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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0281.091'Kay Ui, 1991 THE HONORABLE crrv COUNCIL Palo Alto, California Attention: Policy and Procedures committee THESUBJECTOF THIS REPORT IS" COUNCIL PRlORITY Btl.en BelAtions commission Report On People In crisis Priority Members of the Counci 1: Btmgrt in Brief Tbe purpose of this report is to s~arize activities undertaken by the Human hlations Co_ission (HRe) witb reqard to one of the City council's priorities tor 1991, People l~ eri.il and to trans.it their suqqested action plan in carrying out potential solutions tor the People In CTiSls prio?ity~ This is an informa­ tional report and no council action is required. Rlglrqrpund Tbe Buaan Relations commission has take the following steps: 1. The HRC bas complied witb tbe April 4tb staff report to council (CMR:220:911 and now respectfully submits their plan to implement the City council priority People In crisis. 2. The HRC has reviewed the final report filed by the committee on Bomelessness, issued in April of 1989 (Attachment A). 3. The IIRC has reviewed the Recommendations of the Single Room OCCUpancy Committee found in the City Council staff Report iSSUed in June of 1990 (CKP .• 351:8J 4. Tbe BRC beld two public bearinqs last tall (1990) where te.tiaony was received from community agencies and the i)'eneral public. S. The HaC developed a suhco .. tttee which identified several key priorities, or -ar". o~ tocu.-, which fall within the broad category of Peopl. ia Cri.i •. 6. The HRC invited community aqency representatives and other informed individuals to two focus qroup bearings this spring to 9atber additional detail reqardinq major issues of con- CMR: 281: 91 Pa'l'e 2 xay16,1991 /'. cern to the community concerning the people l~ crt.i. City Council priority (Attachment Bl. The HRC 1 having discussed, researched and reviawed the '.ople in Crt.i. priority bas reached consensus and statf hereby forwards their 8ugg .. ted action plan. StAft Co_nt. The follovinc; comments are in referene. to the Human Relations comai •• ion Action Plan whicb follows this report. Statf teels that Recommendation I 1 is an activIty that car. be undertaken by the Human Services Division and no additional funding allocation is necessary. Staff teels that Recommendation # 2 could develop from RQco"en­ dation # 1 .s ~iscussions ensue during the roundtable sessions. There would be ill fiscal impact as a public information campaign would call for unbudqetec! expendi turu in wri tinq, pr intinq and pUblioh!nq coots. staff teel. that Recommendation # 3 dovetails with working Assu.ption I 3 of the April' Staff Report (CMR:220:91) which states -The City should serve as a catalyst fqr coordinating and initiating actions to leveraqe public and private resources-. It should be pointed out that accumulating additional needs assess­ .ant data will have a fundinq i~aet~ The discussions that have been bald with various nonprofit organizational representatives have bean valuable in assessing the problema in a generic sense# yet the HUlIan Servi,ces Division does not currently possess detailed data, with the exception of the area of child care and youth. However # other organizations may have accumulated recent statistics Whlcb could assist in this area~ There would be a fiscal iapact in terms of gathering additional needs assess.ent data were the Huaan Services Division to develop, distribute and analyze such instruments. Tber~ would only be .in1.al additional funding ~eeded ~or conveninq a Funders Forum or sponsoring a fundralalng worksbop for outside orqanizations. Staff feels that Recommendation , 4 is a timely pilot project wherein we have the availability of two city-~unded orqanizations Who are poised to assist in this e.~eavor (Urban Ministry and Palo Alto Community Child Care)~ However# this recoa.endation presents the .ost expensive unbudqeted fundinq outlay ($10,000). CMR:281:91 • \, .' "; '.