2017-02-24 Agenda with Backup Human Services Advisory Committee Agenda
City of Denton City Hall Council Work Session Room
;:' 215 E McKinney St, Denton, TX 76201 v 1
DENTON Friday, February 24, 2017, 11:00a-1:30p
I. Call to Order
II. Introductions
III. Oath of Office (if needed)
IV. Approval of Minutes from February 17, 2017
V. Human Services Advisory Committee
a) Conflict of Interest Disclosure
VI. Human Services Applicant Presentations
VII. Adjourn
NOTE: The City of Denton Civic Center is accessible in accordance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act. The City will provide sign language interpreters for the hearing impaired if
requested at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting. Please call the City
Secretary's office at 349-8309 or use Tele-Communications Devices for the Deaf(TDD) by
calling 1-800-RELAY-TX so that a sign language interpreter can be scheduled through the
City Secretary's office.
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the above notice of meeting was posted on the bulletin board at City Hall
of the City of Denton,Texas,on the day of ,2017,at
o'clock(a.m.)(p.m.)
City Secretary
Human Services Advisory Committee Agenda
City of Denton Civic Center
Cc�Y 321 E McKinney St, Denton, TX 76201
DENTON Friday, February 17, 2017, 11:00a-1:30p
Members Present: Ryan Appleton, Pamela Barnes, Meredith Buie, Sheryl English, Hannah
Garcia, Laura Mauelshagen, Jane Upshaw
Members Not Present: Stephen Coffey, Connor Morgan, Sarah Swanson, Christie Wood
Staff Present: Danielle Shaw, Barbara Ross
I. Call to Order
A Quorum was established. Sheryl English, Chair called the meeting to order at 11:28a
II. Introductions
No new guests or members were present. No introductions were required.
III. Oath of Office (if needed)
All Oaths are current.
IV. Approval of Minutes from February 10, 2017
Minutes from February 10, 2017 were presented for Approval.
Corrections were requested to meeting attendance. Jane Upshaw was not present.
Hanna Garcia moved that the minutes be approved with the correction to the
attendance moving Jane Upshaw from present to not present.Jane Upshaw
seconded the motion. The motion carried.
V. Human Services Advisory Committee
a. Conflict of Interest Disclosure
No conflicts were disclosed.
VI. Human Services Applicant Presentations
Sheryl English opened discussion
The following notes from the agency funding presentations are provided for committee
information and review.
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation
Time
5 Denton Christian Preschool Alicia Blanca,Executive Director 11:30a-11:40a
Teresa Starrett,Board Chair
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding request.
Agency made Introductions. Agency explained that the funding request is for a Bilingual teacher
and Bus Driver. The program is not day care it is a pre-k program preparing children for school.
The agency also offers a grant program for high school graduates who attended the program. The
agency shared additional items not in the application. It is teaming up with TWU Occupational
Therapy students to assess any special needs. The dental hygiene clinic provides free teeth
cleaning and x-rays. Services include three meals a day, transportation to pick up and drop off
kids because some have no way to get to the program.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Agency was asked to describe the hours of operation. It is a part-time program, Monday
Wednesday and Friday for four year-olds and Tuesday, Thursday for three year-olds. Agency
added that by going to a full day program they got six more instructional hours. Agency was
asked for more detail on what a developmental appropriate education is? Agency described the
Success for Life Program curriculum and the need for a grant to update curriculum. Program aims
to get three to four year-olds ready for school by using DISD curriculum, lesson plans, teaching
basics letter, name, recognition of six shapes, primary colors and to be able to identify them.
