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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-03-2016 CDBG MinutesCDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 1 of 20 CITY OF ORANGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2016 6:30 P.M. Weimer Room, Orange City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF PRESENT Mary Ellen Manning Eva Perez Mary Ellen Laster Megan Penn Fernando Rico Janice Mickelson-Weilmuenster David Gillanders (Alternate) I.CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:48 P.M. II.APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JANUARY 27, 2016 Alternate Committee Member Gillanders moved, seconded by Committee Member Rico, to approve the January 27, 2016, Minutes as presented. Motion carried, 5-0. III. FUNDING PRESENTATIONS BY NONPROFIT AGENCIES AGENCY:ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF ORANGE PROJECT:Operation School Bell Request funds to purchase school uniforms, shoe vouchers and hygiene kits Amount Requested:$15,000 Total Project Cost:$110,000 CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 2 of 20 Charlotte Vaughn, Grants Committee Chair, advised that the Assistance League is celebrating its 75th anniversary here in Orange; and stated this grant request is for their Operation School Bell Program, one of the League’s 25 philanthropic programs. She stated that this program provides school uniforms/clothing, a shoe voucher, a hygiene kit, a backpack with school supplies, and a new book for students from kindergarten through middle school. She mentioned that the Assistance League has been doing this program for 53 years; and that in the past five years, they have served approximately 1,200 students each year with this program. Ms. Vaughn stated that the $15,000 will fund the dressing of 163 elementary school children, noting the cost for each child is a little over $91. She explained that providing these necessities helps to build the confidence of these children, which makes them perform better in school. Ms. Vaughn stated that each of the elementary students receives two pair of long pants, two pair of shorts/skorts, three polo shirts, a hooded sweatshirt, six pair of underwear, six pair of socks, and a $20 Payless Shoe voucher. She added that each child receives a starter hygiene kit, which includes soap, tooth brush/paste, shampoo, conditioner, a comb and brush; and added that the junior high students are given their school’s logoed sweatshirts and polo shirts and they also receive deodorant in their hygiene kits. Ms. Vaughn mentioned that a dressing is taking place this evening; that the dressings are now done in the evening, with their parents present; and advised that in one evening, they can dress approximately 50 to 60 children, all done with the help of their volunteer members. She advised that the Assistance League does all the purchasing of these clothes, the stocking in their facility; and she added that following their dressing, the children are able to pick out a new book from their library. Ms. Vaughn noted for Committee Member Mickelson-Weilmuenster that the children arrive with their parents at the Assistance League facility to be dressed; that the children they dress have been qualified as low income through the Orange Unified School District’s Free and Reduced Lunch Program; and that the District is responsible for verifying the income eligibility of each client. She explained that the Assistance League works with the school to determine which children qualify for this program and that their parents must fill out the paperwork to receive this service, noting CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 3 of 20 the school aide provides translation services and answers questions about the form/application. She stated that the school aide will work with the League to set the appointment dates/times; and stated that once the children pick out their clothes, they try those items on in a dressing area, with the League’s volunteer members making sure the clothes fit well. Committee Member Mickelson-Weilmuenster asked for further clarification on the beneficiaries being served, the 125 non-Orange residents. Ms. Vaughn explained that the Orange Unified School District includes parts of Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana. Ms. Laster clarified that the City’s CDBG funds are only used for the Orange residents; that the Assistance League reports their beneficiary data to the City and HUD; and that they can only count the students that are dressed with these CDBG funds. She added that the Assistance League is currently in the process of revising their client application forms; that she met with Ms. Vaughn yesterday to discuss amending their forms to conform to HUD’s regulations; and added that the form has to reflect the parents are completing the application, not the school employees. Ms. Vaughn confirmed that the applications are filled out by the parents of the children; and explained that the school aide works with the parents to provide translation services or just answer questions about the form. She added that it is in their formalized agreement with the Orange Unified School District that only children who qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program will be served by the Operation School Bell Program. Alternate Committee Member Gillanders asked if a copy of the MOU with the Orange Unified School District is included in this application. Ms. Vaughn stated that the revised MOU is Attachment 11, Page 16, the first two pages, noting they added under No. 4, F and G; and explained that HUD indicated the League should indicate in their formalized