Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness Provider Meeting Minutes – January 18th, 2019
Welcome
·
Brandon Chun, Metropolitan Development Council
·
Thanks for coming
Community Court - City of Puyallup
·
Terra Moulton, Assistant City Attorney, City of Puyallup -
TMoulton@ci.puyallup.wa.us
·
Awarded federal grant to greatly expand program
·
Trying to reach out and better serve our participants.
·
Community Court
o
A problem solving court – try to identify hardships folks face and work to help them overcome them
o
Community engagement is an important part – it is good for the community and the person – they can still contribute to society
o
Hopefully having a leg up keeps folks out of the system
o
One of 5 community courts getting the grant.
o
Work towards procedural justice – make sure everyone can be heard
o
Reduces incarceration and jail time – use alternative option that include social service
o
Reduce crime, recidivism, and increase trust in the justice system
o
Goal is to not see them in court again (I’m guessing that is one of their goals as well –ed.)
o
6 guiding principles – started in NY in 1993 – grant is from the folks that started those courts
§
Enhanced information – educate staff with how to address issues that folks are facing – mental health and chemical dependency, as well as trauma, cultural competency and bias in the court system. Also a focus on procedural justice
– make sure folks are heard (turns out treating folks with dignity and respect works really well - more reading about procedural justice at
https://trustandjustice.org/resources/intervention/procedural-justice -ed.)
§
Community engagement – actively reach out to community members and ask for input. We allow them to assist in court, allow neighborhoods to prioritize local problem. Engaging community groups.
§
Collaboration – justice system is very adversarial. It is a negotiation for each side. This program is designed with everyone talking to each other – everyone is open and honest about what folks are facing when they come to
court – where they have been successful and what they need to work on. Idea is not to be combative. Brining in other community players – have hired a case manager to support folks – want a place for service providers to better support folks participating
in the program and the community.
§
Individual justice outcomes – sentencing alternatives – video from Judge Pratt - Community Court – Newark numicipal court (I’m not sure the video she was trying to show, but I like this TED talk of hers -
https://www.ted.com/talks/victoria_pratt_how_judges_can_show_respect -ed). Emphasizes that folks feel comfortable and heard and respected. Community court is designed to
solve problems – find out why they are in a situation and help them get out of it. – chemical treatment, job services, mental health services – what they need. Also need to do community service – be accountable and give back to the community. We modeled
it after a mental health program. It is a 2 year program. We are moving towards evidence based risk needs assessment to get to know the participants needs – so we know how intense the intervention needs to be. Someone with lots of support shouldn’t be taken
away from those supports to do things for the court. Tailoring specifically to what folks need – and having the right amount of supervision.
§
Accountability – connect with community members. Often feedback to community courts is that the criminal behavior isn’t being addressed. We work to reconnect folks for the long term – they have community restitution minimums,
but also GED classes and such. With Community Courts – a sanction or reward for success happens very quickly. For first 4 weeks, participant comes to court each week – successes celebrated and issues cause immediate sanctions. We use essays where folks
can describe what triggered a relapse, or future plans, or how to reunify with kids. Use community service and daily reporting to keep folks involved in positive things, not jail.
§
(I sort of missed a guiding principle, and thought I had the powerpoint they used, but now can’t find it – sorry. –ed.)
o
Outcomes
§
Reduce incarceration – save costs and give back to the community with community service hours – working with public works on projects. Weill closely monitor outcomes for the community and for the individuals.
o
Participant Stories (I loved this part –ed.)
§
Gal came who was 23 years old. Had 2 criminal charges – 1 DUI and one under the influence. She was falling under the control of someone who was encouraging her to use meth. She was losing connection with her family, hanging
with Spent $12k on this man. has had no other violations. She is now employed, almost has GED, and is a different person from when she arrived.
