2017-03-03 Agenda with Backup Human Services Advisory Committee Agenda
City Hall East Second Floor Conference Room
,:' City Hall East, 601 E. Hickory, Denton, TX v X
DENTON Friday, March 3, 2017, 11:00p-1:30p
I. Call to Order
II. Announcements
III. Approval: Minutes from February 24, 2017
IV. Human Services Advisory Committee
a) Conflict of Interest Disclosure
V. Review of Committee Evaluation Sheets
VI. Discussion and Approval: Committee Funding Recommendations
VII. Adjourn
NOTE: The City Hall East Second Floor Conference Room 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
41atym0191LCity of Denton Civic Center
D NTON 321 E McKinney St, Denton, TX 76201
Friday, February 24, 2017, 11:00a-1:3Op
Members Present: Ryan Appleton, Pamela Barnes, Meredith Buie, Sheryl English, Connor
Morgan, Christie Wood
Members Not Present: Stephen Coffey, Hannah Garcia, Laura Mauelshagen, Sarah Swanson,
Jane Upshaw
Staff Present: Danielle Shaw
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 17, 2017
Minutes from February 17, 2017 were presented for Approval.
Staff identified the need for corrections to grammar and punctuation in the presented
minutes.
Ryan Appleton moved that the minutes be approved as amended. Meredith
Buie 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
The following notes from the agency funding presentations are provided for committee
information and review.
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation
Time
17 Nbnsignor Kmg Homeless Center Nbisie KASHKA 11:30a-11:40a
Roy Nbtzler or Betty Ka
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding request.
Agency made introductions. The agency started with touching on a few things not in the
application in regard to program data for 2016-2017. They served 233 different clients at the
shelter, 179 men and 57 women. The oldest client was 65 years and the youngest was 1 week
old. There were seven children including three infants. In regard to strategy, they are focused on
the goal to improve and increase service to clients. The shelter is now open every Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday and in inclement weather. It wants to have more services, more
volunteers, more expertise, and more fundraising. It is building a new website to recruit
volunteers and a stronger board with targeted expertise. The agency is starting a capital
campaign using a volunteer with fundraising expertise. Other expertise includes a volunteer with
facility management experience, one that is technology savvy and one retired accountant to
work with accounting and treasury. The capital campaign is raising $300,000 to finish paying for
the final expansion. The expansion will increase beds to 96-98. Shelter Thy Neighbor event is in
April. Agency explained to the members why it should recommend continued funding. Its work
with the HLT has identified MKOC as the starting point to get homeless into a larger system of
care. When there is serious inclement weather, they save lives.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Agency was asked if it had a goal to be open seven days a week. It explained that it would but it is
not feasible right not due to the organization being 100% volunteer. Right now it is open 7 p.m.
on Monday and Wednesday, 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and in inclement weather. Agency was asked
what screening is does for shelter clients. It conducts a criminal background check that is
instantaneous. The background check is necessary because it cannot house sexual offenders due
to location proximity to juvenile probation center. Agency was asked to explain how it calculated
unit cost on page six of the application. The explanation was that it serves 41 persons at $77.83,
which equals $3,191 per month. Multiply that by 12 months that equals $38,292. Agency added
that this unit cost does not include inclement weather nights. Agency thanked the members for
their consideration.
There was a brief transition to the next presentation.
Members expressed gratitude that the agency was funded in 2015-16. Staff was asked to share
any reporting issues with the agency. Staff shared that the agency was given six months to get
performance numbers on track and be entering clients into HMIS. Members had a conversation
about the likelihood of duplication in HMIS. Staff provided information about how HMIS data is
shared so it reduces the chance of most duplication issues.
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation
Time
10 Denton County Friends ofthe Family Toni Johnson-Simpson,Executive Director 11:45a-11:55a
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding request.
