Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Youth services report rising need; commission approves $500 Salvation Army sponsorship
Summary
At its monthly meeting, the Youth Services Commission heard that staff are serving roughly 72 active clients and that rental- and energy-assistance needs are increasing; commissioners approved a $500 bronze sponsorship for a Salvation Army community dinner by voice vote.
The Youth Services Commission heard an update on rising client need and approved a $500 bronze sponsorship for a Salvation Army community dinner.
Interim community services coordinator Jeff Arduini told commissioners that, "since I've gotten here, we've really hit the ground running," and that staff are "currently seeing about 72 active clients" who use the department's caring closet and receive referrals for food, clothing and transportation assistance. He said staff completed 17 intakes for the caring-closet program in the past month and have been providing bus passes and referrals to community partners.
The report described a small pilot to provide rental assistance and help with security deposits, plus an energy-assistance effort for families facing high utility bills. Commissioners said the program has made seven rental-assistance payments so far and that the department also refers families to regional hardship programs and fair-housing services when appropriate.
Commissioners discussed community outreach events tied to those services, including an April 25 drug take-back partnership with local police and a planned community-impact dinner. When a commissioner proposed the department become a bronze sponsor for the Salvation Army "Standing in the Gap" dinner (a $500 sponsorship that would include logo placement and two tickets), the motion was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.
Staff also outlined a new online financial-assistance application for summer programs; applicants will upload income verification and supporting documents for department review. Historically, department financial-assistance awards have totaled between $25,000 and $30,000 in a fiscal year.
The commission asked staff to continue tracking client needs and funding pressures, and to follow up on referrals and pending juvenile-diversion payments. The department will also continue outreach around the upcoming drug take-back day and the financial-assistance application available on the department website.