agreement with the District that they will only serve those children enrolled in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Alternate Committee Member Gillanders asked if the League is doing anything to make sure the same children are not assisted two years in a row. CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 4 of 20 Ms. Vaughn stated that children might not return year after year but that the agency will clothe the same children if the need arises; and explained that after a year or two, these same children have outgrown their clothes and if they are still in need of new clothing, the agency will assist the same students. Ms. Laster noted for Ms. Vaughn that Page 4 of the application needs to be revised to reflect the forms are not being filled out by the school aide. Alternate Committee Member Gillanders asked where the rest of the funding comes from for this program. Ms. Vaughn explained that everyone in this organization is a volunteer, no paid staff; advised that they own/operate a thrift shop near the circle; and that they put on various fundraising events, such as with their annual Embrace Orange golf tournament, dinner and auction and smaller fundraising events. The Committee Members stated they have enjoyed the League’s Christmas Boutique events. Ms. Vaughn stated that while the Christmas Boutique does not bring a substantial amount of money, it gives this organization visibility. AGENCY:COUNCIL ON AGING ORANGE COUNTY OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM PROJECT:Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Request funds for ombudsman salaries and benefits Amount Requested:$25,000 Total Project Cost:$775,757 Libby Anderson, new Ombudsman Program Director, stated that she has been an ombudsman for several years and is not new to this program; and she distributed the agency’s Answers guide to the Committee Members, a resource for seniors and their families. She explained that this program is operated through the Council on Aging of Orange County; that the ombudsman program is a State and federally mandated program which operates throughout the CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 5 of 20 entire State; noted that its mission is to promote the independence, health and dignity of older people; and that their goal is to empower older adults and prevent abuse and advocate for those who live in long-term care facilities, group homes, skilled nursing, and assisted living facilities. She advised that they investigate abuse: verbal, emotional, physical, sexual, and financial; and that if the need arises, they will report that abuse to the licensing agency for further investigation. Ms. Anderson explained that they advocate for their residents by visiting facilities on an unannounced basis; that they attend resident council meetings; and that they facilitate or help to alleviate any type of concerns the residents may have by meeting with the facility administrators to attempt to resolve the situation the resident is complaining about. Ms. Anderson advised that there are 53 long-term care facilities in Orange, which equates to approximately 1,150 Orange residents they are serving; and that it is this agency’s goal to make sure each facility has an ombudsman to make unannounced visits and monitor that things are running smoothly. She pointed out that they have established reporting requirements to both the County and the State. Ms. Anderson explained that the benefit of having a paid staff member is that it will further ensure the residents are visited; and that there is another pair of eyes on these facilities. She pointed out that there are many people living in these long-term care facilities who have no family, no friends to visit them to make sure they are being taken care of and that the agency staff and volunteers many times are their only advocates. She added that in her experience as an ombudsman, if a person does not have anyone to advocate for them, their care and well-being can easily go unchecked and that is why this agency is so vital. She added that their volunteers have a huge heart for senior care. Ms. Anderson advised that this funding will cover Orange residents who need these advocate services. Committee Chair Manning asked if there are currently volunteers who are doing this job in Orange. Ms. Anderson responded that they have a large volunteer base; advised that they have 23 paid staff members and 65 volunteers who serve the County of Orange, which has over 1,000 facilities to CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 6 of 20 service. She stated that while that seems like a lot of volunteers, they tend to be stretched thin; and that if they receive these CDBG funds, they will be able to dedicate a person who will be responsible for serving the Orange facilities. She mentioned that when they are stretched thin, they are not able to cover every long- term care facility. Ms. Anderson noted for Ms. Laster that this would be a new position; and that they currently have ombudsmen serving Orange but none dedicated to Orange, that this employee would specifically serve Orange. Ms. Anderson noted for Alternate Committee Member Gillanders that they would like to have a dedicated person for other cities; explained that their annual funding is uncertain with respect to state, federal, and private grants; and pointed out that the stronger their funding is, the more work they can accomplish. Committee Member Rico asked if there is a high turnover of their volunteer base. Ms. Anderson responded that there is high turnover, more so because life tends to alter the volunteers’ plans because of spouses and family members getting sick