SteeringCommitteeArchives

Attendees: Carl Alves, Jocelyn Andrade, Robin Cleveland, Karin Coppola-Araia, Jean DeCoffe, Katy Dutille, Jim Merchant, Ron O’Connor, Lorraine Rosa

The Coalition is seeking consultants to provide the maximum potential for the minimum cost for:

· Marketing and Website Development – For producing and developing the Resource Directory of some 220 GNB programs in Greater New Bedford. The purpose of the directory is to widely disperse and market the whole coalition, and provide a revenue source. Final document is attached.

· Youth Development, Strategic Planning Consultant – To identify unmet needs. Final document is attached.

Domestic Violence Subcommittee is working on a proposal for temporary staff/consultant for working on a 2-year plan for a community-wide, multi-faceted conference on the oppression/domestic violence connection. The process begins with a series of individual workshops with specific topics for providers, then expanding to a greater scope. They request more funds to provide the necessary consultant or staff. The DV Committee will put together a request/proposal of what they need.

Update RFQs for Committee review on Monday, with distribution on Tuesday. (Lorraine, Committee)

Develop criteria for consultants at the February Steering Committee meeting (Committee)

Discussion Highlights-GNBHHSC Steering Committee
Agenda:
Financial Report Discussion
Revise Mission Statement
Develop December Agenda

1.) Financial Report Discussion:
Contract out to the fiscal agent of the chairperson for extra incentive: only cost would be administrative fee?
OR
To a bookkeeping company for a fee?

NOTE: If other sub-committees wish to submit proposals for additional funding for the year (greater than allotted $3,000), please submit proposals to the steering committee

2.) Ideas for how to spend the DoN funds: CHNA Developmental work
Strategic planning for 5-6 years (create an ad-hoc subcommittee with representatives from all sectors)
Resource Directory-part of effort (what is entities role in maintaining directory of services?)
Look at what we have with the directory and work with it (give every agency one directory free, additional copies)
Have an annual version
Community version-smaller and free to residents “street sheet”
Contract with marketing company: Send out RFQ (request for quote) run by/get estimate
Give credit for funding to Shields and/or SE MRI for the resource directory
Have Lorraine trained to do updates to directory online, contractor will provide training and will set up merchants for advertising in print version
Website development: Find out where Barnstable County does their website
Assessment of interest in Advocates for Youth (Network Development and Asset Mapping)
Hire a coordinator/consultant to conduct Needs Assessment for what is really wanted and needed among youth serving agencies in the Greater New Bedford area
Do people who provide services for youth want to come together and communicate and share resources? How can the CHNA provide a forum for this? How do we get people to come to the table?
Provide incentives-opportunities for funding through mini-grants
We must ask providers first before we ask the youth
Consultant will identify which areas in the youth services realm need assistance and will begin to bring people together; the results of this needs assessment will be incorporated into Year 2-6 plan for the CHNA
Consultant will compile data, surveys and other information from groups already available
Consultant will report to the steering committee and should be a resident of the Greater New Bedford area (CHNA area)
Should it be a year or 6-month contract?
The steering committee needs to develop a job description and ask people to submit proposals for the position
Another idea in addition to the Consultant or instead of: Community Health nurses through UMass-Dartmouth might be able to conduct focus groups and one-on-one interviews for Advocates for Youth as a semester project

Next Steering Committee Meeting:
December 15th (12:30-2)
New Bedford Family Planning

Attendees: Robin Cleveland, Karin Coppola-Araia, Janice Dean, Jean DeCoffe, Katy Dutille, Ron O’Connor, Lorraine Rosa, Chuck Smiler

New Bedford ACTS discussed collaborating on GNBHHSC Directory project, as access to services information for providers and parents. Both groups have many of the same members. NB ACTS is a working group that holds community dialogs to solve NB violence problems, established in response to the 2004 New Bedford murders. It started with a solutions report, and has now broken into 5 committees. Non-traditional media is used to reach those who need help through Peace Works (youth programs) and Neighborhoods United (compilation of after school programs). MVHub has a user friendly web resource, done by the Community Software lab. They do web sites for a one time setup fee of $1500. They could do put the GNB Directory on a web site where agencies edit their own entries, with reminders sent every 3 months. The state has a web based resource directory, and can use the GNBHHSC Directory information for www.masscares.org and 211. BChumanservices.net also has a resource locator and is linked with NB ACTS. GNBHHSC Steering Committee members were invited to attend NB Acts on the 3^rd Friday of the month at 8:30 am.

Attendees: Robin Cleveland, Karin Coppola-Araia, Katy Dutille, Ron O’Connor, Lorraine Rosa

Mission & Vision – No changes to the statements as presented at the October meeting have been received.

· Present structure of treasurer providing quarterly and monthly reports per June 19^th meeting.

· Outside fiscal management with the increase in budget size becoming more complex and time consuming.