Agency made introductions and shared that this request is to provide support for the emergency
shelter by covering a portion of shelter director. Agency spoke about staffing changes so this will
cover the assistant director position. Agency is the sole provider for domestic violence and sexual
assault. The agency provides a variety of services to meet the community needs. It is looking to
expand the shelter. Currently at 45 beds. An expansion will accommodate for growth based on
times of the year where there is a higher need. It is currently in search of land. The project will
require a special permit and the right zoning. The new facility will have a 70-bed capacity;
complete with a safe campus, childcare center and a 10 unit transitional housing section. Agency
shared that the biggest barrier when trying to help clients to exit the shelter is the lack of
affordable housing. They have to hold women in shelter longer because of the lack of housing
options. Agency talked about the loss of funding for the Emergency Solutions Grant limited other
community partners who providing housing options to the shelter clients. The agency described
other programs. It has programming for women and children and some men. Women connect to
the shelter through the crisis line; it meets clients at Denton Police Department, and it provides
legal services and assistance with child protective services. Agency helped changed the process of
CPS for domestic violence clients due to the unique nature of client's protection. It takes care of
immediate needs, clothing, food,job counseling, opportunities to go back to school, long term
counseling, and advocacy.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Members asked about the income of clients. Agency explained that the shelter usually has clients
with less income than in other programs. Agency described the variety in incomes when it comes
to domestic violence stating that domestic violence is an equal opportunity offender, there is not
any stereotype easy to identify. Adding that sometimes income issues are a result of the abuse
itself. Agency went further to talk about income assistance. Rotary has been helpful in training
and a clothes closet. Agency was asked how it calculated the unit cost in the application. Agency
explained that a night of shelter is a unit versus base shelter operating cost. The base rate is $60
per person per night. Agency was asked if clients pay any of that costs. The shelter is a free
service. It is more than shelter with more than 2,000 clients in nonresidential services. Shelter
numbers are lower than in other programs. When asked how many households would it need to
house every 30 days, agency indicates that of the 10-11 households; some need housing
assistance; some can stay in their own home with legal remedies; some leave the area to other
locations; some return home. Agency shared that a recent trend shows that the average family
size has grown from 2.8 to 4.25. This trend is impacted significantly by shrinking childcare
subsidies.
There was a brief transition to the next presentation.
Members commented on the statics shared about the huge growth in family size.
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation
Time
16 Interfaith Mnistries Allye Potter,Outreach&Development Specialist 12:OOp-12:1Op
Darhyl Ran se ,Board Chair
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding request.
Agency made introductions. The agency is a social service agency that provides for client's
emergency needs. The grant helps with emergency rental assistance that prevents homelessness.
The agency indicated that the program is aligned with the City of Denton supported
homelessness prevention initiatives. The $20,000 request is based on community need. The
agency annually receives more than 500 inquiries for rent assistance and it is only able to serve
just over 50.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Agency was asked if it still just had one incoming phone line. Agency replied that it did have the
one phone line but with two rotating volunteers help answer calls. This helps case manager focus
on client assistance. Agency was asked about walk-ins and the phone lines. When asked, the
agency indicated that all $20,000 goes to rent. The average rent is $666.00 and the average
assistance provided is $500.00 per unit. Agency was asked how it determines who gets
assistance. Agency said it is first come, first serve. Assistance is restricted to once per year.
Clients have to show ability and promise to return to repaying rent after the one month of
assistance. Agency was asked if it leverages any other sources for rental assistance funds. It
indicated that it does leverage COD funds. The community need is high. Agency was asked if it
had the resources and capacity to seek federal funds for assistance programs. Agency shared that
it is currently partnering with the ESG grant application and if funded will provide emergency
assistance under the grant. Agency detailed that it has recently had some grants fall out of cycle
reducing its overall funding. Agency was asked about its diversity of board. It explained that it
visits churches and seeks referrals through volunteer contacts. It has identified the concern, is
aware and is working on diversification.
There was a brief transition to the next presentation.
Members held a discussion regarding a question about how organizations are working
strategically to meet the growing demand and how they are trying to improve processes to
manage the changing community needs and limited resources.
Break 12:15p-12:25p
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation
Time
20 Salvation Army—Denton Joanna Henry 12:30p- 12:40p
Lt.Linda Choi
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding request.
The agency made introductions. The agency discussed that the biggest challenge to homeless is
housing. As a front door agency they are impacted by the ability to get clients housed. Case
management is a necessary. The agency is planning on more caseworkers to serve clients in
intensive case management for faster stabilization. For all funding they are working on a
Leverage Plan to increase reach and funding through Christmas Kettle season and the annual
luncheon, which makes up 38% of the shelter budget. Food is available regardless of shelter stay.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
When asked how many people the food program serves, the agency stated that every weeknight
it serves about 50 meals and the weekend it feds about 60-70. The program is open to those who
need food security. Agency was asked if clients are screened. They are screened for criminal
record and drugs in the shelter but not for food program. Agency was asked if it runs out of food.
Agency explained that it has especially on the weekend service. The funding also supports a food
pantry. There was a question if it offers perishable and Non-perishable foods in the pantry.
Agency explained that it provides mostly non-perishable foods to the 542 served in food pantry.
The agency was asked if it would add paid or volunteer case management. Paid staffing is
expected. As a front door agency it refers to other agency for housing and ends up being the way
station. Agency shared that it is looking at ways to improve moving clients to housing solutions
that improve rate of housed versus those who remain homeless.
