San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, December 2nd, 2013
5:15pm-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 416
1. Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102

There will be public comment on each item.

Nicholas Persky, Michelle Kong, Joshua Cardenas, DeAsia Landrum, Angel Van Stark,
Jina Bae, Anna Bernick, Sophie Edelhart, Monica Flores, Ramon Gomez, Michel Li, Lily Marshall-Fricker, Luisa Sicairos, Denesia Webb, Eric Wu, Joyce Wu, Ariel Yu

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 5:21 pm.

Commissioners Present: Persky, Kong, Cardenas, Landrum, Bae, Bernick, Edelhart, Flores, Li, Marshall-Fricker, Sicairos, Webb, Eric Wu, Joyce Wu, Yu

Commissioners Absent: Van Stark, Gomez

There was quorum.

Commissioner Gomez noted present at 5:34 pm.

There was no public comment.

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

Commissioner Edelhart, seconded by Commissioner Sicairos, moved to approve the agenda. This motion was approved by acclamation.

There was no public comment.

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. November 18, 2013 (Document A)

Commissioner Bernick, seconded by Commissioner J. Wu, moved to approve the minutes from November 18, 2013. The motion was approved by acclamation.

There was no public comment.

4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda (Discussion Only)

There was no public comment.

5. Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. [BOS File No. 130983] Hearing to discuss and evaluate San Francisco’s 10-Year Plan to Abolish Chronic Homelessness, which is due to sunset at the end of 2014 Presenter: Jess Montejano, Legislative Aide, Office of Supervisor Mark Farrell  (Document B)

Jess Montejano thanked commissioners for their time. The ten year plan was created by former Mayor Gavin Newsom, who brought together stakeholders on the ten year planning council. The planning council included supervisors, mental health and public health service providers, business and labor leaders. This is the last major planning document the City has had to guide homeless service planning. The goals of the ten year plan were: A “housing first” policy approach which looks at providing services once people are placed in housing units; Building 3,000 units of supportive housing in ten years, this goal was met; Phasing down shelters and transitional housing; Better coordination between city departments and expenditures of city resources; Expanded job training.

Currently, there are 6,436 homeless individuals and families. 59% of the homeless population is unsheltered. 41% have temporary shelter. The average age of homeless individuals is 39. Just over 900 individuals 18-24 are homeless in San Francisco. Many homeless are mentally or physically disabled.

The District 2 office had meetings with DPH, HSA, HOPE, Coalition on Homelessness, and SF’s Local Coordinating Homeless Board in preparation for the hearing. Four themes emerged from these meetings: A need for more homeless prevention efforts; More mental health and substance abuse services; More housing; More job training/employment opportunities.

The hearing will focus on exploring the four themes while looking at best practices from other cities and states. The hearing will be held January 15th or January 22nd. We hope to refocus the City’s attention on data-driven humane solutions to ending chronic homelessness. Mr. Montejano welcomed questions.

Commissioner Kong asked about the 1% of City funds that go to employment and job training opportunities. The presenter explained that that figure addresses job training for homeless people specifically. Commissioner Yu asked about the part of the ten year plan to phase down shelters. Mr. Montejano explained that shelters were viewed as not providing good services, and that the City moved towards creating more supportive housing. We can see a large number of homeless people are unsheltered and we need to look at how to provide them with shelter. Commissioner Bernick asked if the plan was up for renewal. Mr. Montejano said the intention of Supervisor Farrell was to see a new plan developed as this plan sunsets. Commissioner Kong asked what wrap around services are. Mr. Montejano explained that mental health and substance abuse treatment, job training, and health services that are located alongside housing constitute wrap around housing. Commissioner Li asked about how the plan aimed to address prevention. Mr. Montejano explained that efforts to see that individuals do not lose their homes, such as eviction prevention, are a priority. Commissioner Eric Wu asked what the major accomplishments of the plan have been. Mr. Montejano explained that the housing first approach was an accomplishment. We also need to explore other options, such as the coordinated assessment approach which involves better coordination of services. The establishment of 3,000 housing units was another major accomplishment. It kept the homeless population from rising, but it did not reduce it. Commissioner Eric Wu asked whether the plan would move funds from temporary to permanent housing solutions. Commissioner Landrum asked what needs to happen to coordinate these efforts among the City’s elected officials. Mr. Montejano explained it would require a renewed commitment among non-profit leaders to create a new plan. Commissioner Eric Wu asked whether the studies have looked at how many families have left the City rather than becoming homeless on the City’s streets. Mr. Montejano said that many families leave to stay with families in other localities. Commissioner Eric Wu suggested that in the next ten year plan, it would be great to have youth representation on in that stakeholder council. Mr. Montejano said the office agrees youth homelessness is a huge problem and would advocate for youth inclusion. Commissioner Kong asked whether the youth homelessness has been on the rise. Mr. Montejano explained that the numbers of youth and LGBT homeless people were just first counted this year. Commissioner Landrum asked whether there would be public meetings or townhalls on this issue. Mr. Montejano explained that if a new ten year planning council is formed that it would make sense to have a community engagement plan. The hearing is an effort to revive this conversation.