Models – Data shows New Bedford high in health disparities. The CHNA’s role can be that of a funder. The following were explored:

· Planning grants that encourage collaboration the first year, and implementation grants the second year.

· Support of similar CHNA infrastructures in outlying towns, to organizations such as the Wareham Collaborative meetings.

Membership Recruitment is needed to involve the 8 towns that make up the Greater New Bedford area. The Greater Taunton Health & Human Services Coalition is planning a coalition building workshop, and will send details and an invitation to participate to the GNBHHSC.

November Agenda will include Welcome, Introductions, Acceptance of minutes, Vision/Mission Statement working groups breakout, Steering Committee update, DON models.

Attendees: Robin Cleveland, Karin Coppola-Araia, Katy Dutille, Ron O’Connor, Lorraine Rosa

Mission & Vision – No changes to the statements as presented at the October meeting have been received.

· Present structure of treasurer providing quarterly and monthly reports per June 19^th meeting.

· Outside fiscal management with the increase in budget size becoming more complex and time consuming.

Models – Data shows New Bedford high in health disparities. The CHNA’s role can be that of a funder. The following were explored:

· Planning grants ($10,000) that encourage collaboration the first year, and implementation grants ($25,000) the second year.

· Support of capacity and infrastructure of outlying towns, opening up luncheon meetings to organizations such as the Wareham Collaborative meetings. GNBHHSC representatives could attend their town groups to present thoughts.

November Agenda will include Welcome, Introductions, Acceptance of minutes, Vision/Mission Statement working groups breakout, Steering Committee update, DON models

Attendees: Robin Cleveland, Jean DeCoffe, Katy Dutille, Ron O’Connor, Lorraine Rosa

Today’s Meeting – Meeting content and new people made the meeting successful.

Mission & Vision – A sample mission and vision which defines the core values will be sent to the membership for input as follows:

· Vision (The Ideal State) – A community where residents are living healthy and fulfilling lives. The vision is built upon the following core values: Connectedness, Opportunities, Access, Safety, Trust - COAST

· Mission (How We Get There) – To serve as a catalyst for action, advocacy, coordination and education in enhancing the human condition in Greater New Bedford.

Attendees: Carl Alves, Robin Cleveland, Karin Coppola-Araia, Janice L. Dean, Jean DeCoffe, Jacquie Gomes, Pamela McCloud-Lima, Ron O’Connor, Marcia Picard, Lorraine Rosa

· Budget details include funding source, type of payment, date, check number, payee, memo, amount and balance, as well as income and expenses (categorized and summarized)

· Budget summary sheets show profit/loss for the fiscal year, including income and expenses (fee for service, meeting expenses, office supplies, telephone, postage and subcommittee expenses.

· A second person will be added to the Coalition account, in order to have 2 signatures on file for Coalition business.

· A cash card will be purchased to take care of incidental costs. Once depleted, it will be returned to the treasurer with purchase receipts.

Budget Income – Money doesn’t have to be spent down by a particular date

Expenditures – The 3 committees will each receive $3,000 for their budgets, to include all their expenses. They may also supplement this by accessing outside funding, as long as they notify the Coalition of intent to apply, in order to avoid duplication. This was decided by vote.

Advocates for Youth – The Committee will reactivate with a reorganization meeting on July 21, 2005, 2:00-3:30, at P.A.A.C.A., 360 Coggeshall St. Emails will be sent to the membership asking for RSVP and for those who are unable to attend that particular meeting, contact information if interested in participation. RSVP will be to Karin at [email protected]

Resource Directory – A hard copy was given to Robin to make copies over the summer. Lorraine will get a final price from Your Office and Staples. Suggested changes include:

· Adding a blank page after the 15 introductory pages to keep the first page of the agency information on the right hand side of the book

· Printing the 75 page directory on two sided, 3 punch paper, for recipients to put in their own binders, and for easy updates

· Addition of the website on page i, and a notation on page v to tell recipients that for updates after this printing they should check the website for changes indicated in red print.

Send notices to committee regarding Advocates for Youth meeting, DV meeting, and Legislative Breakfast Save the Date / Community Awards Nomination forms. (Lorraine)

Contact Your Office and Staples for final prices of 75 pages, double sided on 3 punch paper, 100 copies

9/8/05, 9:00, Coastline Elderly (General Meeting, followed by Steering Committee)

Attendees: Robin Cleveland, Karin Coppola-Araia, Jean DeCoffe, Katy Dutille, Lorraine Rosa

Budgetary Templates design was discussed. This would ideally include detailed assets, expenses, check requests and reimbursements with a copy of the monthly bank statement. It could be part of the monthly steering committee report. Quarterly reports could be presented the General meeting. The addition of an alternate authorized signer would also be desirable in circumstances when the treasurer might not be available.