-<1: \ '< Pag_ 3 Kay 16, 1991 Opti'OlUI tor tWldinq this recommendation include:- 1) A C.D.B.G. request from PACCC or U~ban Ministry ~or the funds would be .liqible as the population aerve4 would be low income. The caveat here is that all C.D.B.G. funding tor F.r. 1991-92 has been proposed by ataff and the citizen Advisory Committee and will be finalized by Council at a public meeting on May 20th. Therefore, this option would not be available until F.Y. 1992-93, 2) Staff could apply for a piece of the Federal Child Care Block Grant tunding which is expected to become available in the fall of 1991. Tho •• State and County Planninq sessions have yet to be sch~uled 80 thi. option i. a poB.ibility, 3] Sta~~ could .uD.it funding pr~sala to various Corporate and Foundation aourcea for IS one year pilot project. If the Policy and Procedure Committee is recommending pursuing any of the attached recoasendatlons, staff should be directed to return with a plan and associated costs. Respectfully submitted, Jl,jJ//l~ DavIa itiitll'1 Paul Th~ltgen Acting Adainistrator, Human Services Director, community Services Related CMR's: A ttaclraents: CMR:281:91 351:8, 220:91 A (CoZlDllittee on HomelesanesB Report) B {Report on Focus Group Hearinqs] • HUMAn EelotioDS '0 .. i03ioo Action Plon for implementing tht city Cpyneil Priority; people in exigis ~be city of •• 10 ~to BUaaa Berviee. DiTi.ioD could azplora •• ~ll.ha .. t of quarterly ... tLDqa of nonprofit aqancie. in­ volvea in aerviDq '.opl. ia cri.ia. Kany spokuperaons at the two focus qroup discussions beld last ~ntb Itlpulate4 the need tor a vehicle by which information and resources could be sbared l networking could be enhanced and special projecte cou~d be undertaken to increase the etf~ctive­ ness of service delivery to people and families in crisis~ rne city eould sponsor these roundtable .eetingsl faCilitating the agendas of the nonprofit aqencies. aaca.aeD4ation I 2 7ha city of .alo ~to could azplor. orqanisiDq a PUblio XDforaa­ tioD e&apaiqn "iab could b.iqbtaa the ewar ..... of .ervic.. aDd reaouro •• aYail&bl. to '.opl. iD criail. A more agqreasive marketinq caapaiqn denoting the services available by the nonprofit community to the population at risk vas cited as a major issue needinq resolution. rt was stated by lliany participants at the focus qroup hearings that a review of existing inforaation and referral agencies should be undertaken. Many felt that a move to strengthen Buch organizations vas varranted l as the underserve.di populations were not aware. of what services were avail .. ble. aacoa.andatloa I 1 Ybe City or Palo Alto KUa&B •• rvic •• Divi.ioB could .... i.t ~h. nonp~ofit o~isatioDA ia th.ir atteapt to q&ra.r additional fun4iaq ~ otber aq_Dci ••• In providing a proactive role by facilltatinq fundraising endeav­ ors, the city eQuId sponsor tundrai&inq w?rkshops and convene a group of funders to ~et the non-profit agencies. In the non­ profit orqanization's attempt to supplement or replenish fundinq with Corporate or Foundation reque&ts~ the City could support their requests by supplying needs asseB~ent data reflecting tbe sc~ and breadth of the problem where warranted. \" ,I . i· ... ," ~ , I ' 1 1 I I ! p"ge 2 Kay 16, 1991 a.ooaaen4atloD , 4 ZKplor. praTt. loa or drop-lD cbllG car. .lot. ror u •• by tb. hoa.l ••• taaili •• who r •• id. 1 •• alo Alto. ~everend JiB Burklo from the Urban Ministry program estimates that 25 children of ho.ele •• parents reside in the Palo Alto area. Many of the parents of these children tail to keep appoint­ ment., tail to appear for counseling sessions and fail to timely appear at 80cial service agencies because of unavailable child care ~ions. With a saail allocation of funding .ade available to Palo Alto Community Cbl14 Care, under pilot program auspices, PACOC could fund one or two e.erqency drop-in child care slots to be used by the homeless populatIon when in need. This offering would alleviate soae ot tha pitfalls suftered by homeless fami­ lies vben dealing with a crisis situation. A $10,000 allocation would tund two full-time drop-in slots for use by various infant, toddler and preschool children. AreAS of J'uxt.Mr CoDsidulltion The preli.inary suqqestions cited above are a first phase in assisting People in crisis. The Human Relations Commission appginted a sUb-co .. ittee to further explore several key priori­ ties, or ·areas of focus· tor city attention. The sub-committee outlined several human service priorities which address the broader area of People in Crisis. After studying the testimony proffered last fall to the HRC by the co_unity at large and non­ profit agencies, the following-three priorities were iaentiffed: 1, '1' ..... ZKparlaaclDg eriot. 