Human Services Advisory Council

Page 1 of 2 MINUTES Human Services Advisory Council City of Falls Church PURPOSE OF MEETING: To advise City Council on human services delivery to Falls Church citizens. DATE OF MEETING: October 28, 2014 PLACE OF MEETING: The Dogwood Room, G Level, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Kristin Simonsen at 6:35 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: HSAC Members: Staff : Vicki Barnes Nancy Vincent and Susan Richter Craig Cheney Housing and Human Services Kristin Simonsen, Chair City Council Liaison: Student Representatives: Marybeth Connolly Maraena Allen-Lewis Hayley Loftur-Thun PETITIONS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None Approved OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: • Input and Feedback on Parks, Open Space, and Recreation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan – Kate Reich, City of Falls Church Arborist, gave a presentation on the Parks, Open Space, and Recreation Chapter 6 of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. She asked for written comments by November 15, 2014. HSAC members will send all comments to Craig Cheney for compilation. • Student Member – Maraena Allen-Lewis and Hayley Loftur-Thun were introduced. They were sworn in by City Council as student representatives from George Mason High School. The students will participant as regular members of HSAC but will not have voting rights. Community Services Fund for FY2016 – The Community Services Fund application period is approaching and applications will be available on November 10th. Members discussed some changes to the application process. Members agreed to add the following wording to the criteria for applying for the funds: Applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving City of Falls Church residents. Applicants may apply for either a specific program or activity serving City residents  Page 2 of 2 and/or general administrative expenses as it relates to the program or activity serving City residents. Ms. Richter presented draft criteria that could be used to evaluate the applications. Members will provide Ms. Richter with comments by November 6th. Also, they would like, if available, a copy of the applicant’s performance/audit data. A brief discussion was held on who the committee would like to meet with at public hearings. They decided if the applicants want to come and present they may. The recommendations for funding will need to be completed at either the January or February 2015. Members would like to advocate for an increased allocation to the Community Services Fund. • Fiscal Year end data report – The committee was given the FY 2014 cost and data reports pertaining to Community Services Board, Family Services, Health Department, and Housing and Human Services. The reports are attached. Members asked for the following additional information. What is the average cost to feed a family of four and how does that compare to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars? What is the usage at the food bank? How would an increase in funding affect service to residents? • Increased outreach is needed to attract new members to HSAC. ADJOURN: The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm. The next meeting will be Thursday, November 20, 2014. SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Susan Richter 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 703-248- 5005 (TTY 711).