§
Man – over 5 years, had over 10 police contacts – 6 criminal charges in 2017 – most drug and alcohol related. Joined community court program in 2018. Clean and sober for over 7 months. is supporting mother and brother’s young
child. Is proud to be working and there to support his family. He comes to court and cheers everyone up. Will graduate in February , but may graduate early as he is so stellar
§
An older man was in for a displaying weapons charge – had no criminal history for20 years. He was out in the community, walking around, picking up cans, and a woman and a young child made rude comments about him and felt threatened,
and displayed a knife and pepper spray. He sas in ongoing mental health treatment – but his meds were not controlled. He was coming in every week even when he didn’t need to – needed folks in his life who were being nice to him. Just graduated in November.
His parting words were that he appreciated people “being so nice to him” in court.
o
Need some help – contact infor in in here – community court is every Thursday at 3pm
o
Judge Andrea Beall
o
All the resources we provide are available to all
o
Service Fair – want to fill our courtroom with what is available to support folks.
o
Complete our 10 minute on-line survey (not quite ready yet, if I remember right –ed).
o
We lose folks when they need to connect to a housing agency or when they need a drug and alcohol screen. We want there to be something right there to help them. Want to be a resource for them
o
Court room is open any time.
o
Want providers in house weekly - not everyone needs to commit to weekly – if you came once a month, that would be good too. We want whatever level of engagement
o
Don – transitional housing – help folks connect back with their families. We are looking for partnerships – we are looking for partnership opportunities. Andrea – that would be great.
o
Andrea – our new case manager will be a different look than probation – they will do more outreach and connecting. Case manager starts next week.
o
Al – you identified resources that clients need. What resources are in the shortest supplies? What solutions have you developed in those situations. Answer - We are lucky to have Multicare – with both chemical dependency and
mental health options – with Medicaid at no or low cost. It can take a while to get an initial appointment – that is our biggest bump in the road. Will be bringing chemical dependency and mental health into the court. There aren’t a lot of low cost treatment
options.
o
Al – Housing? Andrea- yes, that is in short supply. Most aren’t homeless, but some couch surf or use freezing nights. We want to put them in touch with housing resources or job training.
o
Questions - Do you serve only for folks arrested and convicted in Puyallup? Andrea – anyone can come in on a Thursday to access the services. There is more accountability for some folks – you must access them – if you are in
the court.
o
Question - Anything for pregnant women. We have Step-by-step – very local, we connect them up with them. Helping Hand house may be a partner as well.
o
Mitch – I’ve worked with judges up and down the corridor – it is only at the Puyallup court where they were doing a form of treatment – it wasn’t punitive. I really appreciate both of you – the way you’ve reached out over the
years to ask about programs. Thank you collectively from the community. No one forced you to do this – thank for doing this
(clapping)
o
Patty – how do you decide who goes in the court? Terra – we try to make ours as broad as possible – we can’t serve violent felony history – other than that, the only cases we don’t take to court are the driving offenses or Domestic
Violence, because of the power dynamics. We do recognize that folks with substance additions – you can’t say they aren’t going to use again – we do focus on treatment. As long as people come to court and tell the truth, we will continue to work with them.
After treatment, sanctions may occur for lapses – which may just mean they need a longer treatment option. A recent patient was relapsing – so we put her in custody until her treatment date. Even if folks aren’t ready to make the changes, they can always
opt in again (giving people opportunity after opportunity is such a healthy thing –ed.).
o
Terra - If you comply and graduate, you leave with no conviction.
o
Question – I think you guys are doing a great job. People need support after they exit. Terra – we only have jurisdiction over folks for so long. Our new case manager will help folks put together an exit plan. We work to help
them build a support structure – we encourage if it is safe,- to bring family members into the court and into their lives. We work to help them build relationships and ties that can help them be stable. People can come back any time – people can choose more
engagement – weekly visits instead of monthly, for instance. We work with folks as much as we can, but we need connections with community partners to extend our reach
o
Question - some of the things you are doing remind me of the participatory defense programs. No one from Numbers to Names is here, but they do a lot of good work. Are there resources for families currently incarcerates. Terra
– not yet – we are in the development phase. No program for families. Theresa – something that can help families know how to navigate the system would be helpful. Terra – have families come to court, that helps them to stay in touch and know what is going
on.
