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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06-2013 CDBG MinutesCDBG Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 1 of 9 CITY OF ORANGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013 6:30 P.M. Orange City Hall - Weimer Room MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT Mary-Ellen Manning None Mary Ellen Laster Eva Perez Fernando Rico Gina Scott Robert Tunstall Committee Chairperson Perez arrived at 7:10 P.M. I.CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:40 P.M. II.APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 30, 2013 Committee Member Rico moved, seconded by Committee Member Manning, to approve the February 1, 2012, Minutes, amending Page 3, Section V, second paragraph, “…authorized to request…” Motion carried, 4-0. Ms. Laster handed out a revised meeting schedule. III. FUNDING PRESENTATIONS BY NONPROFIT AGENCIES Minutes are continued on Page 2 of 9. CDBG Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 2 of 9 AGENCY:ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF ORANGE PROJECT:Operation School Bell Request funds to purchase school uniforms. Amount Requested:$5,000 Total Project Cost:$82,000 Charlotte Vaughn, Grants Committee Chair, advised that the Assistance League has been serving Orange for 72 years, noting that Operation School Bell has been serving Orange students for 50 years. Deida Conrad, Chair of Operation School Bell, stated that Operation School Bell is working with 13 Orange schools; and advised that this year they added four junior high schools to this program, dressing 200 junior high students for the first time. She stated they were able to provide the school logos on both their shirts and their sweatshirts; and explained that this year, they provided each child mores clothes than in previous years, giving them three shirts, two long pants, two shorts, one sweatshirt, six underwear for the boys and girls, and four pairs of socks. She noted that each child received backpacks with hygiene kits and various items needed by each gender and age group. She added that books were also given to the children and that the junior high kids were dressed separately from the grammar school kids. Ms. Vaughn stated that Operation School Bell is the agency’s flagship philanthropic program, the one program wherein all three of their auxiliaries participate. She explained that the Assisteens auxiliary, girls and boys in the 7th through 12th grades, provided the backpacks for the kids; and that they also help the kids find their sizes when they come in to be dressed. She stated that the Orange Blossoms auxiliary, those members who are typically in their mid-30’s, provide the school supplies and books. She stated that the Professional auxiliary, working women, provide the shoe vouchers. She advised that the children from kindergarten through the 6th grade receive a $15 Payless Shoes voucher, and the junior high school kids receive a $25 Payless Shoes voucher. Ms. Vaughn pointed out that they appreciate the City’s past support; advised that they raise their own money; and that they are an all- volunteer organization and do their own fundraising. She added that there is no other organization in Orange that provides this service. In response to Committee Member Manning’s inquiry, Ms. Vaughn clarified that each of these three auxiliaries purchase all these supplies through their fund-raising efforts. She added that the City funding is being requested for the purchase of the uniforms, and is not needed for backpacks. CDBG Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 3 of 9 Committee Member Tunstall asked how many children will be served. Ms. Vaughn noted that this last year they served 1,079 students, which includes the 200 junior high students; that they estimate they would be able to dress 68 kindergartners through the 6th grade with a $5,000 grant; and advised that the average cost is $72.80 for the uniforms per child. Committee Member Manning asked if a child is clothed who comes in during the mid-year. Ms. Conrad stated that those children will still be dressed, that the program operates from September through March, approximately. She mentioned there are usually four to five dressings each month. Ms. Vaughn stated that their volunteers are very dedicated, noting that if they have a child that can’t easily be fit in the typical sizes, volunteers will go shop and find that size and deliver it to the school for the hard-to- fit child. Committee Member Manning mentioned that this Saturday, the Friends of the Library gave numerous books to the Assistance League and that they also gave books to the Friendly Center. Committee Member Rico asked if there has been a price increase in the clothing this year from last year. Ms. Vaughn explained that they mistakenly underpriced their estimates for last year and that the cost per child has gone up; and she added that they increased the number of clothing articles given to each child. Committee Member Scott asked if there has been a long-time need to go into the junior high schools with this program. Ms. Vaughn explained that there is a huge need in the junior high schools for this program and that the needs differ from each school; she stated that the junior high school population is a group that often gets missed; and that this is an important time in their development, pointing out that new clothes help to raise their self-esteem. Committee Member Rico stated that even though elementary school kids receive clothing through the program, supplying clothing to junior high kids is also a necessity. CDBG Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 4 of 9 AGENCY:COUNCIL ON AGING ORANGE COUNTY PROJECT:Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Request funds for personnel salaries and benefits. Amount Requested:$20,000 Total Project Cost:$542,624 Kathleen Weidner, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Director, advised that the Council on Aging Orange County serves seniors in Orange County, specifically the frail, elderly residents who reside in long- term care facilities. She advised that in Orange County, there are approximately 1,100 facilities with 28,000 residents; noted that there are 53 facilities in Orange with approximately 1,100 residents; and advised that Orange also has five skilled nursing facilities, which require a higher level of resident advocacy. She noted that the program is State- and federally-mandated to visit the facilities and to be the eyes, ears and voice