Committee Requests – Each Committee needs to do a yearly budget to be approved based on projects.

Advocates for Youth Minigrants – Either the AY Committee or Steering Committee can put out RFRs for seed money. A one-time AdHoc Committee can create these and decide awards.

Attendees: Robin Cleveland, Jean DeCoffe, Katy Dutille, Maria Evora-Rosa, Ron O’Connor

Mobile Kiosk – Budget items were presented for a Mobile Kiosk display of information, resource brochures and a hard copy of the GNBHHSC Resource Directory, manned at various community locations where residents tend to be present. Suggestions include following the Southcoast bus and contracting with someone to set up the display, creation of an outreach team, featuring monthly subjects, with an evaluation survey with raffle prize incentives. A budget includes outreach time, collection of data, publicity, volunteer coordination and development of a calendar. Represented agencies benefit through the incentive for inkind volunteer time. A resource team can be trained to have information on emergency referrals. Venues include the library, YMCA, Farmers Market and the summer carnival and other fairs.

Summer Meetings – There will be no July meeting. A Day Away will take place in August.

Budget – Present balance is $14,000. A discussion of the budget report, DON monies, and diversification of coalition funds for increased revenue took place. Proposals include

· Account money should be in the present account format, in a budgetary template

Attendees: Carl Alves, Robin Cleveland, Karin Coppola-Araia, Jean DeCoffe, Katy Dutille, Ron O’Connor, Lorraine Rosa

Budget – The Coalition is currently expected to receive about $25,000 annually. A Finance Committee has been established and can deal with these matters during the Steering Committee meeting.

Coalition Publications – The brochure (when complete) and the directory will be published in hard copy. Updates will be facilitated by using a 3 ring binder.

Mobile Kiosk – A display of information, resource brochures and a hard copy of the GNBHHSC Resource Directory, manned at various community locations where residents tend to be present, may be a helpful resource to the population. Suggestions include following the Southcoast bus and contracting with someone to set up the display, creation of an outreach team, featuring monthly subjects, with an evaluation survey with raffle prize incentives. A budget should include outreach time, collection of data, publicity, volunteer coordination and development of a calendar. Represented agencies benefit through the incentive for inkind volunteer time. A resource team can be trained to have information on emergency referrals. Venues include the library, YMCA, Farmers Market and the summer carnival and other fairs.

Subcommittees are asked to submit action plans and budgets by September 2004. (Subcommittee Chairpersons)

Contact Lorraine Rosa at 508-823-4822 if you are interested in helping to plan the Summer “Taking Care of the Caregiver” meeting.

Write and forward to [email protected], a brief description of yourself/your agency and what it does, including website information, for posting on www.geocities.com/gnbhhsc, and sharing as received, with the Coalition listserve.

Send events and meeting information to Lorraine Rosa, [email protected], for inclusion in the 6 month Calendar section of www.geocities.com/gnbhhsc, and for sharing with the Coalition listserve.

Write editorial according to your/your agency’s area of expertise. Forward to [email protected]

Update mail list and list serve with new members, remove any who have missed 4 meetings.

Upload minutes, meeting dates, budget, calendar, etc., on website, send email and hard copies, new web features, and tasks to membership, with a reminder on the weekend before the next Coalition meeting.

Continue to update resource directory and member organizations webpage with links to their websites to www.geocities.com/gnbhhsc, forwarding directory updates to Carl.

Send events and meeting information to Lorraine Rosa, [email protected], for inclusion in the 6 month Calendar section of www.geocities.com/gnbhhsc, and for sharing with the Coalition listserve.

Write editorial according to your/your agency’s area of expertise. Forward to [email protected]

Phone calls to explore use of venues for the Summer “Caring for the Caregiver” meeting (Alice Melo, Jean DeCoffe, Lorraine Rosa)

Update mail list and list serve with new members, remove any who have missed 4 meetings.

A Committee that includes Elizabeth and Jean will meet on the last Friday in April.

Send events and meeting information to Lorraine Rosa, [email protected], for inclusion in the 6 month Calendar section of www.geocities.com/gnbhhsc, and for sharing with the Coalition listserve.

Write editorial according to your/your agency’s area of expertise. Forward to [email protected]

Update mail list and list serve with new members, remove any who have missed 4 meetings.

Upload minutes and meeting dates on website, send email and hard copies, new web features, and tasks to membership, with a reminder on the weekend before the next Coalition meeting.

Attendees: Linda C. Aguiar, Maria Alves, Gail Brennan, Robin Cleveland, Elizabeth Connelly-Sylvia, Dorothy Connor, Jean DeCoffe, Tracy Desovich, Maria Evora-Rosa, Demmene Frierson, Jacquie Gomes, Karen A. Mariulewicz, Helena Marques, Deborah Monteiro, AnneMarie Olin, Ron O’Connor, Marcia Picard, Lorraine Rosa, Bethany Toure, Karen Vernen

Youth Development & America’s Promise – In February, the Steering Committee voted to look at America’s Promise. Since then, several discussion meetings were held with various community entities. America’s Promise covers one community, whereas the Coalition has a regional focus covering Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rochester and Wareham.

