Committee Members Present: Wilfredo Ortiz, Joe McMurray (co-chair), Darnell
Durio (co-chair), Lara Sallee, Brian DiCrocco
Committee Members Absent: Elyse Graham
Other Council Members Present: Randy Allgaier, Charles Siron,
Council Support Present: Leah Crask, Wilhelmina Parker, Richard Bargetto, Skot
Jonz
Others Present: Mike Wonders (public), Allison Weston (Harder & Co. representative)
1. Introductions
CM McMurray began meeting with introductions and later agenda items while waiting
for enough committee members to arrive to make quorum.
2. Review/Approve Agenda
Committee reviewed and approved the agenda.
3. Review/Approve Minutes
Committee reviewed the minutes from February 9, 2005. No objections to the
minutes. The minutes were approved.
4. Announcements
CM Allgaier announced the award and the 5.2% reduction, after expecting flat
funding following last year’s big cut. CM Allgaier recommended for this
Committee to be aware of an upcoming article in the Bay Area Reporter, and
suggested advocating for reauthorization.
Leah Crask reported that Membership Committee is short on members and they
are interviewing five new members at their next meeting and could use assistance.
No further announcements.
5. Public Comment
There were no public comments.
6. Advocacy Report
Richard Bargetto presented a report on the Advocacy Project and a policy change
on the Housing Wait List with respect to making a lateral move after initial
placement. Richard reported on a specific client situation that made a move
without returning to the bottom of the list. Richard also stressed the issue
of housing keeps coming up, with 51 complaints and grievances filed last year.
Indicated client demographics had not changed. Housing and case management
were the two top areas of concern and complaint.
CM Allgaier discussed the Council’s Housing Task Force to deal with transitional
housing to look at a recommendation for normal length of stay for transitional
housing, and exit strategies for clients who are reaching the end of their
stay in transitional housing.
Richard discussed that there were no alleged breaches of confidentiality or
evictions in the past year. He indicated that quality of care made up 40% of
the total number of grievances.
CM McMurray asked if there were any questions for Richard. There were no questions.
7. SRO Report
CM Siron presented an SRO Report with regard to ordinances in the process of
being approved for Sprinkle Violations and associated fines issued by the
City Attorney. He indicated that the next meeting will be tomorrow. Charles
stated that due to illness he has not been able to prepare a more thorough
report. Committee discussed surprise visits to be conducted at all SRO’s
in the city.
8. Prevention with Positives Committee Report
CM McMurray indicated that this should be “Prevention WITH Positives”.
Council Support noted the change. Allison Westin reported on the meeting with
the Prevention With Positives and mentioned a long list of goals to be achieved.
Members gave priorities and are putting together a work plan. March 22nd is
the next meeting.
9. Community Fora
• Introduction to Needs Assessment Process Coordination
Allison Westin of Harder & Company (H&Co.) discussed the Needs Assessment
and the Community Fora underway. She mentioned that the team met with Jack
Newby and discussed how H&Co. work with community will collaborate with
Council. This is an opportunity for community to give feedback and identify
barriers to service. The fora are often population-specific, and may be difficult
to generalize. H&Co. can work through some of those issues, and can put
together a protocol.
Have not met with Needs Assessment Working Group to make changes to proposal
and changes to target populations could occur. More information to be provided
next month. Community Fora to get more information and also a recruiting point.
Flyers and announcements will be coordinated.
CM McMurray indicated that time is of the essence as the first Community Forum
is on the 24th of March. Intend to discuss if cuts were to come, what are important
services and the question may be asked twice, one from a personal perspective
and another taking into consideration the community as a whole.
Allison indicated that a community forum in Castro regarding personal needs
and community needs, does this imply their community or SF as a whole.
CM McMurray clarified that the answer desired was the broader collective community.
If up to an individual what services kept and what cut.
CM Allgaier reiterated the definition of participants with regard to “community.” A
synopsis of the forum is to receive information and data in context of Needs
Assessment work that H&Co. will be conducting.
CM McMurray added that data collected in prior year was not particularly helpful
during prioritization and wants to work with H&Co. to put information into
a format that is useful in the prioritization process.
Allison mentioned that interview protocols are available, they are aware of
information to be collected, and already communicated with local service providers
for meeting rooms, and offering participants of forum to participate in Needs
Assessment.
CM McMurray informed Allison that the Community Outreach & Advocacy Committee
will be meeting occasionally in the community rather than in the current room,
which might bring useful information different than the fora, and can also
be used as a recruiting opportunity.
CM Durio asked about the second question regarding community be defined as “city-wide” as
opposed to leaving it vague and defining community less broadly.
Allison indicated that from a research perspective, the more you can pre-define
the terminology, the easier it is to keep consistent information. Difficult
to ask open-ended questions.
CM McMurray discussed the idea of placing placards identifying service categories,
to be used for asking which to be prioritized as top choices, followed by discussion.
For question to be useful, it may be better to use the term city-wide.
CM Ortiz added that the tri-county EMA needs to be considered.
CM Durio indicated that the Needs Assessment will only be in San Francisco
and perhaps next year expand to San Mateo and Marin counties.
