2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 MINUTES
SHELTER MONITORING COMMITTEE
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
25 Van Ness Ave., 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
Members Present: Members Excused:
Chair Diana Valentine Secretary Quintin Mecke
Committee Member Henry Belton Vice Chair Damian Ochoa Committee
Committee Member Kim Clark Committee Member Maxine Pauson
Committee Member Judi Iranyi Committee Member Diana Greer
Committee Member James Leonard
Committee Member David Nakanishi
Committee Member Liz Olsen
Committee Member Hank Wilson
PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN FOR EACH AGENDA ITEM.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS
Chair Diana Valentine called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM.
I. PUBLIC COMMENT
Thomas recommended with make public comment at the end of the meeting instead of the beginning.
Joanna Fraguli from the Mayor's Office on Disability requested the Shelter Monitoring Committee (SMC) check to see if information about who the shelter ADA liaison is for each shift and how to contact them is posted at front desk or elsewhere in the facility during SMC site inspections, as the new ADA policy requires.
James Chionsini of the Healthcare Action Team (HAT) discussed homeless patient discharge. He said hospital discharge planners do not always know what homeless resources and services are available to refer their patients to. They need a more comprehensive resource base to be made available. He is looking to the SMC for comments. Chair Valentine confirmed the Committee has discussed this issue and is further discussing it with Standard of Care.
James informed the SMC of upcoming meetings they do not have the dates for yet. The Chair mentioned the SMC can not address discharge planning before the time of the hearing James was announcing. Therefore, the chair directed Committee Members to send comments to the staff person who could compile a list of comments.
Kelly Wilkinson from ECS said shelters care about discharge planning and are concerned about ill clients being released to shelters as well.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
m/s/c (Judi/Henry/Unanimous)
Committee Member Hank Wilson clarified his comment listed under section IV. Reports, item A., mentions that he also requested that a copy of the metal detector policies and procedures be presented to the SMC when available. This section will be revised to include this comment.
Public Comment
Thomas said he understands that when there is a tuberculosis (TB) outbreak, DPH is supposed to post notices and disinfect the premises according to the SF Health Code. He inquired if the SMC has made a request to DPH and/or the City Attorney to clarify if this is correct? And questioned why they have not complied with the Health Code. He said his comments in regard to this in the last meeting were not reflected in the minutes.
Action: Approved October 3, 2007 Meeting Minutes with corrections.
III. REPORTS
A. Human Services Agency
Cindy Ward was present at the meeting to field any questions related to HSA. She clarified there has not been an official HSA Representative selected by the Mayor's Office to replace Greg Katz, so this chair on the committee remains open. She informed the Committee that Scott Walton is serving in an interim capacity.
Committee Member Wilson asked for an update from HSA regarding the implementation of the metal detectors. He also requested information about where the metal detectors are currently being used, where they are planned to be implemented next and finally, he requested the number of security/metal detector companies that were solicited for bids on the contract. Ms. Ward, informed him that currently the metal detectors are being operated at Next Door, MSC South, and Sanctuary. She also requested that the SMC submit a written request for this information.
Committee Member Iranyi went to the Shelter Director/Resource Center Directors meeting and reported hearing that there are plans to implement metal detectors at Ella Hill Hutch. Ms. Ward did not know what the plans are for further metal detector implementation. A request would need to be passed on to Joyce Crum with HSA to learn more about this issue.
B. Department of Public Health
Committee Member Nakanishi informed the group there was an individual who stayed regularly at Buster's Place who has been identified as having TB. TB Control is actively addressing this issue. Additionally, meetings are taking place with Buster's Place and the Health Department to address this issue and reduce future risk.
It was announced that on Friday, November 16, from 3-5pm at 1380 Howard Street, 5th Floor Conference Room, there will be an open forum for people to give input on what Emergency Homeless Drop In services would look like. This is the opportunity for the community, clients, and service providers to give ideas about what is needed prior to the formal Request for Proposal process. A suggestion was made that flyers be distributed to announce this meeting at shelters and resource centers.
There was an update on MAP services. Committee Member Nakanishi will circulate information sheets about MAP and what services they provide. These will be included in the minutes as well. Point of clarification, regarding complaints related to MAP. Committee Member Nakanishi reported that complaints about MAP follow the same complaint process as when complaints are submitted about shelters.
The 2007-2008 Provider Manual for Community Behavioral Health Services was mentioned. It was asked if this is normally distributed to shelters and others involved with the Shelter Monitoring Committee as a matter of practice. The answer was, this has not been a practice, however, we are willing to do this. Committee Member Nakanishi also informed the committee that the HAP Homeless services manual information was forwarded to the hospital discharge planners.
Transportation concerns were brought up by Committee Member Wilson. He questioned how people are getting to and from Providence. Are tokens for people in resource centers taking transportation after 11pm available? He wanted to know what is the utilization rate?
Committee Member Wilson also mentioned the TB situation at Buster's Place. Resource Centers do not have TB screenings. At some resource centers, people are there over and over. How are we helping people with placement once someone has symptoms of TB? There was a particular concern regarding what follow up is available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Committee Member Nakanishi informed him the plan was for Buster's Place to adopt the shelter TB protocol.
Committee Member Clark asked if we can find a way to track how the tokens are being distributed. Perhaps there can be a redesign of distribution of tokens. She noted some people have been selling them.
Committee Member Leonard mentioned getting information to clients about MAP. Information on how to get to shelters once reservations are made is not always communicated. Committee Member Belton added they are hearing different information about tokens and their availability.
