Weed and Seed 2001   

 

                                                Health and Social Services Committee Minutes

 

                                                             August 1st 2001

 

 

Our chairwoman, Carol Cole, called the meeting to order at 1:30. In attendance were Paulette Keller, Jim Peterson, Dennis Donin, Brian Holt, Diane Peterson, Rebecca Teasdale, Polly Burton, Claudia King, Alejandro Chavez, Beth Faulhaber and Sharron Kelley.

 

INTRODUCTIONS

 

Members introduced themselves including special guest, Diane Peterson who was attending representing the Department of Justice.

 

HOUSEKEEPING ISSUES

 

The committee reviewed housekeeping issues including a web page update and grant information. The committee members were asked to sign up for steering committee membership if they were willing to make a long term commitment. It was announced that this would be the last committee meeting unless the full steering committee decided to reconvene the committee at a later time.

 

INFORMATION SHARING

 

Members discussed a number of issues including alcohol and drug abuse programming as well updates on current conditions of individual organizations.

 

 

REVIEW OF ISSUES

 

The committee reviewed the issues discussed at the last meeting and agreed on the following list,

 

Alcohol and drug abuse

Access to health, dental and mental health services

Lack of pro social activities for youth and families

Ethnic challenges that include language difficulties, INS issues, Spanish literacy, lack of understanding of governmental systems, and discrimination both race and poverty based.

 

 

DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOLUTIONS

 

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

 

1.Workshop with the business community to promote education

2.Cultural specific education for youth

3.Change community norms

4.Community treatment directed toward targeted populations

5.Community based assessment and referral

6.Strength based family interventions

7.Nurse Family Partnership [The Olds Program]

8.Expand the Drug Elimination Team Program [Housing Authority] to local apartments.

9. Use community rooms for targeted programs

10.Provide exciting activities for young people

11.Big Brother/ Big Sister Program

 

All programs should be based on best practices, build on existing ones whenever possible and utilize existing organizations.

 

ACCESS TO HEALTH, DENTAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

 

1.Develop a service plan through the Managed Care Division of Multnomah County

2.Identify gaps in system and a financial plan to fill those gaps.

3.School based health clinic including mental health and alcohol and drug services.

4. Mobile unit that would serve both the schools and apartments

5.Max passes to access the Gresham clinic.

 

LACK OF PRO SOCIAL ACTIVITES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES

 

  1. Culturally specific crafts for families
  2. Hold cultural joint events Russian and Latino
  3. ‘Pay it forward” to a different culture
  4. Child care empowerment projects
  5. Incorporate the Romanian adult foster care providers to assist
  6. Community center for kids; music, Internet services etc.
  7. Scholarships as incentives     

 

ETHNIC CHALLENGES

 

  1. Trans cultural education
  2. More ESL classes
  3. Spanish literacy classes for Spanish speakers
  4. SSL classes [Spanish as a Second Language]
  5. Campaign that educates monolingual English speakers regarding ethnocentrism.
  6. Popular Education
  7. Educate/empower targeted groups about government.
  8. Ombudsman/advocate
  9. Call on organizations such as the Metropolitan Human Right Center, Technical Services for Community Service [TACS] and the UCC church program, Unlearning Racism Curriculum.

 

The committee members also recommended that we utilize community rooms and apartments when ever possible.

 

Several committee members were asked to forward specific information regarding programs and clarifying language related to discrimination.

 

The meeting was adjourned with a sigh of relief at approximately 3:30.