CM Allgaier agreed that people may not have enough information to make such
a decision on the other counties.
Other CMs agreed that it would be unfair to residents of the counties to ask
that question if they were not present.
CM Durio reported on the plan to use a dot-exercise and explained to Allison
what this might look like.
Committee and Allison discussed how this would be implemented with regard to
identifying a priority of services in the face of pending cuts, and those non-negotiable
services.
CM Sallee added that clients might assume that something like primary care
might not ever be touched, and need to consider this question while keeping
in mind that all services are subject to cuts.
CM Siron added, “core” services that are important for maintaining
health and life.
Allison asked if there was any information on limitations on past Needs Assessments
and whether there was any feedback on the amount of data.
Committee was unsure.
CM Durio expressed a concern that the information may never feed into Needs
Assessment.
Allison stated that the forums provide a baseline and do not substitute for
the Needs Assessment.
CM McMurray reiterated that the forum is a supplement, and adds to the overall
picture a voice of the community, and wanting as accurate as possible information.
CM Siron asked how this could be used for the prioritization.
Allison indicated that the main purpose of the forum is to provide information
to be used for the prioritization.
CM McMurray also indicated that it serves the purpose to mingle with the community
and work as a recruitment source.
CM Allgaier stated that the community forums may only be a snapshot and not
totally reflective of the entire community and the system of care, the need
to get good data to be translated to Council.
CM McMurray added that getting good demographics is also a goal.
Allison asked about how many people showed up.
Committee agreed that between 50-100 could show up.
CM Sallee stated that the results of the Needs Assessment were a statistical
representation, and the results of community forums were easier to understand
people thought it deserved more weight, but need to remember that it is a limited
set.
Allison informed Committee that the more information that is collected, the
more the information can be put in context, and can be compared to other types
of data.
CM Allgaier suggested collecting demographic data before people receive incentive.
CM Durio suggested that demographics be collected during second question.
CM McMurray added that translation and assistance with reading would also be
provided.
Allison recapped that the first step was to give people the dots to vote and
prioritize top three, remaining as a visual during the smaller group discussions.
Committee discussed the issue regarding when to serve food at the forums, and
decided that it would be offered during the middle of the meeting prior to
breaking off into the smaller groups.
CM McMurray asked for mechanism to get people to mix in small groups.
Allison indicated cards could be provided to assign group numbers, but CM Durio
indicated that this did not work in the Tenderloin forum. Allison suggested
a five-person group that people form on their own, talk for a few minutes,
then take groups of five-and five and groups of ten get together and talk.
Then groups of twenty, and then joining the entire group.
Committee indicated that there might not be enough people to facilitate so
many meetings.
Committee discussed that the problem in previous forums was that people were
not having trouble conversing, but that they wanted to hang out with their
friends.
CM Allgaier suggested a broader group of people to talk with, rather than just
participants’ friends, may offer the opportunity for gaining more useful
information with regard to the second question.
He also suggested explaining ahead of time clearly and concisely why the breakout
groups are being done so people are aware of what is being done.
CM McMurray suggested one facilitator, a single voice to lead the group.
CM Sallee indicated that breakout groups went smoothly, and that this would
be a good opportunity to try something new, and may provide some ideas of how
to proceed when returning to Tenderloin.
CM Allgaier suggested a “dress-rehearsal” prior to the actual forum,
rather than just jumping into it.
Allison stated that there will be a limitation when asking people about the
general population, and even new approaches to getting people to breakout,
will still not be completely unbiased. Allison discussed these questionnaires
have been done in the past, and may be possible to break down the question
of the most important priorities in the community by using several questions.
CM McMurray reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting to clarify the ideas
discussed about the format of the questions and breakout groups.
CM Durio stated that there was no decision with regard to returning to a larger
group and passing out sheets with demographics.
Allsison asked for the length of time for the forum.
Committee agreed that it was a couple of hours and that having to return to
another group might be too much to fit in.
CM McMurray reiterated the need to collect information that is usable.
Allison and Committee reviewed the possible agenda for the community forum:
Introductions
Prioritize by personal use
Dinner
Discussion of cuts and reauthorization and frame the question of city-wide
issues
Small groups while eating dinner
There was some committee confusion about the plan for a format and asked Allison
to suggest ideas.
Allison stated that based on feedback from last year:
Introductions and dot exercise first, followed by dinner. If people are focused
on eating they may not have as much time to discuss. Just eat and while finishing
up put people in smaller groups. Facilitators in each group to keep people
on task and with questions. Stay in small groups with the forms and a report
back.
CM Siron indicated that food presented in the middle of the forum will be too
disruptive.
Committee agreed that many people left after food was served.
CM Sallee suggested completing the form before getting food, and suggested
that some people would be lost before completing the form anyway.
Committee discussed that the form must be completed before getting their incentive.
CM McMurray concerned about not giving people food soon enough after arriving
at 5:00 pm. And need someone assigned to speak clearly and explain expectations.
CM Allgaier suggested that people have an opportunity to digest information.
Allison reviewed her plan:
Introduction
Dot exercise announcing dinner served soon.
Put people in groups.
Committee discussed options again with regard to food and the format of service
category posters.
