Posted on by ILTFYouth

APRIL 5th MINUTES – Policy, Program and Finance Committee Meeting

AUDIENCE

Members of the State Task Force Policy, Program and Finance Committee and Staff. Public is welcome to attend.

DATE & TIME

April 5th, 2018

2:30 PM

LOCATION

Youth Connection Charter Schools (YCCS)

Conference Call: (888) 330-9549
Access Code: 230540#

AGENDA

  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call
  3. Review minutes from March 1 meeting. Dates for upcoming Policy Program and Finance Meetings (attached on the next page).
  4. Programs – Best program practices, discussion for areas to research.
  5. Policies – Discussion of policies, locally in Illinois and other areas across the country; discussion for areas to research.
  6. Financing for programs – Discussion for areas to research.
  7. Other
  8. Adjourn

MINUTES

  • In attendance on call: Aaron Hacker, IDHS (sitting for Karrie Reuter); Jack Wuest, ASN; David Whittaker, CAP; Reyahd Kazmi, NYAP; Micaela Vargas – Commissioner Bridget Gainer; Caitlyn Barnes, ICCB; Grace Tran, ASN; Martrice Manuel, ASN; Kathleen Kelly / Peoria Police Dept. for State Senator Chuck Weaver, 37th District
  • NOT in attendance on call: Karrie Reuter, IDHS; Karina Ayala-Bermejo, IDPL; Cynthia Levi for Sheila Venson, YCCS; Sheila Venson, Youth Connection Charter School; Demarr Smith – THRIVE; Andrew Wells, Chicago Urban League; Senator Chuck Weaver, 37 th District; Paul Vallas, CSU
  1. Call to order
    1. Meeting was called to order at 2:30 PM by Jack Wuest.
  2. Roll Call
  3. Review minutes from March 1 Meeting
    1. Motion to approve the minutes – Reyahd made the motion to approve.
    2. Motion seconded by Micaela.
    3. All in favor.
  4. Programs – Best program practices, discussion for areas to research.
    1. Report from New Orleans. National League of Cities, National Council of State Legislatures. Looked at different areas of funding for out of school youth (also relevant to financing).
    2. Report on dropouts – best practices for re-enrolling out of school youth (released by ASN).
    3. David Whittaker on good practices for after school and during the school day for kids who are not in school – how to get them engaged? Looking for reports along this line.
    4. Aaron will talk to Karrie Reuter about best program practices and experiences for out of school youth/after school. Look for other studies nationally.
    5. Reyahd will reach out to colleague on studies/reports.
    6. Build DIRECT & FINANCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES into best practices: NPR article on college students and low income. Aaron was speaking to community youth employment program providers. With CYEP, they’ve worked hard to make sure that the funds are directed at things that are directly involved in getting people job. They’ve limited it in terms of how much they can give to youth to support things (that do not seem job related). One of the criticism is that some of the providers have told them that youth have a difficult time when they have no resources. They need some sort of support meet their basic needs while they try to work on job training and while they are securing jobs. Even while they are in the job. The first employment is not enough to be self-supporting – they need a lot of support on the front end. Hopefully, as they get going, once they get their career on track, it can be a graduated decrease in support. Over time we have someone who is self-sufficient. Providers have expressed this. In youth employment grant, we do not pay/give youth participant money during training. We pay them once they get a job with subsidized wages. Providers are saying this doesn’t work. They need funds DURING training. Holistic approach – big and small support (substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence services, etc.). We can’t solve every social problem – but trying to identify the ones that have the greatest effect on employment.
      1. Katie – Part WIOA/part AMERICORPS program – program coordinator says that individuals were struggling and not showing up; at risk of getting kicked out. It was all housing issues – getting kicked out; belongings stolen in shelter; etc. Difficult to ensure stability for young people to learn in the first place.
      2. If we’re able to provide stability upfront – then they can eventually self-sustain. Conversely, if there is no stability on the front end, it is more difficult to move toward more stability and stable job.
      3. In terms of best practices – let’s try to make sure there are benefits/services available to support young people. Identify key issues and maximizing support to get to youth in order to accomplish educational/employment goals.
      4. Aaron: housing, transportation, childcare. These three things – if they fail, it is difficult to keep the job. With youth employment program, grantees budget for transportation costs, for example.
      5. IL Action for Children could be a help in terms of childcare in the Cook County area. Look for other groups like them around the state information referrals.
      6. Transportation – in Peoria, there are good routes, but still instances where routes don’t directly hit where people live/where they’re going in a timely fashion. Grassroots conversations – possibility of church vans for carpooling. City Link Peoria – information on adjusting schedules; Jack will check with Andrew on Urban League transport to Amazon warehouses.
      7. Peoria – for WIOA youth there is a disparity in quality housing – especially in accordance to HUD guidelines. Not many options in affordable rent for young single person to stay while in school or getting training. Group housing – roommates, doubling up could help. AmeriCorps is $300/month (small stipend). Similar to City Year.
      8. Coming out of incarceration – legal assistance, records expunged. Get contact information on organizations that assist youth on legal issues, records. Drug offenders/weapons based. David – there are a number of businesses that are willing to take our kids coming out of the system, with records, etc. Some are repeat offenders. The kids, with support services, do well with businesses who are willing to offer them jobs. Support services to make sure youth show up, and to work through issues that come up on the job. Contract with transportation services for jobs out in DuPage County. (For best practice – make transportation expenses allowable.)
      9. Having a support system and services (housing, transport, childcare) in place helps at the front end.
  5. Policies – Discussion of policies, locally in Illinois and other areas across the country; discussion for areas to research.
  6. Financing for programs – Discussion for areas to research.
    1. Report from Katie on financing.
  7. Other
    1. Katie – Collecting feedback from Malcolm X hearing (March 16). Create a survey, use sign in sheets. Katie will get a form to Grace.
  8. Adjournment
    1. Motion to adjourn – David made the motion to adjourn.
    2. Motion seconded – Reyahd seconded.
    3. All in favor.
  9. Meeting adjourned.
  10. The next meeting will be a call in meeting on April 26 at 2:30pm at this number – 888-330- 9549 and use code 230540#