2, Doaa.tio Violaao. 3) llo_l ••• D ••• The BRC fBEls that two new projects recommended for funding cammencinq July 1, 1991 directly addresses the Council priority and also tarqets two of those three i~entified needs. These two projects involve the boael"s P2PYlatioD and teens in cri§is. The first of these is the Palo Alto Unified SChool District's on­ site oounselin9 program at Gunn and Palo Alto Hiqh SChools ($35,000). This project is the result of a joint effort between the City and the School District, 'Who ha.ve worked togethe.r on this issue for the past aix years. The second recommended request is the appropriation to the Urban Ministry for a caseworker ($17,274-partial fundinq for the position) • PrOJl what staff and the NRC heard at the public and. nonprofit public hearing prOCB&5 hel~ September 11 and 12, 1990 and fro. ----~ .... -~¥-....... ""-....... ...,,""-~-----.- • \ ;:>-~,,, ?~~:-,.;> , .' ~-L".:,.· '-~'~.' ". ,. / P1!o9. 3 Mal" 16, 19~1 the two lOCUlI qroup hearings held April 5 and 10, 1991, these two proqraaa would be crucial additions in servinq the aforementioned population. other .ajor areas o~ concarn cited at the public hearinqs were the lack ot: 1} Low to Moderate Incoae Housing, and 2) Senior Day Health care and other services for seniors~ A 'ijreat nuabar of people b .. ve 9iven te.ti.ony callin'ij for im­ proved paratransit services. As .. ntloned earlier, when the Huaan Relations Commission con­ vened the two IQCU5 qroup hearinqa last .onth to search tor additional .ethoda ot City .... istance, .specially in the three identified focus areas, .any ideas were pres.nted. For a recap of those issues and proposed solutions, see attaOhaent B~ The HRC ~lleves that further action. could be taken to preserve and encourage additional a~for4able .ingle-roo. occupancy housing Includinq those reCOlDlen4ations of the SRO COIDlttee dat-ed June 7, 1990 (CMR: 351:8). The HRC bas revisited the recommendation ••• de by the committee on Baaelessness in their final report dated ~il 14, ~989 (see attacllJlent A). The HRC wishes to evaluate the action tak"" by the City baaed on the report and advoeate for further remedie. sUfie.ted in the body ot the report. A report on S~R~O~ will be &gendized for council soon. In conclusion, the Human Relations COmaission believes that the preliminary recommendations espoused in this repclrt are a first step in working to solve the city Council prio~ity People In crlsl.~ They will continue to reco .. end additional potential solutions as £urtber study warrants • . . -~----';:::'. I . , I , . < , ", __ .c.., AITACHMENT A ~, 0 tox: l025<l P"LO .... ~lO, C"-I.!fOR:NIA 9430) COIII!ITTEE ON 1I0MELESSNESS FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS For The HUMAN RELATIONS COIII!ISSION April 14, 1989 The Committee on Homelessness, e~tablished by the the Human Relations Com=ission in April of 1988 for a perioJ of one year, vas directed to explore the problem of homelessness in Palo Alto, and to identify maans of addressing this issue. Members of the committee were representatives of the Urban Ministry, the Red cross~ the Palo Alto Pel ice Department, the Food Closet, the Palo Alto Housin9 CorPoration, and the Human Relations Commission. More recently~ a representative of the Miramonte Mental Health Services joined the Committee. ~so participating were interested private citizens. Generally, two meetings were held each month. During the first months, the Committee spent time gathering information on the maqnitude of the problem of homelessness in our community. and learning of the varic~s organizations and services available to the homeless population. The Committee learned that people who are homeless do not fit into anyone category. Among Palo Alto's homeless population are unemployed people, the developmentally disabled, Vietnam veterans, and drug abusers~ There is, of course, overlapping within the cate90ries~ On September 22, 1988, the Committee submitted a progress report (see attached copy), in yhich were cited some 1987 statistics. It is difficult to obtain firm statistics, but the 1987 fiqures bave been updated as follows: 1. The Orban Ministry served 298 homeless individuals in 1987. In 198B over 500 homeless individuals vere served. 