Commission on Family Services — Skokie, IL
Date: 2022-11-02

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Agenda – Skokie Village Hall
 November 2, 2022
 7:00 pm



I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda

II. Approval of Sept 7, 2022 Minutes

III. Chair’s Report: Chair, Harold Primack

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

V. Old Business:
 A. Produce Initiative

 B. Farmer’s Market Food and Clothing Drive

 C. Boomers and Beyond 2023

 D. Subcommittee discussion

VI. New Business:


VII. Citizen Comments:

VIII. Adjournment.


 Next Meeting: Dec. 7, 2022, 7:00 p.m.

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall
 November 2, 2022
 7:00 pm

Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Jo Hammerman, Shajan Jose, Linda Lara, Daniel Mann,
Arnie Oskin, Nicole Perry, Nancy Schwartz, Naadirah Shapley-Wells, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, Daniel
Stalilonis, Melissa Versch (Liaison),

Absent: Commissioners Michelle Friedman, Marjorie Goran, Laila Iqbal, Heather O’Donnell, Valerie Riley,
Michael Stiehl, Edie Sue Sutker


I. Call to Order at 7:01pm
 A. Approval of Agenda

II. Approval of Sept 7, 2022 Minutes
 A. Minutes approved with 1 spelling correction

III. Chair’s Report: Chair, Harold Primack
 A. Wendy Katznelson submitted a letter of resignation from the commission due to personal
 conflicts but appreciates the opportunity to work with the commission.

IV. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch
 A. This week is the one-year anniversary of the co-responder program with Brian McHugh
 and officer Blue. They have been very busy over the last year. The Program has been very
 successful and will be continuing. A commissioner requested data from the co-responder
 program. Melissa will try to obtain the numbers.

 B. Over the last month, HHS was working with the governor’s office to help in response to
 asylum seekers, who are connected with agencies to provide support services. HHS has helped
 facilitate communication and donations from various agencies.

 C. In September, HHS rolled out the Seniors Matter Rideshare Transportation program
 through the Safelight Foundation and with funding from AARP. The program is available to
 residents who are at least 65 years old and able to use the Lyft service can register. Rides are
 scheduled in the HHS office for grocery stores, pharmacies and medical appointments within the
 Village of Skokie. The program is scheduled to go through the end of December or until funds are
 exhausted. The program started with $5000 and has been granted an additional $2000, so it is
 not anticipated that funds will not run out. To date, there have been 28 unique riders with 116
 rides and over $2000 used. The feedback from seniors has largely been positive. The program has
 been advertised in the e-news, organizations and word of mouth. Interested residents can call
 HHS to get an application. There are no income requirements. Whether the program will
 continue past December is to be determined. The previous STAR program through the Village
 was discontinued in the spring.

 Commissioners suggested the program should continue to be advertised. Melissa will share
 program information with commissioners to spread the word.
 D. HHS is gearing up for the holiday Assist A Family program. The program is funded by
 donations and provides holiday gift cards to Skokie families in need who meet 150% federal
 poverty level income criteria. We reach out to families assisted over the last year. Applications
 are also available to interested residents online or by paper. Last year, 157 families were
 assisted. The application deadline is November 21. Distribution is in December. Advertisement
 has been through the e-newsletter and partner organizations. Households do not have to have
 children to be eligible

V. Old Business:
 A. Produce Initiative
 The produce initiative is winding down. Thanks to everyone who helped. Over 5800lbs of
 produce was collected from vendors and taken to the Niles Township food pantry. The market
 will continue through November, weather permitting. The amount of fresh produce usually drops
 off by this point, but some people from St. Paul may continue to stop by.

 B. Farmer’s Market Food and Clothing Drive
 During monthly collections at the farmers market, 235 bags of clothing were collected. The
 community was incredible with donations.

 These were two very successful initiatives that provided a great value to the community.

 C. Boomers and Beyond 2023
 The Seniors Subcommittee is trying to put together a program for next fall. Boomers and Beyond
 is a senior resource fair which has occurred every other year with Department of Human Services
 and the Commission. 2019 was the last time it was held. There were about 350 people who
 attended, 40 different vendors and half a dozen lectures. About one month ago, a few
 commissioners met with the Skokie Chamber of Commerce, who is interested in partnering.
 Harold and Melissa will be meeting with the Park District. Another meeting will be held on
 November 16 with a number of steering committee members – Park District, Skokie Public
 Library, Department of Human Services, Health Department, various non-profits, CJE, North
 Shore Senior Center. There may be other partners that join. The event date may be a Friday in
 November. More information to come.

 D. Subcommittee discussion
 Harold reported that the At Risk and Families subcommittee tried to meet but had technical
 difficulties.

 The subcommittee for People with Disabilities did meet. Phil reported that they discussed
 gathering data as a place to start, whether the data exists or a survey is needed. The group will
 look into organizations that might have done surveys. Harold suggested talking with
 Commissioner Mike Stiehl, who has some data.

 Shajan reported on the seniors subcommittee meeting: The subcommittee discussed different
 vendors to invite. The event will be November 2023.

 Harold suggested that it would be helpful for someone to take a leadership role on each of the
 subcommittees. Groups can look at initiatives for the commission, like a program or advocacy
 opportunity. It could be an opportunity for education for the community or outreach. You may
 want to consider someone as a liaison from other organizations that are doing work in your
 particular area. Maybe attend their meetings occasionally. The most effective work is in
 collaboration with other groups. You may also discuss whether or not to have subcommittee
 meetings outside commission meetings. If you choose to meet, about 4-5 people are allowed to
 meet without violating the Open Meetings Act. Otherwise, meetings must be posted and open to
 the public.

 Subcommittees held a breakout session for 15 minutes.

 Melissa reported on the Seniors subcommittee discussion. For Boomers and Beyond, a meeting is
 scheduled with the Park District. There will be a Steering Committee Meeting on November 16.
 We made a list of items that should be discussed at the meetings. Materials are being shared on
 a Google Drive folder.

 Phil reported on the People with Disabilities subcommittee discussion. The group is exploring
 ideas for actionable items that can be done before collecting all data, and next meeting location.

 The At Risk Youth and Families subcommittee reported that they are trying to identify issues like
 immigration, students and schools. They would like to have the co-responder program or
 clothing closet present to the commission. Melissa can try to schedule.


VI. New Business:
 Melissa reported that Liz Nelson from the Health Department may present about IPLAN at the
 January meeting for the commission.

 Discussion was held about moving the January meeting to the following week.

VII. Citizen Comments: None

VIII. Adjournment at 8:10pm


 Next Meeting: Dec. 7, 2022, 7:00 p.m.