Page 40 - Sonoma County Gazette March 2018.indd

Lower River Homeless Task Force Update
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors appropriated $1m in the 2017-18 scal year to address homelessness in the Lower Russian River area. $250,000 of that money was granted to West County Community Services by the Board of Supervisors for rapid re-housing. Supervisor Hopkins then convened 16 local experts, stakeholders and community members as the Lower Russian River Homeless Task Force to guide decisions about how to spend the remaining $750,000. $450,000 worth of grants have since been approved.
$221,000 was added to WCCS’ $250,000 for rapid re-housing e orts, totaling $471,000. $100,000 was granted to the Clean River Alliance for trash collec- tion; $58,000 was granted to Social Advocates for Youth for outreach to young adults struggling with a lack of housing; $50,000 to the Russian River Alliance for emergency relief with rent for local workers; and $20,000 to Russian River Area Resources and Advocates for coordination of community e orts to hous- ing access.
Members of the Lower Russian River Homeless Task Force reconvened
on Feb. 22nd to look at how to spend the remaining $300,000 in county grant money available for projects related to reducing the homeless population in the area. Members received an update on the current e orts underway by grant recipients, and well as a timeline for allocating the remaining $300,000 in grant money available. Chuck Mottern from CDC gave the Task Force an update on the progress made since the beginning of the year by the grant recipients.
The Guerneville Community Alliance reported that they have currently served three households, or ve adults and one child with emergency rent to prevent them from becoming homeless.
The Russian River Keeper/Clean River Alliance reported that they collected 6.94 tons (13,880 lbs.) of trash in the month on January, which included clean- ing up the Summer Bridge encampment. They said it was an unusually large amount due to the cold weather and the shelter opening. They anticipate on average cleaning up 2,800 lbs. per month, and are currently working with ap- proximately 38-40 people in the area from Mirabel to Monte Rio.
Social Advocates for Youth reported that they are currently partnering with HOST on supporting a mom and her 20 year old son, who are currently living in a trailer. They have also contacted 7 young people who have been screened in the last 6 months from the lower river area, three of which are being followed- up with for case management.
RRARA has reconvened monthly meetings among various groups trying to identify housing solutions.
Next Steps for the Task Force
The CDC plans to open another RFP to take proposals from groups to provide services that help with housing or other solutions to reduce homelessness in the lower river area beginning March 5th, with a deadline of April 2nd.
The Task Force will meet again on April 19th or 20th to select their recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, who will review the recommended proposals at the BOS meeting on either May 22nd or June 5th.
All vendors submitting bids will be vetted by the CDC staff prior to proposal review by the Task Force.
40 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 3/18
By Jennifer Duckhorn
It’s been a wonderfully productive few weeks. As was last reported by Lucy
Progress:
Hardcastle, the January 18th Board meeting was a packed house, with a lot of passion. During those two hours we heard from everyone. The Board President from the Sonoma County Office of Education, Herman Hernandez, shared hard facts about the many benefits to preschoolers, as well as the overall community, about children being educated in their local school. To quote Mr. Hernandez, “It is one of the, or may be, the best investment we can make locally.” The Board voted to overturn their previous decision to close the Preschool, and gave the audience the reassurance that the Preschool will be operating in the coming year. A sign-up sheet was passed through the packed room, for all of those who wanted to form a committee to support the Preschool. With that being taken care of, it was now time for all of us to “figure out” how this could look moving forward.
WCCS reported that they were currently serving 10 house- holds, or 51 people with their rapid re-housing e orts. They have helped place 8 adults and one child into housing, and are working with one other adult who is approved for a housing unit e ective March 1st. They have helped 16 adults and 10 children maintain housing, and are “working with” an additional 11 adults and four children.
The Preschool Committee came together on January 24th, with a “pure heart” and an unstoppable determination. The group was comprised of parents, a Sonoma County Librarian, Administrators, two Board Members, the Preschool Director, and community members. A well-rounded group of individuals with a “can do attitude” and a worthy mission at hand... “How do we make a strong program that parents want to enroll their students in?” First and foremost was to extend the hours. It was decided that opening the doors at 7:15 and closing at 5:45 was a much better fit for the working parents. Also, for those that preferred, they could enroll in a partial day program. We brainstormed the best way to send out the good news to the community .... Playhouse Preschool is alive and well! After all, it was mere days ago that parents thought there was no preschool.
On January 30th we met for our second meeting. It was time for efficient efforts, as the clock was ticking. The administration and program Director finalized the necessary staffing configuration, and the many ways we could recruit quality candidates. We believe that the enrollment will be high enough so the program can pay for itself, but in the unlikely event that it may fall short, the Board and Administration agree that FUSD will bridge the costs. As the meeting came to a close we had solidified our thoughts, and proofed the many revisions.
Over the next two days we were focused on finalizing the; brochure, web page, Facebook, and Pre-enrollment form. As well as, getting all of those paper copies printed. Thank you to the shop who printed 150 full-color brochures at no cost.
It was a mad rush, but we were “live” on February 2, ready for the public to receive all of the updated information; whether by print, computer, or smart- phone. At the most recent Board Meeting, on February 8th we shared all that had happened during three very short weeks. To those that attended, we were elated to hear the Board voice, “The goal is to have the program pay for itself, but the Board realizes that there may be a lean time and this program is worthy of covering the costs to keep it open.”
It was a great community effort, thank you to everyone who shared, acted, and came through in our time of need. It is now time to enroll your 3-5 year olds in the Playhouse Preschool, space is limited so don’t delay. Brochures and enrollment forms are available at many of our fine local businesses.
There is no worthier group than the children of Forestville, together we make a town where caring comes first. What a wonderful legacy!
If you would like to visit the Playhouse Preschool, give them a call at 707-887-9081, they will be scheduling tours during March.