2~ 8,000 visits were made to the Food Closet in 1987. In 1988 10,400 visits were made~ The Food Closet reported a sizeable increase to date in 1989. The ca.aittee Is pleased with the Palo Alto city Council action of March 271 1989 r which approved use permits requested by the Urban Ministry to establish temporary rotating shelters in various ~alo Alto churches. ' ___ "e ___ ' ... ___ ....... _ ... -------- \'. Temporary Shel ter 1. It ia reco-aended that the City council participate in an effort amonq the cities in northern santa Clara county to find sites that could be utilized fQr 4 temporary mobile shelter. In ~oncept, this shelter would be moved from community to community every two years, and it is recommended that the City take whatever action is necessary to see this Flan throuqh. 2. It is reco~ended that the city Council support eftorta to keep the Sunnyva.le .1_!"'!Ilory open for a longer period of time ea&::b year .. Permanent Shelter 1. It is recommended that the City Council participate in a reqional effort among the cities in northern Santa Clara County and southern San Mateo County to find a site for a pe~anent shelter ~or single homeless J and provide the s, :"'\'ices necessary to transport the homeless to that site. Permanent Housing 1. It is recommended thAt the City Council continue its effo~ts to maintain the supply of affordable single room occupancy (SRO) units. When necessary, SRQ units should be rehabili­ tated utilizing available financing programs to keep them affordable after rehabilitation. The development of nev SRO units in appropriate locations should be encouraged~ 2. It is rec~ended that the City council continue to su?port City staff in their finding to ~aive the hotel occupancy tax far low income, otherwise homeless, residents of SROS who are considered -revolving door-residents. 3. It is recommended that the City Council continue support for the palo Alto Housing Corporation's efforts to provide permanent housing affordable to low and Boderate income individuals and families. Services -1... It is. recoeomended that th-e City CO\lncil continue its S\lJ>port of the efforts ot the Or~an Ministry and other organizations who are h~lping the homeless population. a~ It is reco..ende4 that the City cO\lncil facilitate the e~torts of Miramonte Health Services to establish housing and services in Palo Alto for the homeless an~ ~entally ill. Miramonte Health is currently providing services to those in need vbo are living in S~Os in Palo Alto. • .' . ------.~----.. ------ I J. It 1s recommended that the City Council enlist the support of Supervisor Diana KcKenna to increase access to county weltare services ror the citizens of palo Alto. There are no longer local offices to obtain general assistance, AFDC, food stamps and other social services. In conclusion, the cowaittee expresses its appreciation to the Ruman ~elations Coamission tor its attention to the needs of the homeless, nea~ homeless, and needy in our comm~nity. The committee on Homeles.ness has concluded its assiqnment, but the needs, some of which bave ~.en identified In this report, will continue. Tbe members of the committee stand ready to assist in any way possible, and will attend the Human Relations Commission meetin9 of April 13, ~989 to respond to questions. ,/ City ofPaJoAlto HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION PO 8o,ID1>OP,"Ml.CA9'JOl September 22, 1988 Human Relations Commission City of Palo Alto From The Committee on Homekssness Dear Commissioners: 1 am wnung to you at the reque::a