PRACTITIONERS PANEL

April 1, 2004 minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:
Bert Nash CMHC – Lynn Amyx	Lenders – Joe Oberzan
Brookcreek Learning Center- Jessica Tuttle	Neighborhood Resources- Cindy Nau
DG CO AIDS Project- Mari McCleerey-Janssen	Neighborhood Resources- Margene Swarts
First Step House- Jean Skuban	Tenants to Homeowners- Rebecca Buford
Independence, Inc- Kelly Nightengale	Trinity Respite Care- Teresa Martell
Landlords of Lawrence- Bob Ebey	Trinity Respite Care- Kelly Evans
Lawrence Open Shelter- Loring Henderson	WTCS- Sarah Terwelp
Lawrence SRS- Penny Schaue
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Ballard Community Center- Andy Brown (E)	HCCI- Cornell Mayfield (E)
Bert Nash PATH- Gary Miller (U)	Lawrence Board of Realtors- Marilyn Lynch (U)
Boys & Girls Club- Janet Murphy (U)	LDCHA- Charlotte Knoche (E)
Children’s Learning Center- Holly Turner (U)	Pelathe Comm. Resource Ctr.- Bruce Martin (U)
Coalition on Homeless Concerns & CDIC- Tami Clark (U)	Project Lively- Sandra Kelly-Allen (E)
ECKAN- Jeanette Collier (U)	The Salvation Army- Rich Forney (U)
GUESTS PRESENT:
Rob Lange, Eudora Credit Bureau

Amyx called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.

Approve Minutes

Only ten members were present.  Since there was not a quorum approval of the minutes was postponed until the July Meeting.

Introductions and Announcements

Martell announced that Trinity Respite Care would be having their annual We Care Bear Fair on April 17^th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at The Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire.  There will be approximately 40 bears dressed up in different themes available for raffle.  Suggested donation for tickets is $1.00 each.  A homemade, queen-sized quilt will also be raffled.

Skuban reported that First Step House’s director, Marilyn Mick-Palmer, would be stepping down due to health problems.  They are in the process of looking for another director.  Anyone interested in the position should contact George Heckman at DCCCA.

Henderson stated LOS and CDIC will be sponsoring a health fair for homeless on April 17^th in the fellowship hall at First Christian Church, 10th & Kentucky from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.  LOS is also starting a new AA meeting group in the basement of CDIC.  The group will meet on Friday mornings at 8:00 a.m. and is called The Morning After.

Terwelp announced that WTCS would be sponsoring a Mother’s Day tea on May 8^th at Pachamama’s, 2161 Quail Creek Drive (behind HY-VEE on Kasold), from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.  Tickets will be available in mid-April and cost $35 per adult and $20 per child (under 12 years).  She further reported that Jehan Faisal had accepted a position with the State Coalition for Sexual and Domestic Violence.  A new OARS advocate has been hired.  Her name is Amy Gifford.  It is yet to be determined if Gifford will attend future meetings.

Martell commented that ARC would be having a pancake feed beginning at 7:00 a.m. on April 17^th.  It will be held at St. Johns Church.

Agency Presentations

Lawrence SRS

Schau reported SRS’s mission is to protect children and promote adult self-sufficiency.  The SRS Office is located at 1901 Delaware. Application forms, brochures, and other information are available at the office and other sites around town.  One may apply for assistance on-line, by mailing an application to SRS, or by going to the office.  The office is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  On Tuesdays it is open 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

SRS provides the following services:

• Food assistance for those with income below 130% of the poverty level (brochure distributed)
• Child support enforcement services.  SRS assists people with ensuring child support payments are made as well as with the application process and proving paternity.  There are no income guidelines for this service.
• Vocational rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities (those that are unable to work and be self-sufficient).
• Child and family services (abuse/neglect concerns).
• Adult protective services (safety, danger to oneself, being abused, neglected, or exploited).
• Cash assistance for families and disabled adults (formerly known as food stamps).
• Medical assistance for children, pregnant women, elderly, or families on cash assistance.

The criteria to participate vary from program to program.  Call SRS for details.

Handouts distributed included: Cars for Mom, Food Stamps Make America Stronger, How Will You Qualify if You Don’t Apply?, Handbook on Child Support Enforcement, Help for Working Families, and Ottawa Herald article Old cars, big hearts help single moms.

The Healthwave program is a state medical assistance program.  People may apply through SRS.  The public website (www.kansashealthwave.org) provides access points, services, statistics, and manuals.

People who receive cash assistance generally also participate in the work program.  The government limits cash assistance to sixteen months.  The OARS advocate is funded through SRS as are the inspectors from the health department who inspect homes.  There are many such relationships between SRS and other agencies of which people are not aware.  Also Cars for Moms is a program where cars may be donated (tax deductible) to assist moms with transportation needs for work.  SRS collaborates with ECKAN on this program. 

SRS is funded at $2 billion a year (federal and state).  The majority of the funds go to medical assistance.  Nursing homes and home-based medical services take about $900 million a year.  A very small portion is committed to cash/welfare assistance.  The average person is on welfare less than 12 months with an average family size of 1.69 children.

