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: January 10, 2017 PLACE OF MEETING: Aurora House MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Julia Peterson at 7:04 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Jamie Heart French _X__ Teresa Vaughan _X__ (via phone) Christina Goodwin ____ Nancy Vincent ____ Linda Neighborgal __ City Council Liaison Julia Peterson, Chair __X_ Mary Beth Connelly ___ Judith Wheat __X_ Others Present: None Approval of Minutes: Minutes of November 8, 2016 were approved. Old Business: a. Aurora House Utilization: Current level is at 49%, Ms. Vaughan has created a double sided promotional piece for circulation to local Health and Human Services departments to familiarize them with Aurora House’s expanded capabilities and programs. The goal continues to be 75% utilization. It is understood that usage drops prior to the new school year. We are now well into the 2016-2017 school year and efforts need to be made with Arlington, Fairfax and Alexandria to re-acquaint them with our program and availability. b. Annual Report: Ms. Wheat delivered a draft annual report for review. Being that January 16 is a Federal Holiday and January 20 is Inauguration day, Ms. Vaughan and 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  Ms. Vincent will make any edits in time to distribute the report to the City Council by January 18. The report is scheduled to be presented to the City Council on Monday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m. Pursuant to the meeting, Ms. Vaughn provided the following updates to the FY15-16 VJCCA Plan  83% of all clients improved school attendance by reducing unexcused absences by 50%.  100% of all clients improved their quarterly GPA by .50 or better. c. Scholarship fundraiser: Ms. Peterson questioned the circulation and efficiency of the December fundraising letter. A contribution has been received by Aurora House but it arrived without documentation clarifying the intent of that donation. Ms. Vaughn / Ms. Vincent will investigate with Sheila and advise. d. The Olom-Porzell Scholarship application: The committee moved to approve the provided scholarship and continued to question the availability of the standardized application document. Ms. Vaughn has volunteered to review the previously approved application and ensure it it’s pertinence and taken on responsibility to ensure that the cover letter and application are clearly understood and available to the Aurora House population. New Business: The Annual report will be presented to the City Counsil on January 23, 2017. Status of obtaining a second plaque put up in the Aurora House lobby in honor of Leah Porzell? It is recommended that a scribe or similar be invited to all subsequent Aurora House CAC meetings to capture minutes. Group Home Manager’s report: Since Ms. Vaughan attended via phone and provided her report in writing. The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. Members discussed the importance of attending at least four meetings per year. SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: ___Julia Peterson __ _______________ 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