and needing help, noting a lot of their volunteers are older and retired. She added that when advocating for people who are compromised and vulnerable, it is not always a pleasant thing to have to deal with; that the job can be very difficult, but she pointed out there is a ton of gratification in the work they do. Alternate Committee Member Gillanders asked for input on the recruitment training. Ms. Anderson explained that the volunteers and staff are trained in the same way; that each person must complete 36 hours of training and then pass an exam at the end of that training in order to become certified; that they also must accompany an experienced, certified ombudsman on facility visits before they start the training to decide whether they can handle the task; and that once they complete the training, they must perform 10 hours of visitation with that certified ombudsman before they venture out on their own. Ms. Anderson noted that the CDBG-funded position would do the same work as the volunteers, but that the position would be CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 7 of 20 dedicated to Orange, pointing out they have a lot of uncovered facilities; and noted that when they have a paid staff member, it is easier to get coverage because they are given a heavier load. Alternate Committee Member Gillanders asked if the paid position is responsible for managing the volunteers. Ms. Anderson advised that the paid staff has a little bit more responsibility, such as attending staff meetings; that the staff tends to be more experienced ombudsmen; and that they tend to cover a wider range of care facilities, which can be a very time-intensive undertaking. She added that when they first send out a new ombudsman, that person typically is not assigned to a skilled nursing facility because there are a lot of issues in those larger care facilities. Ms. Anderson stated that more is expected from their paid staff and that they would likely manage a volunteer base. Committee Chair Manning asked how many hours the volunteers work. Ms. Anderson reiterated that unless it is a scheduled meeting, all visits are unannounced; that the volunteers work on their own time, noting that some of their volunteers are still working and can only visit the facilities on the weekends; and that they are required to visit a certain number of facilities but that it is left up to the volunteer as to when they visit. She advised that the volunteer ombudsman must put in a minimum of 10 hours a month; and stated they must meet the training requirements and attend regional meetings. Ms. Laster asked what the typical schedule is of the paid staff. Ms. Anderson stated that most every paid staff member is part- time; and that two people who work in the office and she are full- time employees. She added that the part-time employee hours range each week: 10 to 15 hours a week for some and some who have more experience and larger workloads, working from 20 to 28 hours a week. She added they are also constrained by their budget. CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 8 of 20 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:$26,944 Barbara Shull, Executive Director, stated this is the agency’s third year with Orange; and noted that last year, in addition to their direct client services, they reached over 700 individuals just in their education and outreach activities in Orange. She advised that their proposal is to continue this scope of work without a cost increase, even though they are increasing their staff by one. She noted that they have staff members who are bilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese and American Sign Language (ASL), noting their office has telephone devices for use by the hearing impaired. She pointed out that with today’s technology, most everyone uses their computers and FaceTime for services. She added that their main office is located in Long Beach; that they have a small office in Santa Ana which will be closing in 30 days; and that they are opening up a new office in Anaheim. She stated that the new office will staff three full-time employees in a rotating office for all to work from one day a week. Ms. Shull stated that they have a virtual counseling network computer system, Housing Counseling Network (HCN) that allows for real-time counseling through the network with various collaboratives, such as with Housing Opportunities. She advised that this program is now in Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, and they are working on operating in the Bay area. She explained that with this real-time network, it provides a great wrap-around delivery of service programs that encompass various housing issues, such as fair housing, landlord/tenant issues, and credit counseling; and advised that each partnering agency is able to see what services their clients are receiving but that they are only able to see the confidential information about the work they provide those clients. She advised that none of the expense for this program is being charged to Orange or any city because HUD is financing it. CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 9 of 20 Ms. Shull distributed to the Committee the most recent Orange Highlights for this fiscal year and literature announcing two upcoming workshops in Orange. She stated that as of today, they are at 63 percent of meeting their annual goal for the 2015-16 fiscal year for Orange. In response to Committee Member Rico’s inquiry, Ms Shull stated that the typos on pages 10 and 18 will be corrected, changing the word “deal” with “deaf.” She added that the Virtual Counseling Network (VCN) offers a real-time video conferencing