PRINCETON HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION Monthly Meeting Minutes October 21, 2020 by Zoom Monument Hall, East Meeting Room, Princeton, NJ 08540 Board Members – Present Board Members Absent Fatma Mohammed Badawy Jorge Narvaez, Alt. Ericka Deglau Khristina Gonzalez Corner House Student Board (CHSB): John Heilner Shirley Xie and Lia Bull–Krieg Monique Jones Veronica Olivares–Weber, Vice Chair Staff Present Larry Spruill Melissa Urias, Director, Ex-officio Ross Wishnick, Chair Minutes Submitted by: Loydes Nieves, Alt. Julie Moy, Board Secretary Leticia Fraga, Council Liaison Call to Order The regular meeting of the Princeton Human Services Commission was called to order by Chairman Ross Wishnick at 7 pm. He recited the announcement: In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Acct: “In compliance with Chapter 231 of the Public Laws of 1975, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided as required by the Open Public Meetings Act. Notice was provided of the date, time and location of this regular meeting by posting a copy with the Clerk’s Office and by emailing copies to the Princeton Packet and the Town Topics.” Public Comments: none Dina Paulson–McEwen and Bill Schofield are no longer available to serve on the Commission. New members joining the Commission are Monique Jones, Moriah Akrong and Loydes Nieves as an alternate. Approval of Meeting Minutes approval The motion to approve the regular meeting minutes dated September 9, 2020 was first moved by Ms. Olivares–Weber seconded by Mr. Spruill, all in favor by voice vote. Director’s Report – Melissa Urias Ms. Urias reported that applications for gifts and sponsors are now available for the 2020 Holiday Gift Drive. Applications were mailed to the 2019 recipients, over 300 students; flyers were sent throughout the community. Corner House students are assisting with door-to-door distribution of the flyers; anticipating over 300 this year. To date, 45 applications have been received; deadline is November 13. Human Services are asking sponsors for gift cards for entire families; children will receive a gift and his/her family will receive a gift card. Sponsor deadline is November 27th. Dorothea’s House will be donating gift cards for the families. Ms. Urias reported on the new Human Services Outreach Coordinator position; the position was introduced to the Council on September 12. It will be discussed at the public Council meeting and will be voted upon on October 26. The responsibilities description is almost completed; Ms. Urias drafted the description which was edited by the Personnel Committee. General Assistance Ms. Urias reported there have been no changes; we continue with 5 clients. Waivers are still in place at the state level. Page 1 of 4 Princeton Human Services Commission Meeting Minutes October 21, 2020 Council Updates, Leticia Fraga Councilwoman Fraga reported on the Council’s activities since COVID; goals for 2020 have been put on hold. Most recent meeting included discussions on transportation. She spoke with Maureen Fullaway, Affordable Housing Manager; the Princeton Affordable Housing Board (AHB) researched a study, Overcoming Obstacles in Affordable Housing. The Civil Rights Commission (CRC) and Human Services Commission are looking to work together to help the residents who are income eligible to work on ensuring their background check and credit report will pass. Councilwoman Fraga reported that at the state level, legislation has passed that allows local courts to expunge certain records. This will assist a number of our residents in applying for affordable housing. AHB will be presenting their study at the next CRC meeting. There will be a discussion on how they can coordinate their efforts in assisting the residents. Councilwoman Fraga encouraged this Commission to attend the CRC meeting. Councilwoman Fraga reported that the Board of Health has been in discussions about the rise of COVID cases. There are uninsured families in need of assistance. The flu clinics have been well marketed. Ms. Urias assisted the Health Dept. by sending out text message blasts via Whatsapp into the community. An electronic sign was placed Witherspoon Street and Franklin Avenue reminding the community about the eviction moratorium. Committee Reports Food Distribution, Chairman Wishnick reported that communications still remains a large need in town. There is a food committee overseen by Ms. Urias; the goal is to bring together food providers in town to share their product and in some cases, service information. There has been a lack of 100% participation; people are not showing up to pick up for the distribution or people are not home when food is distributed. The school has four distribution locations around town and bus drivers knock and drop. Chairman Wishnick received a call from Stacy Mann stating approximately 50 families are asking why they are not getting their food; Mr. Spruill also reached out to Chairman