Positive Youth Development is a process of creating environments that support the social, emotional, spiritual, physical, moral and cognitive development of young people. It differs from youth programming, and is a community movement that includes birth through elders.

America’s Promise is not a program, but a framework to map the community and identify assets in order to address gaps. Its mission is to mobilize people from every sector of American life to build the character & competence of our nation’s youth by fulfilling 5 promises for young people:

Upcoming Funding – The Coalition expects to receive approximately $30,000 per year for the next couple of years. There was a lot of discussion as to who the coalition can utilize these monies most effectively. Some ideas that were shared include:

Ø $12,000 DON (Determination of Need) could support an online website resource directory, and 211 technology.

Ø Advocates for Youth could reconvene with the mission of designing RFPs in the 5 promise areas for data collection in the first year. Working collaboratively, applicants will supply data and identify the gaps. RFPs would be sent to the base mail list, mini grant programs, grassroots organizations, etc. The information obtained from the proposal process will give us a template to more forward. A next step would be to go to foundations to crunch the data numbers. Advocates for Youth can continue to support RFPs in addressing the gaps.

Ø A suggested breakdown of minigrants could be 10K for New Bedford, and 10K for the outlying communities.

Ø Because America’s Promise is a national initiative, it can draw people from outlying communities to the table. It is outcomes focused, and gives a framework to help the community find its voice.

A. Those who receive funding will meet with the appropriate groups to find the gaps.

A. The Coalition would be the driving force. Grant recipients can bring back the data. The RFP will tell who’s doing what, and data around assets. (Jean has a document of gaps from 2 years ago that she can provide.)

A. Funding doesn’t drive the programs. America’s Promise is driven by community, who has already done lots. America’s Promise organizes the framework to bring the information together. The structure of the RFPs would create community impact on solving problems and making change. We may not see all the issues, so we need input. It won’t affect our ability to be fluid, but what Advocates for Youth can do. The Domestic Violence work will continue, with committee chairs and mission/vision supporting each other. America’s Promise can’t consume all our time. Funding for Advocates for Youth may be heavier in order to outreach into outlying communities. The Coalition needs to have flexibility to address other issues outside of America’s Promise.

Q. The funding is for 5 years. There are lots of needs assessments and groups convening others. If we have gaps, does the funding go to filling the gaps, not just identifying them?

Q. $10,000 is not enough to fill a gap. How is Brockton addressing America’s Promise?

A. The South East Center for Healthy Communities is involved, and brings other voices to the table to address gaps. We can just plant seeds to get people heard and supported, to work with providers in solving problems. Advocates for Youth will strategically get people involved from the community. The Coalition doesn’t own America’s Promise, it just stimulates it.

Ø People at the table already know where the gaps and assets are. RFPs can support what’s already there. Small amounts of funding can really help existing assets.

Ø Each member of the Coalition membership base falls into the 5 areas. It’s better to go through the assets than the gaps.

Decision: The GNBHHSC should not become an America’s Promise coalition. We need to prepare for what to do with the expected funding, using ideas from recent submitted grants. A sign-in sheet was distributed for those interested in participating in discussing the Advocates for Youth and Mini grants question at meetings, and through email/postal mail. The following expressed interest: Maria Alves, Robin Cleveland, Elizabeth Connelly-Sylvia, Dorothy Connor, Jean DeCoffe, Tracy Desovich, Demmene Frierson, Helena Marques, Ron O’Connor, Marcia Picard, Karen Vernen

Send events and meeting information to Lorraine Rosa, [email protected], for inclusion in the 6 month Calendar section of www.geocities.com/gnbhhsc, and for sharing with the Coalition listserve.

Write editorial according to your/your agency’s area of expertise. Forward to [email protected]

Update mail list and list serve with new members, remove any who have missed 4 meetings.

Upload minutes and meeting dates on website, send email and hard copies, new web features, and tasks to membership, with a reminder on the weekend before the next Coalition meeting.

Add a participating member organizations webpage with links to their websites to www.geocities.com/gnbhhsc

Attendees: Carl Alves, Janice Dean, Jean DeCoffe, Peter deGroof, Pamela MacLeod-Lima, Ron O’Connor, Lorraine Rosa, Elizabeth Spinney, Michele Stanton, Bethany Toure

SYNERGY has asked for sponsorship from the Coalition. The cost of the conference is estimated at about $9,000. Tickets will likely cost $30 each. The GNBHHSC voted to contribute $1000 to the event.

501C3 – The Coalition is already incorporated, allowing our vision to drive funding. Treasurer Carl Alves fulfills the yearly filing requirements.