There was no public comment.

Commissioner Flores recommended that the hearing be held in later afternoon hours so that they can attend. Mr. Montejano explained that the hearing was currently scheduled in Budget and Finance at 10:30 am. He said he would pass on the request.

Commissioner Bernick seconded Commissioner Flores’ motion to recommend the hearing be held at a youth-friendly time.

Commissioner Yu motioned to support the hearing request. Commissioner Marshall-Fricker seconded.

Commissioner Eric Wu motioned that if a planning council is formed that the council have a seat for a youth commissioner or student advisory council member.

Commissioner Landrum motioned that any ten year plan that is planned include community townhalls. Commissioner Kong seconded.

Commissioner Sicairos motioned to include youth who are currently or formerly homeless in the possible stakeholder council.

Commissioner Eric Wu motioned to make a recommendation to include a discussion on laws that criminalize homeless people, such as Sit/Lie. Mr. Montejano explained that this was not intended to be a large focus of the hearing, but that the hearing was a chance to reopen the public dialogue on homeless issues. Commissioner Joyce Wu seconded the motion.

On Commissioner Wu’s recommendation to include a discussion of laws that criminalize homelessness. This motion was passed by acclamation.

On Commissioner Landrum’s motion to recommend that any newly formed stakeholder council hold public townhalls, the motion was passed by acclamation.

Commissioner Eric Wu’s first motion to recommend that youth representatives be included on the stakeholder council was passed by acclamation.

Commissioner Yu’s basic motion of support was passed by acclamation.

Commissioner Flores’ motion to hold the hearing at a youth-friendly time was passed by acclamation.

6. Presentations (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. Overview of the Affordable Care Act with a focus on implementation in San Francisco and youth; request for support, feedback, and collaboration on youth outreach strategies Presenter: Lani Kent, Health Policy Advisor, Mayor’s Office

Ms. Kent explained that she is responsible for the implementation for the affordable care act and is planning outreach to youth. The ACA provides more affordable options for insurance; expands Medicaid (medi-cal) eligibility; creates an online insurance marketplace; incentivizes employer-sponsored coverage; makes market reforms; requires individuals to purchase insurance. Undocumented immigrants, people in financial hardship, very low income, incarcerated people, religiously exempted people, and members of Indian tribes are exempted from the individual mandate.

84,000 San Francisco adults are uninsured. 56,000 will be covered by the Affordable Care Act. Medi-cal expansion will mostly be extended to low income adults. There will be income-contingent subsidized plans.

Commissioner Eric Wu asked a clarifying question about Healthy San Francisco. The presenter explained that Healthy San Francisco is not health insurance and does not meet the ACA mandates.

People 18-35 are a key outreach group, but people under 18 are under-enrolled. DPH and HSA are working to enroll their existing client populations. We need to reach people who are not accessing city services. The CA School Health Centers Association granted six SFUSD schools to reach youth about Covered California.

The presenter requested support from commissioners in reaching out to youth via social media and for additional feedback about channels to reach out to youth.

