Commission on Family Services — Skokie, IL
Date: 2021-12-01

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Agenda
 December 1, 2021




 I. Call to order

 II. Approval of agenda

 III. Approval of minutes: The October 6, 2021 and November 3, 2021 minutes.

 IV. Welcome and Opening Remarks: Harold Primack, Chair

 V. Guest Speaker: Bonnie Kahn Ognisanti, Niles Township Food Pantry (NTFP)
 Supervisor

 VI. Health and Human Service Report: Brian McHugh, Staff Liaison

 VII. Old Business:
 a. Boomers and Beyond Senior Resource Fair
 b. Mission Statement

 VIII. New Business:
 a. Subcommittees
 b. January and February Commission meetings

 IX. Citizen Comments

 X. Adjournment



Next meeting February 2, 2022 at 7:00 PM

Commission on Family Services

 Meeting Minutes

 December 1, 2021



Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Yolanda Bender, Bonnie Eckstein, Jo
Hammerman, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Wendy Katznelson, Daniel Mann, Brian McHugh (Human
Services Liaison), Valerie Riley, Philip Shefren, Melissa Versch. Guest: Marjorie Goran.

Absent: Commissioners Jaime Garcia, Laila Iqbal, Heather O'Donnell, Joshua Orlan, Arnie Oskin,
Nichole Perry, Annie Shear, Mike Stiehl, Edie Sue Sutker (Village Trustee Liaison).



 I. Call to order at 7:08pm
 II. Approval of agenda: Agenda was approved
 III. Approval of minutes: The October 6, 2021 and November 3, 2021 minutes were
 approved.
 IV. Welcome and Opening Remarks: Harold noted that three Commissioners have left
 the Commission due to family or professional reasons - Matt McKellar, Harry
 Litberg, and Dr. Ed McCarron.
 V. Guest Speakers: Harold introduced Bonnie Kahn Ognisanti, Niles Township Food
 Pantry (NTFP) Supervisor, and Ruth Orme-Johnson, Niles Township General Assistance
 Director, who gave a thorough overview of the Township resources and programs
 and was followed by questions and answers from Commissioners. A detailed Power
 Point Presentation was emailed to the Commissioners following the meeting (see
 attached). Niles Township comprises all Skokie and Lincolnwood and parts of
 Morton Grove, Niles, Glenview and Golf. The food pantry is funded through property
 taxes; however, toiletries and diapers are funded through donations. Bonnie
 expressed her thanks to the Commission's Fresh Produce Initiative as the produce is
 available to food pantry clients every Monday. NTFP provided all food for 10% of
 Niles Township household, and 70% of these households are in Skokie. This
 comprises 7,000 individuals. In addition, 1,100 children are registered at the food
 pantry. NTFP collaborates and links up with the National Diaper Association and
 other community agencies, such as Erie health and Asian Human Services.
 Questions:
 1. What if immigrants do not qualify for SNAP? NTFP doesn't ask immigration
 status so resources are available for everyone. NTFP partners with many
 community agencies. Skokie has more low-income housing, also the largest
 population of other towns in the Township.
 2. How to donate? Go to the website. Monetary donations are greatly appreciated!
 3. How do people who need these services find out about them? Through social
 media/print media/relationships with and referrals by community agencies and
 local school districts.
 4. Does the NTFP need volunteers? 90% of the volunteers are those with
 intellectual disabilities, or individuals who are court mandated for community
 service. There is a community garden that does need volunteers.
 5. Is there something as a commission that we can do to help? Yes - send clients,
 donate clothes, diapers, donate to the gift card give-away at the holidays and the
 back to school (backpack) program.
VI. Health and Human Service Report: Brian McHugh:
 1. The Assist-A-Family Program is going well and donations are coming in.
 2. A SHIP counselor will be available to help with income tax preparation starting in
 February and appointments are being taken for March.
 3. The Co-Responder Program went out on 88 calls in November.
 4. The Lending Closet has durable medical equipment and supplies available.
 5. The social worker position at the Village is posted and the hiring process is
 moving forward.
 6. Covid vaccines are available through the Village and people can call for
 appointments.
 7. The mask mandate is due to expire but will most likely be extended.
VII. Old Business:
 A. Boomers and Beyond Senior Resource Fair - Harold reached out to the 2019
 event steering committee people. The suggestion is that it be moved to fall 2023
 due to Covid and time needed for planning.
 B. Mission Statement - A subcommittee was formed and met (Commissioners
 Melissa Versch, Phil Shefren, Harold Primack and Arnie Oskin). Melissa reported that
 the proposed mission statement uses wording taken from the original purpose of
 the Commission. It is more general and therefore more inclusive. It is not currently
 being addressed by any other Commissions. The proposed statement was approved
 and Harold will submit it to the Mayor to determine if Village Board approval is
 needed.
VIII. New Business:
 A. Subcommittees - Harold suggested three possible subcommittees - seniors,
 people with disabilities, and at-risk youth/families.
 B. Commissioner Mike Stiehl offered to make a presentation analyzing 2020 census
 data/trends. This will perhaps be at the February meeting.
 C. January and February Commission meetings - Harold suggested canceling the
 January meeting. Next meeting will be in February.
  IX. Citizen Comments: None.
  X. Adjournment at 8:20pm.


 Next meeting: February 2, 2022 at 7:00pm