City of Lawrence
Social Service Funding Advisory Board Meeting
May 17, 2018 Minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Burdett Loomis, Ranelle Fischer, Alice Lieberman, Steven Davis, Galenea Miller, Lea Roselyn
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
None
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STAFF PRESENT: |
Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager; Danielle Buschkoetter, Management Assistant
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
Mathew Faulk |
Call to Order
Loomis called the meeting to order at 8:35am.
Approve Minutes
A motion to approve minutes from February 27, 2018 was made by Lieberman and seconded by Miller. The motion passed 6-0.
Review 2019 Applications for Funding
Buschkoetter updated the Board on the allocation amounts proposed for the 2019 budget. The Board decided to review the application for Special Alcohol Funds first.
Roselyn asked if there were any types of programs the Board was specifically interested in funding. Lieberman noted that they try to look at each agency independently. Loomis added that there do seem to be some outliers every year, but they are addressed as they are received.
Bert Nash
Davis noted that the program requesting funds was present within a number of local schools. Toomay outlined the history of the program and its corresponding funding with the City.
Davis added that he would have liked to see more details about why the request is increasing. Roselyn wanted to know what schools specifically they were working in and noted that some of the additional funds appear to be going towards outreach which is also important.
Boys & Girls Club
Fischer noted that the program is consistent year after year and serves approximately 1400 kids a day and have a new facility under construction. Loomis noted that they serve a wide range of needs. Davis added that they did collect more dues last year which was one of their stated goals.
DCCCA-First Steps
Loomis noted that their request has nearly doubled over what they received in 2018. Davis added that it appeared they were requesting to make a part-time position a full-time position, so those costs will continue year after year.
Roselyn added that this program aligns well with the intention of the Special Alcohol Funds. Loomis noted their longstanding presence within the community. Roselyn added that they use an inter-generational model with a number of their services which has demonstrated an impactful reduction in alcoholism.
DCCCA-Outpatient
Davis noted that their audit was good and that this program also aligns well with the intent of the special alcohol funds. The Board noted that the program serves a wide range of clients.
Heartland Medical Clinic
The Board asked about the status of the merger with Health Care Access. The Board sent an email asking for an update along with additional information regarding the proposed program.
Davis noted that approximately half of the program is funded by the City which was fairly high. The Board also noted the high number of clients served.
Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters
Davis noted that much of their information is based on statewide figures. Loomis added that the connection to the intent of the Special Alcohol Fund was not as tightly connected as some other programs.
Lieberman highlighted that they serve approximately 310 clients and have the ability to provide a lot of services with relatively little funding. Roselyn added that they have a lot of kids on their waiting list.
KU on Wheels
The Board noted that this was a new request and they have not traditionally funded KU initiatives in the past because of their ability to raise funds.
Davis added that KU did make the Safe Bus available city-wide and not just for students. He highlighted that they have provided about 24,000 rides which is something that should be encouraged.
Lawrence Alcoholic Recovery House
Davis noted that this program ties to the intent of Special Alcohol Funds very closely. Loomis added that they serve those that are in great need of services. Miller highlighted the importance of having these services in the community.
Lawrence Community Shelter
Loomis noted that they are the only homeless shelter in the community. Davis added that last year they requested funds for an auxiliary shelter that received funding from the County but not from the City.
The Board noted that there seemed to be an indirect link between the program and Special Alcohol funds. Davis also noted that the IRS Form 990 was from 2016.
Willow Domestic Violence Center
Davis noted that there was an indirect link between the program and Special Alcohol funds. Lieberman had concerns that little evidence was provided about the outcomes of the program.
Fischer noted that the program is more of a therapeutic program than an arts program. Loomis added that the program has received funding in the past.
Davis highlighted that they were requesting to move a part-time position to a full-time position. The Board wanted to know more about the full-time position and whether it would be a licensed social worker. Staff sent an email to Willow for clarification.
Van Go
Davis highlighted the difference between Van Go’s Special Alcohol Fund request and their General Fund request. Loomis added that the Jobs in the Arts Make Sense (JAMS) program focuses more on young adults than children.
Davis added that they have good fundraising efforts and that the requested City portion of the program is relatively small.
Davis moved to recess for 10 minutes before discussing the General Fund applications. Miller seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0.
The Board reconvened at 10:35.
Davis reviewed the City’s strategic plan to serve as a guidepost during the General Fund discussions.
Bert Nash
Davis noted that the city portion of the requested program was relatively high. Adding that they are requesting additional staff members due to serving more clients with the same resources.
Mathew Faulk, Housing Program Coordinator for Bert Nash, noted that they are the largest mental health provider and it is incredibly difficult to prioritize needs and clients. He added that they provide services regardless of insurance.
Lieberman asked Faulk how Bert Nash interacts with the Lawrence Community Shelter and other social service agencies. Faulk responded that they have weekly meetings with the Lawrence Community Shelter to help ensure they are not duplicating efforts.
Roselyn asked if they had benchmarks for the number of needed homeless outreach workers because it seems like the program is underfunded. Faulk responded that it can be difficult to determine appropriate benchmarks because agencies have different missions but given the current caseload, they are underfunded and need more staffing.