for these residents. Ms. Weidner stated they make unannounced visits to these facilities; that they can visit seven days a week, 365 days a year; that they have the right to speak with these residents in private when they have a complaint or concern; and explained that they investigate anything from complaints about cold food to sexual abuse. She stated that their job is difficult and that they are mostly a volunteer-based operation. Ms. Weidner stated that their funding was reduced by the State in 2008 because of cutbacks even though they are State-mandated; explained that year after year, they have to fight to get this funding back; and noted that they have been able to get back about 50 percent of what they used to receive from the State, noting it is a continuous effort each year. She advised that 16 employees were laid off in 2008 and that all 16 stayed on as volunteers. Ms. Weidner stated they respond to any complaint calls; that an ombudsman is on call five days a week, noting they can transition quickly; advised that they respond within 24 hours to a complaint; and that they have a 24-hour crisis line. She explained that the purpose of this program is to empower the residents to speak up on their own behalf; that there is a lot of fear of retribution and retaliation if they do complain; and stated that this program helps to prevent abuse and neglect because of their presence in these facilities. Ms. Weidner explained that because of budget cuts, the licensing agency for skilled nursing facilities only enters a facility once a year and that the facility knows when they are coming for a visit; and that the licensing CDBG Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 5 of 9 agency for residential care facilities only visits a facility once every five years, which is why is it so important to support the Ombudsman Program. Ms. Weidner stated that 50 percent of these residents have some level of dementia; that approximately 50 percent of these residents have no one visiting them or anyone in their lives; and explained that if this program did not exist, there would be no one for these people to complain to or go to when they are having a problem with abuse or neglect. She mentioned that the number one form of abuse today is financial abuse, noting it is rampant; that elder physical abuse is prominent in skilled nursing facilities; and that the level of neglect is prominent in the six-bed board and care facilities. Ms. Weidner mentioned that just about every neighborhood now has board and care facilities. She advised that the average resident in a board and care facility is female in her mid-80’s and speaks English; and that the average caregiver speaks Tagalog and very little English. She noted that there is usually one caregiver for all six people; and that typically, four or five of those people are not mobile, noting this greatly concerns her because they are not closely watched. Ms. Weidner stated that this agency investigates each complaint; that if they substantiate the complaint it gets reported to the licensing agency, which then goes out and does an investigation. She explained that a law just passed this year allows them to investigate without the residents’ permission, reiterating that residents fear retribution/retaliation. She stated that AB 40, passed January 1, 2013, now makes it mandatory that a facility must report any severe physical harm to the ombudsman, licensing agency and to the police within two hours; and that if any other physical abuse takes place, it must be reported within 24 hours. Committee Member Manning asked why these people do not call the police. Ms. Weidner stated they can call but they do not out of a huge fear of retaliation/retribution; and advised that a lot of the residents do not have their own phone or any privacy. She explained that the ombudsmen need to create a bond with the residents to gain their trust, noting they stop and talk with the residents on their visits to get them comfortable talking with them. Committee Member Manning asked how the small board and care facilities are licensed. Ms. Weidner explained that it doesn’t take much to get a license, but that it takes a great effort to take their license away. She stated that the Community Care Licensing Division is run by the California Department of Social Services, which also received large budget cuts in 2008; that CDBG Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 6 of 9 they went from visiting these facilities once a year to once every five years; and that they only have a handful of staff to investigate all the facilities in Orange County. Ms. Weidner stated that they are in need of an ombudsman for Orange, noting that several of their volunteers retired or could no longer do the work. She stated that they have done some heavy recruiting with little success; noted that they recruit by attending various events, through PSA’s, advertising, speaking engagements to retired nurses, retired firemen, retired teachers associations; and explained that a volunteer is typically a retired person because it takes 48 hours of training to get State-certified to volunteer and then a commitment of post-training a minimum of one year with 15 to 20 hours a month volunteer hours. She added that it can be a very hard and sad job and noted a lot of these facilities are filled with residents only living on Supplemental Social Security and have little disposable income left each month to buy essentials, such as clothes and shampoo. She added that the level of care is not very high in these facilities for SSI recipients; and that this program helps to make sure the residents’ dignity/pride is upheld and protected from abuse. Ms. Weidner stated the requested funds would be used to hire someone who will only work in Orange, part-time. AGENCY:Fair Housing Foundation PROJECT:Fair Housing Program Request funds for salaries, benefits and other expenses related to providing this service. Amount Requested:$24,522 Total Project Cost:$25,262 Barbara Shull, Executive Director, advised that this agency is based in Los Angeles County; that the organization has been in existence since 1964; stated that up until 2008, it served 11 cities in Los Angeles County and L.A. proper, but that it is now servicing Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, San Clemente, and Tustin. She stated that this is the first time this agency has requested funds from Orange. She explained that with the City’s CDBG allocation, they will provide a comprehensive and effective program that