CM McMurray indicated that every detail needs to be ironed out before the actual
forum to avoid confusion. In light of the present uncertainty there needs to
be a script developed.
CM Allgaier stated that a group of people need to come together to do the planning
after the basic concept has been agreed upon. It was suggested that the co-chairs
and others involved be the key planning, as well as Council Support.
CM Sallee suggested scheduling a time for concrete planning and assigning key
players and duties.
CM Allgaier suggested meeting with facilitators to identify questions and plan
of the process.
CM Sallee said she felt completely prepared at prior forums where she worked
as a co-facilitator.
Committee agreed to contact all Council Members to ask for assistance.
CM Allgaier suggested identifying specific tasks first.
Committee reviewed that boxed lunches would be ideal, and perhaps CM Siron
could work on obtaining donated drinks.
CM McMurray asked what Council Support could provide.
CM Durio indicated that committee flushed it out and people were solicited
individually.
CM McMurray asked for CM Durio’s preference.
CM Durio was uncertain.
Leah stated that she and Jack would be looking at the LGBT Center space tomorrow
to determine logistics. Leah spoke for Jack in saying that Council Support
would take on these tasks.
CM Durio stated he would collaborate with Leah and Council Support to determine
what needs to be worked on more.
Committee agreed that the room in question had been used before and was quite
spacious holding up to 400 people.
CM McMurray reiterated that all council members would be contacted by himself
and CM Durio.
CM Durio agreed that a list of assigned tasks would be offered individually
to Council Members.
CM Sallee indicated a phone call to Council Members requesting specific help
is often successful.
CM Durio asked Allison if possible to get handout with demographics and how
to frame questions with regard to obtaining useful information.
Allison: what kind of questions in small group? What is handout filled out
and information needed? Asked for input on exactly what this needs to look
like. Regarding the handout and demographics, she asked what was needed.
Committee agreed this was similar to the Needs Assessment and Leah indicated
that one would be provided that was used in previous year.
CM Allgaier indicated that the handout would include evaluation of the forum
as well as demographics.
Allison recapped: on the handout to be filled out – will include participant
demographics, evaluation of forum, community wide questions. Demographics matched
to those collected on Needs Assessment.
She asked regarding priorities on the city-wide question and whether this should
be a few questions or one big open-ended question? Indicated that she can put
something together, but the more input she receives the more on target she
can be.
Committee discussed.
Committee agreed that checking a series of boxes at the end of forum rather
than filling out a form would be easier.
CM Allgaier suggested question for facilitators to end with the form to be
filled out. Develop talking points and questions, followed by form question.
Committee discussed that small groups could talk about individual needs as
well as city-wide priorities.
Allison indicated she could put together a protocol, but wanted info on how
much time.
CM McMurray offered a possible schedule.
CM Allgaier asked where the discussion on reauthorization would fit in.
Committee agreed that the exact time line would be worked out later and acknowledged
that with dealing with such a large group there needs to be some flexibility.
CM McMuray and CM Durio agreed to talk more outside the meeting about how to
proceed. Wilhelmina agreed to meet with them.
Allison clarified what was expected (time line, questions, forms) and that
she would give this information to Council Support as well as CM McMurray and
CM Durio.
Public Comment: Mike Wonders suggested handouts during the first few minutes of meeting.
10. Community Meeting
The Committee will discuss the next Community Meeting scheduled for April 13,
2005 in the Mission.
CM McMurray asked if a location had been chosen for the April 13, 2005 community
meeting. Discussion was that the same format would be used. Committee reviewed
the agenda used at the last community meeting. (Copy presented to all present
and available on file at Council Support Offices).
CM Ortiz indicated that he might have a place available.
Committee discussed the format and presenters as listed on the agenda.
#2 Joe
#3 should be a co-chair
#4CM Durio and Richard Bargetto
#5 CM Allgaier & Jack Newby
#6 Jack Newby
#7 CM Ortiz and CM McMurray
#8 CM Durio
All that would be needed is location and food.
Committee described to Allison the purpose and format of these community meetings.
Committee discussed the need to obtain translators and Leah indicated that
she was working on this and has information on cost.
CM Allgaier asked about presenters on agenda that the presenters need to be
aware that their comments will be translated which might require additional
time.
Committee agreed that some of the agenda items would be short.
Leah asked regarding the flyer, to be similar and translated into Spanish.
Committee discussed locations for other upcoming community meetings and the
May 19 Community Forum. Suggestions were made for GLIDE and ST. ANTHONY’S.
11. Next Meeting Date and Agenda Items
Committee discussed the next meeting date on April 13 in the Mission, and that
the agenda would be completed and distributed via email. Leah indicated that
the flyer would be completed and distributed. She added that the press release
was already out. Suggested emailing list of agencies and addresses to receive
notices, and indicated that the HAPN group would be used.
CM Siron offered to volunteer to help Leah connect people with agencies to distribute
the flyers.
12. The meeting adjourned at 7:15pm.
Home |
Community Outreach & Advocacy
Committee
| Policy & Evaluation Committee | Evaluation
Committee
Membership
Committee | Planning
Committee | Steering
Committee