Commission on Family Services

Commission on Family Services Meeting Minutes February 2, 2022 Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Yolanda Bender, Bonnie Eckstein, Marjorie Goran, Jo Hammerman, Shajan Jose (Vice-Chair), Wendy Katznelson, Daniel Mann, Brian McHugh (Human Services Liaison), Heather O’Donnell, Joshua Orlan, Arnold Oskin, Nichole Perry, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, Mike Stiehl, Edie Sue Sutker, Melissa Versch. Absent: Commissioners Jaime Garcia, Laila Iqbal, Valerie Riley I. Call to order at 7:00pm II. Approval of agenda: Agenda was approved. Harold requested adding Food Drive at the Farmer’s Market under New Business. III. Approval of Minutes: The December 1, 2021 minutes were approved after noting a spelling correction from “Assistant” to “Assistance” pertaining to Ruth Orme-Johnson’s title. IV. Welcome and Opening Remarks: Harold noted that Nancy Schwartz is a new Commissioner and will be invited to the next meeting. At the February 7th Village Board meeting all Commissioners will be re-appointed for the next year. V. Health and Human Service Report: Brian McHugh: 1. Covid vaccinations are being given on Tuesdays and Thursdays by the Village. Cases are going down. 2. Tax season starts in March and the Village will be taking appointments. 3. The Co-Responder Program is doing well with over 100 calls and over 130 follow up calls last month. 4. The Social Worker position is moving along with applicant interviews in March. VI. Speaker: Commissioner Mike Stiehl gave a presentation, “Changes in the Village of Skokie: 2010 to 2020”. The presentation addressed seven general areas - Population/Demographics, Households/Families, Education, Citizenship, Employment, Housing, and Disabilities. A copy of the presentation and an excel spreadsheet are attached. Questions: 1. With the increase in preschool age children, is it anticipated that there will there be an increase in kindergarteners? Yes, also there’s an increase in grandparents caring for young children and both parents working. 2. Will this trend continue to a ect other educational levels? Maybe, but the limiting factor could be housing. 3. Can you clarify 2020 vs. 2019 in the data presented? 2019 references the American Community Survey data (a yearly self selected survey), and the 2020/2010 years references the Federal Census (every ten years, less detailed, used for apportionment, funding, etc.) 4. Since the data shows more people living alone, are they older adults? And if so are they potentially in need of services? Yes, and more info is needed. 5. What about the mental health needs of these people? And especially in Covid with the accompanying isolation? Brian said that the Village developed a data base of vulnerable seniors at the beginning of the pandemic to do outreach; and it is ongoing thanks to the Social Work Intern. ff  VII. Old Business: A. Creation of Subcommittees - Harold suggests that they be small, 3-5 people in order to stay in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, and proposes three subcommittees - Seniors, People with Disabilities, and At Risk Youth and Families. Past initiatives have addressed some of these areas, i.e., Boomers and Beyond, and the Produce Initiative. Whoever is interested please email Harold your preference by next week. VIII. New Business: A. Harold suggests the March meeting be the same format although whether in-person or zoom TBD based on Covid status. He suggests that the April meeting be a dinner meeting as in the past when dinner has been ordered from a local restaurant and the Commissioners split the cost. B. The Commission has received a request from Skokie Farmer’s Market, Marketing Manager, Jennifer Engel, asking if the Commission would organize a food drive at the market. This would run once a month from 9:00-12:00. Volunteers would be needed to sta it. Harold would use Sign Up Genius to coordinate volunteers. Commissioner Katznelson asked if the sign up emails could be staggered so as not to ll all slots for volunteers at the beginning, as people’s schedules change and this would accommodate last minute sign ups and changes. Commissioner O’Donnell volunteered to take leadership of this initiative. It was suggested there be a coat/ clothing drive also. St. Paul’s Church has a clothes closet available for people in need of clothing. They especially need donations of kid’s clothing and diapers. Commissioner Mann re-iterated that there is a great need for diapers and perhaps the Commission could assist in this area. C. Harold suggested ending the meetings with a “Good and Welfare” report, to report any good news. Commissioner Oskin reported the Teen Link has been a great help to his family for snow shoveling. It was noted that the cost may be prohibitive for some seniors, so perhaps the Commission could look into less expensive options. IX. Citizen Comments: None. X. Adjournment at 8:15pm. Next meeting: March 2, 2022 7:00pm ff fi