program, similar to Skype. Ms. Shull noted that the VCN is the direction HUD is choosing to go from this point forward and for it to become a wrap-around service provider; and added that all agencies involved in this wrap-around program will be cross-trained in all areas and receive certification so they can help more individuals without having to pass them on to another agency. She stated that for those people who do not have computers, there is a phone app for this program or they can just use the phone to get service. Alternate Committee Member Gillanders mentioned this program is also available at kiosks that are located at a couple sites, such as one at Delhi Center in Santa Ana and another one at SparkPoint Abrazar in Westminster. Ms. Shull stated they will soon provide another kiosk at the Anaheim office; and that the Welfare to Work Program in Irvine put in place a VCN. Alternate Committee Member Gillanders stated that the libraries would be a good location for those kiosks. Ms. Shull stated she will look into placing those in libraries, mentioning that their workshops are conducted at the library. CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 10 of 20 AGENCY:FRIENDLY CENTER, INC. PROJECT:Emergency Food & Basic Needs Assistance and Supplemental Food Programs Request funds for salary cost of direct service staff Amount Requested:$10,000 Total Project Cost:$120,000 Cathy Seelig, Executive Director, thanked the Committee for its past support, noting there is a constant need for food within the community; and advised that the Friendly Center provides a variety of services for families in need to make sure there is enough food in the homes and that children are not going hungry. She noted that their main site in Orange is experiencing a growing senior population looking for assistance; and that the site in Orange, Friendly Center North, is growing faster now that the Serrano Woods Apartments are open, stating they are seeing a lot more community members coming into that site. She mentioned that they have started an active women’s group, but noted men are welcome to participate in that group. Ms. Seelig advised that 17 percent of the children in Orange come from low income families; she highlighted the various services Friendly Center provided to one family in particular, noting that family, along with others, were connected to other programs within their system once they got through the Emergency Food Program; and she noted they also network with the police department’s Shop with a Cop Program, a Christmas holiday event. Ms. Seelig explained that Friendly Center networks with various grocery stores, but stated that they are looking for other facilities to donate food due to the recent closings of local Fresh and Easy, Vons and Hagens stores. She advised that they are now picking up food twice a week from Costco at their district store. She stated that their Mobile Pantry, Second Harvest, and Kids Café Programs are ongoing; that they have implemented a goodie box wherein the kids who receive meals from Second Harvest (typically a sandwich, fruit, drink) can place the items they don’t want to eat inside the goodie box for others to take; and that at the end of the day when the families come to pick up their kids, they are allowed to take any food that is left in the goodie box so it doesn’t go to waste. CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 11 of 20 Committee Member Fernando asked if this money will be used to pay for a driver to pick up the food. Ms. Seelig indicated yes, that she has a certain route which includes picking up food from two different Albertsons off Chapman and Mothers near Main Place. She announced that they received a grant to purchase a new freezer to replace the broken one at the main site. She added that they also pick up food from Katella Grill and Panera Bread. Ms. Laster asked where the application addresses funding this driver, noting that Part I should be a snapshot of how this money is going to be spent. Ms. Seelig explained that this driver is also considered direct services because she helps with distribution. Ms. Laster asked how the driver is currently being funded. Ms. Seelig stated it is the same, that she drives, picks up food, and she also works the Mobile Pantry Program and daily food distributions. She mentioned that the driver is a former client of the Friendly Center, adding that she is bilingual. Ms. Seelig added that this Christmas, they worked with Second Harvest to purchase 5,000 pounds of meat at a reduced rate for their holiday program. Ms. Seelig noted for Committee Member Mickelson-Weilmuenster that their office is located across the street from Target; noted they have dedicated space in the Orange Villa Bible Church; and that they use the community room in the Serrano Woods Apartments for the tutoring program. She added that they have expanded at that site with Family Support Specialists, an in-home services program. CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 12 of 20 AGENCY:HELPING OUR MENTALLY ILL EXPERIENCE SUCCESS, INCORPORATED (HOMES) PROJECT:Swidler House Rehabilitation Request funds for bathroom remodel Amount Requested:$10,967 Total Project Cost:$10,967 Raul Fernandez, Supportive Housing Operations Manager, stated that HOMES has six houses, three of them in Orange; and advised that five of these houses are for clients with mental illness who live independently. He stated that HOMES also has a program for emancipated youth in Irvine; and that HOMES co-developed a 30- unit building in Midway City and 24 apartments in Anaheim for residents who are chronically homeless, stating this is the first program of its kind in Orange