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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Family Advisory Board 2023-03-02 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, March 2, 2023 Minutes of a meeting of the FAMILY ADVISORY BOARD of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in Rooms 203 of the Estes Park Town Hall in said Town of Estes Park on the 2nd day of March, 2023. Board: Chair Nancy Almond, Vice Chair Deanna Ferrell, Members Aleta Kazadi, Rut Miller, Jessica Moffett, Nicole White, and Sue Yowell Also Attending: Town Board Liaison Younglund, Deputy Town Administrator Damweber, and Deputy Town Clerk Beers Absent: None. Chair Almond called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT. Chair Almond recommended amending the agenda to add a Chair Report after the Police Department Co-Responder Program, a follow up discussion regarding the recommendations to the Town Board from the February 24, 2023 Special FAB Meeting, and a discussion regarding the Town Boards decision to sunset the FAB, and the FAB was in agreement. PUBLIC COMMENT. Bell Morris/Town citizen stated concern regarding the Town Boards decision to sunset the FAB and recommended members consider meeting with other advisory boards to discuss their evolution based on community needs. She stated the importance of new employees overseeing the 6E fund spending working directly with local organizations and advocacy groups. Laurie Dale Marshall/Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success Director stated housing and childcare needs are important and there are more opportunities now than in the past. MINUTES DATED FEBRUARY 2, 2023. It was moved and seconded (Yowell/Miller) to approve the meeting minutes dated February 2, 2023, and it passed unanimously. STAFF LIAISON UPDATE. Deputy Town Administrator Damweber stated the Town Board approved the Workforce and Childcare Funding Plan which would be presented to the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners for consideration. He stated the Town would consider contributions toward the YMCA of the Rockies to assist with filling childcare positions which remain vacant. He stated a childcare needs assessment would be completed in 2023. He stated the Board have mentioned the need for a task force to inform the Board on the childcare needs and other issues. The Town Board would be identifying a spending plan for 6E funds during the 2024 Strategic Planning process. Chair Almond stated FAB had received criticism in the past for lack of recommendations to the Town Board and requested clarification on the process of informing the Town Board of advisory board recommendations. She questioned how providers are informed on funding options available through the Town. Discussion ensued regarding home- care service providers and how they would be informed of funding options available through the Town. He stated infant and toddler care continues to be a service gap in the community and clarified the 2023 budget allocates $100,000 toward childcare. Discussion ensued regarding the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District Community Center which could be renovated and used for infant and childcare and would be considered as an option. Family Advisory Board – March 2, 2023 – Page 2 POLICE DEPARTMENT CO-RESPONDER PROGRAM. Kristi Capo, SummitStone Co-Responder with SummitStone and clinical mental health provider reviewed services provided and the typical calls which they respond to. She stated calls range from family disputes, general mental health related de-escalation, or contact connection for resources and referrals. Services encompass all of Larimer County and she acknowledged the difficulties individuals face in crisis who need services which are only provided outside of the Estes Valley. She stated SummitStone received additional funding to allow for a second co-responder in Estes Park to increase the resource availability 7 days a week. FAB questions have been summarized: whether SummitStone provides referrals to outside agencies including those outside of the Estes Valley; how SummitStone coordinates services with the Estes Valley Crisis Advocates; and if SummitStone responds to mental health related issues at the school. The FAB stated the importance of responders being informed on available resources within the community and they encouraged opportunities to connect with community organizations and ways to support the Spanish speaking members. TOWN BOARD DECISION TO SUNSET FAB - MEMBERSHIP COMMENTS. Chair Almond provided highlights of the February 28, 2023 Town Board Study Session FAB discussion and the discussion to sunset FAB. It was mentioned the FAB could request the Town Board to maintain FAB or members could create a community advocacy group and continue similar work outside of Town Board appointment. Cindy Younglund arrived at 4:42 p.m. FAB comments have been summarized: Concern was stated for lack of support from the Town Board and clarity on directives for FAB; support was stated in advocacy for families in a different way; a community group would be an opportunity to build relationships; interest was heard to form a community group with more flexibility; new members appointed in 2022 stated frustration in the state of the FAB not being identified during interviews; disappointment was stated in the Town Boards decision and interest was stated in advocating for maintaining the FAB. Members of FAB stated the importance of fighting and supporting families, providing resources, engaging with the Hispanic community, and focusing efforts to be most effective. Deputy Town Administrator Damweber stated FAB has elevated the needs of families in the community since formation. At the time FAB was established the Town also formed the Community Initiative Funding program which has been instrumental in forming relationships with outside partners and identifying the needs of the community. He encouraged FAB to consider how they can be most effective in advocating for change and influencing policy decisions on behalf of families. Member White left at 5:05 p.m. Trustee Younglund commended FAB for bringing awareness to family needs and stated opportunity exists for the high energy of members to continue serve the community in a different setting or group. Discussion ensued regarding FAB member interest in advocating against the sunset decision by the Town Board or forming a community group to advocate for families. Consensus was to continue to advocate for the needs of families in the community while maintaining effectiveness. It was moved and seconded (Yowell/Almond) to recommend the Town Board not sunset FAB, and it passed unanimously. There being no further business Chair Almond adjourned the meeting at 5:36 p.m. /s/Bunny Victoria Beers, Deputy Town Clerk