Commissioner Flores explained that the TAY C-TAB did a focus group with Michael Baxter from DPH about how to engage youth in health services. Commissioner Gomez said that the best way to reach young people is through the school district. Commissioner Sicairos explained that more youth are on Instagram than Twitter or other networks. Commissioner Edelhart said the healthcare discourse is really confusing and that it would be helpful to have a video explaining what healthcare is that schools can share with young people. She also suggested that having healthcare sign up navigators at school wellness centers would be helpful. Commissioner Sicairos recommended reaching out at SFSU. Commissioner Li recommended using school loop for SFUSD students. Commissioner Flores recommended having people who work with youth be competent in working with young people, and that reaching youth could be a good way to reach monolingual families. Commissioner Landrum recommended having youth interested in health career pathways in developing social media campaigns. Commissioner Yu recommended having an ad-hoc youth commission committee meet to develop ideas for outreach. Commissioners Landrum, Sicairos, Webb, Li, Flores, Joyce Wu, Gomez, Yu, Cardenas, Edelhart, and Bernick were interested.

There was no public comment.

B. Cleaner Bart Stations: Proposal from Generation Citizens, Paul Revere Middle School
Presenters: Jessie Wray and Students

Jessie Wray introduced herself as a student at USF. Generation Citizen works on civic engagement with middle and high school students. Xiomara Zelaya introduced herself as a student at Paul Revere Middle School. She and her peers are concerned about BART littering and they would like to see more trash cans at BART stations. The students are setting up a booth to talk about cleanliness at BART stations. She requested support from youth commissioners in reaching out to government officials to speak to about their awareness campaign.

Commissioner Yu recommended reaching out to the department of public works.

There was no public comment.

Landrum, Bernick, Kong, Persky, Li, Flores, Joyce Wu, Yu, Bae were interested.

C. Bayview Mobilizing for Adolescent Growth in our Communities - BMAGIC
Presenter: Jeaneane Young, BMAGIC Community Outreach Coordinator
(Document C)

Jeaneane Young explained that BMAGIC is a community collaborative that facilitates, coordinates, and networks among community organizations. They are not a direct service provider but are closely linked to service providers throughout the neighborhood. They have a large annual backpack giveaway. They host a “Literacy is Freedom” book fair. They previously hosted a “Winter Formal” but now are holding a youth-led youth-based youth summit annually. They work with CYC, College Track, 3rd street youth clinic, and Youth Works interns to create the youth summit. This year the event will happen in April. All info is available at www.bayviewmagic.org. The program is located at the Public Defender’s Office. The program works closely with the public defender’s office and Clean Slate program. The organization convenes community organizations, and does organizational development and capacity building with youth programs in the Bayview. They also maintain a community calendar for the neighborhood.

There was no public comment.

Chair Persky invited Ms. Young to bring any requests for support and collaboration to the YC later in the year. Commissioners Landrum, Sicairos, Webb, Edelhart, E. Wu, Bernick, Kong, Persky, Li, Flores, J. Wu, and Cardenas were interested in learning more about the youth summit.

Commissioner Eric Wu invited the presenter to the Youth Town Hall on the Children’s Fund.

5. Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. [BOS File No. 130983] Hearing to discuss and evaluate San Francisco’s 10-Year Plan to Abolish Chronic Homelessness, which is due to sunset at the end of 2014
Presenter: Jess Montejano, Legislative Aide, Office of Supervisor Mark Farrell
(Document B)

The chair then returned to item 5A. Commissioner Landrum motioned to include a comment that youth who have experienced homelessness be included in the potential stakeholder council. Commissioner E. Wu seconded.

Chair Persky clarified the rules of order. Commissioner Landrum made a motion to rescind Eric Wu’s original motion regarding youth representation on the council. Commissioner Bernick seconded.

Commissioner Flores explained that the motion should recommend youth involvement in the follow up process, not specifically stated to be a council.

The motion, as amended was: to encourage youth participation in the follow up process to address the ten year plan on homelessness, including Youth Commission and Student Advisory Council representation, as well as representation from youth who have directly experienced homelessness. The motion was made by Commissioner Flores, seconded by Commissioner Landrum.