County. He added that their most recent program is a fully integrated, affordable housing community in Irvine where 20 residents with mental illness are part of a 134- unit housing community. Mr. Fernandez stated that the Riley House in Orange houses six residents who pay affordable rent of $345 to $500 a month; that monthly, each resident typically receives $850 in SSI disability income; and that they do their own shopping, cooking, and budgeting. He added that HOMES staff conducts regular meetings at the house to discuss medication management, housing group relationships, household responsibilities, and discusses how each resident is meeting their required 20 hours of outside activities. He advised that the current residents consist of two women and four men. He reiterated that HOMES, Inc., provides one of a few quality housing options for special needs clients; and explained that the cost to provide this housing is typically three times the income from rent, which is why they rely heavily on partnerships with the cities where the homes are located in order to support their longer-term housing. He stated that this house was built in 1965, and thanks to the regular support of the CDBG program, it does not look its age. Mr. Fernandez stated there has been a lot of rehab done on this house and that they now need to rehab/update the downstairs restroom, which two of the males share; and pointed out that CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 13 of 20 HOMES always strives to provide attractive housing for their residents, homes that meet or exceed community standards. Committee Chair Manning stated that she has visited this site and that it is a nice home. Mr. Fernandez stated that their residents are proud of their home and their gardens. Ms. Laster asked if the organization chart in the application is for all of Jamboree Housing. Mr. Fernandez stated that is for the resident services division and is not for the entire Jamboree. Helen Cameron invited the Committee Members to visit this property to see how the CDBG program has assisted with this home. Ms. Cameron stated that she now has a new title, Director of Supportive Housing, and that she is working on new developments. She advised that HOMES is currently under construction with 70 units in Anaheim, 15 of those to be available for clients with mental illness and 48 of the units to be available for homeless families with children. She stated that almost all of the units will be for special needs population, probably the first community of its type in the country because it will have 63 units for people who are considered homeless under various definitions. Ms. Cameron stated that HOMES is working with a collaborative and received a $2.5 million grant to house 106 of the most vulnerable homeless people in Orange County; and announced that they are well on their way to providing that in collaboration with various agencies. She added that HOMES has applied for a second round of funding to add another 50 units to the collaborative, but they currently have not heard whether they will get that funding; and she mentioned there are 11 Orange County agencies in this collaborative. She added that HOMES is trying to find a location where they can acquire a motel in Santa Ana to take approximately 50 of that the homeless population off the streets into permanent, supportive housing. She stated that HOMES has a community in Claremont that they are working on for veterans housing, noting they have a very strong development team at Jamboree and that they are involved with a collaborative which has the expertise of putting together the financing for these communities. Ms. Cameron stated they will be celebrating the grand opening of this new community in September 2016, noting it will be named by the CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 14 of 20 Abraham Lincoln School; and that she expects it to be open before school starts. Ms. Cameron added that they also work with the Behavioral Health Department and other full-service partners that provide mental health resources; and stated that they have the sustainability of the programs so that clients who come into the housing stay housed and do not cycle in and out. Ms. Cameron stated that Mr. Fernandez has taken over a lot of the maintenance, operations, and working with all the clients and clinical personnel. AGENCY:MARIPOSA WOMEN AND FAMILY CENTER PROJECT:Community Counseling Program Request funds for direct program expenses, including staffing costs Amount Requested:$10,000 Total Project Cost:$744,676 Dr. Krista Driver, President and CEO, stated that Mariposa is a counseling center located in Orange and in San Juan Capistrano, nearing its 40th anniversary; explained that they provide mental health counseling for women, children, and men for various issues, especially involving domestic violence; and stated they are increasingly working with victims of sex trafficking and partnering with WTLC and Salvation Army to provide mental health services for those girls and women, noting those victims are as young as 11. Dr. Driver noted that Mariposa has a Substance Abuse Program, providing out-patient substance abuse treatment for men and women; and that this year, they started an Adolescent Substance Abuse Program. She mentioned that because they have been impacted with many clients, they are trying to take a lot of their services offsite; and advised that they serve approximately 3,000 people a year from their Orange campus, which is now at full capacity. Dr. Driver advised that for the last couple of years, they have been providing counseling services to 400 children and their families in 15 schools