Resource Directory – Introductory pages of the directory were shared and updated by committee members. The body of the directory is complete.

To update the introductory pages of the directory and forward to Carl (Lorraine)

Attendees: Jean DeCoffe, Peter deGroof, Kathy Langford, Pamela MacLeod-Lima, Marcia Picard, Lorraine Rosa, Bethany Toure

Summer Meeting – This will be an educational, relaxing, self-care meeting on August 7, 2003. No July meeting. Choices are as follows:

1. Fort Tabor – Meeting, lunch, presentation or tour of the fort. Visualization, reflexology, massage. Walk at 10:00, program from 11:00-2:00, lunch included. Massage, stations in adjoining rooms, tours, etc. after lunch. We may have a credit with the Shipyard Galley for provision of lunch.

3. Camp Massasoit – Mattapoiset YMCA, Fairhaven Star of the Sea, Rochester Eastover Farms.

Coalition Address – The Coalition currently has no address. A New Bedford P.O. Box will be secured this month.

Website – Resource Directory availability and web based health access, on a Coalition website may be a topic for the FR/NB grant. The website would need to be marketed, maintained, and have a record of the number of hits.

Incarceration to Community Reentry – Funding is available for reentry issues, and continuation of services is a large piece for grants. The Taunton based Community Drug Education classes provide a good model.

Attendees: Maria Alves, Elizabeth Connelly-Sylvia, Janice L. Dean, Jean DeCoffe, Jacquie Gomes, Pauline Macedo, Marcia Picard, Lorraine Rosa, Bethany Toure

Budget – Historically, committee projects, such as conferences, brochures, resource directory, staff, a health access outreach person, poster contest and PSAs, have been funded through the Coalition budget. DPH does our monthly mailings, and can send some additional information along.

UMD Community Service Opportunity – Students can receive $500 off their bills in exchange for 40 hours community service. The GNBHHSC will serve as the hub for outreach for this project by the University. (Could we utilize a student to set up a website.) Bethany will be meeting with the Chancellor in the coming weeks.

GNBHHSC Website – The Fall River CHNA website, created by Dr. Weed, is an excellent example to follow. The GNB website could also link to the resource directory, providing members with an I.D. to update or make changes to it.

Summer Meetings are typically “take care of yourself” meetings. Summer plans will be discussed next month.

Southcoast Hospitals has a Determination of Need (D.O.N.) focusing on healthcare access for un/under insured individuals, using BRFF and DPH risk factor data. When approved, Southcoast will be required by DPH to give a percentage back to the community, for health needs, amounting to $127,000 over 5 years, split between GNB and FR CHNA’s, which amounts to about $12,000 per year for 5 years. Funding comes from Southcoast linkage funds, for payment of a restricted service.

There will be a 3-month planning period for project description, with the next 2 months for communication with CHNAs for additional input. Once the D.O.N. is approved, the process may begin, likely in the fall. The process will be community lead, so the chosen project(s) may focus on the same issue, or separate issues. Spending will be directed collaboratively, using data.

Healthcare access is timely due to cuts in MassHealth. It was suggested that consideration be given to the personal, community and systemic needs and environments that sometimes become a barrier to health access, and that addressing these issues is incorporated into any endeavor in order for it to be truly successful.

From Incarceration to Community Reentry – A Professional enrichment quarterly training having a strong effect on the community is planned for the September meeting. Several key area people will be invited to the June meeting to present information.

To examine NB and FR data to see similarities for the possibility of a common project (Membership)

Attendees: Carl Alves, Jean DeCoffe, Peter DeGroof, Amy Laboe, Maureen Lund, Marcia Picard, Lorraine Rosa, Bethany Toure

At the last Greater New Bedford Health and Human Services Coalition (GNBHHSC) general meeting held on April 3, 2003, the Coalition Against Poverty was a guest and shared some timely information with us regarding the “Stop the Cuts Campaign”. This Campaign was successful last year in persuading the legislature to close the Capital Gains Loopholes, which raised some much-needed revenue. In light of the current fiscal climate, they are continuing their efforts to advocate by offering suggestions to legislators on how they can increase revenues instead of cutting services to some of our most vulnerable citizens. In their lobbying efforts, they are suggesting that the legislatures close corporate tax loopholes and restore the income tax rate, in order to stop the cuts. Our Coalition was asked to sign as Organizational Endorsement Form, thus saying that we agree and support the lobbying efforts of the “Stop the Cuts Campaign.” The decision of whether or not to endorse was one that needed further discussion so it was tabled until the steering committee meeting.

