Weed and Seed 2001

 

                                                           

                                    Health and Social Services Committee Minutes

 

                                                            July 18, 2001

 

Lorena Campbell, Sue Larsen, Rebecca Teasdale, Bob Robison, Patti Swanson, Dennis Donin, Carol Cole, Alejandro Chavez, Beth Faulhaber and Sharron Kelley were in attendance.

 

The meeting was called to order at approximately 1:20 following a number of collaborative conversations between committee members.

 

INTRODUCTIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Committee members introduced themselves and Bob Robison stated that Brian Holt would be a new a new member of his P &P officers team. Lorena Campbell invited all to attend the Caring Community Barbeque on August 2nd at 4:00.

 

Sharron stated that the Letter of Intent had been sent to the DOJ and that while there may be problem in our receiving a designation, we have been told to move forward. 

 

The web site was discussed and the address was distributed.

 

MINUTES

 

The minutes were approved in spite of the typographical errors.

 

REVIEW OF THE DATA

 

Patti Swanson submitted a report on gang activity in East Multnomah County. Hispanic/Latino gangs effected youth primarily live in the Housing Authority projects in Rockwood and Fairview and are involved in drug and gun sales, prostitution, stolen goods and tend to be affiliated with the Crips.

Asian gangs tend to be culturally removed and are most active in the outer east areas of Portland and the David Douglas School District.

Eastern European gangs are beginning to form in both Mid and East County. They are very private, not trusting of authority and their criminal activity tends toward auto theft and auto parts fencing. Patti noted that we have a very high auto theft rate in East County.

Patti explained that the 18th Street gang was the most dominate but that other smaller gangs with different street names would surface from time to time. She went on to state the number of females in gangs was increasing.

 

Lorena Campbell submitted the Caring Community data for both the Centennial and Reynolds School District. The report included the Free and Reduced Lunch  Program and the school completions data.

 

The most compelling data was the increase in poverty in Davis, Alder and Reynolds Middle School. All three were at the 100% eligible level.

Centennial showed a 17.80-drop out rate at the four year level for 1999/2000.

 

Sue Larson provided information regarding race, age and ethnicity of the Department of Behavior Health clients by zip codes as well as a map of the housing facilities of D.D. clients throughout Multnomah County. Sue also provided data from Jim Peterson.  Jim suggested that we use indicators from the Multnomah County Data Book. This indicated that 39% of the adult population and 47% of the youth needed universal prevention services and the same percentages needed selective prevention. Other indicators that may be available through the census tract data would include child abuse, children living in foster care, unemployment and food stamp recipients.

 

Lorena Campbell stated her frustration about data collection. She said it was a travesty and the committee was quick to agree with her.

 

Bob Robison offered to collect the crime data relating to gang activity. More discussion occurred and Sharron offered to call Mary Hammons at the Gresham Police Department to get the crime statistics for Rockwood.

 

REVIEW OF ISSUES

 

The committee was asked to review the 30 issues identified in the previous meeting. Lorena suggested that 5 topics should be considered as priorities. Other members suggested that poverty ought to be considered as well. Poverty was described as a perspective and a way of life as well as a lack of opportunities.

There was also a comprehensive discussion regarding discrimination. Institutional discrimination and health disparities were topics raised by several.

 

The group finally concluded that Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Access to Health, Dental and Mental Health Services, Lack of Positive Activities for Youth and Families, Ethnic Challenges that include Language Difficulties, I.N.S. Issues, Spanish Literacy, Distrust of Government and Discrimination both Race and Poverty Based were the issues of the highest priority.

 

NEXT STEPS

 

The chair asked the committee members to bring suggestions for solutions to their final meeting on August 1st at 1:30 at the Rockwood Library.