2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
KATHERINE MUNTER
President
CAROLENE MARKS
Vice President
NIKKI CALMA
Commissioner
KAY GULBENGAY
Commissioner
DORKA KEEHN
Commissioner
JING XU LEE
Commissioner
ANDREA SHORTER
Commissioner
EMILY MURASE, PhD
Executive Director
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COMMISSION COMMUNITY MEETING MINUTES
Members Present Staff Present
Commissioner Nikki Calma Executive Director Emily Murase, PhD Commissioner Kay Gulbengay Administrative Analyst Laura Marshall Commissioner Dorka Keehn Policy Analyst Anu Menon
Commissioner Jing Xu Lee Grants Administrator Carol Sacco
Vice President Carolene Marks Policy Analyst Jill Tregor
President Katherine Munter Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez
Excused: Commissioner Andrea Shorter
I. CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA CHANGES
President Munter called the meeting to order at 5:10 pm and welcomed all present.
Action: Approved agenda. m/s/c/ (Keehn/Marks/Unanimous)
No public comment.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
President Munter announced that the May 12, 2008 minutes will be approved at the June Commission meeting.
Action: Approved draft minutes from April 23, 2008.
m/s/c/ (Keehn/Gulbengay/Unanimous)
No public comment.
III. EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT DISCUSSION
A. Executive Directors Report
Dr. Murase referred Commissioners to her written report and thanked Administrative Analyst Laura Marshall for her 2 years of work on the Domestic Violence Response Cross-Training Institute. Dr. Murase announced that 2 sessions remained and urged Commissioners to attend. Dr. Murase introduced Hannah Belsky, an undergraduate student at Smith College, who will be a summer intern at the Department. Dr. Murase also announced that the Municipal Executives Association, which represents Department Heads and other senior city officials, has agreed to mandate a 5-day unpaid furlough in the next 2 fiscal years in light of the current budget deficit. Finally, she informed the Commission that the Department presented the gender analysis of state budget cuts to the Mayor and will follow-up.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Agenda and are considered to be routine by the Commission on the Status of Women. They will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Commission. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Commission so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as a separate item. Members of the public may speak on each item listed on the Consent Agenda.
A. Resolution Recognizing the Kimochi Home for 25 Years of Service
B. Resolution Recognizing Self-Help for the Elderly's Longevity Gala
C. Resolution Marking June as Gay Pride Month
Action: To approve the Consent Agenda.
m/s/c (Keehn/Calma/Unanimous)
Rebecca Rolfe, Executive Director of the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Center thanked the Commission for honoring her work as part of Gay Pride Month in June. Ms. Rolfe welcomed everyone to join in the June 7 Pride kickoff events that will be held at the Center. Commissioner Marks expressed her delight in honoring Rebecca and extended support from the Commission.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Jewish Family and Children's Services
Judy Lynch, Director of the Seniors at Home Program (SAH) with the Jewish Family and Children's Services explained that 65-75% of the clients they serve are women. Caregivers and skilled nursing care enable older adults to live in the comfort of their own homes. This program provides in- home assessments and a workplan that the client helps to develop. In addition, the program provides information and referral services, cleaning services, money management, care management, counseling and support groups, conservatorship, in-home care, skilled nursing, palliative/end of life care, and bereavement support services.
Bernadette Sweeny, Assistant Director, explained that In-Home Support Services and private insurance help cover the cost of services. The program serves all ethnic backgrounds, creeds and religious backgrounds.
Lina Trinad, Immigrant Services Director, explained that her job is to ensure that immigrant clients feel comfortable seeking services. This program provides legal services, citizenship services, adult day activities, a health center, social activities, hot lunch services, and bilingual mental health services as many of their clients speak English as a second language.
Commissioners asked the speakers to identify the top 3 issues their clients face. The presenters indicated that these were isolation, transportation challenges, and the high cost of housing.
B. Elder Abuse Prevention
Heidi Li, Esq., Director of the Consortium for Elder Abuse Prevention at the Institute on Aging explained that the Consortium brings together over 50 providers that serve seniors and adults in both public and private agencies from across the city. Preventing abuse and responding to victims in a coordinated way is the Consortium's goal. Member agencies provide counseling programs for elder abuse victims, resource referrals, agency referrals, training on elder abuse detection, public awareness, multidisciplinary team reviews and consultations. In San Francisco, there is a high population of individuals over 65 years old. Unfortunately, many are targeted for crime. A growing trend is that many older adults fall victim to financial abuse. The Consortium has worked with District Attorney Kamala Harris, Police Chief Heather Fong, and City Attorney Dennis Hererra on a public services announcement to bring awareness of financial abuse among seniors.
The Consortium holds monthly meetings featuring professionals from the fields of aging, adult protective services, mental health, law enforcement, and geriatric health care. The organization also reviews complex abuses cases and promotes learning about new service resources and innovative intervention techniques. The Consortium gives presentations to community agencies of how to identify and prevent abuse, training over 1,500 participants a year. The Consortium also produces a quarterly newsletter, The Gatekeeper that provides updates, events, announcements, news, submitted writings, and resources for older adults. The Institute on Aging, the sponsor of the Consortium, provides direct services to seniors, such as assessments, care coordination services, adult day programs, home care, money management, art programs, friendship line telephone support, research and clinical trials. Ms. Li explained that isolation, transportation and language access are issues that older adults continue to face. Ms. Li hopes to continue to work with the Department and the Family Violence Council to promote awareness of the difficulties and struggles older women in San Francisco face.
Commissioner Gulbengay emphasized the importance of educational and intervention trainings to younger generations as they will be the ones to take care of the aging population. Commissioners urged the Consortium to continue its valuable work.