Amyx stated she is familiar with the daycare assistance program.  Schau affirmed its existence and explained further.

Henderson inquired about food assistance.  Schau explained that SRS has not given food stamps for about 20 years, but the term has remained.  People receiving food assistance are given a card, like a gift card, with an amount on it.  Ballard gets commodities through SRS.

Tuttle entered.

Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. (TTH, Inc.)

Buford stated that TTH, Inc. is the local Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), which means they are a nonprofit housing developer able to access federal, state, city, private, and Federal Home Loan Bank funds.  The CHDO designation means they are able to access funding other than federal to put towards affordable housing.  CHDOs establish their own programs.  It is possible that a CHDO in another community would not be operating the same programs as TTH, Inc.

The office for TTH, Inc. is located in the United Way Center.  Office hours are sporadic, so it is suggested one leave a message when they call or send an e-mail.  TTH, Inc. will respond as quickly as possible.

The population TTH, Inc. serves is mostly low- to moderate-income.  TTH, Inc. administers the Homeowners Out of Tenants (HOOT) program, a financing program that helps fist-time homebuyers who are under 80% median income or less, and manages rental properties owned by TTH, Inc.  Five lenders collaborate with TTH, Inc. to offer HOOT loans.  The population served by the rental housing tends to be on the lower end of low- to moderate-income.  The rental properties have two bedrooms, one bath, and rent for about $350/month.  TTH, Inc. has 19 rental units.

Receiving services from TTH, Inc. is based upon income.  TTH, Inc. conducts first-time homebuyer workshops that are open to the public and are beneficial to all citizens.  The workshop is basically Homebuying 101.  Counseling and education is performed with other community groups (lenders, realtors, etc.).  TTH, Inc. tries to be an educational resource for affordable housing.  The majority of the HOOT program is funded with federal HOME funds disseminated through the City.  Project income is also generated when new houses are built via seller and developer fees.  Last year eight houses were built.  [Handouts distributed—HOOT brochure, accomplishments, and list of services].

HOOT also works in conjunction with the Home of Your Own (HOYO) program operated by Independence, Inc. to provide additional assistance for those with disabilities.

First-time homebuyer workshops are held on the second Saturday of every other month.  The next one will be held May 8^th from 9:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the United Way Center.  All persons are welcome to attend, not just TTH, Inc. clients. 

Applications for rental housing may be picked-up at TTH, Inc.’s office.  There is a waiting list, but once on the list an individual will be contacted when a unit becomes available.  TTH, Inc. works on a case-by-case basis. 

Janssen entered.

The Neighborhood Resources Department does comprehensive rehabilitation as a component of the HOOT program.  Since 1996, approximately130 HOOT loans have been done.

Nightengale noted that the HOYO grant may be used for accessibility improvements.  Also, the program has been expanded to include families with a disabled child.  It used to be only for individuals with a disability attempting to purchase a home.

Buford stated that HOYO adds up to $15,000 in assistance.

Trinity Respite Care, Inc.

Martel reported that Trinity Respite Care has been in business for 27 years.  Their office is located at 201 W. 25^th Street, Suite Q (behind Food 4 Less).  Trinity Respite Care offers care 24 hours a day, seven days a week to any individual with a disability.  Examples include the elderly or individuals released from a hospital in need of temporary assistance in the home.  Care within nursing homes is provided upon request.

Services began in 1976 with respite care to children with disabilities or for foster parents caring for children with disabilities.  The organization’s name at that time was Trinity Children’s Services.  Respite care gives caregivers a break from providing care.  Once services began to be offered to adults the name was changed to Trinity Community Services. 

Attendant Care Services assist individuals with remaining in their own home and out of nursing homes.  Services include light housekeeping, shopping, errands, getting mail and reading it, assistance with food preparation, or cleaning dishes.  Anyone over 18 years of age and living on their own are eligible for service.  Trinity Community Services changed their name to Trinity Respite Care in 1991 when they kept receiving calls for money, shoes, and other items.

Funding comes from various sources, but the services are the same regardless of the source of funding.  Funders include United Way, CDBG, Douglas County Community Foundation, Top Community Foundation, SRS, and private payments (based upon a sliding scale).

Trinity Respite Care’s website is www.trinityrespitecare.com.  Further details on services may be found on the website and individuals may apply for services online.  [Handouts distributed—Trinity Respite Care, Inc. brochure and We Care Bear Fair flyer].

Swarts entered.

Committee Reports

Neighborhood Resources Advisory Committee

The draft of the 2004 Action Plan will be available for the public by April 15^th.  The public hearing on the 2004 Action Plan will be at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room.

The NRAC is requesting feedback from PP members on how future funding from CDBG/HOME funds should be directed, especially with regard to neighborhood coordinators and operating expenses.

Task Force on Homeless Services

Terwelp reported that the Task Force is working on information to compose a report for the City Commission.  They are discussing how to lay out the information received from other communities (models with good community collaboration) and what still needs to be researched.  Work is also being completed on the provider survey. 

One positive outcome resulting from the Task Force work is expanded efforts for collaboration between service providers.  A centralized intake form is being developed for use in the interim of having a homeless management information system.

