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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSPAC 2015-05-06 Minutes.pdfCity of Maple Ridge SOCIAL PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Social Planning Advisory Committee, held in the Blaney Room, at Maple Ridge Municipal Hall on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 7:00 pm COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Vicki Kipps Pierre Welbedagt Steven Lamothe, Chair Councillor Bob Masse Dr. Shovita Padhi Councillor Shymkiw Karleen Carreras Annette Morgan Stephanie Ediger Candace Gordon Josee Brazeau GUESTS Roberta O'Brien STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Sunny Schiller Shawn Matthewson Sue Wheeler Kelly Swift REGRETS/ABSENTS Jenny Tan Avexnim Cojti lneke Boekhorst, Vice-Chair Mana Bayanzadeh Jassy Maghera Sgt. Brenda Gresiuk Bob Daley Rajinder Kalra Community Network Member at Large Ministry of Social Development & Social Innovation Council Liaison Fraser Health Council Liaison School District #42 Trustee Seniors Network Poverty Alleviation Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows-Katzie Community Network Community at Large Early Childhood & Middle Childhood Community Developer / Coordinator Committee Clerk Social Planning Coordinator/ Staff Liaison Director of Community Services General Manager, Community Development, Parks & Rec Services Member at Large -Youth Representative Family Education & Support Centre Downtown BIA/ Friends in Need Fraser Health Family Education & Support Centre RCMP Community at Large Community at Large Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Page 1 of 5 ) -, SPAC May 6, 2015 Meeting Minutes 1. 2. R15-013 3. R15-014 CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS There being a quorum present, the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. AGENDA ADOPTION It was moved and seconded That the Agenda for the Regular Meeting of May 6, 2015 be adopted with the following amendment: Item 5 New Business will be the first item of business. CARRIED MINUTE ADOPTION It was moved and seconded That the Minutes of the April 1, 2015 Regular Meeting be adopted. CARRIED 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.2 Update on the Workshop regarding mapping substance use, mental health and outreach services The Staff Liaison reported on a recent workshop where the Substance Misuse Prevention Standing Committee of the Community Network hosted a workshop to begin the process of mapping of services related to Housing, Mental Health, and Substance Use services. A number of different local service providers attended this productive meeting. The SMPS Committee will be forwarding recommendations developed out of this process to the Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness Solutions. 5.3 Feedback on the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) process to the Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness The Regional Housing Planning Table met recently to discuss concerns about the HPS funding process related to the distribution of this Federal funding. Concerns discussed included: criteria related to Housing First funding applications, and the timing, process, and distribution of Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding. This feedback was forwarded to the Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness to be raised at an upcoming meeting with Health Canada to review the process. It is anticipated that the next round of HPS funding will be distributed in October 2016 with the proposal call being issued in the spring of 2016. Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Page 2 of 5 \ J , , SPAC May 6, 2015 Meeting Minutes 5.4 Update on the expiry of the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC) operating agreements with local housing cooperatives Mayor Read and City staff are providing support and advocacy for local housing cooperatives facing the possible loss of subsidies as their agreements with the CMHC end. Until the expiry of these federal agreements that have been in place for over 30 years, co-op residents, many of whom live on fixed incomes, have had access to rent subsidies that will expire soon and at this point there is no provincial program to replace the assistance that helps to make their rent affordable. Pioneer Village, a senior-oriented housing complex in Maple Ridge, is one of the local housing cooperative facing this challenge and they have asked the city for assistance in advocating on their behalf. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.1 Housing Action Plan Update The Housing Action Plan, for which the Social Planning Advisory Committee acted as the Steering Committee, was approved by Council in September 2014. This past Monday, the Staff Liaison and Chair made a presentation to Council to provide an overview of this plan and how it aligns with the Regional Growth Strategy and the Official Community Plan. The community consultation that was part of the development process of the plan was highlighted. Four priority areas were identified based on that consultation. Staff indicated to Council that an implementation plan will be brought back to Council in June for Council's consideration. The Committee will have the opportunity to provide input to the priorities that will inform the implementation plan. The General Manager, Community