During the GNBHHSC Steering Committee meeting, there was much discussion regarding the General Membership signing on to any political or advocacy based efforts. Although there was consensus that the “Stop the Cuts Campaign” was a noble effort that was deserving of our support, there are some members of the Greater New Bedford Health and Human Services Coalition who can not legally be connected to any “political” activities, due to the mandates set forth by their employers. This presents a challenge for the Coalition, because our mission statement as of September 2002 is, “By providing a forum for action, advocacy, coordination and education, we focus on fostering a community where residents are supported to achieve healthy and fulfilling lives”. During the “Day Away II” retreat that was held on June 6, 2002, many people responded in the survey that they felt that “Advocacy regarding policy” was an important function of the coalition. We understand and respect fully, the challenge that some coalition members face regarding their ability to be included in the signing on to an advocacy effort as part of the GNBHHSC. Therefore, during the Steering Committee meeting, it was decided to create an Ad Hoc Community Mobilization Committee. This committee will be used for advocacy reasons, when there are issues that the full general coalition membership may not be able to endorse. It was voted that the new Community Mobilization Committee of the GNBHHSC would endorse the “Stop the Cuts” Coalition Campaign. This signed document will be sent to the Coalition against poverty and Coalition for social justice. If you personally, or the agency you represent would also like to be individually listed as a member of the Community Mobilization Committee regarding the “Stop the Cuts” Campaign (knowing that this membership can be added or withdrawn regarding each issue that the committee becomes involved in), please let Lorraine know by email at [email protected] as soon as possible so that we can get that information to the Coalition against Poverty. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 508-994-9625, x24.

Attendees: Carl Alves, Jean DeCoffe, Peter DeGroof, Amy Laboe, Maureen Lund, Marcia Picard, Lorraine Rosa, Bethany Toure

Community Mobilization Committee – The Steering Committee voted to establish an AdHoc Committee to address such topics as letters to elected officials. The following letter is shared with the full membership:

At the last Greater New Bedford Health and Human Services Coalition (GNBHHSC) general meeting held on April 3, 2003, the Coalition Against Poverty was a guest and shared some timely information with us regarding the “Stop the Cuts Campaign”. This Campaign was successful last year in persuading the legislature to cloase the Capital Gains Loopholes, which raised some much-needed revenue. In light of the current fiscal climate, they are continuing their efforts to advocate by offering suggestions to legislators on how they can increase revenues instead of cutting services to some of our most vulnerable citizens. In their lobbying efforts, they are suggesting that the legislatures close corporate tax loopholes and restore the income tax rate, in order to stop the cuts. Our Coaition was asked to sign as Organizational Endorsement Form, thus saying that we agree and support the lobbying efforts of the “Stop the Cuts Campaign.” The decision of whether or not to endorse was one that needed further discussion so it was tabled until the steering committee meeting.

During the GNBHHSC Steering Committee meeting, there was much discussion regarding the General Membership signing on to any political or advocacy based efforts. Although there was consensus that the “Stop the Cuts Campain” was a noble effort that was deserving of our support, there are some members of the Greater New Bedford Health and Human Services Coalition who can not legally be connected to any “political” activities, due to the mandates set forth by their employers. This presents a challenge for the Coalition, because our mission statement as of September 2002 is, “By providing a forum for action, advocacy, coordination and education, we focus on fostering a community where residents are supported to achieve healthy and fulfilling lives”. During the “day Away II” retreat that was held on June 6, 2002, many people responded in the survey that they felt that “Advocacy regarding policy” was an important function of the coalition. We understand and respect fully, the challenge that some coalition members face regarding their ability to be included in the signing on to an advocacy effort as part of the GNBHHSC. Therefore, during the Steering Committee meeting, it was decided to create an Ad Hoc Community Mobilization Committee. This committee will be used for advocacy reasons, when there are issues that the full general coalition membership may not be able to endorse. It was voted that the new Community Mobilization Committee of the GNBHHSC would endorse the “Stop the Cuts” Coalition Campaign. This signed document will be sent to the Coalition against poverty and Coalition for social justice. If you personally, or the agency you represent would also like to be individually listed as a member of the Community Mobilization Committee regarding the “Stop the Cuts” Campaign (knowing that this membership can be added or withdrawn regarding each issue that the committee becomes involved in), please let Lorraine know by email at [email protected] as sooon as possible so that we can get that information to the Coalition against Poverty. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 508-994-9625, x24.

Attendees: Jean DeCoffe, Peter deGroof, Kathy Langford, Lorraine Rosa, Bethany Toure

March 21, 2003 Forum will run from 10-12 with lunch at the end. It will cover Greater New Bedford, and about 70 people are expected. Possible venues include UMass Dartmouth, Wamsetta, Grace Episcopal Church. Please email your ideas to [email protected]. Discussion areas (and possible facilitators) include Healthy Communities Issues (Bethany), Health (Kathy L.), Youth (Erin?), Education (Heather) and Substance Abuse (Carl). Bethany will ask Sen. Montigny to give opening remarks. The press will be invited. Information gathered from the day will be disseminated, and the Coaliltion will continue to compile outcomes of the cuts.

