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: May 23, 2107 PLACE OF MEETING: Aurora House MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Julia Peterson at 7:00 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Jamie Heart French __X__ Teresa Vaughan __X__ Christina Goodwin __X__ Nancy Vincent __X__ Julia Peterson, Chair __X_ City Council Liaison Judith Wheat __X_ Mary Beth Connelly __X__ Others Present: Mariam Ward Old Business: Aurora House utilization: Members reviewed utilization statistics. The Department of Juvenile Justice has been moving away from providing funding to programs that serve low risk juveniles such as the traditional population at Aurora House. Aurora House has greater referrals of girls who are undocumented, sex offenders, and trafficking victims. Efforts to increase the numbers of referrals from Alexandria did not result in more referrals. Scholarship contribution: Only one response was received to the fundraising letter that went out to area businesses. Several suggestions were made to solicit contributions: host a breakfast, produce a video, use online communities such as Next Door and Go Fund Me. It would be good to plan a campaign with outreach several times a year. Ms. Vincent will contact FCCTV and Ms. Vaughan will contact former residents who may be willing to be interviewed. Scholarship application: Ms. Vaughan will send the application form to the group. 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 New Business: Condition of physical plant: Renovations are being completed. The building is maintained by the City of Falls Church Department of Public Works. Care packages for former residents attending college: Ms. Vaughan estimated that about ten former residents are currently attending college. The group agreed that they would be willing to send care packages. Group Home Manager’s report: Ms. Vaughan reported that a new Residential Counselor will be starting May 30. This will provide added coverage in compliance with new federal regulations. The Arlington Department of Human Services indicated they are looking for programs that can provide substance use treatment. See attached report. The next meeting will be Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Scholarship applications will be reviewed at this meeting. 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 May 22, 2017 7PM House Items:  Hired 4th FT Counselor, has substance use background (Undergoing pre-employment checks)  PREA Audit Completed 4/26-4/27 and initial feedback was positive  Facility Renovations Current Program Highlights:  Open House for Arlington DHS case managers held on March 17, 2017  Robust Volunteer Program: constant interest and reliable academic tutors  Residents went to Williamsburg for Spring Break and toured Old Dominion and Hampton Universities  Monthly cultural night themed dinners; residents have had an opportunity to learn/practice cooking skills Utilization:  Statistics: See sheets  Recent interest from Fairfax County and City of Alexandria via referral stream  Promotional Packet distributed monthly to jurisdictions served  Held meetings with Phoenix House, Dominion Hospital, and spoke with Grafton Inc. to discuss collaborative efforts and step-down utilization o Plan to follow up with jurisdictional administrative heads, particularly Arlington DHS Director  Girls of Aurora House is on the list of pending items, certainly not forgotten! CAC-Specific:  Mariam Ward-Potential CFC member  Vote on Committee name 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