Ebey inquired about there being a deadline for the Task Force.

Terwelp replied that the goal is to complete a final report by this summer.

Amyx asked about the case management unit proposal that has been discussed by the Task Force.

Terwelp said the idea of having an independent case management unit still exists.  Where it should be housed and how it should be funded remains unanswered.  The strength behind this idea is that it provides a nonpartisan group of caseworks working for homeless individuals.  If any problems arise with an agency, the case manager can truly advocate for the homeless individual.  Another idea derived from the case management unit is to use a smaller pot of money and shore up services already in existence by providing additional caseworkers in existing agencies.  A third idea was to combine the two ideas.

Subcommittee Reports

Affordability/Availability Subcommittee

Ebey reported the subcommittee has been working with Holiday Apartments to provide the rental housing search (targeted at low- to moderate-income and homeless individuals/families) on their website--www.rentlawrence.com.  Holiday Apartments is in the process of redesigning and updating their site and will incorporate the subcommittee’s needs at no cost.  The home page will always feature Holiday Apartments.  Rob Lange from Eudora spoke to the subcommittee at their last meeting and is here today to speak about one-stop shopping for rental screenings. 

Lange introduced himself and distributed handouts from the Credit Bureau of Eudora, Inc. (CBE, Inc.).  The one-stop shopping for rental screenings program provides applicants with a single point of contact for approval of a rental application for a one-time fee of $35.  Renters will not need to pay application fee after application fee when looking for rental housing.  Participating landlords contact the Credit Bureau of Eudora to obtain a copy of the report.  This is a good program for landlords as well.  Screening includes pre-employment, local jail logs, police incidents, criminal cases, sex offender information, etc.

Amyx asked Ebey if he thought landlords would participate.

Ebey thought CBE, Inc. would have to make a few changes on their application first.  He stated many landlords do not like the program because the application does not address everyone’s needs.  Ebey said perhaps it will be accepted in time as they modify the process and determine what landlords desire.  Ebey commented that if it works, CBE, Inc. should make a lot of money since it is inexpensive for tenants and good for landlords.

Amyx stated applications fees are a real barrier and thinks the program will be beneficial.

Ebey further stated that CBE, Inc. should concentrate more on local renters/citizens and not solely on students.

Lange commented that for every $1 from participating landlords, advertising is done.  Media being utilized include the Hawksheet, University Daily Kansan, and the CBE, Inc. website.

Ebey suggested CBE, Inc. advertise in the Landlords of Lawrence newsletter reiterating that if it works it will be tremendous for landlords and tenants.

Advocacy Subcommittee

Nightengale said the subcommittee is looking at housing barriers where some landlords include a clause in their lease saying tenants may be evicted if police come to the home.  One problem with this type of clause is if a tenant is in a violent situation they are unable to call the police for protection for fear of losing their housing.  The subcommittee is looking at ways housing can be saved and residents kept safe.  Lawrence Douglas-County Housing Authority has been invited to the next meeting to discuss this issue.  The subcommittee is also reviewing what other cities are doing.  The goal is to protect the property and the renter.  Some places have passed laws protecting people.

Ebey commented he has only heard of this complaint being aimed at the LDCHA and not individual landlords; although landlords do require peace and quiet.  Ebey asked if the issue pertains to the tenant calling police or someone else calling the police and how is a domestic violence victim determined.  If self-determination is what proclaims an individual to be a victim of domestic violence then it can be used to abuse the system and get out of a lease.

Terwelp stated she thought Ebey was talking about Bill 2568.  That bill is different from what the Advocacy subcommittee is researching.

Buford said the subcommittee is trying to address some of the same problems though.

HMIS Subcommittee

Janssen reported that the HMIS subcommittee is discussing several different things.  They have explored MAACLink and what it would cost.  The most recent development is having someone in the community develop an HMIS.  Preliminary research indicates it could be much cheaper.  With The Salvation Army on MAACLink the federal requirement to have at least 50% of the community’s shelter beds on an HMIS is met.  One issue to address with building an HMIS is being able to share and connect the community since Salvation Army is on MAACLink.  Janssen will be in contact with Jason Munro, the Information Technology Administrator for Standard Beverage, to put a proposal together.  Munro could create something local, with tech support, and training and the cost would be one-quarter of what MAACLink costs.  Benefits include keeping the system local, participating agencies are able to provide feedback from the beginning, and something may be developed more closely to what the community needs. 

Amyx commented that the responsiveness should be better if information technology is in the community.

Henderson asked if The Salvation would be joining in this effort.

Janssen said she thought The Salvation Army was comfortable with MAACLink and would not be giving that up.

Amyx replied that even without them the majority of the homeless population will be counted.  She’s not aware of too many who only seek services at The Salvation Army.  It would limit sharing of information, but would still cover 90% of the population.

Other Business

Bert Nash Dash will be held May 8^th to benefit the WRAP program.

Martell said a queen-sized quilt would be raffled at the bear fair.

Public Comment

No public comment

Adjourn

Ebey motioned to adjourn.  Amyx seconded.  Meeting adjourned.