There was no public comment.

The motion passed by acclamation.

7. Youth Commission Business (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

8. Staff Report (Discussion Only)

Allen Lu updated commissioners on the Free MUNI for Youth Photo and Art contest submissions and asked which commissioners would be interested in working with youth from POWER to choose winners from the submissions. Commissioners Bernick, Kong, Persky, J. Wu, and Bae were interested in helping.

Allen Lu explained that Generation Citizen is hosting a youth project showcase on Friday, December 13th between 10:00 am and 1:30 pm. He asked if any commissioners were interested in joining a feedback panel for the projects. Commissioner Landrum was interested.

Adele Carpenter reminded commissioners about how to complete their required anti-harassment trainings. She asked commissioners who wants to work on mid-year retreat planning groups: Core Content Review and Ice Breakers (J. Wu, Landrum, Kong, Persky, Bernick, Bae); Effective Communication, Inspiration, and Accountability (Landrum, Sicairos, Kong, Persky, Li, J. Wu, Yu, Cardenas); Budget Process and Policy Research (Persky, Cardenas, Sicairos)

9. Committee Reports (Discussion Only)

A. Executive Committee, Vice Chair Michelle Kong, Legislative Affairs Officer Joshua Cardenas, Outreach Officer DeAsia Landrum, Media & Public Relations Officer Angel VanStark

Commissioner Kong updated commissioners she is working on language to amend the attendance language of the bylaws. Commissioner Cardenas confirmed that a youth commissioner was previously part of the homeless planning council. He updated commissioners on the charter amendment to improve transit equity. Commissioner Landrum updated her colleagues on her recent outreach efforts.

B. Youth Justice Committee, Chair Sophie Edelhart

Commissioner Edelhart updated commissioners on a recent visit from members of the public regarding increased incidences of racial profiling of African American youth. The committee discussed the recent incident at Valencia Gardens. The committee is attending the Board of Education meeting to give an update on the SFPD MOU. Phimy Truong explained that staff received word that Chief Suhr is expected to sign the MOU this week and that a press conference may be planned.

C. Immigration & Employment Committee, Chair Michel Li

Commissioner Li updated colleagues on a presentation from DCYF on youth workforce strategies. The committee is having a working meeting to work on draft resolutions.

D. Education, Health & Wellness Committee, Chair Ariel Yu

Commissioner Yu explained that the committee had presentations on sugar-sweetened beverages. The committee also received an update on defibrillators at schools.

E. TAY, Housing, and LGBT issues Committee, Chair Eric Wu

Commissioner Eric Wu explained the committee had received a presentation non MOHCD and the TAY housing plan and learned about more spaces for youth input in housing developments. Commissioner Wu updated his colleagues that he is drafting the Homeless Bill of Rights resolution and asked co-sponsors to bring it up with their appointing officials. Commissioner Edelhart also expressed interest in co-sponsoring the resolution.

F. Youth Advisory Council, Representative Joyce Wu

Commissioner Joyce Wu explained that the YAC decided to fund BMAGIC, and Tenderloin community centers with the mini-grants. In total, the YAC distributed $30,000.00.

G. Our Children, Our City Stakeholder Council, Commissioner Eric Wu

Allen Lu encouraged commissioners to step up as facilitators at the upcoming youth townhall. The event is 4:30-7:30 pm at 1111 Gough Street, St. Mary’s.

Commissioner Wu invited colleagues to the upcoming youth townhall on the children’s fund. He asked who is planning to attend, Landrum, Kong, Persky, and Flores were planning to attend.

10. Attendance Authorizations (Action Item)

A. Request for Approval of Upcoming Absences

There were no requests.

B. Explanation(s) of Past Absences

Commissioner Gomez explained he was sick at the last meeting on November 18th and had to leave school early and stay home for several days.

11. Announcements (This Includes Community Events)

Adele Carpenter encouraged more commissioners to attend the Youth Children’s Fund Townhall.

Commissioner Landrum invited commissioners to a dance event.

12. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 pm.