Commission on Human Needs Minutes - 02/21/2000 Ao
RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
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COMMISSION ON HUMAN NEED Date �_�d� -tea, I
MINUTES OF MEETING By Time &_J
FEBRUARY 21, 2000
Present: Absent:
Rene Jackson Allen Cherry
J. D. Jamar Sandy Dudley
Steve Keller Pat LeBus
Janice Manzo Sharon Ray
Penny Miller Brent Walker
Katherine Phillips
Vicky Tanner Staff Liaison
Deanna Taylor Dave Goodrich
Rita Vokes
David Westen
Visitor/Guest Speakers :
Ms . Judith Krebs, Visitor with the Learning Disabilities
Association of North Central Texas
Ms . Mary Lou Wright-Pres . , Learning Disabilities Assoc. of
North Central Texas
1 . Call to Order:
A. The Commission was called to order by Ms . Penny
Miller at 4 : 30 . The January 24, 2000 meeting
minutes were approved unanimously without
correction by a motion from the floor. The
following items were discussed during the
meeting:
2 . Old Business:
A. Oath of Office for New Officers/Members-This item is
tabled for a future meeting.
B. Committee on the Status of Women. Ms . Yokes
presented a report (SEE ATTACHMENT #1) to
accomplish her committee' s goal of decreasing
Wichita Falls' Teen pregnancy rate . MS . Tanner
suggested their report be reviewed through
appropriate channels before forwarding the final
report for the City Council' s consensual review.
The Commission voted to accept Ms . yokes' report
and agreed to forward Ms . Yokes report after
proper review.
Commission on Human Needs (continued)
C. Committee on Aging. Ms . Taylor' s committee is
formulating a strategy to accomplish its goals;
(1) long-term-Improving awareness of available
medical, nutrition, transportation and care
givers for senior citizens and (2) short-term-
Improving the Aged awareness of available
resources for nutrition and caregivers .
D. Committee of Disabilities . Ms . Jackson committee
met and refined it goals . The new goal is to
provide a web site and pamphlet listing available ,
support groups for the disabled.
E. Committee on Human Needs . Ms . Phillips is still
trying to contact Mr. Cherry for a progress
report on his accomplishments from for 1999 . Mr.
Carroll Wilson, Times Records News, has agreed to
sponsor a Study Circle on Race Relations . The
committee is still formulating a strategy to
provide cultural data to ethnic groups in the
community.
3 . New Business :
A. Mr. Goodrich said one of the Commission' s members
requested the time of the meetings be changed
from 4 : 30 p.m. to 5 : 30 p.m. due to their time
conflict with work. At present, the Commission
meeting creates a hardship on remaining workers
by leaving two hours before the end of office
hours . After lengthy deliberation and
consideration, the Commission concluded and voted
to move the meetings from 4 : 30 p.m. to 5 : 00 p.m.
Mr. Goodrich will ensure members absent are aware
of the new time .
4 . Guest Speaker:
Ms . Mary Lou Wright of the Learning Disabilities
Association of North Central Texas-presented a real
"eye-opening" presentation on the need for increased
awareness and education of parents, teachers, and
children on the affects of Learning Disabilities . She
says statistics indicate that boys are most affected
by this type impairment (SEE ATTACHMENT #2. )
Commission on Human Needs (continued)
She said research indicates that recognition and
education will help schools systems decrease the
dropout rates . The . decrease in dropouts means less
lost capital to the school system. Additionally, Ms.
Wright asked for assistance in finding a place for
members of her support group to meet . No meeting
place was identified; however, she was referred to Ms .
Rene Jackson, Chairperson of the Committee on
Disabilities, and Ms . Sis Green/Brenda Lewis for help
in increasing awareness and recognition.
4 . There being no further business, a motion to adjourn
was made and seconded. The motion to adjourn was
approved unanimously. The Commission adjourned at
5: 45 p.m.
