LINCOLN S CONTINUUM of CARE/HOMELESS COALITION s1

LINCOLN’S CONTINUUM of CARE/HOMELESS COALITION

MEETING MINUTES

03/28/2014

In Attendance: Brett Anderson, PCM; Andra Backer, Community Action; Susie Blue, MTKO; Aaron Bowen, Community Action; Jeff Chambers, UNL_CCFL; Leah Droge, Friendship Home; Bobbi French, League of Human Dignity; Andrea Haberman, LLCHD; Dennis Hoffman, CenterPointe; Ruth Karlsson, Released and Restored; Christina Lloyd, Cedars; Amanda White, Salvation Army; Amy Schlueter, Stepping Stones; Patricia Miller, Lincoln Vet Center; Nikki Siegel, The Bay; Anna Sullivan, Catholic Social Services; Susan Tatum, LHA; John Turner, Region V Systems; Monica Zinke, Fresh Start; Jana McDonald, Cedars; Lindsey Drake, HUB; Angela Morehouse, LPD; Mary Rittenburg, Region V Systems; Tonya Walker, Voices of Hope; Shelley Stacey, PCM; Quint Geis, UNL; Mary Kelly, GNCC; Lisa Moehlenhoff, GA; Ryan Sturman, The Bay; Todd Rosenthal, DCS/APA.

Lee Heflebower opened the meeting.
Minutes from February 2014 were reviewed and approved with one revision regarding the date of the next meeting.
Treasurer’s report was reviewed. Current balance is $7,837.11. This amount includes PHCL monies of $3,378.81. Susan Tatum provided the report for Treasurer Amy Wagner. Members were reminded to pay their 2014 dues.

Presentation: Animal Ambassadors Pauline Balta and Mary Douglas
Pauline and Mary provided an overview of the history of and services provided by Animal Ambassadors. The organization was started approx. 5 years ago and its purpose is to help people and their animals before the animals end up at a shelter. They are trying to reduce the number of animal euthanasia by helping people provide for their pets. It is completely volunteer run and they take 75-100 calls each week. Funding comes from individuals, corporate sponsors and local grants. Animal Ambassadors has 2 primarily services: pet food bank and spay and neuter program.
The pet food bank is an income based program, and it based on the same guidelines as WIC. They provide food, and also education on how to be a good pet guardian and the costs of ownership. Participants cannot adopt another animal while receiving food bank services and they must agree to have their animal spayed or neutered. Animal Ambassadors cannot deliver the food.
The spay and neuter program is a collaboration with 8 local vets who agrees to take vouchers from Animal Ambassadors. Participants are asked to pay a minimum amount towards the costs of the procedure. Amount is dependent on income and estimated cost of the procedure. Participants have 30 days from receiving the voucher to schedule the appointment with one of the collaborating vets. Most of the agency’s budget is used for the spay and neuter program. This program currently has a wait list.

Animal Ambassadors accept donations of pet food and gently used pet items, along with monetary donations. Their goal is in the future to have a place for the animals of people who have to go into treatment, shelters, etc. who have no one to care for their pet.

Committee Updates
Executive Committee- Lee Heflebower
No new updates.

Planning and Data- Jeff Chambers
The draft of the performance evaluation tool has been developed and is under review. They are conducting a housing inventory study and will send it and the final PIT numbers to Lee to distribute. Jeff also reported that reported that the unmet needs assessment indicated a need for 41 new transitional and 239 new permanent supportive housing beds.

Consumer Engagement- Andra Backer
The next Employment Workshop will be on 5/07/14 at Community Action from 10-2PM. They are hoping to provide bus passes to participants and request HC funds for this. More details will be emailed.

Public Awareness- Lee Heflebower, Chair
A new chair is still needed for this committee.

Youth- Nikki Siegel, Co- Chair.
The committee is talking about a summer job fair for youth, tentatively scheduled for 5/07/14 from 5-8PM at The Bay.

Project Homeless Connect- Monica Zinke, Chair
The committee will begin to meet again in the spring. Primary issues is still securing a location for the event. Committee is exploring options on UNL and possibly a LPS high school.

Rent and Utility Network- Lee for Michelle Martinez
No report. The next meeting will be on 4/21/14 at 1PM at Community Action.

Discharge Planning/Reentry Alliance- Ruth Karlsson
No new report. Main issue they are trying to address is housing options for inmates when they are being released.
SOAR- Denise Packard
SOAR worker Jenn moved, so there is an open position to fill. Contact Denise with questions.

Outreach Committee- Denise Packard
The first area for the committee’s focus has been identifying high utilizers. Downtown Lincoln Association (DLA) plans to put up posters encouraging people to donate to agencies instead of the panhandlers and they even use old parking meters to accept donations. Details still being figured out.
Agency Updates were provided.

Meeting adjourned.

The next meeting is the Friday 04/25/14 at 9:00 at Cedars Northbridge.
Respectfully submitted by Monica Zinke