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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - ASSET Meetings Minutes 08/11/22www.storycountyasset.org ASSET Board Meeting Minutes CityChurch @ 2400 Oakwood Road August 11, 2022 The Analysis of Social Services Evaluation Team (ASSET) Board met at 5:01 p.m. with the following members present: Jehan Faisal, Nikki Garman, Ed Gillott, Linda Hagedorn, Julie Haverly, Joel Hochstein, Sandra King, Jean Kresse, Mike Lazere, Neha Mehrotra, Deb Schildroth, Jenny Schill, Ron Smith, Stephanie Spence,Kimberly Stephens, and Lois Vidimos Guests: Karla Webb, CICS; Erin Rewerts, Story County General Assistance; Sue Wuhs, ACPC; and Jodi Stumbo, TBH WELCOME/ INTRODUCTIONS Individual introductions were made. APPROVAL OF MAY 12, 2022 MINUTES Moved by Hochstein, seconded by Spence to approve May 12, 2022 minutes. Motion carried unanimously. TREASURER’S REPORT Schill reported a balance of $2.221.34. Central Iowa Community Services (CICS) – Karla Webb & Story County General Assistance – Erin Rewerts – Webb reported that restructuring changes within CICS resulted in Franklin County becoming the employer of record for 29 staff. There are still four CICS staff in Story County. All funding for mental health and disability services now comes through the State of Iowa. Webb highlighted initiatives that CICS is working on including Emergency Service Homes and ASIST training (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) The Your Life Iowa crisis phone number is still available. Rewerts stated that the name change from Story County Community Services to Story County General Assistance is biggest thing for people to acclimate to. For a little over year, they’ve been collaborating with other local human service agencies regarding housing needs. If Story County is not able to assist with rent/utilities, then they have clients work with GNEA and Salvation Army. Story County General Assistance has seen an increase in the number of applicants for rent/utility assistance. They are trying a service coordination approach with repeat applicants in order to dig deeper and provide a 90 day intervention.. Rewerts reported that she’s received good feedback as clients are happy they don’t have to go multiple places to apply for assistance and the process has provided the County with data that they haven’t had previously due to software programs. They can now break down numbers by month, year, etc. Our rent and utilities assistance requests over this past year was over one (1) million. Rewerts responded to a question about the availability of a prescription program. She said it is still available as well as the Good RX cards. How long to wait for appointments? Rewerts responded it varies on the emergency, today she added an appointment for August 19, so there www.storycountyasset.org is a little wait. It depends also on the time of the month. There are still a fair amount of no shows. The main phone #515-663-2930. REPORTS a. Administrative Team Schildroth reported that Rummage RAMPage ended last Saturday. Forty-one non-profit organizations participated and proceeds were over $49,000, which will be divided, based on number of volunteers and hours from agencies involved. This is the sixth year for the event. Schildroth thanked Kresse and her office for fiscal support. Schildroth reported that City Council has approved the use of $600,000 in CARES funding to assist non-profit daycares with remodeling rooms and purchasing new equipment. ChildServe, ACPC, and UCC are the three daycares that have applied. Council also approved the funding to be used towards food security and distribution. MICA has applied and will be using the funds to purchase a van to deliver food. Schildroth stated there one of Council’s goals is to implement City programs that promote physical and mental health awareness. There are plans to host a community conversation about suicide prevention on October 4 at the Ames Public Library. b. Kresse, shared that United Way applied to ARPA funds for Story County and received $500,000 to provide incentives for recruitment, sign on and retention to assist in staff stability. For daycare, food or housing needs, she reminded everyone to dial 211 to connect to for resources. c. Kresse invited everyone to the kick off of the 2022 LIVE United Campaign! The kick off breakfast is hosted by Cornbred Barbecue. Their chefs will be making a delicious hot breakfast including their famous cinnamon rolls. Come hang out, enjoy the food, and get rallied up for a great Kickoff before Day of Caring projects begin. Event will begin at 8am on September 16 at Cornbred Barbecue (526 Main, Ames) and is come-and go. Please RSVP to Kresse. OLD BUSINESS Reference Manual Updates King, Kresse and Schildroth reviewed the Reference Manual updates Spence motioned to approve and Gilliott seconded Motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Funders’ Priorities: City of Ames Schildroth stated that City Council wants more of an emphasis on services being available and accessible to LMI (Low to Moderate