The Southern Illinois Continum of Care Network met Nov. 3 to establish a by-laws committee.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the network:
SICON Membership Meeting – November 3, 2016 Lifeboat Alliance, 1717 Jefferson Ave., Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 10:30 AM
I. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Sharon Atchison, President, introduced herself, thanked Lifeboat Alliance for hosting the meeting. Sharon introduced a special guest, Chris “Kip” Difilippo from the VA in St. Louis, MO. He is the Veterans Justice Outreach and Re-entry Program representative. Sharon also announced several sheets going around; the meeting sign-in sheet, a Continuum Committee sign up sheet, and a list of e-mails to check and correct agency and/or address if necessary. Those present were: Sharon Atchison, Lighthouse Shelter; Angel Wilson, Good Samaritan Ministries; Leslie Holloman, SWAN; Jennifer Rister, WADI; Chris “Kip” Difilippo, St. Louis Veteran’s Administration VAMC; Wally King, Bethany Village; Jennifer Harnish, BCMW; Brandy Sechrest, ROE#12; Tammy Chmielewski, BCMW; Cathy Baugh, PAVE; Jenny O’Daniel, Lifeboat Alliance; Jeannine Woods, Cairo Women’s Shelter; Patricia Sawyer, Illinois Migrant Council; Renee Kindle, Shawnee Development Council; Karen Fish, Crosswalk CAA; Robert Schroeder, Western Egyptian; Crystal Meinders, Light The Way Inc. Haven House; Anna Margrum, Women’s Center Inc.; and Peggy Russell, Family Crisis Center.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the September 8, 2016 meeting had been sent electronically to members and were available at the meeting for members to review. Wally King moved the minutes be approved. Jeannine Woods seconded. The minutes were approved.
III. TREASURER’S REPORT The treasurer’s report was distributed. Jenny O’Daniel moved to approve the report, Rob Schroeder seconded, and the report was approved.
IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. HMIS – Transfer from Compass Rose to Service Point Leslie Hollomen reported for Linda Bookwalter that the data migration was completed on November 2, 2016. He has his card available on the table to contact him for questions. He will also send an e-mail with a link to information. They are working with MISI to get a person for help questions.
B. Child/Youth Education – Report on National Conference Brandy reported that the grant due in July had not been received. The number of homeless children is not yet available. At the conference new rules and regulations for the schools were presented. The conference will be in Chicago next year. It is one way to earn continuing education credits.
C. Public Education – Newsletter Rob reported that volunteers are still needed for the committee. He asked that news of agencies and information be mailed to him. His e-mail address is: housing@wee.org
Minutes, November 3, 2016 Pg. 2
D. Membership Sue was not able to attend, and no report was presented. Rob mentioned he and Sharon had attended a meeting in Carterville concerning agencies that serve families and children. Someone attending the meeting may apply for membership. There was a question about membership requirements and it was mentioned the dues were $100 for an agency and $25 for an individual. It was mentioned that a library in Carbondale has a homeless outreach program.
E. Program Evaluation Peggy mentioned that members are needed for the committee. Each agency needs to be visited for the monitoring for HUD grants. Changes also need to be made to the evaluation instrument and the way agencies are evaluated.
F. Gaps Analysis/PIT Count The Gaps Analysis is no longer used. The Point In Time Count will be the last Tuesday in January, 2017.
V. OLD BUSINESS
Update on ESG funding – Upcoming training The training for the Emergency Solutions Grant funding, sponsored by DHS, will be held on December 6th and 7th in Mt. Vernon. The place for the training will be announced at a later date. It was to be held at Lifeboat Alliance but had to be changed because of the number of those attending. Rob asked if anyone had heard about the release of the FY 2017 funds and Peggy said she had talked with Springfield and they expect it to begin in December. They are currently finishing disbursement of the FY 2016 funds.
Collaborative Applicant fee SWAN is currently the Collaborative Applicant for the Continuum. BCMW received $1,000 when LeAnn wrote the Continuum part of the HUD application. Peggy suggested an increase in dues or a fee. Rob suggested that the Board be authorized to develop a budget and explain how to pay for the fee and present it at the January meeting. Sharon mentioned that January was a little soon for the board to meet and have a budget ready. Wally replied that it was time to pay the dues, and therefore the time to make any changes in dues, etc. Wally then moved that the Board be authorized to develop a budget and explain how to pay for items and present it at the January meeting. Rob seconded and the vote was unanimous.
Completion of Committees for 2016-2017 Sharon mentioned again that there were committee sign-up sheets for the committees currently being circulated and everyone should volunteer.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
Establishment of a by-laws committee It is time for the continuum to review and possibly amend the Governance Charter (by- laws). A special committee is to be appointed. Sharon, Peggy and Camille will be the committee. The current Governance Charter has in place the need for the Gaps Analysis Committee, which is no longer needed, and does not have provisions for a budget.
Minutes, November 3, 2016 Pg. 3
VII. UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Wally announced a new website for Bethany Village: bvillageanna.com He also announced their annual fundraiser on December 11, 2016 at Boars of fire at 5:00 PM.
Camille announced space for PSH in Harrisburg and Marion.
Carbondale Library hosts Port Sparrow, a site for those concerned about homelessness. It helps track who has open beds and what agency policies are. They want to know if joining HMIS is possible to track services the homeless use in the area. Jenny said that the program is used by the churches in Mt. Vernon, and paid for by the Ministerial Alliance. They can track what services the homeless receive. They are considering opening a PADS in churches. They also can contact landlords for help. There was a discussion about confidentiality. HMIS is a closed system.
Patricia requested referrals for the Illinois Migrant Council. They will come to the agency to help clients. There are many services available and two programs for workers on farms and those that have worked in a farm labor related job. They must be low income and be in need. IDES gives out contracts to farmers and for Visas. Local residents can request jobs as well.
Rob mentioned the Mortgage Assistance Program is up again and has a web site: ilhardest.org.
It was mentioned that homeless prevention funds have started. Funds must be spent before the end of the year. It is for those who have lost income and are working again.
VIII. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be January 5, 2017 at Lifeboat Alliance in Mt. Vernon. Anna questioned the address on the agenda sent out. Actually the address is actually 1717 Jefferson Avenue, not street. It should be changed on the agenda next time.
IX. ADJOURNMENT Jenny moved that the meeting be adjourned. Jennifer Harnish seconded The meeting adjourned at 11:25 am.
Peggy Russell Secretary, Southern Illinois Continuum of Care Network
Alerts Sign-up