5. The next meeting will be held on March 20th at 5 : 00
p.m. in the City Council Conference Room.
Dave Goodrich
Assistant Staff Liaison
15 February 2000
TO City Council __ _ _
FROM: -Commission on Human Needs/Committee un Women and Ci iich en
RE. Teen Pregnancy =
It was brought to the attention of the Commission on Human Needs that the pregnancy rate
among teenagers in Wichita County is problematic. The Committee on Women and Children
came together with selected healthcare and educational professionals to address this concern.
FACTS:
• Wichita County is ranked 9th among 254 Texas counties for most at risk in FY98
• Teen survey from Public Health Department survey revealed number one reason for not
obtaining birth control was fear of parents finding out/reprisal. Of these teens, 69%(1991)
and 50% (1993/94)were already pregnant
• Medicaid paid $520,938 for the delivery of 294 babies born to mothers less than 20 years old
• Nine out ten men in prison(ages 19-35)were born to a teen mother
(Sources: Texas Dept of Health,Bureau of Statistics and Analysis and
Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District)
Committee sought experts in field to meet to address this problem and to brain-storm ideas and
make recommendations for action
Rita Vokes, RN, MSN,Pediatric Nurse Practitioner; Chairperson, Mayor's Commission
Subcommittee
Vicki Tanner, PA-C, MPAS, Physician Assistant; Mayor's Commission
Brent Walker, ACSW, LMSW-ACP; Mayor's Commission
Janice Manzo, RN,BS; School Health Nurse; Mayor's Commission'
Pam Moehnke, RN, Adolescent Health Educator, Teen Pride Coalition/Public Health Dept
Sis Green, RN, BS, Maternal-Child Health Supervisor, Teen Pride Coalition/Public Health
Brenda Lewis, RN, United Regional Health Care Systems Teen Peers
Sarah Bishop, RN, MSN; MSU Dept of Nursing
Robin Lockhart,RN, MSN; MSU Dept of Nursing
Pam Greene,RN, MSN;MSU Dept of Nursing
Cynthia Wilcoxen, Child Care, Inc.
STATISTICS ON LEARNING DISABILITIES
35% of students with Learning Disabilities - drop out of
high school.
50% of juvenile delinquents have undetected learning disabilities
60% of adolescents in treatment for substance abuse
have learning disabilities
62% of learning disabled students are unemployed
1 year after graduating
50% of females with learning disabilities are mothers
within 3 to 5 years after leaving high school
31% of adolescents with learning disabilities will be arrested
3 to 5 years out of high school
Learning Disabilities and substance abuse are the most common
impediments to keeping welfare clients from
becoming and remaining employed.
Contact: Marilou Wright, President
Learning Disabilities Asso. of North Central Texas
1603 Garfield, Wichita Falls TX 76309
Phone & Fax 767-3996 e-mail wrightmj@swbell.net
4 UA(/L2
GOAL:
• Improve communication, collaboration and education within the schools and other
community agencies to inform parents, teachers and teens about preventive measures
• Create a forum to coordinate all teen services regarding the prevention of teen
pregnancy
• Increase support of and publicity to surrounding community about Teen Pride
Coalition and Teen Peers
• Dispel misconceptions regarding sex education to teenagers
SOLUTIONS:
• Offer age-appropriate education to assist adolescents in learning responsible decision-
making focusing on self-esteem, peer pressure, conflict resolution, cultural diversity,
appropriate dating behavior
• Offer mentoring opportunities for teenagers (both genders)
• Continue to support "Project P.R.I.D.E." workshops on annual/semiannual basis
• Provide health fairs geared toward adolescent issues; e.g. Region IX Health Fair
• Support community efforts via videos and public service announcements
• Disseminate brochures "Let's Talk" and "Talk to Your Teen"; present facts and
statistics regarding teen pregnancy
• Educate community about effective communication between adults and teens
• Develop more parental involvement programs and communications among
healthcare professionals, teachers and community agencies