in the Garden Grove Unified School District; that they are in the process of negotiating with Santa Ana and Anaheim CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 15 of 20 School Districts to provide on-campus counseling services for those kids; and that Mariposa is also partnering with Rancho Santiago College to get some of these counseling services on their campus. She stated that they will benefit with this program because ESL classes and computer classes are being offered to residents of Orange. She added that people do not have to be receiving services through Mariposa to use this service and that they do not charge them rent for that space, noting this brings the community in and brings recognition to their work. Dr. Driver stated that an 11-year old girl started Anika’s Pink Closet, proceeds of which benefit other girls and their families by offering free classes to teach about domestic violence and bullying; and mentioned that Mariposa provides this space free of charge. Dr. Driver stated that a lot of what they do is free for program participants, such as the Cal Works and Welfare to Work Programs; and that their Substance Abuse Program is free for participants if they have no income, noting that program is partially funded by four County contracts. She advised that their Community Counseling Program is a fee-for-service program, pointing out that working in this field for 25 years, she has found that people who do not pay for counseling services tend not to value the service as much. She advised that each session costs Mariposa approximately $100 a session; that they offer free childcare for all their clients; and explained that they are able to scholarship or partially scholarship clients based on their income and sliding scale. She advised that 93 percent of their clients are severely low income and that they serve a lot of Orange residents; and noted that they are able to fill the gap with various programs that cater to the severely low income and low income and that they also serve those who do have incomes that can afford to pay for service. Committee Chair Manning asked if they will be hiring someone new. Dr. Driver advised that they have brought in 27 additional counselors, for a total of 100 counselors, and that the money will be used for the supervision of those counselors; and noted they just hired two additional supervisors. She advised that their counselors range in various stages of their official educational training and licensing process; and advised that all the counselors are volunteers who are getting their required hours for licensing. She added that the 27 counselors who were recently added are all USC students, noting that Mariposa just became an official training CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 16 of 20 center for USC; and stated they have a curriculum as a training center, all at various levels of the career paths. She pointed out that they have brought in other disciplines because they are getting a lot more severe cases for mental health counseling. Dr. Driver stated that they have implemented a creative expression therapy program that uses some supplies, but that their costs are primarily for the supervision of the interns; and stated that one person supervises 8 people. She pointed out that they are not a shelter or residential facility, but that they do partner with shelters, noting that WTLC provides services at the Mariposa campus and that they also work with Human Options and Laura’s House. She advised that they are open six days a week, closed on Sundays. Dr. Driver mentioned that the United States is the number one country for importing human trafficking victims (women), with the worst sex trafficking cities in the U.S. being San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego; and she advised that no agency is providing direct services to this population of victims. AGENCY:ORANGE ELDERLY SERVICES PROJECT:Orange Homebound Health Services Program Request funds to expand the homebound meal service and Case Manager salary Amount Requested:$35,000 Total Project Cost:$35,000 Katherine Connaghan, new Executive Director of Orange Elderly Services, doing business as the Orange Senior Center, stated that their mission is to promote healthy and safe lifestyles for seniors and to help them remain independent for as long as possible. She advised that $27,000 will be used for a full-time case manager who has a Bachelor’s degree in human services and is currently a graduate in a gerontology program, which is required for federal programs. She explained that the case manager will head the case management program which operates the Homebound Meals Program; that the case manager will keep this program in compliance with outside agencies; that they will conduct assessments for new and current clients; that they will verify the clients’ needs are being met and that they will address a CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 17 of 20 comprehensive plan of care for their clients. She stated that $6,000 will be used for short-term in-home care for eligible homebound clients; that these funds will assist a frail senior with grooming, bathing, errands and light housekeeping; and that $1,500 will be used for program supplies and medical equipment. She added that case management will provide needed safety items not covered by insurances, such as bath seats, bedrails, grab bars and installation costs, microwaves ovens to reheat their delivered meals if they need one; and that $500 will be used for additional outreach materials. Ms. Connaghan explained that the City of Orange is larger than the City of Brea and their senior center, yet