of the Committee on Hom~le'Ssness to advise you of the progress of the Commitlee at this midyear dale and to request actiDn on a specific problem arising In the Palo Aho community that affects the bo:ndess population. From our first committee meeting on }'1'ay 3* 1988, we have worked ao bring the [otal commjnee to .an lmciersranding of the scope. narure. and complex.ities of the Palo Atto bomeless population. There are many different subgroups involving many peopJe \.l"bo are able to respond to services in the community and many who are IlOt. A principal problem for the homeless is that they often lack the ability to WDTk with the current fragmented system of the \\'elfare Department and the Shehen. Often these people nave not h~d the coctjnuity in their own lives that alJows !hem ta operate in an organized. way. Some aTe mer,tally in; their thinking is disorganized and paranoid, making it dIfficult to tr'.lst these who are anempting to help them. The homeless populatlon also's made u;; of Viet Nam vets with alcohol and drug problems. The Veterans Administration, (VA). Sees itself as predominantly a medical facililY and increasingly is providing only short term care, leaving these people withem long ferm support or cart. Statistlcs from the commur.l!y that \.Ole have gathered are as follows: The Urban Ministry served 298 homoless individuals and 51 families with children in 1987. In one month's time the Food Closer served 108 homeless individuals. The American Red Cross served 491 bom-eless people in a nine month period. There is an overlap among tnese three agencies in that the same people are bei.ng served. In 1987, the police made 309 arrests of ;ndi,iou,ls who had no addresses. The cornmint,:e has learned (rom agencies v,:ho pro\>lde service that the home}ess population is on1y the tip of an icebeT~ under which is a \ , j , '1 , ;-:;.. -'",-. "~:'~~;c ::y;­ ->f .. <.:'._.~ - 3. Public Relations A sub-committee will work to affect public opinion and gather support for our activities, 4. BeQuests fTOm the: Homeless A committee is being formed 10 gather ideas that the homeless have 10 help resolve their dlJemma. The homeless problem is both significant and complex. We would like action to begin soon to help the community become more" aware of these issues. Only with underscanding can there be a meaningful commitment to help the homeless. Regarding our requesI for action on a speciflc problem, we have been apprised that a group of PaTo AItans who Jive near the San Francisquito Creek are increasingly concerned about homeless individuals in their area. They have been calIing Ihe Palo Aho Police Department to complain aboot loitering. setting fires in the creek area, and illegal use of drugs. The pollee respond and soon the activity at the creek begins again. We onderstand that the neighbors increasingly ue feeling that the police are being too protective of the homeless grocp. According to the police and the Urban z,,1inistry. "'the creek homeless" is a subgroup who are socially isolated and flot interested in communi:7 services. Their number is smal1~ aboU[ 15 individuals. Also their determinacion to continue 10 live in the creek appears to be strong. We feel that there is an urgent need to set up 2 hearing for the publl,c that would alr the comp1.aints and provide a forum for education and some resolution of a difficult problem. Vole ask that this action be taken in this regard in the immediate fmuTe. ------ t ATIACHMENT B STAFF REPORT April 24, 1991 TO: HUMAN REl.ATIONS COMMISSION FR: DAVID MARTIN, CHILD CARE COORDINATOR RE: 'PEOPLE IN CRISIS' NEEDS ASSESSMENT HEARINGS NrRODUCl10N One of the City of Palo Alto's three priorities fO( 1'191 developed by the Palo Alto City CoonciI is 'People In Crisio'. The Human Relations Commiosion was requested 10 assist in the gathering of daIa reflecting the JCOpC and breadth of the issue. To this end, the Human Relations Commission sponsored ~NO informal group discussi"". with appropriate buman service agencie<. The Human Relations Commission segmenb:ld that general concern into three focus auas: 1) T ...... 10 Crisio, 2) Domestk Abuse, and 3) Homelessness. This report is designed 10 provide the information gathered in discussions held with the agencies responsible for delivering services 10 1hose three populations. Represenlatives from the ""'enteen agencies wbo attended the two focus group hearings were asked 10 COIIsider the three foUow'.ng questions in the course of their discussioo: 1) How might the City leverage it> resources? 2) How might the City encourage other agencies 0( groups to work togelher? 3) What are the needs in the community, both met and cnmet? I. ISSUES A) AREAS OF CONCERN I) EnII!lmI: Acconfrng 10 many represenlatives at the bearings, services offered 10 the popuIaIions at risk are often fTagmenb:ld. For example, wben attempting 10 deliver services 10 domestic violence victims or !<ens at risk, there is a need 10 remember 10 serve the wbole family unit and nO( just the specific issue cu=nlly needing resolution. When programs are offered to victims of domestic violence, we tend to forget !bat the children wbo find themselves affecb:id by the incident> are not factored into the service delivery that the battered spouse may receive. Children are always the victim of fami1 Y dysfunetion and often grow up repealing the same behavio< they've witnessed. This piecemeal approacl> 00.. not serve the client's bolistic family needs an~ in fact Iea<Is 10 a<lditiona1 unresolved problems down the road. .. \" f· " ! ~: . - l' ~ ... 2) 3) Problem: Many agencies pteSented the issue of 001 knowing wbat odler services are avaiJable to the risk p"p"latlon. Many who ,poke ,lated thaI they lIIere bearing about the mission of the other agencies present for the fin< time and w.,.. unaware that tho5e alternative servi<:es were available. Additional linkages "",ong various human service providers were encouraged. Problem: In Palo Alto, there ar: approximately 20 10 30 young people wbo, wbile not homeless in the traditional se:ue, are on the periphery of the homeless population because of problems at home and/or school. Sanction and aceq>Jance is found among the homeless population, and a certain romanticism exists among these youth in experimenting with the homeless lifestyle. This group has not become a police ~ilily (yel) because they are not involved in criminal activily, bul methods for getting them back on track were discussed. 4) fmI!km: Child Care and TransporWion were mentioned repeatedly as barriers to self­ sufficiency for the homeless popuIa!ion. While many problem, of the homeless are cltronic in Ilalure and involve the need for psychologica! counseling and ,ubslallce­ abuse prevention, among other needs, the lack of subsiclized child care was cited as • major concern for families in a housing crisi, situation. The lack of viable transporta­ tion was cited as creating barriers toward self-sufflciem:y as appointments with service providers were r.arely Irept by the homeless population. S) rIl2blml: Some agencies cited the lack of referral, and phone ealls from Palo Alto residents (Emergency Treatmenl Center, Mid-PeninSllla Support Network) as evidence that 011_ effort' were substandard. Many agencies were unaware of PAAlRS or their mission and a higher profile of their services was suggested. Conversely, other agencies reported increases in conJacts with Palo Alto residents and transients (Rape CrisiJ Cente£ reported • 41" increase in call" not only In rape cases but also concern­ ing incesI and ritual cull abuse). It was ,lated that one agem:y (Rape Crisis Center) receives more calls than the police because their cases are kepi confidential. Questions """" raised by some agencies regarding police referrals for victims of domestic violence. One agency slated thaI they bave never received any referrals from the police department (Emergency Trealmenl Center) whIle another agency representative (Mid-Peninsula Support Network) stated that the police are ""luired by law 10 refer victims of domestic viclence, but thaI many victims do not follow through for various reasons. When an H.R.C. Commissioner stated that the Polica Department inQl<ated • drop in domestic violence calls in 1989 and 1990, many participants disputed the assertion that domestic violence was on the wane. Conversely, the group said that domestic violence was increasing, however, women do not always report the incidents '" the poti<;e as 10" of the cases occur after the woman leaves the home. 6) PrnbIs;m: Counseling services which are ivaHable fo< leens in crisis are not plentiful enough. It was reported thai the on-sire counseling program avaiJable at the Middle School bas experienced • three-fold increase in the last three years. Participants agreed thaI schools ar~ tile besllocatioo to place counselors as follow-up rarely bappens when counselors are housed in office bwlamgs. The feedback around the • three froe visil counseling program" indicated that il was worlcing well and that many of !hose port>Iting in the program conlinue with additional counseling after their three froe visits 2 Ilaffdfm doc • \ . , , '-c-' i< . t-', '. . , f ---- . . wen exhausted. School Diltrict pernooneI S1JI.ttd they arc trying \0 resurrecl the 'peer oounsolin& program' but that it's. long process. One problem noted ...... the reluc­ lance on !he pan 0( parents to let their kids relate \0 troubled peers. The lack of a siron, relationship with Ihc School Districl was cited by • rew human service provid­ ers. One organiation who wislled kJ operate counselmg programs in the school ....... turned down by the School Di$lrict (R.T.C.). One suggestion rei!<nlte<l by many Slated that infonnatioo regarding support avenues for families in en';, should be dislnl>uted In an families with children in Ihc school system. 7) ~: It was mentioned by many that counseling servioe. need \0 be externled to clilld cue facilities. TI>ere is a tq>One.\ need 10 get information ir.to the hands of families befon: their cluldrerJ reach school-age so prevention can be boiler targeted. It was alJo mentioned that parmI educarlon and ootreacb in cbild care cenler1 should include a series of presen~tions from various speaker bureaus'. S) PrnhI;m; The mistaken assumption that Palo Alto does not posseso • '!leedy popula­ tion' has led to many !>OIl-profits being unable 10 secure f",,"dation and corporate funding because of the supposed lack of need. It was Slated thai tIlere i5 indeed an 'invi5ible population' residing here, especially in the 50utllern area of Ihc city, wbich oootains a rich multi-all1Ullll patina. Tbj. population does nOl usually seek assistance but ralher relleo on each other because of the la<:k of information avallable. Many of these fiurulies share residen= amoog 2 or 3 families to afford rental COS!s. It was stated that the City has not done • good job in identifying and assisting these families. Highfighted areas of assistance included additional subsidies fur child care for low­ income famj)ies. Also, translators who speak Spanisll, Chinese and Vletnamese are urgently needed by Ca.sa SAY and the Mid-Peninsula Support Network in working with their diverse popuIation_ 9) fnlIllIml: The Innovative Roosing represen!ative slated that she had encountered many roadbloeb in bet attempt to gel housing information inlO the hands of locaIIy"based employees. She cited Stanford University and t.~e Medical Center as two examples of organizations who bave denied a=ss to their employees reganding housing outreach. The represen!ative also staled 1haI1heir organizauoo usually u \be fint 10 realize that major famiJW problems lie ahead as rent going unpaid i, the first inolCator or sucb problems. 10) Problem: Much COI1llCfD was expressed over the Governor', preliminary budget proposal whicb tails for. reduced A.F.D.C. {,ljd to Families with Dependent Children} aIlo!ment, commeocing luly l. It was stated that this cutback would affect 24,000 family members in Sanla Clara Ceunty. It was also stressed that the advocacy efforts should IlO! be limited 10 Palo AlIO as the problems are regional in naMe. An e>ampIe given conc:emed the drug problem in East Palo AlIO wherein many Palo AlIO re<idenls ge in searcl> of illegal substances. ll} Problem: II was S1JI.Ied that although duplication of effort is nO! • corcem among human service providers, gaps in services is it: major concern. It was suggested that the City should spearhead better cooramatioo among agencies in order 10 malce the optimwn use of what shrinking resourtes are ,,»lable 10 those in need. 3 --.... _ .... tt __ .. ' __ ,"' __ • __ ~,_I71"'· ,.,-,~ • '> . .1 .