Housekeeping – Due to the cost of “Boxes of Joe”, the Coalition will purchase a 10 cup coffee maker, a thermos for hot water, cremora, sugar, tea, hot chocolate, decaf and regular coffee, and filters, for meeting refreshment.

Debriefing – The Committee was please with the new faces at this months meeting and the content

Attendees: Jean DeCoffe, Kathy Langford, Terry Larson, Marcia Picard, Lorraine Rosa, Bethany Toure

Contact Information – The Committee thanks Ron for providing membership lists. Phone numbers and addresses are needed.

Budget – The coalition has no new money, but current budget does not have to be spent down. We need 1-2 years operating expenses. An annual fund raiser, such as the resource directory with advertisements, conferences, workshops or a legislative breakfast, were suggested. Foundation grants can provide some support.

Treasurer – Carl Alves will assist a new treasurer. PACA can remain fiscal agent.

6. Steering committee (former governance committee) is open to membership. Signups for the standing and steering committees will be passed at the October general meeting. Membership includes chairs of the subcommittees and coalition officers.

8. Steering committee may have non-voting members, or open meetings for those who did not sign up in October.

Suggested Meeting Content:

Other CHNA's successes come from a core group of committed individuals, such as those in attendance today. We need to find out the needs, plans, goals and incentives for executive directors to be willing to participate in a focus group. Knowing there is a product at the end of the meeting will draw them back in. Quarterly meetings of CEO's, with a broader issue, may be beneficial. Subcommittees are the working group, and the Coalition, a networking, communication group that gets information from the subcommittees. The products have been achieved by the subcommittees.

Suggested Meeting Structure:

The Steering Committee structure should be reexamined for the broadest catchment areas. Existing committees fall under the three suggested umbrella committees below. Committees should have some overlap, all the workgroups should report and show where they're going. A more broad-based, healthy community model committee structure into which all agencies fit, may reattract people and put us in line for the necessary community collaboration piece to establish a "one stop shopping for all services center" model, based on an agency needs assessment:

1. General Community Health Group: Environmental issues, issues effecting the human condition and overall well-being and quality of life of a community (educational issues, sustainability, poverty, cultural competency)

2. Human Services Group (Emotional, spiritual, behavioral, psychosocial, career skills development, housing, transportation, language-cultural-ethnic barriers, domestic violence and sexual assault)

3. Health Services (Health access, dental services, mental health, prenatal, immunization, HIV, substance abuse, chronic illness, prevention and education, chronic health issues, palliative care

Suggested Leadership Structure:

To create and send post cards to the general membership indicating no August meeting (Lorraine Rosa, Ron O'Connor)

To check for the capacity to add new committees, according to the bylaws (Membership)

To examine and update the mission statement, e-mailing suggestions to [email protected] (Membership)

To prioritize next steps for summer, fall and onwards, leading to a formalized strategic plan (Membership)

To look at where the existing committees fit into the newly suggested structure (Membership)

April 2002

Kim Corazini, Janice Dean-Souza, Jean DeCoffe, Peter DeGroof, Jacquie Gomes, Amy Laboe, Maureen Lund, Lorraine Rosa, Florence Seidell, Bethany Toure, Lila Wilson

Discussion Highlights:

General Meetings:

April: The April meeting on setting up statewide Early Childhood Education (ECE) for all, was generally well received. Some felt it was more of a political “sell”, instead of an opportunity to hear strategies and what was available, and were concerned that daycare and ECE was seen as the same.

May: Mental Health is the theme of the 5/2/02 general meeting. Suggestions include a description of the Mental Health Taskforce at St. Luke’s, Mental Health services in the Greater New Bedford area, and what qualifies someone for DMH.

June: The 6/6/02, 9:00-1:00 meeting will focus on setting the agenda for the year to come, and the past year, to re-energize the membership. Planning Committee includes Peter, Ron, Bethany and Kim.

Fiscal:

Cutback: FY02 has been cut $300-500 per CHNA.

Structure:

Chairperson Opportunity will be available in June. A list of responsibilities will be provided to interested persons. An alternative would be to have a rotating chairperson committee, or other format, but this would involve changing the bylaws.

Subcommittee Updates:

Health Access is applying for the Blue Cross, Blue Shield Mental Health Grant for children.

Advocates for Youth: No report.

Domestic Violence: The Batterers Intervention Program is currently under utilized. Statistics are being gathered. The General membership fully supports the efforts of this committee and has offered to provide a focus group with the Coalition or through the mailing list.

Organizational/Communication:

Next Steering Committee Meeting will be held 7/10/02.

Summer General Meetings may include a storyteller, drumming circle, or the zoo.