There was a brief transition to the next presentation.
Members held a discussion about HMIS and Coordinated Entry program that are needed to help
improve housing placement. The discussion expanded to a conversation about the homeless
cycling in and out case management. Meredith Buie excused herself at 12:52 p.m.
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation
Time
13 Giving Hope—Transitional Housing(2) Sharell Clay,Program Nhnager 12:45p-12:55p
Dais y Ntrtinez,VISTA
14 Giving Hope HMfS(1) 1:00p-1:1 Op
The agency was provided with ten minutes to present information to support its funding request
for two programs.
Agency made introductions. Agency has been serving Denton for about 30 years. In those years it
has helped over 14,000 residents in programs. Agency said it has seven primary programs. The
transitional housing program is important because it helps single mothers and children with rent
assistance. The client pays utilities and a portion of the rent. Clients are unaware but agency puts
the funds into a savings account and returns it to the client when they exit the program. Agency
has been able to increase fundraisers. It doubled goal for Night of Hope raising $40,000; NTX
Giving Day raised $8,000; and the annual poinsettia increased over the past. The transitional
housing program serves single parents and is seeing increasing needs of assistance for single
fathers. The agency provides counseling, financial assistance through rents, parenting skills, and
short-term housing stability. It has 2 recent graduates, one was a mom who was able to graduate
college and is now moving out to permanent housing. It works with DISD to assist with
transportation because kids need a foundation to keep them in stable school. It provides
consistency. Agency was alerted that time was running out and if it wanted to present on the
second funding request it should do so soon. Agency described the Homeless Management
Information System (HMIS). HMIS tracks homeless clients that are in the system so the agency
can see how the client is served. Five agencies are currently participating in HMIS. Agency is
hoping to add five more. Agency is providing training, through Brown Bag lunches. Agency talked
about the loss of ESG and how it created a stronger bond in the agencies to use the funds
effectively.
HSAC members took ten minutes to ask the agency questions for the two programs.
Agency was asked when the Brown Bags Lunches started. Agency said it was a few months ago.
Agency was asked if these were in lieu of formal training or did it provide formal training as well.
Agency explained that the Brown Bag was what it offered and that more local training is needed
from the Texas Homeless Network (THN). Agency said staff member with 10 years HMIS
experience leads. Agency was asked as the current HMIS lead to the other agencies, who does
data entry into HMIS at each agency. Agency said it is the responsibility of each of the other
agencies to enter their own data. It could not support the data entry at every agency. Since the
agency is responsible as HMIS lead to track data quality, it was asked how it tracks data quality in
HMIS reporting by each agency. Agency responded it does not. That is the responsibility of THN.
Agency staff monitors its own data and then each other agency monitors its own data quality.
Agency was asked to clarify what training it offered at the Brown Bag lunch. Agency was not able
to describe so it was asked to provide past agenda and attendance for the two Brown Bag lunch
sessions it stated it has hosted.
Agency was asked to explain how financial tracking for client's contributions are handled? Agency
explained that the program tracks what is put into savings like the 30% rent. Client gets a hand
written receipt and the money is put into a client account. Agency was asked how the financials
reflect this liability. Agency representatives were not sure. Agency was asked if it opens a
separate account for each client. Agency said funds were deposited into an agency program
account. Agency was asked who does the monthly bank reconciliations and who writes the
checks on each of these accounts. Agency said accountant on the board reconciles. There is a
monthly report. Agency was asked to provide the report for what is the balance in each client's
account. Agency further described that every grant has a separate account with a balance sheet.
Case manager and ED have signing authority on account. Agency was asked how long clients are
eligible to stay in the transitional housing program. It ranges from 6 months to 12 months in
Transitional Housing. Presenters exited the room.
Members asked staff for information regarding the agencies reporting. Staff shared the agency
could not report until 2015-16 monitoring items were cleared. Once completed agency was late
in reporting the last two months for transitional housing. Staff indicated the HMIS reporting was
only first made in January and that it has not yet being approved due to the request being
ineligible. Request was for executive director salary only, which the HSAC made clear when
funding was approved for 2016-17, executive director salary was not eligible. Staff reviewed the
issues in the recent monitoring report related to member's financial questions today. Members
expressed concern over the number of accounts and accounting for the clients' funds retained.
VII. Adjourn
The next meeting of the committee is Friday, March 3, 2017, at 11:00a—City Hall East.
Having no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:27p.
Minutes Respectfully Submitted by Danielle Shaw, Staff Liaison to the HSAC
Minutes Approved: