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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 05/14/20151 City of Fort Collins Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes May 14, 2015, 5:30 p.m. Location: CIC Room, City Hall West, 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 Council Liaison: Councilmember Bob Overbeck Staff Liaison: Beth Sowder Recorder: Michele Scalva Present: Colleen Conway, Myles Crane, Christine Hays, Joseph D. Leske, Jimena Sagas, Preety Sathe and Victor Smith Absent: Mary Vivo Guest Presenters/Community Members: Dr. Toni Zimmerman, Dale Adamy, Rick Coen and Sara Frazier CALL TO ORDER The meeting commenced at 5:30 p.m. PUBLIC INPUT Resident Rick Coen is part of a small group reviewing immigration issues on a local level. He shared his intent for future communication with the HRC. Resident Sara Frazier provided information re: her interest in mental health and wellbeing. Resident Dale Adamy shared his interests and actions to address poverty through enhanced public input. Meeting Highlights Summary 1. Guest speaker Dr. Toni Zimmerman, CSU Professor and Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program, introduced Campus Corps – an innovative and successful therapeutic mentoring program that originated at CSU for at-risk youth. 2. Members discussed the successful 05/12/15 forum Mental Health Issues Impacting Homelessness, Joblessness and Poverty. 3. Members received an update on the 05/06/15 HRC arranged meeting between the Coloradoan Editorial Board and guest speakers from the forum Mental Health Issues Impacting Law Enforcement and the Penal System. 4. HRC recognized and thanked Christy Doyon who resigned from the HRC to take a new position away from Fort Collins. 5. Jimena Sagas was elected Chair of the Educational Outreach Committee. 6. Councilmember Bob Overbeck was welcomed as the new HRC Council Liaison. 7. Members discussed ideas for outreach and possible topics for a new series of educational forums. 2 GUEST SPEAKER PRESENTATION – Dr. Toni Zimmerman In 2008, community members organized to address the mental health needs of youth. Dr. Zimmerman, in collaboration with others, created Campus Corps which incorporates the modalities of therapy, mentoring and after-school programs. Campus Corps is a 12-week program held at the CSU Gifford Building and serves ages 10-18. The graduation rate is 90%. Program brochures were provided. Q&A: • There are Spanish-speaking mentors and mentors for kids with specific needs and varying abilities. • Campus Corps has a high acceptance rate among parents and guardians. • Mentors help kids learn to advocate for themselves. • Parents, professionals and interested community members may refer kids to the program. AGENDA REVIEW No changes to the content. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The April meeting minutes were approved unanimously. BUDGET REPORT Budget was approved unanimously. A suggestion was made to plan a retreat to take place after new members are appointed. OLD BUSINESS Impressions of 05/12/15 forum: Positive feedback reported from attendees. At the July forum, Randy Ratliff, Touchstone CEO, will speak briefly. Dr. Toni Zimmerman’s presentation will explore bias across many dimensions related to diversity and specifically how those biases are activated when they intersect with mental health issues. Women’s Commission Collaboration Breakfast: Tuesday, May 19th, Commissioners Leske and Vivo and Vice Chair Conway will attend. Partnering with third parties – continued discussion: A subcommittee was formed with Commissioners Sagas, Hays and Vice Chair Conway to continue working on a plan. Mission Statement clarification: Commissioner Sagas will revise the statement for members to review before the June meeting. Update – Coloradoan Editorial Board meeting: Chair Smith attended in early May. Three former HRC forum presenters spoke. The Editorial Board shared its interest in exploring mental health issues. Scheduled Speakers: Schedule of speakers was reviewed. Other per commissioners: Commissioners expressed appreciation to the Women’s Commission for listing the Mental Health Forums in their minutes. NEW BUSINESS Recognition for former Commissioner Christy Doyon: Commissioners expressed appreciation to Christy Doyon’s for her service to the HRC. 3 Notice to City Clerk for new HRC member: Liaison Sowder will notify Christine Macrina. Elect Chair of Educational Outreach Committee: Commissioner Sagas was unanimously approved. New HRC Council Liaison: Councilmember Bob Overbeck will meet with Chair Smith. Possible new forum series: Ideas, including possibilities for a Spanish-speaking forum, were discussed. Outreach ideas: A meeting will be arranged by EOC Chair Sagas; all HRC members are invited. Other per commissioners: Commissioners discussed ideas to welcome and follow up with guests who attend scheduled HRC meetings. STANDING COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS Executive Committee (EC) Reports sent via email. Liaison Sowder will investigate changing the HRC Periodic Review date which conflicts with the July Mental Health Forum. Government Relations Committee (GR) City Council update report sent via email. GR Chair Leske reviewed status of State Legislature bills. Educational Outreach Committee (EOC) EOC Chair Sagas shared ideas for future HRC educational series. Media & Community Recognition Committee (M&CR) Publicity for 07/14/15 forum: Soapboxes will be written by Dr. Toni Zimmerman and Touchstone CEO Randy Ratliff. Community liaison reports were sent via email. UPCOMING Events/Announcements Department of Social Sustainability announcements: • An overflow cold shelter plan is being established. • It’s on Us campaign creating awareness about sexual assault will begin this summer. • The concept of “coordinated access” to address area homelessness is being assessed. Per Commissioners: World Elder Abuse Day event is planned for June 12, 2015, at The Ranch. Meeting Highlights/Discussion Recap and Approval Chair Smith will email. 4 CLOSING/Call for Adjournment Commissioners unanimously approved to adjourn at 7:43 p.m. Next HRC meeting is Thursday, June 11, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. in the CIC room.