Aurora House Citizens' Advisory Committee

Aurora House Girls Group Home Citizen’s Advisory Committee July 9, 2015 Attending: Committee Members - Judy Wheat (Arlington County), Christina Goodwin (CFC), Julia Peterson (CFC), Donna Ahart (Group Home Manager), Council Representative, Marybeth Connelly, Nancy Vincent, Director CFC Dept. of Human Services Minutes of Meeting:  Call to Order, review of the agenda and the last meetings manager report  Ms. Goodwin had requested an addition to the agenda, defining the CAC’s purpose for the CFC, the citizens, the Aurora House program and youth/families we serve. Handouts were provided of the (original) Girls Home Agreement, and the CAC terms of office, and the Aurora House Financial Data/Projected Costs. Ms. Wheat provided a thorough history of the role/purpose of the CAC beginning in 1989, and how the purpose and objectives of the CAC have changed over the years, always performing the role of advocacy for the program to both Arlington and Falls Church.  Discussion continued to include creating a more formalized, structured format with clearly defined roles, goals and purpose; and process where the CAC can effectively support the needs of the program. Agreed that discussions about the position of Chair needed to be conducted when everyone was in attendance; agreed that the Chair should b e a CAC member and not liason. To improve the communication and connection between the CAC and CFC, we need to make sure CAC minutes are posted.  Ms. Ahart provided the CAC with an update on the program’s utilization and strategic efforts to address underutilization by expanding the population we serve to include placements through the localities CSB; The CAC also asked Ms. Ahart to describe the process by which children and referred and placed, and how CSA placements would occur.  Ms. Ahart advised the CAC that we anticipate the CSA contract with Fairfax County to be finalized soon, which would mean that the Aurora House would have an agreement with the City of Alexandria and Fairfax County to accept referrals. The CSA contract with Arlington County is still pending approval. The Aurora House • 420 South Maple Avenue • Falls Church, Virginia 22046 703-237-6622 • 703-237-6624 FAX • www.fallschurchva.gov   Regarding Utilization – the Ms. Vincent advised the CAC the City Manager was told the CAC would be providing a report on utilization at the end of the summer; Members agreed that this may be a difficult deadline to meet with summer schedules, and the scope of the information that will need to be gathered/collected. Ms. Wheat stated that the Group Home Staff cannot take on the additional task(s) of collecting information for a jurisdictional needs assessment. Concern is that if we only focus on “filling beds” to increase utilization, it can compromise the (program’s) service delivery. Ms. Wheat identified that there needs to be clearly framed themes for the report that outline the mission, purpose and direction of the program, what are the opportunities for AH to better service our communities and what is currently being done to accomplish this, what do we want the program to look like in 2-5 years, and a report on our outcomes.  To obtain the necessary data/information, that Ms. Wheat proposed having a meeting with the Judges and the Arlington CSU Director, Earl Conklin; to gather additional data/needs assessment of the jurisdiction(s). Ms. Vincent reported that the Virginia Community Residential Care Association (VCRCA) is working on creating a state-wide listing of Virginia licensed residential programs and how they are addressing utilization issues.  Ms. Ahart reported that in the third and fourth quarters of FY15, Aurora House utilization improved – with a monthly average of 70% or greater. Leading into the FY16, utilization is at approximately 70%, (accounting for planned intakes/discharges and active referrals).  Next meeting is planned for Thursday, August 6th at 7:00 p.m. The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in an alternate format upon request. Call 703-237- 6622 (TTY 711). The Aurora House • 420 South Maple Avenue • Falls Church, Virginia 22046 703-237-6622 • 703-237-6624 FAX • www.fallschurchva.gov