Assessments are done throughout the year with progress reports provided to parents at parent
teach conference. Conferences help connect with parent about the developmental needs and
offer a connection to community services for help. When asked about the response for parents,
agency indicated that they have almost 100% participation. The agency also coordinates with a
social worker through Denton Community Health Clinic. Agency indicated that the budget would
not allow for the extension of hours when asked what it would take to go to full five days. Agency
was asked where kids are when not in school. Agency explained they are usually with a parent or
grandparent. The number of applicants is typically 24, three year-olds and 26, four year-olds with
five to six on the current waiting list. Agency was asked to provide the total expenses because it
was not totaled in the application expense form. Agency clarified that the total budget is
$275,000, Agency was asked to send update to budget sheet. Agency was asked to explain where
it other funding sources? Funding comes from United Way and private donors.
There was a brief transition to the next presentation.
Members held discussion about the collaborative efforts described in the agency application
related to members question about what each organization listed as a collaborator in the
application do for this agency. How does the collaboration add value to the agency?
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation
Time
6 Denton City County Day School Fran Nbore,Executive Director 11:45a-11:55a
Jana Ntirshall,Board President
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding request.
Agency made Introductions and started presentation sharing that through its Texas Rising Star
membership it was awarded a 4-star school rating. Agency is financially stable. Operations
budget reserves are now 3 months in reserve. The grant pays 70%for 2 teachers. Without the
support the agency would not be able to continue to offer sliding scale fees. Agency explained
that its City and UW funds are leveraged with 50% of its budget from fees, the reimbursement for
food program, and from the UNT work-study program. The agency explained it is reinstating
previous fundraisers like cookie sales, restaurant fundraisers. The executive director is focused on
staffing, enrollment, and building internal operations. All clients are now paid in full due to new
automatic billing. Since tuition is no longer past due it has really helped to build parent relations
and helped families' budget better. Agency lost a tree in spring storms that also tore out school
playground awning. Add to that, the board decided to reduce insurance playground coverage.
This has been an unexpected expense for the program.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Agency was asked for enrollment information. They have 70 kids, with a goal for 80, and it is
licensed for up to 102. Agency shared that that ratios it sets are lower than child licensing
standards so it does not plan to go over 80 kids. Currently it is partnering with academic
schooling and social readiness curriculum. The Denton Benefit League provided a grant fort this
census disciple, self-esteem, anti-bullying curriculum that has a parent involvement piece.
Agency further explained the importance of parent relationships. It hosts a monthly event and
holiday events with an average of 100 parents each month. Agency serves on the Early Childhood
Coalition steering committee. Agency was asked if it is collaborating with DISD. Agency explained
that the Ann Windle School drops kids to the center daily. A grant helped them get bus car seats
for the DISD vans. The relationship also provides opportunities for cross training with DISD
teachers and its professional development. Agency was commended for its collaboration and
growth. The agency was asked about Texas Rising Star. The evaluation system through Texas
Rising Star CCS is optional but agency selected it because it offers benefits of having an outside
observer with experience to give feedback on program strengths and weaknesses. It means
growth, experience and new methods.
There was a brief transition to the next presentation.
Members were encouraged to visit facilities and programs.
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation
Time
12 Fred 1Vbore Nursery School Dr.Nfike Nbttingly,Vice President of Operations 12:OOp-12:1Op
Debbie Johnson-Stafford,Board President
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding request.
Agency thanked the members for the opportunity to apply. Agency described that it offers high
quality child care and nursery school services in the community especially for families with
economic issues. It serves babies to age two at the center and three and four years olds at DISD's
Gonzales campus. The cooperative effort across the sites ensures they are able to serve young
babies. They are sliding fee school at full capacity at both campuses. They have over 100 on a
waitlist. Agency's capital campaign enhanced classroom and expanded the gym to be able to
provide age appropriate activities. Children have opportunities to move more and participate in
activities during inclement weather. Agency is now improving its playground and the team is
learning a lot about playground design. Agency shared its challenges like the rate of staff
turnover. It provided a modest pay increase in January that it will need to maintain. It is investing
in training and professional development. The city funding pays three salaries. Agency is involved
in earliest childhood program, Educational First Steps, to ensure quality in the classroom focusing
on things like social motor development and nutrition programs. Primarily they have two goals,
good service to kids to help them be school ready and secondarily to serve parents who have low
income be able to go to school and work. Its highest population is single mothers.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Agency was asked if more money would move the waitlist. Agency responded that space is
limited. They have increased 200 % and now for every kid who leaves one will replace it. Agency
explained that the most expensive classrooms are for youngest child so generally they lose
money on littlest kids. Agency was asked about the reported unit of service. Agency offered to
review and clarify. When asked if parents are connected to community resources, agency shared
that it works with Shiloh Farm, local pediatricians, and community resources are used to enhance
parent education. Agency spotlighted efforts to ask parents to volunteer so it builds strong
relationships with parents. The agency was asked if it had a social work staff or volunteers.