Wishnick for same reasons. The school has sent out a lot of communications; flyers along with other communications. Chairman Wishnick connected Ms. Mann with Nutra Serve on-site manager, KLee Dixon to let her know when families missed a delivery. Last week all produce was distributed to families. When there is produce left over, it is taken over to the All Saints Church or Homefront. We need to be diligent to get to the word out. Families who are no longer receiving food and would like to receive food again, if they have children, the families can contact the schools. YMCA’s food program will end Monday, October 26. Councilwoman Fraga suggested we keep Princeton COVID site updated with food eligibility, who to contact and distribution information. Ms. Urias is working on updating information. The food partners are meeting once a month; most providers are attending the meetings. Ali Mctar from Princeton Mutual Aid Network (PMAN) commented that 50 families not receiving food is a huge problem; what can we do about it? Chairman Wishnick is not sure if this number is true; there is no reason why families with children are not getting food; individuals without children also have food available to them. Arm in Arm provides food to approximately 350 families monthly. Chairman Wishnick asked Ms. Mann why these families are not getting food so we can solve the problem. Mr. Mctar agrees that there may be a communications problem. Mr. Spruill made many deliveries to the elderly and disabled. Per Chairman Wishnick, Arm in Arm is the strongest food resource available. Mr. Mctar will connect families requesting food to Arm in Arm. In the beginning of COVID, Arm in Arm waivered their eligibility requirements. Ms. Urias named a few other organizations that can assist with food to those in need. Mr. Heilner asked for update on the Mobile Food Pantry; Councilwoman Fraga stated that they are low on funding. Chairman Wishnick stated that Liliana Morenilla informed him that the Mobile Food Pantry provides food for approximately 100 families a week which equals to about 500 meals a week every Friday; produce and protein. Chairman Wishnick stated that there is emergency food available at the Y. Mr. Spruill is concerned for those who had food delivered to them (elderly and disabled) and we need to make sure their food is continues to be delivered. Page 2 of 4 Princeton Human Services Commission Meeting Minutes October 21, 2020 Housing, Veronica Olivares–Weber Vice-Chair Olivares–Weber explained that the Housing Coalition continues to meet every other week with various organizations to work together to address housing issues. The group does have limited funding; cannot fund raise. The eviction moratorium has been extended to the end of the year. She is concerned that people think they do not have to pay back rent. Applicants are applying for money; they are trying to prepare the residents for the winter. Though there is a moratorium in place, landlords are finding ways to evict. The housing subcommittees are in discussion on how to address these issues. The group is putting together resources to help the community. They are trying to get pro bono legal services. Chairman Wishnick asked how the landlords are paying mortgage if tenants are not paying rent. Since the beginning of COVID, landlords have been helping but can no longer continue; they are also struggling. Councilwoman Fraga stated we need to make it clear to the residents the rent will eventually become due. We need to work on rental assistance funding, work with landlords and hope for federal relief. CDBG funds will become available and funds will be allocated based on priorities; some will go towards cost for internet to affordable housing sites and some funding will be set aside for rental assistance. Vice-Chair Olivares–Weber commented that a rental assistance program application process through the state was open for few days; none of the Princeton families were able to apply because it closed so quickly. Per Ms. Olivares–Weber the CDBG funding will not require a lot of paper work from the families. The CDBG funds are limited; we need to be prepared for situations once the funds are depleted. Gary De Blasio, Corner House Director commented that the state program had $10 million for Mercer Co., applications opened Friday morning, site crashed by the afternoon. Since Tuesday, there an extensive waiting list way beyond the funding amount. People are starting to lose the jobs again. Long term problem is job security; we will have a lot of people out of work and no opportunity for work. Immigration, John Heilner Mr. Heilner reported that the subcommittee met in September. Discussions include collaboration. PMAN and Solidaridad hosted Know Your Rights sessions gathering in spots around town; ICE raids have increased recently. Some groups are on working on asylum cases. Solidaridad specializes in Pro Se Asylum cases (represent yourself because you cannot afford an attorney).