Commission on Family Services

Commission on Family Services Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall April 2, 2025 7:00 pm Present: Harold Primack (Chair), Commissioners Marjorie Goran, Hilary Hunter, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Peggy Molina, Arnie Oskin, Melissa Ponce, Valerie Riley, Annie Shear, Daniel Stalilonis, London Summerville, Trustee Edie Sue Sutker, Melissa Versch (Staff Liaison) Absent: Commissioners Sharon Cohen, Michelle Friedman, Jo Hammerman, Linda Lara, Naadirah Muhammad (Shapley-Wells), Erin Ryan, Nancy Schwartz, Phillip Shefren I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda Call to order at 7:02pm. Agenda approved with addition of Old Business Item: July Fourth Parade. II. Approval March 2025 Minutes Approved with correction. III. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack Chair Primack previously met with now-elected Mayor Ann Tennes. Recently, information was shared by email regarding a PBS Special on the ADA and the Niles Township Food Pantry Fun Run. The run takes place Saturday, May 31. If commissioners are interested, a team could be registered. If interested, send an email to Chair Primack. Melissa Ponce also sent information about a survey for Community Development Block Grants, which is asking for input on how money should be used. IV. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch Melissa Versch reports that money has been allocated in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to obtain guidance for the self-evaluation and transition plan process. An internal team has been established with representatives from each department from the Village. It is important to obtain feedback from the disability community, so setting up forums will be a priority. Budget meetings will be taking place in May and open to the public. Commissioners are invited to attend the Medical Reserve Corp presentation by Chicago Hearing Society on the topic, “What about the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Communities?” The program will be held at Skokie Police Department on April 23 at 6:30pm. Trustee Edie Sue Sutker requested to comment as this is her last meeting as a trustee. Trustee Sutker expressed that she has been impressed with the work of the Commission and it has been a pleasure working with the group. V. Old Business: A. Village events: 1. Festival of Cultures, May 17 & 18 - Sign Up 2. Skokie Pride Event – June 22, 1pm-4pm 3. Juneteenth Celebration – June 14, 1pm-5pm 4. July Fourth Parade  Chair Primack requested volunteers for outreach events. Melissa Versch reported that the Communications Department will provide a sign-up for volunteers for the Festival of Cultures. Arnie Oskin suggests that handouts be made available for children, as it helps draw interest. Oskin reported that the Fourth of July parade planning continues. It is hoped that the Commission on Family Services will be able to participate. Melissa Versch passed around a draft of the commission brochure, which will be distributed at events to promote activities and recruit new, diverse commissions. B. Seniors Subcommittee – Report on senior’s resource fair, Live Well Age Well Skokie. Chair Primack reported on behalf of Jo Hammerman. Plans are being made for presentations and programs for the Live Well Age Well senior resource fair. Some programs are booked, and others are pending depending on fees and availability. Topics include art therapy, square dancing, memory tips and yoga. Plans to improve attendance at presentations include better communication and signage. A “Save the Date” email was sent to a list of previous vendors and interested organizations. C. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Report on Mother’s Day diaper drive London Summerville shared that there has been outreach with community organizations. Drop- off sites are being planned for Skokie Public Library, Police Department and Park District locations. Faith groups may host private drop-off locations for members. D. Disabilities Subcommittee – Report. Nothing to report. Break for Commission photo. VI. New Business: A. Dinner meeting in June? Shajan Jose agreed to organize food delivery for the June 4 meeting. B. Requirements for subcommittee meetings. Chair Primack provided a reminder that a quorum must be present at Commission meetings in order for decisions to be made. In addition, the Open Meetings Act requires that any gathering with a majority of a quorum must be posted and open to the public. VII. Public Comments: Annie Shear thanked Trustee Sutker for all her work. VIII. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:09pm.