying and harassment program. They are the
leaders in bullying and harassment prevention training in the County. They are asking for funds
to teach classes at the Ashland middle school and teach 4 sessions of 3 classes each
semester. Ms. Jackson asked if the classes are established through health classes. Ms. Miller
answered yes. Ms. Thompson asked if this has it been worked out with the school district. Ms.
Miller not yet but intend to.
Community Health Center -Peg Crowley. Since 1972 they have been the primary health care
service. They provide prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and management of
chronic diseases. They served 1,240 Ashland residents were served last year 60% were
uninsured. The numbers will continue to increase.
CASA-Steve Young. CASA fills the legal, unduplicated and unfunded mandate by the state of
Oregon for a court appointed special advocate for each child. They make sure the educational,
emotional, and medical needs are being met for the children. There is a volunteer training
program. Of the 153 volunteers 35 are from Ashland. In 2008, 11 children were served in
Ashland. They are requesting funds to continue recruitment.
Ms. Everson asked if the children who are served through the Children Advocacy Center
receive CASA's? Mr. Young answered yes they can. The top priority children depend on the
severity of abuse and the safety of the child.
Planned Parenthood -Stacy Kostenbauer. This proposal is a direct response in a national
need and local need. 1 in 4 teenage girls has a sexual transmitted infection. They are
launching a campaign called Get Yourself Tested. They are requesting the funds to serve up to
100 clients both men and women in Ashland and to support the homeless youth if they need
testing and treatment. They also want to education on birth control and sexuality. Ms. Jackson
asked if they had a good relationship with school nurses. Ms. Kostenbauer answered yes. Ms.
SOCIAL SERVICE GRANT PRESENTATIONS
March 11, 2009- Page 5-7
Mr. Heimann asked of the people who are tested positive get successful treatment. Ms.
Kostenbauer answered 100%.
Pathway Enterprises (Cabinets) -Debbie Simpson. Void request.
Pathway Enterprises (Disaster Packs) -Debbie Simpson. They have been part of Ashland for
25 years. They provide housing and employment support to adults with disabilities. There are 5
group homes 2 are in Ashland. The OAR requires that there is 24/7 support service for people
in group homes to have disaster preparedness. In the disaster packs there are medications,
cooking supplies etc. With the funds requested 80 people would be supported.
Access Inc. -Phillip Yates. They are a Food share program which is a State designated food
program for Jackson County. They provide emergency food to every community in the County.
Bring resources in locally and all over the state and different parts of the country. Each dollar
provides 4-5lbs of food. They have 6 employees and 300 volunteers throughout a network of 19
food factories. Mr. Yates provided an example food box which holds 60 Ibs of food that feeds a
family of 3 for 3-5 days. Over 60% of people receiving food stamps say they only last 2 weeks.
The demand on food banks has increased over the years. They provide about 2.2 million Ibs. of
food a year to 3200 families. The money requested would provide 350 families food boxes for
the year.
On Track -Rita Sullivan. This is a substance abuse treatment program. Publicly funded
substance abuse treatment is scarce in Oregon, especially for adolescence. Currently 1 in 11
kids need these services. They have been providing treatment since 1979. Ms. Thompson
asked how many Ashland people they see. Ms. Sullivan answered the records estimate 20% of
the 6,000 they see are from Ashland.
Mr. Heimann questioned if the drug of choice has changed. Ms. Sullivan answered that there is
less production of methamphetamine. Always stable usage is alcohol and marijuana, cocaine
and prescription drug use.
The Committee discussed if SODA should be allowed to present at the beginning of the next
meeting. It was decided that they will be allowed to present.
This meeting will be continued on March 12, 2009.
PRESENTATIONS CONTINUED:
SODA -Shawn Martinez. Their mission is to prevent underage and adult misuse of alcohol,
tobacco and other drugs. They focus on prevention, treatment and maintenance. Their main
focus is universal prevention. They reach out to the youth and community with information and
resources to help prevent drug use. They are requesting the funding for training for youth
advisors, awareness campaigns, information resources and peer to peer presentations.
Ms. Jackson asked where in Ashland they have functions. Ms. Martinez responded that they
have youth leadership training at Ashland Middle School. 15 students attended the training and
came up with an action plan to implement to the middle school. They have information
resources at SOU health fair. Mr. Heimann questioned the specific training for parents. Ms.
Martinez responded they do not have a training they have one on one consultations.