Prevention Center Role: After June, the Prevention Center’s contract is up for renewal. They offered to help facilitate the June meeting, along with technical assistance and space for the GNBHHSC staff. They also have experienced budget cuts, and future funding will be slimmer, with 6 “Regional Centers for Healthier Communities” instead of the 10 Prevention Centers. A Grant Writing 2002 class will be held on 5/23/02 at the Brockton Center. Interested persons may call 508-583-2350 to register.

Fall River Legislative Breakfast: A planning committee will look at a joint November meeting. Details can be set at the June meeting.

Other:

Grant: The Coalition is applying for the Blue Cross/Blue Shield grant.

Obesity in Children: The GNBHHSC is looking at the possibility of blending with the Fall River CHNA to address childhood obesity.

MISSING!!!

The GNBHHSC Laptop Computer is missing. If you have borrowed it, please return it to the Howland Place Prevention Center.

January 2002

Carl Alves, Kim Corazini, Janice Dean-Souza, Peter DeGroof, Allison Fiano, Kathy Langford, Ron O’Connor, Nancy Ramos, Lorraine Rosa

Discussion Highlights:

February (Cardiac Health) Meeting – Healthy Hearts, Healthy Lives, will focus on obesity. Special features will include Nancy Ramos (WIC nutrition education, 874 Purchase St., New Bedford, 02740), Southcoast Cardiac Risk, BRFS report on diet, nutrition and physical activity, Kathy Fell of DPH Cardio Vascular and resource tables on fitness programs.

March (Homelessness) Meeting – New Opportunities and Challenges for Housing, will focus on the need for advocacy, for profit companies who convert apartments into luxury tenements, Section 8, and first time homeowners. Suggested presenters/guests include the Homelessness Coalition (Carl will contact), Arleen MacNamee of Catholic Social Services, Sister Rose, the Hunger Commission. An LCD projector will be needed for this meeting.

April (Early Childhood) Meeting – Kim Corazini

May (Mental Health) Meeting – Cindy Perry, Mental Health Task Force, St. Lukes, 101 Page St., New Bedford, MA 02740.

Fiscal – A smaller group will meet prior to the next Steering Committee meeting. The budget currently stands at $6,324.04.

Subcommittee Updates -

Health Access: 2/12, 8:30, 651 Orchard St.

A community group piece could include getting health insurance information and prescription plan information to the public.

Council for Children: No Activity

Domestic Violence: 2/1, 12:30, 651 Orchard St.

Eighteen people attended the Tom Kirkman “Stalking” presentation. Attendees were very impressed. The Committee will concentrate on the Batterers Treatment Program. New Bedford has the highest number of restraining orders in the state, but referrals to the program remain low.

Advocates for Youth: To be announced (please call Carl at 979-1580), 360 Coggeshall St.

Steering Committee: 4/10, 12:00, FoodWorks.

Structure – The Steering Committee will meet quarterly on the second Wednesday, as follows: April 10, June 12, September 11. Meetings are held at noon at FoodWorks, New Bedford.

Organization/Communication – The DPH regional office will receive monthly information on attendees and contact information.

Other: Sponsorship of community meetings with Laura Weit, CitizensHealth

Next Steps:

To forward contact information for monthly speakers/special guests to Lorraine, Ron and Allison.

To forward attendance and contact information to Ron.

To send confirmation letters to all speakers/special guests.

To secure an LCD projector for the March meeting.

ATTENTION: PLEASE NOTE CHANGE:

The Next Steering Committee Meeting Will Be Held On Wednesday, April 10, 2002, 12:00-1:30, At FoodWorks, Corner of Purchase and Williams St.

Top of Page

June 27, 9:15	GTHHSC Health Access Committee.	Family Planning, Howland Place, 651 Orchard St.
Coming In September	Assessment & Evaluation. Health Care of Southeastern MA, inc. Spring Training. To register, contact Linda Owings, at [email protected], or call 508-583-2350, x 222.	Mulligan Center for Health Promotion, 942 West Chestnut Street, Brockton. $25. Scholarships available.
September 8, 9:00	GNBHHSC General Meeting	Coastline Elderly Services*
September 8, 10:15	GNBHHSC Steering Committee Meeting	Coastline Elderly Services*
September 9, 12:30-2:00	GNBHHSC Domestic Violence Committee. No meetings in July or August.	SMLAC, 21 South Sixth St., New Bedford
October 14, 8:00-11:00	SAVE THE DATE! FR/NB 6th Annual Legislative Breakfast: "We've Won Some Battles"	Whites Restaurant, Westport, MA

Attendees: Carl Alves, Jean DeCoffe, Katy Dutille, Maria Evora-Rosa, Lorraine Rosa, Bethany Toure

Attendees: Maria Alves, Elizabeth Connelly-Sylvia, Jean DeCoffe, Katy Dutille, Lorraine Rosa, Bethany Toure

Discussion Highlights:

An infrastructure needs to be set up to look at administrative/fiscal issues such as