Development, Parks & Recreation Services entered at 7:37 pm. 5 NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Work Plan Adjustment The General Manager, Community Development, Parks & Recreation Services provided an update to the committee on the Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness Solutions. Recommendations made by the Task Force include providing funding for short term critical services to assist in finding solutions to some of the current challenges. Planned actions include funding outreach workers, engaging a consultant to review current services, and increasing security. The full plan of the Task Force will be released May 21, 2015. The current Staff Liaison to the Committee will be seconded for six months to provide support to, and coordination of, the work of the Task Force Teams. It was explained that during this time there is an opportunity for the committee to focus on the recommendations of the Task Force, with an emphasis on implementing the Housing Action Plan. Staff with Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Page 3 of 5 ) , , SPAC May 6, 2015 Meeting Minutes experience in the housing field will be providing support to the committee while the current Staff Liaison is seconded to the Task Force. The General Manager, Community Development, Parks & Recreation Services requested the support of the committee in focusing on the implementation of the Housing Action Plan for six months. Currently approved work plan items that may be deferred as a result include the development of a social sustainability / youth strategy, work on the compassionate cities designation, and the advisory committees Intersections event. Concern was expressed regarding the potential loss of the current holistic approach of the committee, which focuses on networking and collaboration. After discussion it was agreed that the committee preferred to maintain their commitment to the current work plan, while supporting the work of the Task Force. The General Manager, Community Development, Parks & Recreation Services left at 8:03 pm. 4. DELEGATIONS 4.1 Presentation on the MDI and EDI Roberta O'Brien The Staff Liaison introduced Roberta O'Brien, a researcher and community developer who works with the Ridge Meadows Early Childhood Development Committee, a standing committee of the Community Network. Ms. O'Brien made a presentation on the Early Development Instrument (EDI) and the Middle Development Instrument (MDI) and the results measured by those instruments. The Early Development Instrument is completed by kindergarten teachers across BC for all children in their classes and is a useful tool in determining school readiness . It is an assessment measures five core areas of early child development that are known to be good predictors of adult health, education, and social outcomes. This work is provincially funded and the results are used to plan programs, services, and determine priorities for advocacy. The Middle Development Instrument is a self-assessment completed by students in Grade 4 and includes questions related to five areas of development that are strongly linked to well- being, health and academic achievement. This work is funded by the United Way and HELP and the results inform strategic planning and program and service delivery. The presentation included a review of the data gathered in Maple Ridge. Related fact sheets and the Powerpoint presentation were made available to the Committee. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.2 Mayor's Task Force on Homeless Solutions Update Item previously dealt with (under Item 5.1). 6.3 Iron Horse Youth Services (IHYSH) Update Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Page 4 of 5 ) . , SPAC May 6, 2015 Meeting Minutes Ms. Ediger updated the Committee that Alouette Home Start Society has received a one-time Provincial grant to support a modified IHYSH program that will provide support to youth, but will not include a shelter program. The organization is currently focusing on developing their website and communicating the work they do to the public. Ms. Ediger expressed gratitude at the ongoing support that Iron Horse has received from individuals in the community and the Colleen Findlay organization. Achieving stable and sustainable funding continues to the be focus. 7. COMMITTEE UPDATES 7.1 Community Network Ms. Kipps provided an update on community initiatives including a brown bag lunch program to support nutrition for school children, and updates to the Alicia 's Wish program. The Age Friendly initiative, supported by the Seniors Network working with Parks and Leisure Services, will be holding a Seniors Forum in early June. The Community Network will be holding an event in support of Mental Health day tomorrow, May 7th. Ms. Kipps was recently interviewed by local students on the issue of homelessness and was impressed by the level of awareness and interest of the students. 7.2 Neighbourhood Development-Deferred 8. CORRESPONDENCE-Nil 9. COMMUNITY FORUM -Nil 10. ROUNDTABLE Annette Morgan reported that the Seniors Advocate will be releasing a report on Senior's Housing. Pierre Welbedagt reported on his work with School District 42 on Social Emotional Learning. 11. ADJOURNMENT It was moved and seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 9:17 pm. ~-; Chair /ss __ Social Planning Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Page 5 of 5