Will County Gazette

Dupage Township Social Services Committee met Oct. 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Called to order at 4:32 pm.

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Roll Call for Quorum

Present – Tracy Odom, Felix George, Peggie McMillian, Ruth Smith

Absent – Kym Owens, Maureen Fox and Kulsum Ali

IV. Approval of Agenda

Motion by Felix George, Second by Tracy Odom. Motion Passed. Maureen Fox joined at 4:35 p.m.

V. Approval of minutes from August 1, 2019 Committee Meeting

Motion to table by Maureen Fox, second by Tracy Odom. Motion passed.

VI. Approval of minutes from September 16, 2019 Committee Meeting

Motion to table by Maureen Fox, second by Tracy Odom. Motion passed.

VII. Public Comment

None

VIII. Community Partnership Grants Application Review/Status

a. H20

Ryan Lawrence and Leo Venegas spoke to the social services committee regarding mental health and transportation services provided to the youth. Grant was submitted in July for the youth tutoring, basketball, ant- bullying and transportation. They want to amend their application to focus on mental health. 388 youth participated in program last year. Currently they are at 280, which is double this time last year. (6th grade through 12th grade). Ryan shared the activities/topics of the support group. The most highly attended activity within H20. Ryan explained the one to one mentoring program. Partnership with a local counseling service that sends licensed counselors twice a week to assist with the youth. They are also available for crisis intervention. They focus on the three hurts (someone is hurting them, they are hurting themselves or they are planning on hurting someone). Challenges are parents can’t transport to counseling or can afford counseling. H2O helps to cover the costs and provides transportation for counseling.

Tracy Odom expressed that some H20 participants also volunteer at the township and how she has seen the positive change with students.

Alyssia Benford asked Ryan Lawrence to update application that has been presented to the township for the November board meeting.

Felix George stated that we need at least two meetings before the board can make a decision.

Ruth Smith said this is her first time learning about H20 and she asked about the family contact and participation with program. Ryan Lawrence explained that H20 contacts the family when students register. H20 also provides free transportation to/from program and use that time to speak with family as well.

Alyssia Benford asked about students with mental health challenges self-medicating with drugs and alcohol and how H20 addresses these challenges. Ryan talked about how they assist students with developing positive skills.

Ruth Smith asked if H20 discusses God. Ryan stated H20 is a faith-based organization and they do this through the mentoring programs if students express a desire to learn more about God. Township funds will be used for other parts of their programs that are not religious based.

b. Community Service Council

CSC will be presented to the board at the next board meeting. Felix George shared a copy of the contract he will present to the board for the community partnership with CSC.

c. Citizens Against Abuse

Citizens Against Abuse presented at the September board meeting. Their application was amended to request funds for senior citizens that are abused as well as youth programs.

IX. General Assistance and Emergency Discussion a. Client Needs

Kym Owens was not present to cover this topic

b. Site visit update

Alyssia Benford mentioned that Thornton Township and Naperville Township have been contacted for site visits. Kym Owens left a budget copies from Utopia Township.

c. Emergency Assistance and General Assistance Limits for board approval

Felix George, Kym Owens, Tracy Odem and Alyssia Benford will be attending the General Assistance conference in Springfield next month.

X. Fiscal Year 2019 Schedule of Material Weaknesses Action Plan

Alyssia Benford mentioned the audit issues that pertain to general assistance. The legal counsel has written a memo the board regarding general assistance. The committee will monitor these audit issues and assist where necessary. Alyssia Benford will forward the legal memo to the board.

XI. Open Meetings Act Training Requirement

Alyssia Benford informed all committee members are required to complete the online training for Open Meeting Act Training. Alyssia Benford will send the link from Amy Albright regarding training. The committee members have 90 days to complete the training.

XII. Public Comment

Maureen Fox mentioned the Citizens Against Abuse celebration this week at the Levy Center.

XIII. Old Business

Committee meetings are set for the first Monday of each month.

XIV. New Business None

XV. Adjournment

a. Motion to adjourn by Peggy McMillian, second by Maureen Fox. Meeting adjourned at 5:16 pm. Motion passed.

http://www.dupagetownship.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Minutes-10-07-19.pdf