Agency responded that it did not. It does have social media coordinator, curriculum coordinators,
and a mediator liaison with parents. Agency described its relationship with Educational First
Steps, when asked if it had any national accreditation. It takes several years to work toward
outcomes needed for the national accreditation. They are in that process. Agency was asked to
provide more detail about if it offers parent workshops, training, and parenting skills training, etc.
Agency spoke abut how it can be tough to engage parents because of the time constraints on
families. Often times evening programs for working parents can be a challenge. Agency was
encouraged to find creative way to offer parent resources with a recommendation to encourage
them to provide a resource list to parent.
There was a brief transition to the next presentation.
There was a brief discussion on the increase and variety of languages like Asian native speakers
that presents a need for cultural sensitivity to serve all parent's needs.
Break 12:15p-12:25p
1 Boys and Girls Club Rick Troutman 12:30p-12:40p
Babs Troutman
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding request.
Agency thanked the members. It indicated it would like to briefly explain its programming. It is
one of 4,100 clubs nationally. It is in Denton Lewisville, Lake Dallas and Little Elm. Its goal is
education and improving a child's ability to learn. The goal is to have over 90% have a "B"
average or above. It is operating just the school year at a charter school where kids are working
to be become better students. Staff and programs focus on helping kids become better students
through a rounded education program including health and character building. If these are
provided then the agency believes grades will follow. Agency spotlighted its mentoring program
in a local DISD middle school. It cited statistics that kids make the decision to drop out as early as
middle school. Agency explained that the grant covers $70 cost and BGC puts in $70 by raising
the remaining 50% of the total fee.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Agency was asked where the program is in Denton. It operates at the North Texas Collegiate
Academy in the old Nelson Center. The charter school specializes in at-risk kids who were ask to
leave DISD schools due to issues. It said parents were encouraged to seek schools like a charter
with smaller classroom. Agency was asked to clarify if these are students from school or if DISD
buses kids there for the program. After discussion, agency offered that two kids come in from
other schools where parents transport the kids. Agency does not have the capacity to transport.
When asked if all the kids are at-risk?Agency explained that most have enhanced need. Agency
said it has a high number of what is called mild Aspergers/Autism with lots of social challenges.
Agency talked about Sororities and Fraternities that volunteer. Agency was asked to repeat the
charter school name. Clarification was requested regarding the intensity of needs and the
number in need. Agency said it has kids who are not that difficult to deal with because staff are
not trained. Agency shared client examples. Agency was asked how its mentoring program is
different than CISNT. Agency said it was asked to provide the service for 20 kids in need in
Lantana. It is afterschool mentoring getting speakers to talk to students. May expand to more
middle schools. Agency was asked to provide the study referenced on page 7 and any statistics
for need for youth year over year improvement in GPA?Agency was asked if it is going to have
Denton Board members. Agency shared that it has tried but has not yet been successful
There was a brief transition to the next presentation.
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation
Time
2 Court Appointed Special Advocates(CASA) Sherri Gideon,Executive Director 12:45p-12:55p
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding request.
Agency representative offered an introduction and explained she had been with CASA for 17
years. Agency shared that it is celebrating 25 years in the community in April. The campaign is
called the power of 25. It aims to get $25 from 2,500 people in 25 days. Last calendar year the
agency served 583 children. That was 94% served compared to its goal for 100%. It was not able
to serve 41 kids.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Agency was asked if it is seeing an increasing community need. Agency explained that there are
more kids in the foster care system this year over last. It sees an increasing need for volunteers.