ALLOCATIONS:
Ms. Thompson explained the process of the session. It was determined that the Committee
would look at averages and begin where there were in agreement and go back to the
disagreements.
SOCIAL SERVICE GRANT PRESENTATIONS
March 11, 2009- Page 6-7
On -Track -The Committee was all in agreement.
CASA-The Committee was all in agreement.
RV Manor Foster Grandparents RSVP -The Committee was all in agreement.
Children's Dental Clinic -The Committee was all in agreement.
Access -The Committee agreed with the average.
Pathway Enterprises -Ms. Thompson felt this organization was not Ashland based. Ms.
Everson felt that this small amount they are asking for was definitely in need. Ms. Jackson felt it
was needed.
Planned Parenthood -The Committee agreed that the amount of STD's in Ashland is alarming.
The Committee felt it is essential to have prevention and treatment services.
Community Works Sexual Assault Victim Services -The Committee agreed to the average.
Ms. Thompson felt that this organization and SART are two related services so kept her
allocation conservative. Ms. Jackson stated that she took the small requests that she saw a lot
of value in and gave the total request.
SART-The Committee agreed to the average.
Community Health Center -Ms. Thompson felt that they serve large numbers and are an
Ashland based organization. There is no duplicate place and the need for their services will be
going up due to the economy and loss of health care.
Mediation Works -Mr. Heimann felt they didn't confirm the program was in place. Ms. Everson
stated that they are in the process of relationship building.
Legal Services- Ms. Thompson felt there request was reasonable because they are the only
organization we have for legal services. Ms. Jackson was looking more focus and didn't feel
that they were needed for crisis.
WinterSpring Center -Ms. Jackson felt money could go elsewhere. Ms. Jackson stated
astonishment by the deaths among our high school and this is a small amount of money for an
under funded organization. The Committee spoke that it is an important organization to support
the youth.
SODA -Mr. Lemhouse felt this program is critical for children in Ashland since there is no more
DARE program and there are no school resource officers. The Committee agreed the children
need the support.
RV Manor Community Services RSVP -Ms. Everson felt that this is a great program that relies
on volunteers.
SOASTC-The Committee discussed that they were straight forward on what they would do with
the money.
SOCSTC-The Committee agreed with the average.
Jackson County Child Abuse Task Force- Mr. Lemhouse commented on the enormous
amount of children sex abuse cases and feels this service is very crucial for the children.
SOCIAL SERVICE GRANT PRESENTATIONS
March 11, 2009- Page 7-7
Community Works Helpline- The Committee discussed the importance of this service.
Community Works Dunn House- The Committee discussed how this service is a safety net
and is important for the community.
Community Works Street Outreach -The Committee discussed the importance of prevention
programs and the need for them.
Gleaning Network -The Committee discussed that a refrigerator truck is out of reach.
Help Now Advocacy Center- The Committee agreed with the average.
Everson/Slattery move to approve the proposed allocations as presented. All ayes.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Huhtala
Administrative Secretary
Organization
Requested
Proposed
Help Now! Advocacy Center
$ 3,100
$ 1,133
The Gleaning Network of Southern Oregon
30,000
-
Community Works Street Outreach
10,000
8,000
Community Works Dunn House
17,078
15,270
Community Works Helpline
16,550
10,250
Community Works Sexual Assault Victim
3,000
2,600
Services
Jackson County Child Abuse Task Force
4,093
4,000
SOCSTC
2,940
2,815
SOASTC
1,523
1,200
Children's Dental Clinic
3,285
3,285
RV Manor Foster Grandparent Program, RVSP
2,000
1,500
RV Manor Community Services/RSVP
3,000
2,000
Southern Oregon Drug Awareness
1,500
1,500
WinterSpring Center Transforming Grief and
2,000
1,350
Loss
Jackson County SART
3,000
2,480
Center for Non Profit Legal Services
7,255
6,039
Mediation Works
5,000
2,100
Community Health Center
37,000
35,000
CASA of Jackson County
2,000
2,000
Planned Parenthood Of Southwestern Oregon
5,000
4,000
Pathway Enterprises, Inc.(cabinets)
11,000
-
Pathway Enterprises, Inc.(disaster)
5,000
3,120
Access, Inc
6,000
5,700
On Track Inc.
3,000
3,000
Total Requested
$184,324
$118,342
Total Amount Available
$118,342
$0