Commission on Human Needs Minutes - 02/15/1999 COMMISSION ON HUMAN NEEDS
MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 15, 1999
Present : Absent :
Corry Blount Bobby Hall
Harley Brakelsburg Vicki Tanner (excused)
Don Carter Ben Valadez, Jr.
Sandra Dudley Mary Walker
Pat LeBus
Bob McBee
Penny Miller
Robert Randolph Staff Liaison
Robert Thomas Jan Stricklin
Rita Vokes Dave Goodrich
Brent Walker
Bill Winaska
1 . CALL TO ORDER.
The meeting was called to order by Penny Miller at 5 : 37 p.m. A motion
to approve the minutes of the January 18, 1999, meeting was made by
Rita Vokes and seconded by Bob McBee. The motion passed.
2 . Guest Speaker.
Tamera Gillispie of the Alzheimer' s Association presented a program on
the Safe Return Program. Ms . Gillispie was accompanied by several
members of the Catholic Daughters of America who assist with the Safe
Return Program. The Safe Return program is a national program
designed to assist individuals with family members who have
Alzheimer' s who may wander off and become confused and not recall how
to return to their home. Family members with Alzheimer' s are
registered with the national organization which has the ability to
notify surrounding law enforcement agencies with the identify of the
lost family member. This aids in the quick return of the family
member. One of the problems this organization faces is the denial by
families with this problem. The Commission through the Committee on
Disabilities has been working with the Alzheimer' s Association and
stated they were attempting to approach Warren Silver and ask him to
dedicate one of the Silver Reports to this program as well as attempt
to obtain space at the Home and Garden Show to publicize the Safe
Return Program.
3. Old Business .
A. A review of the Commission Workshop Report was made and the
report was accepted without correction.
Commission on Human Needs (continued)
B. Committee Reports .
1 . Committee on the Status of Women.
Ms . Rita Vokes stated that the primary goal of this
committee would be teen pregnancy. They will be
meeting with members of the school nurses on March 5th
to work out a course of action. This would include
working with the student nurses at MSU and the
establishment of Peer Support Groups . Another task
could be the coordination of effort between the various
agencies that were working with this problem. A second
goal is providing parenting classes which would include
education and parenting skills . This second goal does
not necessarily become involved in the presentation of
parenting classes but rather determining what programs
are currently in the community and publicizing those
efforts .
2 . Committee on Human Relations .
Ms . Penny Miller reported that the Core Group which
originally initiated the idea of the Study Circles
Program had grown to approximately forty individuals .
The group was exploring several locations which would
be perceived as being neutral by others in which to
hold their training and conduct meetings . They are now
identifying facilitators, then provide them with
training and begin the Study Circles . It was also
reported that the group is in need of booklets to be
used by the participants of the Study Circles . The
City may be able to reproduce the booklets since the
booklets can be reproduced without fee for the purpose
of conducting Study Circles . If funding was needed for
this purpose, it was discussed that the Times Record
News may be willing to provide some funding for this
project .
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Commission on Human Needs (continued)
3 . Committee on Disabilities .
Mr. Don Carter reported that the committee was
exploring making public service commercials for use on
the City channel . The committee was also exploring the
possibility of working with Warren Silver in focusing
some of the Silver Report on specific topics of
interest to the committee. The committee reported that
they will be holding their next committee meeting on
February 24, 1999.
4 . Committee on Aging.
The Committee on Aging did not meet due to there being
two of the four original members of the committee
available. Mr. Ron Steele was forced to resign from
the Commission due to his receipt of a business related
transfer.
4 . NEW BUSINESS .
A. Mr. Bobby Hall was appointed to the Committee on Disabilities and
Mr. Robert Thomas was appointed to the Committee on Aging to
assist with their program.
B. The Sub-committee on the Media announced that they will be
meeting on February 22, 1999, in the City Council Conference Room
to discuss their program and future activities .
There being no further business before the Commission, a motion to adjourn
was made by Don Carter and seconded by Rita Vokes . The motion was
unanimously passed. The Commission adjourned at 6: 30 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Commission will be held at 5 : 30 p.m. on
March 15, 1999, in the City Council Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Dave Goodrich
Assistant Staff Liaison
RECEIVED 1N
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.
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