HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 012792HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
JANUARY 272 1992
MINUTES
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Human Services Advisory
Commission was held on Monday, January 27, 1992 at 7:15 p.m., in
the Commissioner's Conference Room, Court Street Annex Building,
Hillsborough, North Carolina.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Philip Cooke, Co- Chair, Peggy Pollitzer, Harold
Murdock, Chris Gambill, Edith Hubbard, Ned Brooks, Bev Foster,
Tarleton Davis, Jan Riordan, Co- Chair, and Jan Schopler.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Excused: Barbara Warren, Mary Davison, Martha,
Branscombe, Shirley Siegel and Don Willhoit. Unexcused: Luther
Brooks, Hazel Quick.
STAFF PRESENT: Kathy Baker, Deputy Clerk; Margaret Henderson, MPA
Intern and Albert Kittrell, Assistant County Manager.
ADDITIONS /CHANGES TO AGENDA: None
MINUTES: A motion was made by Jan Schopler, seconded by Jan
Riordan, to approve the minutes as corrected.
REPORT ON JC PENNY GOLDEN RULE AWARDS: Jan Riordan reported that
notice of the JC Penny Award was included with this year's
Governor's Award nominating forms. Nominees for the Governor's
Award were also submitted for the JC Penny Award. Out of the four
nominations which were submited, two were chosen for consideration.
Virginia Baron and the South Orange Rescue Squad each won $250.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS: These committees are listed below:
Volunteer Awards Committee: The Governor's Award nomination forms
are distributed in April with winners being selected in June. The
JC Penny Award and various other awards are handled by this
committee as well. Members: Tarleton Davis and Jan Riordan
Nominating Committee: This committee receives applications from
the Commissioners Office, and other sources. They interview those
applicants and makes recommendations concerning appointments to the
HSAC members at their regular monthly meetings. Members: Members:
Edith Hubbard and Barbara Warren
Forum Committee: Helps plan and coordinate the HSAC's yearly
policy forum. Members: Bev Foster, Peggy Pollitzer, Jan Riordan,
and Barbara Warren.
Task Force on the Future of Human Services Planning: Peggy
Pollitzer suggested that this Task Force be designated as a
subcommittee. Members: Jan Schopler, Peggy Pollitzer, Ned Brooks
APPOINTMENTS: All active members whose terms expire in March were
recommended for reappointment.
FEEDBACK FROM BOARDS CONCERNING VISION STATEMENT:
Board of Commissioners: Kathy Baker reported for Commissioner
Willhoit that the Board endorsed this statement and has made a
commitment to include it in the County's long range planning.
Task Force on the Future of Human Services: Beverly Foster
indicated that most of the suggestions from the Task Force were
editorial rather than substantive. She indicated that she believes
that the HSAC .needs feedback from Boards /Commissions and the ACA on
ways to develop strategies for the practical use of this vision.
Jan Schoper indicated that the Task Force suggested using the
vision statement to create a mission statement. Margaret Henderson
will work on a draft of a mission statement. It will be attached
to thesse minutes.
Health Board: They will discuss this at their next meeting. Bev
Foster will report on their discussion in February.
Board of Social Services: Mr. Cooke indicated that the DSS Board
discussed this vision statement. They felt that the theme for
human services needs to be "accessibility of services." They also
discussed whether or not the county was moving toward
centralization of services. The issue of accessibility and the
amount of time needed to apply for services needs to be a part of
the evaluation of those service providers. They also felt that the
count- does not have an adequate mechanism through which to educate
the citizens about which services are available. They indicated
that they believe that the county needs to focus on the development
and implementation of those mechanisms: Mr-. Cooke stated that the
HSAC might have a role in the educating of the citizen concerning
available services.
United Way: Ned Brooks indicated that the United Way would discuss
this at,their next meeting. He will report on their comments at
the February meeting.
Advisory On Aging: Mr. Murdock indicated that they would
discuss this at their next meeting. He will report on their
comments at the February meeting. He also mentioned mentioned that
an open house was held at the Chapel Hill Senior Center. Over 300
people attended. The Center should be operating as soon as the
dividing walls are up.
Interfaith Council: Peggy Pollitzer indicated that the planning
committee did look at the vision. Their written comments are
attached.
Mental Health Board: Edith Hubbard indicated that. the Mental Health
Board will discuss this at their ne.,:t meeting. Sh will report on
their comments at the February meeting.
TASK FORCE FOR HUMAN SERVICES REPORT: - Margaret Henderson
indicated that she has proposed a Strategic Planning process to the
Task Force. Task Force members suggested that elements of the
process be implemented gradually. A long term issue to consider is
whether staff support would be required to facilitate this process
and who would fund this staff person. The Task Force will consider
a revised process at their February meeting. One goal is to set up
a central coordinating committee *for the Association of Community
Agencies, United Way, Orange County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Improving the quality of communication would be addressed by this
coordinating committee. She indicated that Orange County does has
an effective, informal network for communicating between services
providers. The coordinating committees goal for the initial year
will be to establish the meetings, reinforce the common goal, and
become more aware of what others are doing in the area of human
services. She also mentioned that a central body to receive all of
the statistical information which is being generated would be a
great help.
Peggy Pollitzer suggested that committees need to be established to
do planning around the major identified critical issues.
Albert Kittrell and Margaret Henderson intend to create a report on
the kinds of coordination already in place. Edith Hubbard
suggested that we need to help agencies articulate what services
they are offering. The agency with the most important service may
not package that service as well as some other agencies. Bev Foster
indicated that the HSAC needs to be able to advocate for effective
groups whether they are packaged well or not.
Peggy Pollitzer reworked the vision statement into an operational
format which is attached. Please review and be prepared to discuss
at the February meeting.
DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS TO EVALUATE HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES:
Non - departmental applications will be returned to the County
by March 6th. Albert will discuss this project at the February
meeting. These non - departmental funding requests will be reviewed
at the March meeting.
nmuL'n.
Edith Hubbard indicated that 1200 people from across the state
attended a conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. Over 300 people
were turned away because of lack of space. She indicated that 6
regional meetings will be held. She will keep the HSAC informed
about local meetings on this issue.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The
next regular meeting will be held.on Monday, February 17, 1992 at
7:15 p.m. in the Court Street Annex Building, Hillsborough, NC.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Baker, Deputy Clerk