EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES

September 7, 2006

 

1.   Call to Order/ Roll Call

       The meeting was called to order at 1:35p.m.  A quorum was present.

       Members Present

Commissioner Faye Woo Lee, Molly Baier, Rich Bondoc, Jerry Jones, John Crowley, Patrick Regan, Norma Tecson, John Weber, Ronnie Rhoe, Adrian Trujillo

Members Absent

Commissioner Carlota del Portillo, Suzanne Korey, Ken Stram

Staff Present

Linda Chin, Kabir Hypolite, Mary Gin Starkweather

Guests

Tony Lugo, Director of the Workforce Development Division, Department of Human Services; Maggie Donahue, Director of Government Relations & Youth, Department of Human Services; Terri Austin, Management Analyst, Department of Human Services

 

2.   Adoption of Agenda

Rich Bondoc moved to adopt the September 7, 2006 agenda.  Patrick Regan seconded and the motion was carried unanimously.

 

3.   Adoption of August 3, 2006 Minutes

John Weber noted corrections to be made.  On page 2, second paragraph, the sentence should read, “Organizations that wish to contribute to the work plan will have avenues to contribute to the strategic planning.”  On page 3, second paragraph, the sentence should read, “He asked how she will address the problems of individuals with disabilities.”  Commissioner Lee moved to adopt the revised minutes. Rich Bondoc seconded and the motion was carried unanimously.

 

4.   Public Comment for items not on the Agenda

None

 

5.   Commissioner Report 

Commissioner Lee stated that during the last several months, this committee has been focusing on youth employment issues.  Youth are facing difficult times seeking employment especially without a college education and an even more difficult time without a high school diploma.  This committee wants to be informed of youth employment concerns and to find out what services are available for youth in the City.  Commissioner Lee provided an introduction on the problems of foster care youth transitioning into adulthood.   Foster care youth face more hardships because they tend to carry emotional baggage.  Commissioner Lee stated that as an advisory committee, it should look into the problems that foster care youth face toward emancipation, seek what resources are available in the City, and make an effective recommendation.

 

6.      Staff Report

None

 

7.   Old Business:

 None

 

8.   New Business:

 

Tony Lugo, Director of the Workforce Development Division for the Department of Human Services (DHS) presented information on the employment and training programs for foster care youth and for all youth in general.  Mr. Lugo distributed to the committee members a packet of various Youth and Employment services.   His agency provides services to 80,000 to 90,000 clients.  Mr. Lugo stated that the services for youth, specifically for foster youth are not at the level needed.  He also stated that DHS is trying to use their resources to help the foster youth. The biggest issue was outreach, not being able to reach the foster youth once they leave the foster care system.  Currently, there is no mechanism to track the youth that have left the system.   Mr. Lugo also added, they have attempted to develop a universal tracking system but with no success.

In the Youth Service component, there is the Workforce Investment Board, mandated by Federal Legislation that combines public with private section to create program policy.  That particular board is in transition to combine all the various funding sources under one umbrella.   The Department of Children, Youth & Families is the largest agency with funding allocated for youth.  Mr. Lugo also mentioned the Youth initiative and the Private Industry Council, two major youth employment programs.

 

According to Mr. Lugo, DHS also manages and serves as the lead agency of the City’s One Stop Center.  The One Stop Center offers a variety of free job search, career development, and employment resources for clients and in general anyone who is in search of a job.  The concept of the One Stop center was to have all the employment services under one roof.  There are three One Stop centers located in San Francisco.  The main center with the full service is offered at 3120 Mission Street.  The other centers are located one at the EDD office at 301 Turk Street and the other at Southeast Center located on 1800 Oakdale Avenue.   The One Stop Center consists of partnerships, a mixture of local agencies, and non-profit agencies that receive Federal funding.   Funding comes from all the partners that have offices and provide services at the center.  Every center now has a youth corner and there is also a youth intern at the front desk to answer any questions.  Mr. Lugo concluded by stating that youth employment is a big priority.

Commissioner Lee asked the question:  Does the One Stop Center serve foster care youth?   Mr. Lugo stated that they serve all youth and they do have a youth corner with an intern youth at the front desk.

 

Commissioner Lee asked:  What do you see as the biggest challenge with foster care youth?  Mr. Lugo stated that the biggest challenge was outreach.  Many of the foster care youth leave the system and disappear.  Some go into the criminal justice system.  The most difficult is engaging the foster youth after they leave the foster care system.

 

Rich Bondoc asked:  What steps are being taken to ensure that the growing Asian population is being sufficiently served at the One Stop Center located at 801 Turk Street?  Mr. Lugo stated that the One Stop Centers all have bilingual and trilingual staff.

 

Jerry Jones asked:  Is your agency involved in the programs that are connected to the courts?  Mr. Lugo stated that they work with the following programs:  the First Offense program, and the Street to Work re-entry program.

 

John Weber asked:  Do all three One Stop Centers provide full service?

Mr. Lugo stated that the only full service One Stop Center is located at 3120 Mission Street.

John Weber asked:  Do the One Stop Centers meet the ADA Accessibility requirements?  Mr. Lugo stated that huge improvements are needed in terms of ADA Accessibility.  It would require structural improvements, sidewalk changes, signage, etc.

 

 

Molly Baier asked:  Does the One Stop Center offer services to assist to obtain the right to work documents?  Mr. Lugo stated that it was a Federal dilemma, there is a penalty imposed for any employer who hires someone who does not have the right to work documents.  And the One Stop Center cannot knowingly refer a client that does not have the right to work documents.