For the next meeting, Chair Valentine will include an agenda item related to transportation. Discussion included incorporating a transportation "survey" into announced and unannounced shelter/resource center visits. Committee Members Wilson and Nakanishi will work together on the survey and report back to the Committee.
Committee Member Nakanishi added, recommending the Committee make available public comment at both the beginning and end of the meeting.
C. Standard of Care
Secretary Mecke was not present and will give an update at the next meeting. Item Tabled until next meeting.
B. Quarterly Report
This item was tabled until the November 7, 2007 meeting.
IV. COMMMITTEE MEMBERS QUESTIONS/COMMENTS ACTION
Committee Member Olsen brought up the issue of determining the specifics on number of available shelter slots to seniors. Additionally, she asked why there is a general lack of space for women. It appears when beds are available people are waiting outside instead of being allowed inside as soon as possible.
In response, Committee Member Wilson mentioned it would be good to have a Shelter Monitoring working group focusing on women and seniors. This group could dovetail with senior advisory bodies.
Chair Valentine brought up that there is really no staff person available to support additional work groups because more committees means more administrative support needs (i.e. posting notices). She suggested writing down suggestions on what work groups may need to be created and what issues need to be addressed for further review by the Committee.
Committee Member Iranyi mentioned there used to be a log to keep track of important issues so the Committee does not duplicate them. She mentioned then the group can list out issues and prioritize them on what is feasible.
Committee Member Wilson discussed staffing at shelters and what needs to happen process wise so staffing skills go up. This would assist entry level people in being more empathetic and supportive. Attitudes, skills and background could be addressed. Committee Member Leonard mentioned the best way to find out more about this is to go into shelters and ask what their hiring process is. Committee Member Nakanishi mentioned personnel issues related to hiring and training, etc, are/should be being addressed in the Standard of Care work group.
Committee Member Wilson talked about staffing capacity. It has been identified that if certain staff do not show up, it is not necessarily the case that a substitute staff person comes in. It is very problematic if the staff person not being replaced is the cook for example. It is not clear that every shelter has an available pool of substitutes. Is this an issue that the Committee needs to review and investigate further?
Committee Member Leonard said hiring standards for staff should include factual information especially background checks and drug use history. Committee Member Wilson also mentioned standards for terminating staff. He asked if we have any recommendations in this area.
Committee Member Leonard suggested we have a letter of recognition for Greg Katz's service to the Committee. Chair Valentine directed the staff person and secretary draft such a letter of appreciation signed by Chair and Secretary.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Nomination of Officers
Committee Member Wilson recommended tabling the nominations until next month so individuals can be asked ahead of time. This way we do not waste time at the actual meeting. Chair Valentine referred Committee members to the "job descriptions" and agreed to have this item on the next meeting agenda to nominate and vote for the Committee Officers.
B. Winter Shelters
Briana from the Human Services Agency, handed out flyers on the Family Winter Shelters and San Francisco Interfaith Council 2007 - 2008 Interfaith Emergency Winter Shelter Program listing. Fifty spaces are available for 25 families. There were two days that there will be no Interfaith Shelter Services (Sunday, January 20, 2008 and Sunday, January 27, 2008). Committee Member Wilson wanted to request the City tries to find a place for those two Sundays. He suggested the Shelter Monitoring Committee write a letter to the Mayor's Office. Committee Member Belton voiced that people would probably manage to find other shelter arrangements.
Committee Member Wilson talked about the communication system once they are filled (i.e. when it is raining). Tokens are given to people to go to shelters.
The fact there are many churches in the city was brought up. The question of why they are not more solicited to help out during the winter was raised. However, in response it was mentioned that are not all set up to accommodate folks. Large spaces need approval from the fire department.
The SMC staff person was directed to write up a follow up letter to HSA answering the following questions:
1. Finding location for the two days
2. If there is a cold snap what happens?
3. How will seniors and the disabled be accommodated?
C. Quarterly Report
The Quarterly Report review and edits/ changes have been tabled to the December 12th, 2007 meeting.
D. Letter to the San Francisco Chronicle
The letter to the San Francisco Chronicle was not available and has been tabled to the December 12th meeting.
Chair Valentine spoke to C.W. Nevius and referred him to the SMC's quarterly reports and website.
Questions were raised in regards to C.W. Nevius's visit to Next Door shelter with Trent Rhorer, as to whether or not they used confidentiality forms for clients. What protocol is used to protect the shelter resident's confidentiality? Chair Valentine directed the staff to send an email to Trent to answer these concerns.
ADJOURNMENT
11:57 AM (Meeting was Adjourned early due to Fire Evacuation)
To obtain copies of the agenda, minutes, or any explanatory documents, please contact the Shelter Monitoring Committee at 415.255.3642 or shelter.monitoring@sfgov.org 72 hours before the meeting.
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25 Van Ness Avenue is accessible to persons using wheelchairs and others with disabilities. Assistive listening devices are available and meetings are open-captioned. Agendas are available in large print. Materials in alternative formats, American Sign Language interpreters, and other format accommodations will be made available upon request. Please make your request for alternative forma or other accommodations to the Shelter Monitoring Committee at 415.255.3642. Providing at least 72 hours notice prior to the meeting will help ensure availability.
The nearest BART station is Civic Center Plaza at the intersection of Market, Grove, and Hyde Streets. The MUNI Metro lines are the F, J, K, L, M, and N (Civic Center Station or Van Ness Avenue Station). MUNI bus lines serving the area are the 47 Van Ness, 9 San Bruno, and the 6, 7, 71 Haight/Noreiga. Accessible curbside parking is available on Oak and Hickory Streets.
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