Brea has three times more people on staff to serve the same number of clients in their senior meal program; and that with these funds, they will be able to reach the underserved senior population in Orange. She explained that the Orange Senior Center provides homebound meals through the Homebound Health Services Program, a vital resource for seniors in this community, providing nutritious meals without worry and financial stress; and stated that many of these seniors lack necessary communication skills, lack mobility to cook or have no other support systems in place. Ms. Connaghan noted that at the present time, they are serving over 350 meals a day and that these funds will help increase their reach to low income and frail elderly individuals; and noted that Orange County has a very high percentage of seniors and that they are seeing a large increase in seniors seeking these types of resources. Ms. Connaghan noted for Committee Chair Manning that the 350 daily meals include the dining room lunch and homebound programs, which serves three meals Monday through Friday. Committee Chair Manning asked how many seniors are being served in the dining room. Ms. Connaghan stated that the dining room averages 105 clients for the daily lunch dining room program. In response to Ms. Laster’s inquiry with regard to the existing programs, Ms. Connaghan explained that she wants to expand this service to reach more senior residents in Orange, reiterating that Brea serves the same number of homebound clients with a larger staff pool and that she needs these resources to reach out to more CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 18 of 20 seniors in this community. She stated that this is the only nonprofit senior center in Orange County; advised that the City covers 40 percent of their annual budget; that 60 percent of their funding comes from fundraising, grants, and private donations; and mentioned that they try to keep everything at the senior center free or low cost as much as possible. Alternate Committee Member Gillanders asked for clarification on the budget items for executive director fees. Committee Chair Manning stated her belief that these budget items are likely for memberships and travel. Ms. Connaghan stated that this budget is from the previous director, noting she came to this organization in July 2015 and that budget item is from last year. She explained that due to budgetary constraints, she had to lay off two employees in October. Committee Member Mickelson-Weilmuenster asked how this program will be funded if CDBG funding is not awarded. Ms. Connaghan stated that they typically do fundraisers, grant writing, and that they will have to get more creative with their fundraising efforts if the money is not available. She added that she does not want to increase the costs to the seniors. Ms. Laster asked how the program will be able to expand given the recent layoffs and budget issues at the senior center. Ms. Connaghan explained that they already have a case manager; that they are going to expand that program and give the seniors services, supplies and equipment. Ms. Laster asked what the funding source is going to be. Ms. Connaghan stated that the CDBG monies will be used to fund the expansion; that if the funds are not available, they will not be able to expand right now and that they will have to wait for additional monies to expand; but she pointed out there is a need for this program. Committee Member Rico asked if they have the revenues to cover the current case load. CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 19 of 20 Ms. Connaghan indicated, yes; that they are downsizing their operations and expenses and looking at what services they do offer, noting they are in transition and tightening their budget. Alternate Committee Member Gillanders asked which two positions were laid off. Ms. Connaghan indicated it was a lunch ticket person and a home delivery person. She stated that a volunteer is now taking the lunch tickets; stated that they have some interns and volunteers from various agencies, such as One Stop, Cal Works, filling those roles, but pointed out they can only do so much because of their limited staff. Ms. Laster asked if the lunch ticket person’s only responsibility was to collect the tickets. Ms. Connaghan indicated yes, that it was a part-time job. She added that their food service provider is Senior Serve; advised that Senior Serve covers most of the North and Central Orange County; that Senior Serve had cutbacks because they were getting less funding; and that Senior Serve required their service sites to help out with their staff or they would not be able to provide food for the City’s lunch program; so it became necessary for them to hire a kitchen worker for Senior Serve. She also mentioned that the minimum wage increase this January has impacted their budget; and she concluded that the two layoffs were basically a wash because of the need to hire a kitchen employee for Senior Serve. Ms. Laster noted that the City receives a limited amount of funding for public services activities; that the total allocation for the three nonprofit agencies that were funded this year is approximately $28,000; and that this funding request is for $35,000. Ms. Connaghan stated that she will have to work on more ways to obtain the funding she needs to expand the program. Alternate Committee Member Gillanders asked if Senior Serve is one of their listed contract services on the line item budget. Ms. Connaghan responded that it is one of their contractors. CDBG Minutes February 3, 2016 Page 20 of 20 V. PUBLIC COMMENT None. VI. ADJOURNMENT At 8:48 P.M. the meeting was form ally adjourned.