-. • ," 12) 1'lllbII:m: Many proviclers ,..." CXJnOemed thai the public was toooming less IOlennt with the bomeIess issue as the heightened aWiU'C:1eSS ""d additional program support have not dimina!aI the problem. Even agencies are DO! immune from the ·compassion fati£ue. syndrome, wherein they feel exasperatioo that the problems do not diminish. B) SUGGESTED RESOLUTIONS Keeping in mind the thm: question. proposed during the session by the HRC Commissionen present, many poIeDtiaI solutions were offered. This section will highlight many "f those suggested by the participants. I) ~: Treat the enliR: family wilen a family member is in crisis; do not segregate family IJsues by dealing with one specific problem (teens at risk, domestic viole,.,,,,,, et a1). Develop adllitional resources 10 IRa! the children and the family as a whole. 2) ~: Develop a Resource Hot Une whicb puts peeple in crisis in \Ouch with the appropriate ager.cy. 3) S2I!di!ln: Have PAAIRS more aggressively market their services and come up with an 800 number whi"', is caIcby and easily remembered. 4) SclJiIim: The City could spotlSO< quarterly meetings or Community Forums where agencies could come together and share information, become more effIcient in their networking and Ieam about new resources. S) S2llIIiQn: Develop a peer counselmg network where yooth could befriend troubled IeenS (mcluding the semi-homeless teen popu1atioo cited above) and assist them in seeking belp from elUsting agencies. 6) Solution' Develop additional clu1d care subsid',.. on a drop-in basis for homeless single IIl<lIben and provide transportation to and from the child care centers. 7) .5!!hIli!m: The City could explore. Guardianship Program wbereby a payee sy5lem would be underwritten for those homeless who receive grants from S.S.1. or other 5Oun:es and the program would distnbute the money in a pro-rated fashion to the homeless clients. 8) .5!!hIli!m: Explore development of an umbren. agency (mteragency council) made up of Ioc:aI human service ROO-profit agencies for purposes of stronger advocacy and greater unity. 9) S!lliili!!!!: Make counseling services av:u1able through child care centers to children and families at risk. 10) .5!!hIli!m: Expand oulreoicll efforts into So'Jth Palo Alto, targeting the multi-cultura1 -invislole populatioo-wbo.renoain unaware of potential assistance. 4 I I- t -- I. .' i I , I I II) SsIlIiIiIm: ,.. many people are DOt aware of the agencies that provide service, develop • public .~ ampaIp by utilizing the foDowing methods: 0) Sponsor a Community Awareness Day or Wool, b) Spomor an outn:acl! pmgruu where agency "'presentatives visit: 1) neighbor­ hoods, and 2) businesses to provide infonnation, c) Spomor a Town IWI Meeting with emphasis on Human Service concerns, d) o.pnize a week-long &itt 10 cIi5seminate information, e) o.pnize mailings to familieolllrough the School District, f) Print canis with ag<ncy names and phone numbers, which ClJl be carried in • poc~ or wallet, or kept ncar a leIepho .. , Ii) Establish 0 toll-free bot line number sinu1ar to the 911 eme.1lency number which people caD 10 be put in touch with agencies, h) Spomor round table discussiono for the exchange of ideas, 12) S!!IWi!m: The City could act as • facilitator in genin, housing information 10 employ­ ee. of companies in the area, 13) S2hIIislo: Develop printed canis with youth-serving agencies phone numbers, i.e" teen bot line, dc" and provide to all middle and high school students, 14) .5!!llIliIm: Help non-profit agencies attr.IC1 State and Federal funding, IS) .5!!llIliIm: City could help in the printing and distribution of printed materials. 16) Solution: Develop better working relationship between human servioe agencies and the ScbooI District. 5 .,,---e "' ..... > ...•... 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