Commission on Family Services — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-11-06

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Agenda – Skokie Village Hall
 Nov. 6, 2024
 7:00 pm



I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda

II. Approval of Sept. 4, 2024 and review of Oct.1 2024 Minutes

III. Speaker: Nafia Khan, Progress Center for Independent Living

IV. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack

V. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch

VI. Old Business:
 A. Seniors Subcommittee – Report
 1. Boomers and Beyond planning committee report

 B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Report

 C. Disabilities Subcommittee – Report
 1. Disabilities Town Hall report approval

 D. Produce Initiative and food and clothes drives

VII. New Business:
 A. Dates for 2025 Commission meetings

VIII. Public Comments:

IX. Adjournment.


 Next Meeting: Dec. 4, 7:00 p.m.
 at Skokie Village Hall

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall
 Nov. 6, 2024
 7:00 pm

Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Michelle Friedman, Jo Hammerman, Daniel Mann, Peggy
Molina, Arnie Oskin, Melissa Ponce, Erin Ryan, Nancy Schwartz, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, London
Summerville, Trustee Edie Sue Sutker, Melissa Versch (Staff Liaison)

Absent: Commissioners Marjorie Goran, Hilary Hunter, Laila Iqbal, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Linda Lara, Naadirah
Muhammad (Shapley-Wells), Valerie Riley, Daniel Stalilonis

I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda
 Meeting called to order at 7:02pm. Agenda approved by consent.

II. Approval of Sept. 4, 2024 and review of Oct.1 2024 Minutes
 September agenda approved by consent. A quorum was not present at the October 1 meeting.

III. Speaker: Nafia Khan, Progress Center for Independent Living
 Ms. Khan, Advocacy Manager for Progress Center for Independent Living shared information about
 services offered by the organization and tips on best practices with accessibility.

IV. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack
 The first planning meeting for Boomers and Beyond was held last week. Jo Hammerman will talk more
 about the initiative later in the agenda.

V. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch
 Health and Human Services is currently taking appointments for Medicare Open Enrollment. Senior
 Health Insurance Program counselors can help people on Medicare compare and switch plans for next
 year. Call Health and Human Services to make an appointment.

VI. Old Business:
 A. Seniors Subcommittee – Report
 Jo Hammerman shared that October 24 was the first planning meeting for the senior resource fair, in
 partnership with the Park District, Health and Human Services, Skokie Library, North Shore Senior Center
 and Chamber of Commerce. The committee reviewed the satisfaction survey that was administered at
 the November 2023 event for guidance in planning the next fair, to take place in November 2025. The
 committee is next meeting December 17 at Skokie Public Library. Harold shared that the committee is
 considering changing the name of Boomers and Beyond and would appreciate feedback on names
 generated.

 B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Report
 London Summerville reported that the committee is considering ideas for new initiatives.
 C. Disabilities Subcommittee – Report
 Disabilities Town Hall report approval.
 Motion to approve the Disabilities Town Hall Report.
 Moved: Michelle Friedman Seconded: Arnie Oskin
 12 in favor/0 opposed/0 abstention.
 Motion Carries.

 Melissa Versch shared that Village Manager, John Lockerby, would like to thank the commission for all
 the work that has gone into the Town Hall meeting and report. The Village is pursuing the
 recommendation to conduct a Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, and is looking at how other
 municipalities have approached the efforts and how to identify an expert to provide guidance. The ADA
 Coordinator has started to put together an internal team. The Village recognizes the importance of
 including people with disabilities in the process. If you know anyone who might be interested in being
 involved, please let me know.

 D. Produce Initiative and food and clothes drives
 Melissa Versch thanked all who help with summer produce collection and donation drives. In all, about
 7400 lbs. of produce were collected from farmers. R&B Miller Farms donated approximately 1000 lbs. of
 apples on the final day of the farmers market. Monthly donation drives brought in approximately 1100
 lbs. of non-perishable food and toiletries. All was delivered to Niles Township Food Pantry. For the Niles
 Township Clothing Closet, about 175 bags of clothing were donated. The Clothing Closet sent a thank
 you note to the Commission for the donations. Harold reached out to the Niles Township Supervisor to
 let her know about the accomplishment.

VII. New Business:
 A. Dates for 2025 Commission meetings
 As the January meeting for the commission is on a holiday, considerations were proposed to move the
 meeting to the following week at another location. Decision deferred to next meeting.

 B. Erin Ryan shared information about Volunteer-palooza taking place at Skokie Public Library on
 November 24.

VIII. Public Comments:
 Nafia Khan thanked the commission for having her to the meeting.

IX. Adjournment
 Meeting adjourned at 8:06pm.


 Next Meeting: Dec. 4, 7:00 p.m.
 at Skokie Village Hall