Molly Baier recommended that the One Stop Center visually should display information and have literature available.

 

Norma Tecson asked:  Do you have work permits for youth under 17 years of age?  Mr. Lugo stated that the One Stop Center does not provide work permits for youth.

 

Commissioner Lee asked:  Would the foster care youth be able to speak with someone right away?  Mr. Lugo stated that there is a youth corner to access information and one needs to be registered first to access services.  After registration, each client is given a swipe card for identity.

 

John Weber asked:  Why is there not a full service One Stop Center at the Southeast Center?  Mr. Lugo stated it was because of the lack of resources.

 

Kabir Hypolite requested a copy of the ethnic breakdown of clients for the Southeast Center.  Terri Austin stated that she would be able to provide a copy of the ethnic breakdown for the Southeast Center.

 

Maggie Donahue, Director of Government Relations & Youth Policy for the Department of Human Services presented information on Foster Care Emancipation.  Ms. Donahue provided an overview of the foster care system and of the foster youth aging out and transitioning to adulthood.  She also provided a copy of the Human Services Agency Youth Initiative that lists the needs, strategies, implementation plans, and the statistical data on foster youth that have emancipated.  Ms. Donahue stated that the Youth Initiative is an attempt to address the specific needs of foster youth.  In the 2003 study of San Francisco emancipated youth, 45% had experienced homelessness since emancipation, 53% were unemployed, 30% did not have a high school diploma, 59% were living below the poverty threshold, and 33% received public assistance.  According to the Youth Initiative, there are 2,326 youth in foster care in San Francisco, 65% are African American, 15% are Hispanic/Latino, and 12% are white.

 

There is a tremendous synergy going on now, this country is really seriously looking at the system what is in place and the welfare of foster children.  This time period from 2004-2008, has the largest group of foster youth transitioning to adulthood.  National, state, and local government agencies are all focusing on foster care.  In fact, in Sacramento, a subcommittee was formed just on foster care and from the results of the subcommittee, the governor’s budget finally included 98 million dollars for the child welfare system in California.  This was the most significant investment in 15 years in family & children services, job preparedness, and work readiness programs.

 

In March of 2006, Mayor Newsom established a transitional youth task force in partnership with the Youth Commission.  The task force members include community representation, city representation, and youth representation.  John Weber and Ms. Donahue were also appointed members of the transitional task force.

 

Ms. Donahue reported that many families have moved out of San Francisco.  As a result of many families moving away to Oakland, Vallejo, and Sacramento, the foster youth population in San Francisco continues to decline.  The child welfare system has changed.  There is much more emphasis now on front-end services, intervention, keeping the child in the family, working the child with a family member, keeping the child in the community, and ensuring the safety of that child.

Currently, the City provides health benefits to emancipated youth up to the age of 24 years.  There is a teen center in the Valencia district that provides services such as mentoring, tutoring, computer use, and college resources.  The transitional housing program now has 60 units of housing instead of 31.  The housing units are located in the Westlake district in Daly City.  The Independent Living

 

Skills program has expanded its program to include ages 14 & 15 through 21 years of age.  The Transitional Aftercare program services are available for emancipated young adults from ages 18 through 24 years.  However, this program will not receive funding for the services it provides for those over 21 years of age.

 

Ms. Donahue recommended contacting Ms. Arlene Hilton, Independent Living Skills program to speak on the steps taken to prepare the foster youth transitioning to adulthood.

 

Commissioner Lee asked:  With the Governor’s allocation of $98 million for the child welfare system in California, will more funds be allocated for hiring more caseworkers?  Ms. Donahue responded:  The County is responsible for the allocation of funds.

 

Kabir Hypolite asked:  Why is there not a teen center in the Bayview when there is such a need in the community?  Ms. Donahue responded:  It was because of the lack of funds and leadership.  She recommended that the committee contact Mr. Dwayne Jones, Director of Community Investment & Outcomes.

 

Kabir Hypolite asked:  Is there any coordinated effort to include community involvement to ensure that information is disseminated?  Ms. Donahue recommended contacting Margaret Brodkin, Director of the Department of Children, Youth and Families.  Ms. Brodkin does extensive community assessment.

 

John Weber was concerned and inquired why the Southeast Center in the Bay View Hunter’s Point Community where unemployment is amongst the highest, and does not have a full service One Stop Center.

 

John Weber made the following motions:  Motion #1

I move that HRC Employment Committee send a resolution for adoption to the HRC Commission to recommend that “The City & County continue its commitment to improve the economic, health and overall quality of life for Transition Aged Youth ages 14-24 who reside in San Francisco”.  Further, we urge the City and County, City Departments and the Mayor’s office to direct needed resources to this high risk population.

Motion #2

I move that the City & County of San Francisco explore the feasibility of building a Youth Training & Employment Center in the Southeast Section of Bayview Hunter’s Point that will house needed and critical services under one facility.  Further, that this Young/Adult Center will also serve as a social, meeting and networking place for youth and their families.

The motions were tabled for the next meeting on October 5, 2006.

 

9)      Calendar matters

       The next meeting will be held:

Date:    Thursday, October 5, 2006

Time:    1:30 to 3:30 PM

Place:   HRC Offices

25 Van Ness Avenue, 8^th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94102

 

10) Adjournment

John Weber moved and Norma Tecson seconded to adjourn at 3:35pm.  It carried unanimously.