Aurora House Citizens' Advisory Committee

AURORA HOUSE GIRLS’ GROUP HOME CITIZEN’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES 02/08/2022 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: February 08, 2022 PLACE OF MEETING: Virtual, Microsoft Teams MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Chair Christina Goodwin THOSE PRESENT: Committee Members Staff Laura Economos Rachel Kindell Christina Goodwin, Chair Dana Lewis Julia Peterson Mariam Garriga City Council Liaison Christin Katcher Caroline Lian Others Present: Rick Strobach Approval of Minutes: None Old Business: None Group Home Manager’s Report: • Currently 4 residents, COVID protocol is still a maximum of 5; • 1 resident graduating and going to ODU will apply for scholarship; • Going through QTRP certification process, in Phase II now; • Filled one, full-time vacancy for Bilingual Residential Counselor, hiring for Mental Health Clinician in progress; • Planning in-person college tours for spring break and snow tubing for end of February. 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: Introduction – Welcome to Dana Lewis, HHS Director; Caroline Liam, City Counsel Liaison; and Christine Katcher, CAC Member. Review Committee Rules and Purpose – Reviewed rules regarding posting of meeting Notices and what discussions can be had outside of meetings. Recap Fundraising Efforts – December fundraising was done for Olom-Porzel Scholarship Fund. An auction was held through Realtor Tori McKinney for her Client Appreciation event and $1,365 was raised for the scholarship fund. In an email letter campaign sent to past supporters, $2,500 was raised in December. Summer Internship Program – Mr. Karintonas, Arlington Board Member, is proposing a paid, Summer Internship Program. Students from Aurora House and Argus House would be eligible. All aspects of program need to be mapped out – position, where funds for salary come from, applicant questionnaire, program description, what proposed posting would look like. Look to Earl Conklin and Rick Strobach for input and next steps. Some departments that may be able to hire the intern would be Human Services, Recreation & Parks, Library. Would like an applicant each from Aurora House and Argus House. Concerns about legal aspects of internship should be addressed and who will supervise or mentor the candidates. The possibility of starting a career mentoring program, separate from the Summer Intern Program, was also brought up for local businesses outside of the government. Trauma Informed Spaces – Ms. Katcher attended a workshop regarding Trauma Informed Spaces and wants to bring that environment to Aurora House. Focus on environment colors, lighting, sounds, arrangement of furniture. Earl thought there was a line-item in the FY22 budget for improvements. Ms. Lian would like to know what amount is planned for facility maintenance. Ms. Economos noted the minutes from the CAC 12/13/2021 meeting shows $20,000 but that was allocated for the QTRP. The funds were thought to be on the CIP. Members would like a larger plan for improvements and to escalate needs to Mr. Conklin if the need cannot be met through Falls Church. It was sited that there is $7,500 in a general fund for Friends of Argus House and Aurora House. The fund is intended for use at both facilities – those funds could possibly be used for the Summer Internship Program. Next scheduled meeting will be on March 08, 2022 SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Amy Howell 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