(DISCUSSION) Report from Bayview Hunters Point and Western Addition community based contractors on status of their operations.
Comm. Richard said that he was asking all CBOs to report on how things were going so that the Committee would have a better idea of what situation the Dept faced, as far as how money was being expended and what was being accomplished with those funds. He announced that City Hall was now asking for even more cuts in the budget so it would behoove all to be alert.
a. Bayview is BVHP Foundation (not present)
b. SLUG
Hector Garam, Human Resources Manager/Youth Manager for Programs, reviewed some of the projects running, and some of the problems in the funding landscape.
S. Arcelona reported that SLUG is turning around some of the problems of the past. Currently the crews around YGC are under capacity, but hopefully more youth will be referred to them.
c. Office of Samoan Affairs (not present)
d. The Beacon Center
K. Celoni gave a short report. They work with younger, and some older at risk kids. Many of them come from the elementary school on the next block. They do case management to keep them from entering the juvenile justice system. Barbara Cohen, the Director, reported. A major concern for them is that parental involvement or concern with their kids is lacking. She characterized it as apathetic. She asked if there was any way to encourage/require parent involvement in the case management program, as a probation condition of the youth. She said their case managers go to the schools and into the classrooms to “check up” on their youth, and the teachers have expressed She also said that in the Western Addition they have not been able to identify many of the youth on probation.
S. Arcelona stated that the funding from the Dept supports the case managers at certain Beacons, which is a very important resource to identifying early on potential problems, and addressing them. Comm. Dupre asked the Dept staff to look into whether probation officers can mandate parents participate, for each youth referred to the Beacon Ctr.
Comm Bonilla said that even in these tight financial times, it may be useful to have an outreach program that talks to parents about how the Dept is interested not only in working with youth when they come to the dept, but also in ways to prevent that connection.
Comm Dupre asked if the Bayview Beacon Ctr was requested to report tonight. Ans: yes.
Comm. Bonilla asked the Dept to send a letter to those CBOs who were absent tonight, to come report at the next meeting.
Comm. Dupre commended those CBOs present for their continuing good work.
e. Girls After School Academy (not asked to come, CBO in Sunnydale)
f. Ella Hill Hutch Community Center
The program is at full capacity, with 1.25 FTE staff. With the cuts they probably will cut the ¼ position. The caseload now is about 25, 5 of those being carried by the .25FTE staff. The Committee expressed a concern for the services to girls if they cut the .25 FTE staff, who is female. They said they will supplement the services of this program with their other services. They will look for other funding to keep the program going.
Lonnie Holmes stated that the contractor was doing well and meeting all program objectives.
g. Morrisania West
Kim Celoni, Case Manager, reviewed their operations. She carries a caseload of about 13, providing many supportive services for her clients. She said that cuts in the funding will reduce the number of cases she can serve, but they will not turn away clients from getting help. She mentioned her colleague, Cortes Espinosa, had broken his leg and wasn’t able to attend.
Comm. Bonilla asked if funding from the Dept were ultimately terminated, would that mean that they would continue those services gratis? Ans: yes. Comm. Bonilla said that showed the level of commitment CBOs had toward their clients. Comm. Dupre wanted the CBO to state whether this was going to be at a sacrfice. Ans: yes.
Lonnie Homes confirmed their report.
Sheila Arcelona reported that C. Espinosa’s position is supported through TANF.
h. YWCA Girls Mentorship Program (not present)
i. Special Services for Groups
Colleen Devine reported that they were doing well, serving about 50 people, with their curriculum integrated into Ida B Wells school’s curriculum. They have been able to develop good relationships with other services (CBOs and institutions) to which they can refer their clients. About 65% of their clients get employment (and keep it an avg of 3 mos) after they finish the program. About 30% go further to enter college. They were able to leverage their TANF grant to get other funding and expand their services. S. Arcelona said that they have been very successful in getting additional help from interns to extend their services.
(public comments)
Ntanya Lee expressed her continued disappointment with how money is spent in the city (eg. SF police), when the need for community programs is critical. She said that other depts. who have such funds need to devote some of those funds to this Dept to continue community programs
|