Kansas Boys & Girls Club
Davis highlighted the ratio between the adults and kids, which is similar to the Special Alcohol Fund request. Loomis noted that the need is only increasing and that they are requesting additional funds to help support their new facility.
Communities in Schools of Mid-America
Davis noted that the application seemed to have a lot of regional rather than local data. Loomis noted that they are primarily in Kennedy Elementary which has a lot of needs for these services.
Roselyn added that they have not expanded to other schools due to a lack of funding. She also highlighted that they provide an evidence-based model for providing services that integrates services into the school system so that access is easier. She also noted that it was unclear how much of the requested funds were for the local program and how much went to overhead costs.
Douglas County CASA
Lieberman noted that they are requesting funds for training. Davis highlighted that their advocates are often volunteers. Roselyn added that they provide a unique service in the community that is not duplicated by other agencies.
Douglas County Child Development Association
Davis noted the high costs in relation to the number of clients served but also acknowledged the level of service is great. Roselyn added that some of the funds go toward helping families find licensed child care services.
Douglas County Dental Clinic
Davis noted that they provide a unique service that is not duplicated by other agencies. He also noted that they had a really good annual report. Miller added that they are requesting the same amount of funds received in 2018.
Elizabeth B Ballard community Services
Roselyn noted that they meet a unique need in the community and help with transportation. Davis added that they provide a number of different services.
Davis asked if their spending would be sustainable long-term. Loomis added that the request was large.
Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc.
Davis noted that they provide services that are not duplicated by other agencies. He added that the City funds 81% of a position. Loomis added that they provide a number of different services and receive referrals from a variety of agencies.
Just Food of Douglas County
Davis noted that some of the requested funds are for general overhead. Loomis added that they do have a number of fundraisers that have been successful. Davis added that they use a modified cash basis of accounting which is not a Generally Accepted Accounting Principle.
Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters
Davis noted that the application provided a number of statewide statistics. He also added that their annual report was good and helped outline how funds were used in the past. Loomis added that the requested increase was for personnel.
Lawrence Community Food Alliance
The Board noted that the application indicated that they did not receive funding in 2018; however they were awarded $7,500 in 2018. Davis noted that the proposed project seemed to be completed with a request to be reimbursed for part of the total project cost.
Davis highlighted that the requested City portion of the project was fairly high. Loomis noted that there seemed to be some overlap with the services they provide and other social service agencies.
Roselyn asked what specifically the funds were to be used for because the application was vague.
Roselyn also added that the Sunrise Project does allow anyone to use a community garden for fresh produce without having to interface with anyone.
Lawrence Arts Center
The Board noted that the request did not seem to be based on need or specify that it was only available to local artists.
Lawrence Community Shelter
Roselyn noted that there was some language in the application that was concerning such as “funds may potentially be used for.” Lieberman added that they a number of different needs that funds could be used for.
Davis highlighted that the average stay was 121 days but that may be skewed based on some stays that are incredibly long. Roselyn added that affordable housing is a struggle for many in Lawrence.
Davis noted that much of the funding for the Lawrence Community Shelter is local funding and not State or Federal funding. Miller noted that there have been a number of changes in the past year and that job placement can also be difficult.
The Board had a few additional questions about the auxiliary shelter. Staff sent a follow-up email for clarification.
Senior Resource Center for Douglas County
The Board highlighted that the application was clear and outlined exactly how funds would be spent if allocated.
Salvation Army of Douglas County
The Board noted that they distribute bus passes to a number of other agencies. They asked if there was a better way to make these allocations. Buschkoetter noted that there are approximately 15,000 bus passes that are directly provided to the Lawrence Community Shelter. Roselyn added that transportation is a large unmet need.
Roselyn added that the Pathway of Hope program serves a relatively small number of clients. Davis added that the City portion of the program is fairly low.
The Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center
Loomis noted that they provide a unique service that is not duplicated by other agencies. Davis added that they are requesting only 3% of the program budget from the City and they provide a number of services. Miller added that they are requesting the same amount of funds as they received in 2018.
The Shelter
Davis noted that they provide a number of different services and that their annual report was very helpful. Roselyn added that the funds go directly to families in need and that their services depend on the needs of their clients. Davis added that their outcomes are clear.
Willow Domestic Violence Center
Davis noted that he was impressed with what they have done with program in the past year. Miller added that their partnership with the Library has helped get the word out.
Roselyn had a few concerns with some of the objectives of the application noting that it seemed to be more focused on outreach and less focused on providing direct services. The Board requested staff reach out for additional clarification.
Warm Hearts
Davis noted that they have matching funds for the program and that the request was similar to last year. The Board noted that they provide a unique service that is not duplicated by other agencies.
Van Go
Fischer noted that this program was more focused on life skills and young adults (18-24). Loomis added that these were at risk kids that were entering the workplace and need some additional services that can be hard for transitional aged young adults.
Next Meeting—May 22, 2018
The Board will make recommendations for funding to the City Commission at their next meeting May 22, 2018.
Public Comment
Loomis called for public comment, no public comment was given.
Adjourn
A motion to adjourn was made by Miller and seconded by Lieberman. The motion passed 6-0.