will exceed the City’s needs and expectations as well as meet HUD’s fair housing requirements. She advised that they have an excellent national reputation because they excel in direct client services; advised that someone answers their phones and that all calls are returned in two to four hours without exception if the person they are seeking is not available. She advised that they have a state-of-the-art fair housing CDBG Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 7 of 9 database and an education outreach database. She stated they have an undisputed level of success with their education outreach services and other activities they conduct within each service. She explained that what sets them apart from other fair housing organizations is that when one looks at the scope of work in their proposal, direct services of client counseling, mediations and resolutions, 98 percent of those are done over the phone. She added that all of the education and outreach is done within each individual contract city. Ms. Shull stated that with this funding, Orange would receive the agency’s full participation and attendance; that they would schedule the activities, which include staffing of booths, giving presentations and training City staff on fair housing laws, conducting four-hour certificate management training and landlord and tenant workshops in Orange, distributing literature within Orange, and conducting walk-in clinics. She explained that for the first few years, they would prefer to do these walk-in clinics from City Hall so when tenants/landlords visit, they would see the agency’s presence. Ms. Shull reiterated that this agency is one of the best fair housing organizations in the nation; advised that in the last 18 years, they have not received a finding of concern or recommendation in regard to their fiscal management; and that, in fact, two large accounting firms in California use this agency as an example of how to run a nonprofit organization. Committee Member Rico asked if City staff and tenant/landlord training is considered under the scope of work. Ms. Laster indicated that this would be included in the scope of work and that a lot of the training would apply to the Code Enforcement Division and Health Department, noting they would receive direction on what Fair Housing handles versus Code Enforcement or the Health Department. Ms. Shull explained that they prefer to train City staff because a lot of owners and tenants call City Hall first, so there is a need for City staff to understand which agency should receive the referral. She noted that most landlord/tenant issues are based on rent increases, notices, evictions, and substandard conditions; and that by training City staff, it makes for a more efficient operation for all involved. She pointed out that City staffing changes, so a yearly training is usually necessary to answer staff’s questions. She distributed a flyer that lists Fair Housing Foundation’s February trainings and events scheduled in various Los Angeles County and Orange County cities. Ms. Shull advised that the four-hour certificate program for management training is approved by HUD and that it is specifically for rental property owners; and that the landlord workshop is more about the rights and responsibilities of a landlord, noting that both the landlord and the CDBG Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 8 of 9 tenant have rights and responsibilities. She pointed out that the agency is not pro-tenant or pro-landlord, that they are pro-fair housing laws and that they will assist either party. Ms. Shull noted for Committee Member Manning that the grant received from Orange would stay in Orange. She mentioned that they might be able to open an Orange County satellite office for walk-in clients, noting this office space would be free of charge. She added they will be also be applying for CDBG funds from Irvine. AGENCY:Friendly Center, Inc. PROJECT:Emergency Food Assistance and Supplemental Food Programs Request funds for salary cost of family services staff. Amount Requested:$10,000 Total Project Cost:$212,658 Cathy Seelig, Executive Director, commented on a family they helped recently that was referred by a teacher and Principal, noting they were able to help the entire family with various resources at their disposal. She advised that they are a full-service family resource center with various food programs and additional services, which allows them to be a one-stop shop. Committee Member Rico asked what has changed this year from last year. Ms. Seelig stated that the need has increased, noting that they served a record high 952 families through the holiday/Christmas programs this past year compared to approximately 800 families that they served in 2011 through the holiday programs. She pointed out that while the economy is supposedly improving, it has not trickled down to the families they typically serve, their target being Very Low to Low Income families. She stated that families that typically did not need their help in the past are coming into hard times and need their assistance until they can move on and improve their situations. She noted that the families are qualified to determine their eligibility. She explained that they try and help the families break the cycle of poverty. Ms. Seelig noted for Committee Member Manning that the Friendly Center North works out of the church, and that they are now the designated nonprofit to provide services to the families in the affordable apartments on Meats Avenue (Serrano Woods). CDBG Minutes February 6, 2013 Page 9 of 9 Ms. Laster mentioned that the Friendly Center has done an excellent job spending the funds it received from the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP); and that the Friendly Center also received additional HPRP funding that was transferred from other underperforming agencies. Ms. Seelig clarified for the Committee that the funding request would go towards the Family Services Coordinator, who organizes all the food programs and works with the volunteers to pick up the food from various locations. She added that they still have the brown bag senior program; noted that seniors can also participate in their commodities/emergency food program; and mentioned that due to budget cuts, they no longer have the senior lunch program. Ms. Seelig invited the Committee Members to tour their facility, noting that Monday and Thursday mornings are the best times to visit. VI. PUBLIC COMMENT None. VII. ADJOURNMENT At 8:04 P.M. the meeting was formally adjourned.