Education and Human Services Standing Committee

Conference Floor, 5th Floor - City Hall

Agenda — 35 items

1. 1 Education and Human Services Standing Committee Work Session CD.2024-284
2. 1 Committee Members Present
3. 2 The Honorable Nicole Jones The Honorable Stephanie Lynch The Honorable Cynthia Newbille
4. 3 Others in Attendance
5. 4 Jameson Babb, Department of Social Service Advisory Board Chair Dominic Barrett, Strategic Projects and Grants Advisor, Human Services Eva Colen, Senior Policy Advisor and Manager of the Office of Children and Families Joyce Davis, Council Policy Analyst Kimberly Morris, Assistant City Clerk J.D. Ratliff, Policy Advisor, Neighborhood and Community Services Candice Reid, City Clerk RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
6. 5 Call to Order
7. 6 Chair Stephanie Lynch called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m. and presided.
8. 7 Conference Room Emergency Evacuation Announcement
9. 8 Upon the Chair's request, Assistant City Clerk Kimberly Morris provided information on the appropriate manner in which the room is to be evacuated in the event of an emergency.
10. 9 Discussion
11. 10 Chair Stephanie Lynch presented the proposed Education and Human Services Standing Committee agenda topics for the upcoming year.
12. 12 Homelessness Services
13. 13 Chair Stephanie Lynch addressed the committee about the year-round walk up shelter and inquired if data could be provided regarding an open bed count, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority emergency vouchers, and Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority's emergency placement, so the committee can have a full scope of what is needed to help with the implementation of the shelter and the re-housing of families.
14. 14 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille stated that the committee needs to be diligent about homelessness services and provide an opportunity for sustainability.
15. 15 Member Nicole Jones inquired how the committee can create goals from a citywide perspective to understand where unhoused assistance is needed.
16. 16 Housing Resource Center
17. 17 Chair Stephanie Lynch suggested a collaborative case management system that is focused on families for the housing resource center.
18. 18 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille suggested that everyone entering the housing resource center for services, have an assessment and a plan of action.
19. 19 Member Nicole Jones inquired what technology will be utilized to connect citizens to the resource center.
20. 20 Non-Departmental Process
21. 21 Chair Stephanie Lynch inquired if the funding of non-departmental organizations can be handled better regarding charitable giving and if the city is strategic in its approach concerning philanthropic partners. She also asked what modules the committee would like to see on a dashboard to track non-departmentals, and what information the committee would like to have during budget season.
22. 22 Member Nicole Jones stated her main focus is to know the needs of the community regarding after school programming, gun violence and other critical needs of the city.
23. 23 Department of Social Services
24. 24 Jameson Babb, Social Services Advisory Board Chair, addressed the committee regarding concerns of the Department of Social Services, the current status of personnel, caseloads, and budget.
25. 25 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille stated she was concerned about the department's caseloads, recruiting, employee retention and accessibility.
26. 26 Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority
27. 27 Chair Stephanie Lynch asked the committee what ongoing information should be collected from the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and the landscape of affordable housing.
28. 28 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille stated she would like to have periodic reporting on housing from the authority.
29. 29 Member Nicole Jones asked how the city could implement a comprehensive rental strategy that will reduce evictions and is inclusive to all renters across the city.
30. 30 Head Start and Early Education
31. 31 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille stated she would like to ensure children are successful from Head Start to college.
32. 32 Chair Stephanie Lynch stated that the committee will meet separately with Richmond Public Schools to discuss the Head Start program.
33. 33 Member Nicole Jones inquired if the committee could work with the Richmond City School Board to get current data on student progress.
34. 34 Adjournment
35. 35 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:02 p.m.