Aurora House Citizens' Advisory Committee

AURORA HOUSE GIRLS’ GROUP HOME CITIZEN’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES PURPOSE OF MEETING: The Aurora House Citizens’ Advisory Committee provides consultation to the Aurora House Manager regarding community resources and public awareness; advises the City Council and Arlington County Board of Aurora House's needs, budget, and services; and serves as community liaison through area organizations, civic groups, and other boards and commissions. DATE OF MEETING: November 8, 2016 PLACE OF MEETING: Aurora House MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Julia Peterson at 7:02 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Jamie Heart French ___ Teresa Vaughan ___ Christina Goodwin __X__ Nancy Vincent __X__ Linda Neighborgal __X_ City Council Liaison Julia Peterson, Chair __X_ Mary Beth Connelly ___ Judith Wheat __X_ Others Present: None Approval of Minutes: Minutes of July 14, 2016 were approved as amended. The September 20, 2016 meeting was cancelled because of lack of quorum. Old Business: Aurora House utilization: Members reviewed fiscal year utilization statistics through November 8, 2016. A total of 11 girls were served with an average daily population of 7.75. The utilization rate was 65%, below the 75% target. Ms. Vaughan created a recruitment letter to distribute to stakeholders. Scholarship application and fundraiser: A cover letter needs to be added to the application. To be eligible for more than one scholarship, applicants need to provide evidence of successful completion of the previous coursework. Staff needs to convey the importance of meeting The City of Falls Church complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in an alternative format upon request. Call 703-248-5005 (TTY 711). The Aurora House • 420 South Maple Avenue • Falls Church, Virginia 22046 TEL 703-237-6622 • FAX 703-237-6624 • www.fallschurchva.gov application deadlines. No incomplete applications will be considered. Ms. Peterson is working on a donation solicitation letter for the scholarship fund to be sent out to businesses in Falls Church. The members unanimously decided to rename the Susan Olom Scholarship to the Olom-Porzell Scholarship and have a second plaque put up in the Aurora House lobby in honor of Leah Porzell. New Business: Annual report: Ms. Wheat offered to complete a draft annual report. Ms. Vaughan provided preliminary information. It is scheduled to be presented to the City Council on January 23 at 7:30 p.m. Group Home Manager’s report: Since Ms. Vaughan was not able to attend, she provided her report in writing. It is attached. The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m. Members discussed the importance of attending at least four meetings per year. SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: ___Nancy Vincent __ _______________ The City of Falls Church complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in an alternative format upon request. Call 703-248-5005 (TTY 711). The Aurora House • 420 South Maple Avenue • Falls Church, Virginia 22046 TEL 703-237-6622 • FAX 703-237-6624 • www.fallschurchva.gov  MINUTES ATTACHMENT CAC Report November 8, 2016 7PM House Items:  Hired former resident as a relief counselor; Currently recruiting for FT Counselor to comply with PREA standards (Preferred qualifications include: bilingual, substance abuse certified) Current Program Highlights:  1st quarter grades for residents mostly in the A/B range o Recognition from teachers received for residents’ academic performance and behavior  Residents volunteered at Halloween Carnival sponsored by Recreation & Parks  Residents participated in local community forum that seek to improve police relations with youth/persons of color  Residents participated in college enrichment activity  AH to host Thanksgiving Dinner for residents and their families on November 16th  AH to host an Open House on December 14th Utilization:  Statistics:  GHM facilitated meetings with Fairfax County Utilization Team o Facility tour provided to team and offered Q&A o Have since received two referrals from county  GHM facilitated meeting with the City of Alexandria (Court Services Unit) o Invited for facility tour and offered Q&A o CSU to facilitate a meeting with GHM, DHS, and Sheltercare  Regular communication with Arlington County CSU and probation supervisors o GHM to attend unit meetings for both PO supervisors’ team  Promotional packet created and to be distributed (i.e. primary referral sources first; plan to extend out in the future) to aid in referral process (See example attached) CAC-Specific:  Scholarship name update o Donations received in memory of Leah Porzel are currently counted as two  Scholarship Update: 1 application pending approval  Exploring Xmas Activities: Consideration of Nutcracker/Dinner The City of Falls Church complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in an alternative format upon request. Call 703-248-5005 (TTY 711). The Aurora House • 420 South Maple Avenue • Falls Church, Virginia 22046 TEL 703-237-6622 • FAX 703-237-6624 • www.fallschurchva.gov