2017-02-10 Minutes Human Services Advisory Committee Agenda
City of Denton Civic Center
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IoI321 E McKinney St, Denton, TX 76201
DENTON Friday, February 10, 2017, 11:00a-1:3Op
Members Present: Pamela Barnes, Stephen Coffey, Sheryl English, Hannah Garcia, Laura
Mauelshagen, Connor Morgan, Christie Wood
Members Not Present: Ryan Appleton, Meredith Buie, 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 11:15a
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 3, 2017
Minutes from February 3, 2017 were presented for Approval.
Stephen Coffey moved that the minutes be approved as presented. Hanna
Garcia 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 general discussion in advance of today's presentation. Hanna
Garcia asked for staff report on the monitoring/reporting status of today's agencies.
Staff provided a brief overview for each. Pam Barnes commented related to last week's
discussion and asked how to better understand the impact of a program. Members
carried out informal discussion referencing applicant three' application by example.
Discussed that the app lists activities but it is not clear the impact. Members discussed
how to request more information from COD application from all agencies to better tie
outcomes back to cost per unit as discussed last week. Pam Barnes would like to better
understand how agencies are making an impact. Specifically she would like to see
applicants better reflect financial, agencies impact and then relate those to outcomes
back to cost per unit. Members discussed how they would also like to see better
financial reporting. Members moved into general discussion about summer programs
offered through parks. Pam Barnes and Hanna Garcia discussed contributing to the
training content for applicants in the next program year.
The following notes from the agency funding presentations are provided for committee
information and review.
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation Time
Retired Senior Volunteer Program-RSVP Diana Corona Executive Director
19 1130a-11:40a
1 Salome Clarke,Community Engagement Officer
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding
request.
Agency started presentation with introductions and then provided a board update. Board has
three new members and is now meeting monthly instead of every other month. Board has also
added a regular retreat. Also new for the board is the revision of the by-laws and review of the
agency name to see how it aligns with its community work. Federal sponsor indicate that
Volunteer management costs $1,000 per volunteer annually. Agency cost is $398 dollars per
volunteer that supports City of Denton funded 31 volunteers. Agency supports more than that.
Dream budget is $585,000 for 585 volunteers actively serving in outcome-based program
supporting Education, Food Security, SHIP and other community priorities that are volunteers in
other activities like Docent, Libraries, and hospitals. Agency highlighted Rocking Readers program
with 35 volunteers at 20 elementary schools reaching 1500 students 30 ins a week to at least two
classrooms, in Denton and Lewisville. Agency would like to move into every school and to add
pre-school in addition to Kindergarten and 15t grade. Increase in request is to upgrade software
to current version.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Member offered commendation to the Rocking Readers program and appreciation for tying
service units to budget in the application. Agency shared the addition of Dr. Marlene
Montgomery who is a professor and her contribution to the program how she and she adds value
to the education programs. Agency appreciates the federal sponsor initiative to have target focus
areas that focuses use of funds. Agency offered that it is polishing its process collecting data from
agency partners where the volunteers are providing direct service. Agency was asked how it
identifies outcome-based programs to support. Agency explained that it was the ability to work
within the target focus areas as well as the benefit of alignment with community priorities.
Agency was ask for more detail about the SHIP program. Education on immunization was
targeted because the agency identified that there were more than just parents in the room and
so there was an opportunity to educate adults about the importance of immunization and
vaccinations like flu.
There was a brief transition to the next presentation.
Members discussed that agency had improved the presentation as a direct result of feedback
from HSAC in previous years. Member discussed that this is an important reminder to the
committee members to offer advice to agencies to help them improve.
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation Time
Retired Senior Volunteer Program VISTA Christina Penland,VISTAProject Director
I8 11:45a-11:55a
2 Jessica.Platt,VLSTALeader
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding
request.
