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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-2014 Approved HSC MinutesCITY OF DUBLIN HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Minutes CITY OF DUBLIN October 23, 2014 The October 23, 2014 Human Services Commission (HSC) was called to order at 7:01:13 PM at the Dublin Civic Center, Dublin, California, by Chair Lockhart. ROLL CALL Commissioners (Cm.) Present: Lockhart, McCormick, Muetterties Commissioners Absent: Vice Chair (VC) Brown, Wakamoto-Lee PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Lockhart led the Pledge of Allegiance. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 3.1 Public Comments Ralph Johnson, Director of Homeless and Family Support Services, with Tri-Valley Haven (Haven) provided an update of the Haven's food pantry. The hours of operation are Monday - Wednesday 1:00-5:00 PM and Thursday 1:00-7:00 PM. The Haven is servicing an average of 40-60 households each day. The families receive donated food, including an emergency food box. Mr. Johnson also spoke of the Haven's participation in Cal -Fresh, an Alameda County program. The Haven has a part-time new staff member that will work at the Haven's food pantry helping people enroll in the Cal -Fresh program. This new staff member is looking for Dublin locations to assist people in Cal -Fresh enrollment. He asked the HSC for suggestions on potential locations in Dublin where outreach would make sense. Cm. McCormick asked if the Haven is looking for office space in these outreach locations. Mr. Johnson clarified that office space is not necessary, just a table and chair would be needed. He mentioned that the post office or supermarket might be suitable. Chair Lockhart suggested the community room at Emerald Vista because it would provide a location and audience, seniors and families, who may be in need of the Cal -Fresh program. She also recommended reaching out to Gloria Gregory with CityServe who is working with Valley High School on identifying and responding to community needs. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS 4. July 24, 2014 On a motion by Cm. McCormick and seconded by Cm. Muetterties, on a vote of 3-0-2, the HSC approved the minutes of the July 24, 2014 meeting. Vc. Brown and Cm. Wakamoto-Lee were absent from the meeting. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS — None HSC Meeting Minutes, October 23, 2014 Page 1 of 6 PUBLIC HEARING — None UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None NEW BUSINESS 8.1 . Alameda County social services provided to Dublin residents Josh Thurman, Deputy Chief of Staff from Alameda County Supervisor Haggerty's Office, presented information on the social services provided to Dublin residents by Alameda County agencies. Chair Lockhart asked where La Clinica de la Raza is located. Mr. Thurman responded that the clinic is in Oakland, California. Chair Lockhart asked if any hospitals in the Tri-Valley participate in publicly funded dental care programs. Mr. Thurman responded no. Chair Lockhart asked if there are mental health services available at Valley High School. Mr. Thurman responded yes. Additionally, early intervention services are provided at Fallon Middle School where Coordination of Services Team meetings are held weekly. During the 2013 school year there were 220 mental health sessions between staff and students. Chair Lockhart noted the pressure students are under from family to achieve a high level of performance in school. Mr. Thurman agreed that mental health services in the schools and dental services have been identified as major needs in the Tri-Valley. Chair Lockhart asked if the money funded for In -Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is for caretakers in the home. Mr. Thurman responded yes. Amy Cunningham, Assistant to the City Manager, explained that the congregate meal program was previously provided by Spectrum Community Services (Spectrum) and as of July 2014, Open Heart Kitchen is providing all senior congregate meal programs in the Tri-Valley. Mr. Thurman stated that Spectrum has provided a wonderful service. For this funding cycle, Alameda County was looking for a Tri-Valley based provider and Open Heart Kitchen filled the HSC Meeting Minutes, October 23, 2014 Page 2 of 6 need. He next stated that there are only two Dublin dentists in the Tri-Valley that take Denti-Cal patients. Ms. Cunningham stated that the Tri-Valley Cities met with Sue Compton at Axis Community Health to discuss dental care services and potential funding through Alameda County to attract private dentists. The level of Denti-Cal subsidies prove to be an obstacle in enticing dentists to participate in the program. Mr. Thurman stated that specialty medical services are not provided in the Tri-Valley. He mentioned there are discussions with Alameda Health Systems to co -locate the top three referred services to Axis. He explained that the volume of people requiring specialized services dictates the services offered in an area. At this point, the volume in the Tri-Valley has not substantiated the need for providing these services locally. Chair Lockhart stated that if the service is available in the Tri-Valley, she believes the volume will increase. She explained that the Tri-Valley HSC Commissions are jointly focused on mental health and dental health as top priorities. In the past the Tri-Valley cities may have focused on health services within their own city, but now the focus is providing a facility within the Tri-Valley that can provide these services. She next mentioned a dental vehicle program that the City of Pleasanton was trying to get up -and -running. Ms. Cunningham explained that the dental vehicle program has been studied and currently is not moving forward. Mr. Thurman explained that while a dental vehicle does provide screening, a medical home is still needed to provide the dental services. Chair Lockhart responded that if there was a medical home at Axis then appointments could be set up at a facility. Ms. Cunningham explained that a mobile dental van only accommodates one person at a time, so logistically and financially