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: January 17, 2019 PLACE OF MEETING: Falls Church Community Center, Community Room MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Nicole Newman at 6:35 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: HSAC Members: Staff: Craig Cheney Sue Richter Alisa Macht Nancy Vincent Nicole Newman (chair) City Council Liaison Anne Norloff Marybeth Connelly Debra Z. Roth Student Representative Tahaseen Shaik Guests Allison Brown – City resident Jim Coyle – City resident APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the November 15, 2018 meeting were approved. OLD BUSINESS:  Affordable Living Policy was approved by City Council. NEW BUSINESS: Community Services Fund - Two applicants made Presentations:  FCHC Virginia Community Development Corporation – Joshua Shokoor, FCHC and Maria Conticelli, Operations Pathway They would like to use the funds for Vietnamese translation services at their larger events. The residents at Winter Hill are low-income, some have disabilities, and are all seniors 55+. The majority of the resident population are of minority backgrounds, with the highest percentage being Vietnamese and English being their second language. The current resource center manager provides translation services daily but at the larger events, is not able to provide the translation. As a result, many do not participate in the larger events. FCHC would like to provide interpretive services at 3-4 large scale events. This would ensure that a larger number of the residents are able to participate. Questions: - What is the anticipated outcome: increase attendance at the events and increase in access to services.  Page 2 of 2 - Why are only 12 hours of translation services being requested: They only have 3-4 events a year and would like to see how this will work out.  Unity Club Claudia Angelone and Daniel Tierney Seeking funding to assist with paying the rent on the building. The Unity Club is a meeting place for members of Alcoholics Anonymous and fifteen other recovery fellowships based on the 12-steps of AA. They are the only 12-step club in Falls Church and are run primarily by unpaid volunteers. They are 100% dependent on donations. They are open to anyone seeking relief from addictions. Their hope with the grant is to add at least five heroin anonymous meetings every week and five opioid anonymous meetings each week. They will find volunteers to support the groups. Questions: - Are there any fees charged: No fees are charged, they receive funds from what they sell in the snack bar and donations. - What would it mean if only $6,000 were granted? Would you be able still continue the program: Yes they would. They predict people will come but would need a sponsor for the meeting. - How do students at the high school find out about the meeting: The students find them. Information is on their website along with the schedule of the meetings. They also depend on word of mouth. - What is the number of people in the City that are directly served? They don’t ask this. STAFF REPORT:  The budget process for fiscal year 2020 has started. All departments were directed to keep their budgets flat. In order to allow for contract increases from Fairfax and Arlington Counties, HHS proposed program cuts. We will have more information for the next meeting in February.  The City’s Legislative program was adopted. If interested, you may obtain a list of what was approved by City Council from Nancy Vincent.  The Housing Choice Voucher waitlist will be open from January 29, 2019 through February 4, 2019. This is the first time in more than a decade the list has been open. MEETING ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Sue 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).