Agency introduction presenters. Agency provided overview of VISTA program, Volunteers in
Service to America. Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS) VISTA grant was first
awarded 2013 with 13 VISTAS. It has increased to 20 plus members and now 29 in the Summer
Associate program. VISTA serve one-year, full-time. 17 current with 4 to be added in upcoming
months. CNCS provides resources for VISTA living allowance, health care, relocation, childcare,
and an education stipend. It contributes $373,383 into the local economy through the 21 VISTA
members. Summer Associates get living allowance education stipend $101,703. Summer
Associates will support the City of Denton's Summer Food Program utilizing 5 of the Summer
Associates for 28+ sites and then additional Summer Associates will assist the summer camp. The
24 are split, helping at summer camp 8-10 week's full time. VISTA leaders help recruit screen and
provide ongoing support for VISTAS and Summer Associates in the program. Agency shared
VISTA work at partner agencies. VISTAS are building volunteer management programs, risk
management policies, resource development, communications, and more. The agency work of
the VISTA supported by the City of Denton funding was shared. They are recruiting and training
volunteers, developing new systems and policies.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Agency was asked in VISTAS are like interns? Agency explained that VISTAS are stipend
volunteers whose work is more project oriented and they serve as full time staff in a capacity
building role. It is service learning so VISTAS get job skills while providing important capacity
building support. Agency was asked to explain how someone becomes a VISITA Leader. Leaders
must have experience as a VISTA first. There was a question asking for clarification for cost
sharing. Agency explained that for one of every four agency has to pay the $11,000 per VISTA so
they cost share with agencies to contributes $6,500. The grant request would help two agencies
with the cost-share. Partners see benefits but cannot always afford the cost share. Agency
provide example of VISTA serving at New Day Services. Funding a VISTA will allow the agency to
be an incubator to get them started to raise more funds, build capacity and increase self-
sufficiency to be able to raise the funds to pay for and become self-sustaining. Members were
interested in learning about where VISTAS live. Agency described different ways VISTAS secure
housing in the local community with the stipend provided. Agency was thanked for bring the
program to Denton.
There was a brief transition to the next presentation.
Comments were shared about how the agency has improved its application request. There was
additional discussion from members about how to engage this agency in application training to
help show how it has improved impact reporting and the application over time.
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation Time
21 Special Program for Aging Needs Deb Robertson,Executive Director 12:OOp-12:1 Op
(SPAN) Kristine Herrera,Program Ntna er
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding
request.
Agency began with introductions. Agency highlighted the addition of a new program manager.
Agency shared about the closing of another similar program, Meals and Wheels of Denton that is
not related to SPAN. Agency was able to connect and transition as many participants as possible
to SPAN's services. It was also able to retain volunteers to continue to serve the clients
maintaining existing relationships between volunteers and service recipients. Agency was asked
how many were not be able to be served. Agency explained qualification requirements are that
the client must be 60 and older and homebound. Some did not qualify because they were under
60 or not homebound. It did further explain that in those cases, persons who were under 60 and
homebound was referred to Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). As a point of
clarification when asked why the other program closed, agency indicated it was understood that
it was Denton Regional Hospital's decision to close the program. Agency continued with
presentation to share that the congregate meal program is continuing to grow. Growth is
attributed to their ability to partner with low-income senior living communities with the benefit
that those communities have more access to healthy meal options that also allows the clients
stretch nutrition dollars and the program improves socialization reducing isolation that improves
overall health of participants. Specifically, meals provided is up 20% in the last 5 years.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Agency was asked how it measures impact. Agency utilizes strong evidence based program
measures tracked nationally. Locally, they collect surveys from clients but the national studies
help quantify the nutrition and economic benefit through reduction in hospitalizations, increased
independence experience by clients. The agency was asked who makes the meals. Valley Foods
in Fort Worth is the provider. Agency added that food quality surveys are but they would good
love to have locally prepared foods. In response to the questions if the agency is seeing
increasing need or waitlist in the past, it shared that it is reduced waiting lists by managing
participants through eligibility and prioritization and adjusting cut off level of eligibility. It added
that it does not advertise because they are only able to meet a fraction of the need. Agency was
asked to share how many applications are redirected or referred? Agency explained the process
of phone screening where 90% are accepted and only a few are not qualified. Those not qualified
are referred to other sources when applicable.
There was a brief transition to the next presentation.
Break 12:15p-12:25p
In lieu of a break committee members continued with presentations.
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation Time
23 Youth and Family Counseling Terri Donsbach,LCSW-S,CT,Executive Director 12:30p-12:40p
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding
request.