Government Shutdown
·
Brandon – Folks wanted some discussion about how the government shutdown is affecting
·
Dani Goodrich – Administer CSO on 19th and State Street. Contat -
perezd@dshs.wa.gov
·
A lot of information about the effect of the shutdown.
·
Doesn’t affect any cash benefit – like TANF and ABD, or working family support benefits.
·
SNAP – February benefits will arrive on folks cards on January 20th. People will get new February benefits as they normally would – they still are eligible and can get – but may be a limit to the amount available.
·
WIC – is WIC affected – F&S show how that is affected. (I’m not sure what F&S is – ed.)
·
Question – Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) recipeints – haven’t been getting HEN as was determined – is HEN affected by the shutdown. Dani – not affected by the shutdown – resources are up to the HEN provider.
·
DSHS – still seeing clients on the same day – processing new clients as quickly as possible. Things still working like normal
·
Kelley – Goodwill has 1,800 employees statewide – this is a big issue to us, as many are minimum wage and receive benefits. If the shutdown continues, they don’t know when benefits will be available again. We need to make sure
our clients/participant/employees extend those benefits as long as possible. We are anticipating substantial need that 2 weeks after the SNAP is distributed. HUD, and other housing benefits, not sure what is going on.
·
Sheila – SNAP – the Sumner Bonney Lake & East Pierce County is preparing for this and being proactive – they are ready to serve their community members.
·
Dan – I’m at the St Leos food pantry – they give out food every day.
·
Al – I’m worried about the Section 8 vouchers – will check on the status of things.
Planning for 2019
·
Brandon Chun, MDC
·
We are starting a new year – we have subcommittees. Looking at our goals.
·
We are looking at setting up a meeting with a new Pierce County Council Members.
·
If you are in PC District 1 – if you can come and chat with us who may have some stories or awareness .
·
Looking for new committees that you would like to lead and put together on behalf of the coalition
Reports
·
Phase I – not present
·
Phase II –
o
Opened up 4 new pallet shelters this week.
o
City if touring today – they are considering shutting down the site sometime this year.
Good of the Order
·
Goodwill – January 23rd is the next 253JobClub
·
Goodwill – the Tax assistance program is starting on the 29th
·
Kelly’s Veteran Job Fair – son got a job through Boeing through this
Coming Attractions
·
February 1st – Legislation, a day center, and committee work
·
February 8th – Coordianted Care and ?
·
February 15th – Open
·
February 22nd – Racism and Homelessness
·
March 1st – Joint meeting with Partnership for Transition Solutions
·
March 8th – Census 2020 – how to help make sure everyone is counted
·
March 15th – How do afghan blankets keep you warm – a journey into the science, magic and art of blankets intentionally designed with holes, but keep you so toasty.
Restaurant Review
I met a lot of new foods when I went to college. Indian was a major revelation for me. I ate a lot of Indian food in college. Like, a lot. I was always on a bit of a tight budget, and when I couldn’t afford going out for Indian, I
could always make it. And I made a lot of Indian food. Like, a lot. As far as I’m concerned, Indian food is the tastiest, healthiest comfort food out there. Tacoma doesn’t have nearly the number of Indian food restaurants it ought to (and no descent Indian
groceries). There really is only has one Indian restaurant, but thankfully it is well worth the visit. Gateway to India (2603 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA -
https://gatewaytoindiarestaurant.com/ ) has been turning out great dishes for at least a couple decades now. The extended family that runs it is lovely, and they really created a comfortable place to enjoy
a meal. They’ve been an active part of the community for as long as I’ve been around, and I seldom visit Gateway when I don’t bump into someone I know. Gateway turns out the classic Indian dishes you’d expect – Pakoras, Naan, samosas, matter paneer, Masalas,
tandoori, lamb Korma (love it), Biryanis, etc. They have a lunch buffet, which, like all buffets, is good if you hit it at peak usage. Gateway to India doesn’t have the innovative dishes that Bombay Bistro did (but not the crazy high prices of the short
lived Bombay Bistro, either), but puts out reliable food you’ll be happy to return to again and again. I can’t help but miss C.J., the beloved greeter, who passed away a couple years back, a victim of depression. He lit the dining room up with his warmth
and kindness. It was worth visiting just to see C.J. R.I.P. We occasionally eat at the restaurant, but take out is much more common. Typically my wife handles takeout, and her usual order is Veggie Pakora (veggie fritters in a chickpea batter – freakin’
amazing), naan (a flat bread), Mutter Paneer (peas and homemade cheese in a creamy tomato sauce), a Biryani (a sort of rice pilaf dish – she doesn’t like it, but if I’ve been a good boy, she’ll order it for me), and something for the hard-core carnivores in
the house- like tandoori chicken (essentially BBQ chicken). If she’s feeling hungry when she orders, she’ll get Baingan Ka Bharta (a sort of stewed eggplant dish) – which is just the goopy goodness that sets my wife’s heart a flutter. Anyway, lovely ambiance
(or do take-out), lovely family, and food you’ll enjoy.