Ms. Li announced that there would be an Elder Abuse Awareness Rally at City Hall on May 29 from 12:00-1:00 pm and urged Commissioners and members of the community to attend.
C. Kimochi, Inc.
Sandy Mori, an early Commissioner on the Commission on the Status of Women and Development Director of Kimochi, Inc., thanked the Commission for recognizing the needs and struggles of older women and for the resolution recognizing Kimochi Home for providing 25 years of service. Kimochi, Inc. is an organization providing a continuum of care to seniors for over 35 years. Kimochi Home is easily accessible to the Tenderloin and Western Addition districts in San Francisco, and provides residential/respite care, and adult daycare social programs which includes the following activities:
· Daily exercise class
· Nutritious lunch & snack (Japanese Food)
· Art classes
· Weekly one-day mini-trips
· Intergenerational activities with day care and after school programs
· SPCA animal assisted therapy visits
· Singing
· Special performances
To be eligible for Kimochi services the following criteria must be met:
· 60 years or older
· A San Francisco resident
· Able to walk independently with little or no assistance
· Able to get along with others in a group settings
· Must complete the Residential/Respite Care program application and assessment.
Ms. Mori explained that 73% of the women served at Kimochi are women since they tend to live longer, which also explains why there are an increased number of single women that access services. The youngest client is 75 years old and the oldest client is 103 years old. Kimochi reaches out to families and works closely with them to ensure that clients are able to continue to live at home with a support system that fits individuals need. Isolation, transportation, housing are issues identified by the elder community as high priority.
President Munter acknowledged and thanked Supervisor Carmen Chu for attending the Commission hearing and listening to the needs of older women in San Francisco. Supervisor Chu urged all the presenters to work collaboratively with the Municipal Transit Authority, the SF Housing Authority, the Department of Aging and Adult Services, the Department of Public Health, and the Mayor's Office of Disability to help fill the gaps in services that have been identified. She noted that roughly 50% of the City's population is composed of women, and that services for older women should help them age with dignity and respect. Supervisor Chu thanked all the presenters for their dedicated efforts to serve the women of the City, and acknowledged Sandy Mori for her participation in the Long Term Care Coordinating Council and encouraged other service providers to participate in this important effort.
D. Self Help for the Elderly
Anni Chung, Executive Director of Self-Help for the Elderly, thanked the Commission for the resolution recognizing the annual Longevity Gala fundraiser and the work of her agency. Self-Help for the Elderly strives to promote the independence, dignity, and self-worth of seniors, and serves over 25,000 seniors each year across 4 Bay Area counties. The multi-service organization provides wellness programs for seniors including:
· Adult day services
· Affordable housing for independent seniors
· In-home care and hospice
· Nutrition and senior centers
· Residential care facilities for the elderly
· Senior employment and training
· Social services
· Technology and Information Empowerment Center
· Daily lunch service
Ms. Chung echoed the other presenters in identifying inadequate public transportation, a lack of senior housing, and isolation as key issues that seniors face.
Ms. Chung explained that the Commission can do the following 5 things to support Self-Help:
1. Continue to be the voice of seniors who cannot speak for themselves.
2. Expand and develop services for seniors.
3. Urge organizations and departments to provide information and services in a variety of languages.
4. Bring awareness about the lives of older women by sharing their stories.
5. Collaborate with local community-based organizations to expand services for seniors
Commissioner Marks explained that Glady Thatcher of the Women's Foundation is working on a program that serves elder women at all income levels and urged Partner Agencies to collaborate with these efforts.
E. Discussion
Commissioners asked Supervisor Chu about the status of the City's budget since many community-based agencies were anticipating significant budget cuts that would negatively impact their ability to provide direct services to vulnerable populations such as senior women.
Supervisor Chu explained that the City is facing over a $300,000 budget deficit in the upcoming fiscal year, which will impact funding to many Departments. The Board of Supervisors will be presented with a proposed balanced budget by the Mayor on June 2. Supervisors will be holding budget hearings in the following weeks. Many agencies are facing funding cuts but will have an opportunity to come before the Board of Supervisors to request addbacks. Supervisor Chu looks forward to working with the Commission, Department, and Partner Agencies to do what she can to protect critical services.
Commissioners announced that they will be setting up meetings with member of the Board of Supervisors and Partner Agencies to advocate for restoring fund to the Department.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
Commissioner Keehn expressed her concern with the proposed elimination of the Project Manager position for the JUS.T.I.S hub that is designed to enable criminal justice departments to share databases. She explained that this project is far over budget and significantly behind schedule. Without a Project Manager, the problem is likely to get worse.
Commissioner Lee requested that the Commission observe a moment of silence for those affected by the earthquake in China.
VII. ADJOURN
Vice President Marks asked that the meeting be adjourned in the memory of Rosemary Frac who had served as a Commissioner on the Commission on the Status of Women.
Motion to adjourn meeting in memory of former Commissioner Rosemary Frac.
m/s/c (Munter/Calma/Unanimous).
Meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm.
The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager or other similar sound-producing electronic devices.
Explanatory documents: For copies of explanatory documents listed in this agenda, and other related materials received by COSW, please contact the Department on the Status of Women at 25 Van Ness Ave, Suite 130, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone: 415-252-2570, fax: 415-252-2575. Also, to the extent possible, documents will be available on the COSW website at http://www.sfgov.org/cosw.
Know Your Rights under the Sunshine Ordinance(Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)
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Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Requirements
Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance [SF Campaign & Governmental Conduct Code § 2.100] to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the San Francisco Ethics Commission at 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 220, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone: 415-252-3100, fax: 415-252-3112; web site: sfgov.org/ethics.