Agency introduced presenters and thanked the committee for accepting the application. Agency
highlighted the VISTA in attendance. Agency is in its 36 year offering two programs. One, the First
offender and At-Risk kids program where schools, courts, counselor can recommend clients into
the program that can offer six free sessions. Agency shared that it is hoping to expand to all of
Denton County because the need for a prevention services is high. Agency has tripled and has a
waitlist. The second program is the community sliding scale counseling services. The sliding scale
is income based. Program is open to everyone. Referral for all types of counseling needs, kids,
families in transitions, college age issues, etc. Covers overflow for TWU and UNT. Agency sited
mental health statistics. Texas ranks 49th% in state mental health funding. Agency is addressing
suicide and its impact in schools. Agency offered that one thing not in the grant is its
collaboration with other nonprofits. It is a part of Serve Denton, which allowed expansion to
provide counseling services to in house partners like Refuge for women. It also works with Kyle's
Place, and NCTC to make sure they are serving those who are the most underserved specifically
those who do not qualify for MHMR. Agency offers bilingual, play therapy, counseling in two
locations with the goal to meet the needs in the county. In the last five years in less than a month
it has tripled the number served compared to those served over the previous five years
combined. Agency added that these services are comparable services to private counseling.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Agency was asked what percentages of clients are from Denton? Agency indicated 50%. When
asked what the agency attributes to triple the agency explained it was just opening the office in
Denton and collaborations in the Serve Denton facility. There was discussion on Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) technique, a specific type of brain engagement to over
come trauma with no side effects and no medication. Agency explained that the funding would
be used to continue to offer the program in Denton. Agency added that it wants to maintain
service in community. The agency was asked it now that it is operating in Denton would the
board grow to include Denton representation?The response was that yes and there are efforts
for building the board that are targeting Denton participation. The agency listed agencies it
collaborates with when asked about partners. The list included Serve Denton, Refuge for
Women; Communities in Action; local schools; Kyle's Place; NCTC. Agency added that
collaboration allows them to provide more services and serve more long-term. When asked if it
had you counseling spots available, the agency offered it did have some in the daytime. Agency
described growth goals like adding a bilingual therapist and that with 5 more therapists the
agency could fill Saturdays. There was discussion about sliding scale versus free counseling
services. Fees help the client feel more investment in their improvement. The agency was asked
if it takes insurance? Agency explained that it does not and most do not have behavioral health
coverage or the deductible is to high anyway therefore, sliding scale is often better than
insurance.
There was a brief transition to the next presentation.
Discussion centered on the visible impact of VISTAS in the agency presentations today. Members
discussed what was appropriate to follow-up with programs outside of the application process. It
would be appropriate to connect with programs.
Members were asked about allocation level for this year's grant. Staff recommended that the
levels be considered consistent with last' years allocation amount. Staff shared information
about recent comments from Mayor Watts that might mean additional direction from council to
the Human Services Advisory Committee to review how the grant funds are allocated in
alignment with community issues and prioritized. Homeless and Housing initiatives were
referenced.
TAB Applicant Organization Guest(s) Presentation Time
3 City of Denton PARD Kathy Schaeffer 12:45p-12:55p
The agency was provided with five minutes to present information to support its funding
request.
Agency started with providing information about changes due to losing site at Denia. Now, the 56
slots are fully integrated into all camps. This offers easier access for family, full day program;
Program is offering same program options like foster grandparents, UNT and TWU mentoring
and the AMERICORP Summer Associate program, summer food program as well as traditional
day camp programming. The program targets working families that cant afford the care and kids
would stay at home otherwise. Always have had a scholarship program but this is the free
program based on Income qualification. Members asked about the Summer Associate program
and how it will help the program. Since the camp has 1 to 17 ratios the associates improved
ratios. While still following Standards of Care and they are not staff but will help improve direct
service. Members asked the agency to discuss outcomes, outputs and impact. Agency offered
that the mentorship and leadership that is offered will give the camp the improved ability to
provide more guided focus on the individual child's needs. These will support, modeling good
behavior, socialization, and foster positive adult relationships. Kids will have better opportunities
to have a caring adult that they will learn to be able count on an adult for support. Being able to
provide more of that is a huge outcome. Kids flourish under this environment.
HSAC members took five minutes to ask the agency questions.
Agency was asked how it measures that impact. Through reports behavioral, expulsion, and
incident can see drops in reports and through reports where kids are earning more positive
rewards. Members recommended to the agency that it should show more of that impact in the
application because it gives the committee the ability to show the impact to the community.
Agency was asked to provide some of the current impact data. Agency shared how it uses the
data in real time to help train staff and make program adjustments throughout the program.
Agency was asked Budget question. The program budget did clearly show City of Denton grant
funds in income. Members asked agency to show more financial detail in application. Agency was
ask if there might be more demand due to the expansion of the day and the additional location
options. Agency expects more demand. Committee commended the agency for integration of
the participants into the program so that the fee camp kids are not separated. Discussion about
the parks foundation and scholarship coverage. No additional funding this year despite the
increase in hours. Agency is looking at how it may increase scholarship funding through other
sources. Agency reported that it will benefit from shorter summer since DISD dropped from 11
weeks to 10 weeks.
Members discussed importance inclusion changes and the improvement in what was reported in
the presentation from previous years.
VII. Adjourn
The next meeting of the committee is Friday, February 17, 2017 at 11:00a —Civic Center
Having no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:02p.
Minutes Respectfully Submitted by Danielle Shaw, Staff Liaison to the HSAC
Minutes Approved: February 17, 2017