it would be difficult to fund. She mentioned that conversations with Axis are in process to provide a space for dental services. There is an opportunity to share administrative and other overhead expenses by co -locating dental services with medical services. Additionally, the Cities will be in contact with Southern Alameda County Dental Association's president to obtain the perspective of dental professionals regarding the challenges of providing these services. Chair Lockhart stated that if kids are insured and there is a sufficient volume, the dental van might be a viable option. Mr. Thurman indicated that the State has reinstated dental services for adults. In addition to the University of the Pacific Dental Clinic, a satellite school located in Union City, accepts Denti-Cal. HSC Meeting Minutes, October 23, 2014 Page 3 of 6 He then mentioned that operational funding for a mobile dental is costly. Funding the driver alone costs nearly $50,000 due to special licensing. From a County perspective it is not effective to fund an exam without a medical home to conduct needed treatment. Chair Lockhart asked Mr. Thurman for an update on a potential youth center in the Tri-Valley. Mr. Thurman explained that a youth center was explored in Livermore, but the volume of reimbursement would not cover the cost. He then mentioned that the center in San Lorenzo cost $20 million to build and $8-$10 million a year to operate. Chair Lockhart asked how San Lorenzo is able to afford operating the facility. Mr. Thurman stated that San Lorenzo received redevelopment funds. Cm. McCormick asked for a copy of the Mr. Thurman's presentation. Ms. Cunningham responded that a copy of Mr. Thurman's presentation will be forwarded to the HSC. She then asked Mr. Thurman if substance abuse programs in the Tri-Valley are provided only by Axis. Mr. Thurman confirmed that all the substance abuse programs in the Tri-Valley are provided by Axis. Ms. Cunningham asked the HSC if they would like to defer the conversation about the presentation until all the HSC members are present. Chair Lockhart suggested providing the presentation data to the Commissioners who were absent and then discussing it as a group. Cm. McCormick stated that the presentation was helpful in identifying funding needs and will be useful when recommending funds for the Community Grant Program. Chair Lockhart stated that she felt tonight's presentation confirmed that funding should include programs that support mental and dental health. Marlene Petersen, Director of Senior Support Services (Senior Support) stated that they are serving over 300 seniors in the Dublin area. In addition to case management they provide mental health and transportation programs. She mentioned that in the past a dental van was used for exams and would visit senior centers. The seniors would then need to be transported to San Leandro for the dental work. That particular dentist billed Denti-Cal. She emphasized that without proper dental care, stomach problems are a real issue for seniors. HSC Meeting Minutes, October 23, 2014 Page 4 of 6 Chair Lockhart asked if seniors need chiropractic services because she knows several chiropractors who are willing to provide this service to seniors. Ms. Petersen stated that Senior Support offers in -home fitness programs and that no seniors have requested chiropractic services. She stated that seniors may not ask for this service because they are not familiar with what it entails. 8.2 Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Community Grant Program: Grant Recipient Year -End Reports Ms. Cunningham presented the Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Community Grant Program year-end summary reports submitted by grant recipients. Cm. Muetterties asked if the Community Grant funding amount will be the same dollar amount as last year. Ms. Cunningham stated that Community Development Block Grant funding, provided through Alameda County, may be reduced as a result of federal budget reductions. Chair Lockhart asked when the City Council will start the strategic planning process. Ms. Cunningham stated that the start date has not been identified. She stated that the HSC will be notified when it commences. Cm. McCormick asked if the art program applicants are eligible to apply for Community Grant Program funding. Ms. Cunningham stated that the arts program applicants remain eligible to apply for Community Grant Program funding. She then related how the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission provided recommendations about funding the arts programs to City Staff. Staff is evaluating the data to present to the City Council in the coming months. This action was a result of the HSC's recommendation to the City Council last year that alternative options for arts programs be studied. OTHER BUSINESS 9. Brief INFORMATION ONLY reports from the Human Services Commission and / or Staff related to meetings attended at City Expense (AB 1234). • Next HSC meeting, Thursday, January 22, 2015, 6:00 PM • HSC application period will open in mid -November • Axis Community Health ground breaking took place, October 16, 2014 • Tri-Valley Poverty Awareness Luncheon, October 30, 2014, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM Chair Lockhart stated that she was invited to a meeting to be held by CityServe at Valley High School on October 27, 2014, to discuss local holiday needs. She then stated that she is attending as a citizen, not representing the Commission. She next stated that Eden Housing at HSC Meeting Minutes, October 23, 2014 Page 5 of 6 Emerald Vista is interested in providing an after school educational program for high school students because of low performance levels. Teachers from Valley High School will participate, but funding is needed. Ms. Cunningham stated that Open Heart Kitchen is interested in expanding in Dublin beyond the current services they provide. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:34:01 PM. Respectfully Submitted, [,A-ki\CACA Anastasia Nelson, Nelson, Recording Secretary APPROVED: &14,01 hairperson, Chair Lockhart HSC Meeting Minutes, October 23, 2014 Page 6 of 6