Income) residents. Schildroth covered additional changes. ISU Schroeder was not present, but she can be contacted if there are questions. It does appear that mental health is a new priority for next FY. Story County King stated that this is in priority order. She went over some changes and said that the board is interested in annual reports as equity is to be included. www.storycountyasset.org United Way of Story County Kresse stated that their priorities haven’t changed but trying to hone in on specific priorities using ClearImpact data. Conflict-of-Interest & Confidentiality Agreements Vidimos asked all those in attendance to please complete both forms and return to her at the door on the way out of the meeting. Liaison Assignments/Agency Visits Kresse explained that assigned agencies may not be in a Volunteer’s specific work area (Education, Health, or Financial Stability), and that’s okay. If there is a conflict with a Liaison Assignment, let Jean know and she’ll make changes. The second Liaison Assignment sheet shows what agency is in which work area; if bolded, the agency is in more than one category. Kresse also explained that as an ASSET Volunteer, you are also considered a board member, liaison and super star! New Agency – The Community Academy The Community Academy (TCA) applied to become an ASSET agency for FY 2023-24 funding cycle. TCA is located at the ISU Research Park. They provide community-based extra-curricular programming for 14-18 year-olds. Their services are provided outside of school hours, they have a sliding fee scale, and a goal to serve at least 45% LMI. ASSET service code is 1.09 Out of School Program. Schildroth stated that TCA submitted all of the necessary application documents and that the Adm Team approved them as a new ASSET agency. It was further noted that approval as a new agency does not guarantee funding for services. New/Expanded Services Update ACPC – Infant Care Service Expanded Service They would serve infants as young as six (6) weeks, currently serving infants at 18 months. This expansion would open 12 spots. They need assistance to stabilize tuition and reduce fees based on sliding fee scale and staff wages. They have applied for DHS and other funding. They have a new interim director, Sue Wuhs. Wuhs stated they have the space for infant room expansion, just need to get room ready, probably with 1:4 ratio. Schildroth explained to ACPC, that even if they get the room ready, but don’t have the staff, it is fine. When staff is hired, then services can start. Wuhs also mentioned that as of now, no before school care at the school centers. Main center hours are now 7am-6pm. All Aboard for Kids – Workplace Readiness New Service Full STEAM Ahead will work with 14-18 year-olds on soft skills. The program was piloted this summer using private donations and 10 individuals were served. The ASSET Adm Team approved it as a new service using service code 1.01, Supported Employment for Mental Health or Developmentally Disabled. Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance – 1) Gasoline Vouchers & 2)Navigator New Services 1) Gasoline Vouchers: GNEA has been giving these out for a few years but due to limited staff and office hours, has shared gasoline vouchers with MGMC, police department and other agencies. Due to lack of tracking, ASSET has denied this service. 2) Navigator: One new full time staff will work with individuals on non legal issues; such as landlord resolutions. There will be an online dispute process. Gilliott and Stumbo both www.storycountyasset.org mentioned they were part of a focus group and Stumbo explained that if landlord and tennant cannot resolve, then conflict resolution before a mediator will take place. ASSET approved this new position with service code 3.13, Service Coordination. The Bridge Home – Supportive Housing New Service TBH has been providing supportive housing for a little more than one year. They are currently serving 23 participants. Schildroth stated that there has been confusion between this service and transitional living, which has a 24 monthlimitation. Both programs provide housing and support services. Supportive housing is long term, indefinite. The lease agreement is between landlord and tennant and a member of the household must have a mental or physical disability or a substance use disorder. Because of the mental health criteria, TBH is in the process of requested funding through CICS. We developed The ASSET Adm Team approved Supportive Housing as a new service and developed a new service code 2.15. Jodi stated that TBH no longer provides transitional living services. ADDITIONAL ITEMS Kresse asked if we could help eliminate number of paper copies by emailing Vidimos if you want a paper copy of the packet. Vidimos is happy to make paper copies, we are just trying to help ‘save a tree.’ Fischer mentioned the Roland Story School donation flyer, please see her email if interested. Kresse mentioned the next Freedom Flight on September 27, if you’re up at midnight, please go welcome them at the Story County building on Kellogg. ADJOURNMENT at 6:47 p.m.