In response it explained it had 189 volunteers compared to 135-145 for the previous 5-6 years. It
finally broke through a barrier where they recruited more volunteers than it lost. Agency added
that attrition is natural and it is hard to know which things to attribute to growth so will keep
doing everything it did this year. Agency was asked how long do volunteers stay? Average case is
18 months. The average volunteer stays on average three years and 1 month. It was also shared
the it is typical to have one case per volunteer but a majority work two cases at a time because of
the length of cases. When asked about the commitment the agency said that on average it is 10-
15 hours a month. Commitment includes court meetings, family visits, visit with kids, monthly
observation of parent interaction, monthly meetings with child protective services, time spent
talking to doctors, therapist, and care providers, etc. There was discussion about the budget
math. Questions included clarification of staff list specifically if the director of development
opening had been filled. Agency indicated it had. Agency was asked to describe a successful
outcome. Outcomes are that 60%transition to permanent home in 18 months. Agency was asked
how it directly impacts that outcome. Agency explained that it is the right nudge necessary to get
through the system and transition faster thus facilitating more kids to get out of system limbo.
Agency expressed that it is the emphasis on the Advocate.
There was a brief transition to the next presentation.
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation
Time
4 Communities in Schools Ann Pape,Chief Executive Officer 1:00p-1:1Op
Tasha Nbore,Chief Strategy Officer
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding request.
Agency made introductions and then shared it would provide information not in application
discussing growth and changes expected in the year. It expects that 5,000 will now be just over
4,000 due to reductions in 21st century grants, a federal funding source through TEA. Agency is
now looking differently at long-term sustainability. Its strategic plan is to diversify funding
sources. It does still own one TEA grant. But may not continue resulting in a loss of additional
operational support. Its cost share of$377,000 goes away. As a result, agency is making changes
to staffing by reorganizing, making smart decisions, and leverage money to be good stewards to
continue to earn trust with funders like the City of Denton. Agency spotlighted its amazing on the
ground staff and its efforts focused on mitigating impact to direct service. It is providing good
training to maintain program quality. It is clear that diversification is vital. Agency sees this year
as a maintenance year working to continue programs funded and it is watching the legislature for
potential issues like the recent LAR TEA 14.7% proposed cut. It watched it for over 5 month but
ended with level funding instead of the proposed cut.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Agency was asked about the Mentor Denton program. Agency detailed that it offers a 1-1
relationship made possible by leveraging resources from the community, its volunteers.
Volunteers are recruited to serve as mentoring because of the proven outcome value of a 1-1
sustained relationship. It described how UNT math students are also working with kids. The UNT
students get service learning and kids get free tutoring as an academic benefit. It explained that it
is also building on this piece by developing mentorship in small group settings through the Lunch
with a Leader program. It provides the opportunity to improve interpersonal relationships with
groups and individuals, while volunteers get to engage in mentoring in a way that builds
experience. Agency highlighted that all kids are natural leaders one way or another. These
programs help turn them toward a positive leadership direction. CISNT Case Management
provides the foundation and staff support for mentors including training. Agency was asked
specifically about Lunch with Leader how it can offer 1-1 relationships in the group settings.
Agency provided an overview. It is 1 hour a week and is a first step to grooming new mentors.
Community based means consistency in service to students who transition from one district to
another. Agency encouraged members who had an extra hour a week to consider participating in
the Lunch with a Leader program.
Members discussed what activities are being done in the program that supports the outcomes
listed in the application.
VII. Adjourn
The next meeting of the committee is Friday, February 24, 2017 at 11:00a —City Hall
East.
Having no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:25p.
Minutes Respectfully Submitted by Danielle Shaw, Staff Liaison to the HSAC
Minutes Approved: