Commission on Family Services

Commission on Family Services Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall Nov. 6, 2024 7:00 pm Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Michelle Friedman, Jo Hammerman, Daniel Mann, Peggy Molina, Arnie Oskin, Melissa Ponce, Erin Ryan, Nancy Schwartz, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, London Summerville, Trustee Edie Sue Sutker, Melissa Versch (Staff Liaison) Absent: Commissioners Marjorie Goran, Hilary Hunter, Laila Iqbal, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Linda Lara, Naadirah Muhammad (Shapley-Wells), Valerie Riley, Daniel Stalilonis I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda Meeting called to order at 7:02pm. Agenda approved by consent. II. Approval of Sept. 4, 2024 and review of Oct.1 2024 Minutes September agenda approved by consent. A quorum was not present at the October 1 meeting. III. Speaker: Nafia Khan, Progress Center for Independent Living Ms. Khan, Advocacy Manager for Progress Center for Independent Living shared information about services offered by the organization and tips on best practices with accessibility. IV. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack The first planning meeting for Boomers and Beyond was held last week. Jo Hammerman will talk more about the initiative later in the agenda. V. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch Health and Human Services is currently taking appointments for Medicare Open Enrollment. Senior Health Insurance Program counselors can help people on Medicare compare and switch plans for next year. Call Health and Human Services to make an appointment. VI. Old Business: A. Seniors Subcommittee – Report Jo Hammerman shared that October 24 was the first planning meeting for the senior resource fair, in partnership with the Park District, Health and Human Services, Skokie Library, North Shore Senior Center and Chamber of Commerce. The committee reviewed the satisfaction survey that was administered at the November 2023 event for guidance in planning the next fair, to take place in November 2025. The committee is next meeting December 17 at Skokie Public Library. Harold shared that the committee is considering changing the name of Boomers and Beyond and would appreciate feedback on names generated. B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Report London Summerville reported that the committee is considering ideas for new initiatives.  C. Disabilities Subcommittee – Report Disabilities Town Hall report approval. Motion to approve the Disabilities Town Hall Report. Moved: Michelle Friedman Seconded: Arnie Oskin 12 in favor/0 opposed/0 abstention. Motion Carries. Melissa Versch shared that Village Manager, John Lockerby, would like to thank the commission for all the work that has gone into the Town Hall meeting and report. The Village is pursuing the recommendation to conduct a Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, and is looking at how other municipalities have approached the efforts and how to identify an expert to provide guidance. The ADA Coordinator has started to put together an internal team. The Village recognizes the importance of including people with disabilities in the process. If you know anyone who might be interested in being involved, please let me know. D. Produce Initiative and food and clothes drives Melissa Versch thanked all who help with summer produce collection and donation drives. In all, about 7400 lbs. of produce were collected from farmers. R&B Miller Farms donated approximately 1000 lbs. of apples on the final day of the farmers market. Monthly donation drives brought in approximately 1100 lbs. of non-perishable food and toiletries. All was delivered to Niles Township Food Pantry. For the Niles Township Clothing Closet, about 175 bags of clothing were donated. The Clothing Closet sent a thank you note to the Commission for the donations. Harold reached out to the Niles Township Supervisor to let her know about the accomplishment. VII. New Business: A. Dates for 2025 Commission meetings As the January meeting for the commission is on a holiday, considerations were proposed to move the meeting to the following week at another location. Decision deferred to next meeting. B. Erin Ryan shared information about Volunteer-palooza taking place at Skokie Public Library on November 24. VIII. Public Comments: Nafia Khan thanked the commission for having her to the meeting. IX. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:06pm. Next Meeting: Dec. 4, 7:00 p.m. at Skokie Village Hall