Commission on Family Services

Commission on Family Services Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall January 11, 2023 7:00 pm Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Marjorie Goran, Jo Hammerman, Linda Lara, Daniel Mann, Arnie Oskin, Valerie Riley, Nancy Schwartz, Naadirah Shapley-Wells, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, Daniel Stalilonis, Michael Stiehl, London Summerville, Melissa Versch (Staff Liaison) Absent: Commissioners Michelle Friedman, Laila Iqbal, Shajan Jose, Nicole Perry, Edie Sue Sutker I. Call to Order at 7:04pm A. Approval of Agenda by consent. II. Approval of December 2, 2022 Minutes A. Approval of Minutes by consent. III. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack A. March meeting will be a dinner meeting. B. April 5 meeting is the first night of Passover, would like to move to April 12. Date change approved by consent. C. The Commission has divided into subcommittees: Seniors, People with Disabilities and At Risk Youth and Families. The smaller groups can generate ideas and bring them to the full Commission. The Seniors subcommittee is working on Boomers and Beyond. Subcommittees may pursue an advocacy issue and present information to trustees or provide information. IV. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch A. Health and Human Services has had staffing changes: Iris Barrios, Human Services Advocate has left. The position will be posted. Amy McManus is the new HHS Communicable Disease Investigator. B. Flu vaccines continue to be offered in the Health Department and to homebound residents. C. The Seniors Matter Rideshare program ended January 6. Over 380 rides were provided to seniors. An evaluation of the program will be done. V. Old Business: A. Boomers and Beyond 2023 The Steering Committee is scheduled to meet at the Skokie library on January 18 at 9am. The resource fair will be November 2023 and will include speakers, vendors, elected officials, service providers. B. Subcommittee reports Nothing to report. VI. New Business: A. Subcommittee breakout session and reports. Subcommittees split into separate discussion groups and then reported back to the Commission.  i. Seniors subcommittee reported the Steering Committee will be meeting January 18. Anyone is welcome to come. The committee is using previous Boomers and Beyond fairs as a model, including assigning tasks to groups and individuals. A brainstorm of possible initiatives which may cross over into other subcommittees. ii. People with Disabilities subcommittee is brainstorming ideas to provide guidance, maybe on the Skokie website, for businesses to facilitate working with customers who are disabled. They will hold a subcommittee meeting on the 24th at Panera. Harold suggested this is something to maybe work with the Chamber on. iii. At Risk Youth and Families reported that they need to follow up with the trustee liaison to find out what they know about 708 boards. Harold stated that the Trustee Sutker indicated she does not know about 708 boards. The subcommittee would also like to reach out to Early Childhood Alliance regarding updates and needs that they have which can be supported. Harold recalled ECA reported on the success of the model used in Evanston. Harold will provide the contact information. VII. Citizen Comments: None. VIII. Adjournment at 7:54pm