Human Services Advisory Council

MINUTES Human Services Advisory Council City of Falls Church PURPOSE OF MEETING: To advise the City Council on human services delivery to Falls Church citizens. DATE OF MEETING: June 16, 2022 PLACE OF MEETING: Virtual MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY Alisa Macht at 6:31 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: HSAC Members: Staff: Dana Lewis Kayleen Mark Alisa Macht Ripal Patel Brian Bowden City Council Liaison Nicole Newman (chair) Marybeth Connelly Anne Norloff Student Rep Debra Z. Roth Liz Rotherham Carter Williams APPROVAL of MINUTES: The minutes from the April 21, 2022 meeting were approved. NEW BUSINESS: • Ripal Patel discussed the Rent-relief code change and asked if one of the committee members is able to join this process. Alisa Macht agreed to join. He also asked if Marybeth Connelly is able to join the process to advocate for the change. She agreed. Marybeth Connelly asked if more funds are able to be added to rent relief to provide more relief since the current relief is not enough. Ripal Patel explained the current code does not allow us to provide more relief and thus we need to change the code. There will be more e funds added to the CCAU (City Committed Affordable Unit) as recommended. • Ripal Patel discussed rent-relief applicants for FY2023 and requested approval. FY2023 rent-relief allocation was approved. • Ripal Patel asked for committee members opinions on collecting client signatures when delivering rent relief checks. The committee was in agreement with the idea of collecting the client’s signature. • Ripal Patel asked for approval for additional funds that were added to Community Services Fund (CSF) for FY2023. Approval was provided by the committee members. (An additional $70,000 to replace the Community Development Block Grant allocation for Homestretch and the Falls Church Housing Corporation. The additional requested $30,000 for CSF grantees was also approved to give the 100% of the amount applicants have requested).  • Dana Lewis discussed the Virginia Village rehab program and the use of CDBG funds. • The recruitment opportunity for HSAC and the Community Services Board (CSB) was discussed by Dana Lewis. • The CSB Board Meeting Update was provided by Dana Lewis. Highlights of the meeting included a severe shortage of mental health professionals, social workers, and case workers. • Ripal Patel discussed the possible increase in individual assistance amounts for the Emergency Financial Assistance Program. Approval was provided to increase the amount from $500 (one-time payment per year) to up to $1,000 for three months. • The option of the in-person meeting was discussed. • Brian Bowden provided an update on Welcoming Falls Church (organization that helps refugees). STAFF REPORT: • No item to discuss at this meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. 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).