Commission on Family Services — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-09-04

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Agenda – Skokie Village Hall
 Sept 4, 2024
 7:00 pm



I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda

II. Approval of June 5, 2024 Minutes

III. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack

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

V. Old Business:
 A. Seniors Subcommittee - Report

 B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Report

 C. Disabilities Subcommittee - Report

 D. Produce Initiative and food and clothes drives
  Sept 29, Oct 27

VI. New Business:

VII. Public Comments:

VIII. Adjournment.


 Next Meeting: October 2024, 7:00 p.m.
 at Skokie Village Hall

Commission on Family Services
 Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall
 Sept 4, 2024
 7:00 pm

Present: Commissioners Harold Primack (Chair), Michelle Friedman, Marjorie Goran, Jo
Hammerman, Hilary Hunter, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Linda Lara, Daniel Mann, Peggy Molina,
Naadirah Muhammad (Shapley-Wells), Arnie Oskin, Melissa Ponce, Nancy Schwartz, Annie Shear,
Phillip Shefren, Daniel Stalilonis, London Summerville, Melissa Versch (Staff Liaison)

Absent: Commissioners Laila Iqbal, Valerie Riley, Erin Ryan, Trustee Edie Sue Sutker


I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda
 Call to order at 7:01 pm. Agenda approved with requested addition of How to Join the
 Commission under New Business.

II. Approval of June 5, 2024 Minutes
 Approved with corrections.

III. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack
 Thank you to commissioners who participated in the produce initiative and clothes drive.
 We’ll hear from subcommittee members on updates.

 Commissioners were invited to do introductions and briefly shared how they spent their
 summer.

IV. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch
 Health and Human Services will be hosting flu shot clinics on October 1 from 10am - 2pm,
 and October 8 from 3pm - 7pm at Oakton Community Center. The clinics are open to all
 Skokie residents, regardless of insurance.

 The Commission received a Thank you note from Niles Township Clothing Closet for the
 clothing donations which are needed to stock up before the school year.

V. Old Business:
 A. Seniors Subcommittee - Report
 Jo H reported that planning is just getting started for the next Boomers and Beyond event to
 take place in 2025. The subcommittee will reach out to community partners who were part of
 the previous steering committee. Satisfaction survey results will help tweak the plans used for
 the event that took place November 2023. Harold encouraged commissioners to take part in
 the planning of the event.

 B. At-Risk Youth and Families Subcommittee – Report
 London reported that the last Mother’s Day Diaper Drive was successful and the
 subcommittee plans to do it again next May. Approximately 15,000 diapers were collected
 and donated to the Niles Township Food Pantry. The subcommittee is open to ideas for new
 initiatives.

 Melissa V shared that September 23-29 is Diaper Need Awareness Week.

 C. Disabilities Subcommittee - Report
 Melissa V shared Town Hall Meeting Data which has been analyzed by the library. For the
 event, three questions were asked to prompt small-group discussion: What makes you feel
 welcomed? What barriers or challenges have you faced? What are your recommendations?
 From all responses, the library identified categories within each of the three questions. The
 subcommittee met with the library during this process to provide feedback on categorization.
 Top categories identified from the first question were Being Seen and Heard, Safe and
 Accessible Spaces, Community Resources, Kindness and Interaction. Top categories on
 question two include: General Accessibility, Commuting and Transportation, Pedestrian
 Safety, Recreation and Leisure, Inclusion. Top categories for question number three include
 Listen to People with Disabilities and Easy Access to Information.

 Michelle F discussed that the Town Hall meeting data contains limitations, including that
 participants were a small sample of the disability community. To learn more, members of the
 subcommittee met with Evanston Park District and the City of Highland Park to find out how
 those municipalities collected information and set priorities. Each has recently conducted an
 ADA Self-Assessment, which can involve reaching out to community members to obtain
 feedback. Both were complimentary of the process and shared that the process helps meet
 the needs of the community. In a meeting with the Mayor and ADA Coordinator, it was
 suggested that the Village of Skokie conduct a self-assessment, in compliance with the ADA.
 A benefit of reviewing and making improvements is that universal design benefits all people,
 from mothers to seniors.

 Discussion emphasized that it is important to include people with disabilities and experts in
 the process. Next steps include providing administration with information about how to initiate
 an evaluation and transition plan.

 D. Produce Initiative and food and clothes drives
  Sept 29, Oct 27
 Over 2600 lbs of fresh produce have been collected from vendors at the farmers market, 160
 lbs of non-perishable goods and 165 bags of clothing have been donated at the monthly
 donation drives. Donated shoes and kids Halloween costumes are accepted. All clothing
 items are taken to the Niles Township Clothing Closet at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

VI. New Business:
 A. Due to Rosh Hashanah, the Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 2
 will be moved to Tuesday, October 1. There may be a speaker from the Progress Center for
 Independent Living.

 B. Hilary shared that when she joined the Commission, she attended a meeting, submitted an
 application, was interviewed by the Mayor’s office and was appointed at a Board meeting.
 When her neighbor applied, she did not get a response. Hilary would like to see more
 consistency with the process and agreed to talk with the Staff Liaison for follow up.

VII. Public Comments:
 None.

VIII. Adjournment.
 Meeting adjourned at 8:13 pm.


 Next Meeting: October 1 2024, 7:00 p.m.
 at Skokie Village Hall