Attendees
·
Brandon Chun, Metropolitan Development Council
·
Brian Green, Olive Crest - Safe Families
·
Reggie George, retired drug and alcohol counselor
·
Emily Less, Tacoma Pierce County Health Department
·
Keith Galbraith + Muppet, Family Renewal Center
·
Barbara Kaelberer, Advocate
·
Sheila Miraflor, Molina Healthcare
·
Pamm Silver, Molina HealthCare
·
Brandon Ault, Catholic Community Services
·
Sandra Sych, Pierce County AIDs Foundation
·
Carlos Castanon, Comprehensive Life Resources
·
Greta Brackman, Comprehensive Life Resources
·
San Pierce County AIDS Foundation
·
Mitch Austin, Valeo Vocation
·
Yvette Kung Kagam, The Homes of Naome
·
Valentinya Germer, Comprehensive Life Resources
·
Ivette Perez-Morales, Associated Ministries
·
Daniel Gross, Pierce County, ADR
·
Daniel Howell - Ran a homeless shelter in Chicago – social service for 25 years. This is the worse homeless situation I’ve ever seen – I volunteer at St Leo’s food bank – I’m hands on, not in the office trying to figure it out
– I see the desperation every day – I’m mad about this. Need a university for homeless people – I’m going to get started on that
·
Theresa Power-Drutis, New Connections
·
Keidrick O’Bannon, City of Tacoma
·
Matthew Jorgensen, City of Tacoma
·
William Stinson, Catholic Community Services
·
Byron Corzo, Comprehensive Life Resources
·
Jane McKittrick, Catholic Community Services
·
Patty Schneider, Catholic Community Services
·
Al Ratcliffe, Me
·
Abiodun Faleke, Tacoma Rescue Mission
·
Rosemary Powers, New Connections
·
Andrea Beale, City of Puyallup Municipal Court
·
Terra Moulton, City of Puyallup, City Attorney’s Office
·
Patricia Menzies, Tent City Tacoma
·
Bruce Morris, Transportation Commission, Tacoma Fire Department Chaplain
·
Bill Bruno, Catholic Community Services
·
Marybeth McCarthy, Tacoma Community College
·
Taniesha Lyons, Tacoma Community College
·
Jessica Hall, Greater Lakes Mental Health
·
Trisha Munson, Greater Lakes Mental Health
·
RoxAnne Simon, Safe Streets
·
Richard Berghammer, Fellowship Bible Church
·
Norman Brickhouse, Goodwill
·
Alex Shinneman, Goodwill
·
Norman Brickhouse, Goodwill
·
Kelly Blucher, Goodwill
·
Terra Island, Metropolitan Development Council
·
Heather Fahsholtz, Comprehensive Life Resources
·
Janie Cantu, Comprehensive Life Resources
·
Don Pitchfork, House of Prayer
·
Larry Seaquist, League of Women voters
·
Alice Sofiasdiakonos, Industrial Workers of the World
·
Sheila Miraflor, Molina Heathcare
·
Danielle Goodrich, Department of Social and Health Services
Gerrit F. Nyland
Director of Client Information Systems, SW
Catholic Community Services of Western Washington
Mobile: 253-304-5105