Safety Net Alliance of Northern Kentucky Meeting Report

January 15, 2014

Welcome

Lunch provided thanks to the Butler Foundation

Welcome and Introductions (Sign in and verify agency info)

Presentation

New Methadone Clinic

Feature Presenter: Northern Kentucky Med Clinic – Jessica Allender, Jessie Ellis

  • Located in Covington, KY since August 2013
  • Serving opiate addicted adults by liquid methadone treatment – has patients from KY, IN, OH
  • 18-24 months to complete the program; requires patients to come to the clinic every day, as well as weekly drug screenings, counseling, and group meetings
  • Methadone is a preferable treatment (to other treatments like suboxone) , especially for heavier users; lasts 24-36 hours, blocks a high if the person was to use heroin again, and has very minor side effects such as dry mouth and diarrhea
  • Cost is $15 per day – covers the cost of all treatments
  • Patient must initiate the transfer from other locations or treatment clinics, if they’re not already in Kentucky; Ride-sharing program available for and by the current patients

News Desk Update -- VISTA Role and Transition

  • The Web Committee discussed how to transition in the staffing change in February when Gabbi Lanza finishes her VISTA placement
  • There may be a gap in this position from February to September 2014
  • The VISTA Role is about capacity building and creating sustainable solutions
  • User, Admin and Super Admin roles on the web portal were explained to make the web portal a more self-sufficient system
  • Many useful training materials for the website are available at the bottom of the Resource List on the Safety Net web portal

2014 Blueprint for KY’s Children

  • Mike Hammons of Children Inc. said child care proponents are rallying to restore funding to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), and to lift the freeze on applications
  • CCAP helps low-income families access quality child care by covering part of the cost of child care for parents who are working or receiving educational training
  • More information at

Committee Updates

Impact and Marketing Committee

  • Next meeting on 1/23 at Brighton Center’s Family Center (799 Ann St, Newport, KY) at 3:30PM
  • Gathering data on our collective impact; creating collateral materials

Work Supports Committee

  • This committee’s goal is to increase the number of individuals enrolled in public benefits for which they are eligible
  • Will be starting a pilot project for on-site benefit enrollment for SNAP and kynect; will be emailing identified agencies soon
  • Partnering with Gateway CTC for training in March 2014
  • Will be assisting with providing technology resources for these agencies

Executive Committee

  • Presentations have been planned for this year’s meetings, based on feedback from agencies at November’s meeting
  • Considering ways to share information for what happens in the Safety Net world throughout the year
  • February’s meeting may become the SNA’s Annual report meeting

Furniture Task Force

  • Next meeting at noon on 1/23 at Brighton Center’s Family Center (799 Ann St, Newport, KY) – lunch provided.
  • Last meeting was very productive; gathering baseline information and tracking existing area resources

New – Transportation Barrier

  • Concerns have been circulating about transportation as a major barrier for clients
  • Safety Net partners will be meeting with TANK, and other agencies to address this issue

Food Committee

  • Prioritized refrigeration access as a goal for this year
  • Looking for shared cooler space, and looking into funding dollars to possibly buy or rent

Member Announcements

  • Covington Business Council panel discussion on the Safety Net Alliance – lunch provided, at The Madison 1/16/14 – featuring members of the SNA Executive Committee
  • Children’s Advocacy Rally 1/16/14 at the Capitol in Frankfort, KY
  • ITNGreaterCincinnati provides transportation for individuals over 60, or those with visual impairment – there is a fee, but they do have scholarships
  • K-Count (counting unsheltered individuals) will be on January 29th (groups will be organized at Homeward Bound shelter on January 22nd)
  • Town Hall meeting on heroin
  • Tamar’s Place is a safe haven for active sex workers, located in Over the Rhine – looking to expand to Newport or Covington, trying to rent a room
  • FreestoreFoodbank’s Leadership Institute for Pantries is coming up
  • Vision2015 (plan for Northern Kentucky) featured in The Enquirer today – SNA members should consider getting involved in this

Next Meeting Date

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

12:00PM-1:30PM

St. John’s UCC Newport

Presentation Topic

Northern Kentucky Health Department Services – Panel Discussion

Attendance

  1. 4C for Children – Michelle Nelson
  2. American Cancer Society – Rhonda Chisenhall
  3. American Red Cross – Chris Kelsen
  4. BAWAC – Marlene Gerding
  5. Be Concerned – Andy Brunsman, Paul Gottbrath
  6. Brighton Center – Taylor Bray, Lauren Copeland, Talia Frye, Becky Timberlake, Vickie Kennedy
  7. Butler Foundation – Barbara Schaefer
  8. Campbell County Fiscal Ct – Lisa Haines
  9. Catholic Charities – Brandy Medaugh
  10. CILO – Stefanie Theobald, Shenell Washington
  11. Cincinnati VA – Page Layman, Emily Hunt
  12. City of Covington – Maggie Volkering
  13. Family Promise – Lisa Desmarais, Jodi Penick, Monica Remmy
  14. First Church – Leigh Ann Luttrell
  15. FreestoreFoodbank – Sarah Celenza, Bob Littman
  16. Hosea House – Karen Yates
  17. Housing Authority of Covington – Steve Bradford
  18. ITNGreaterCincinnati – Kathy Nafus
  19. Life Learning Center – John Rhoads
  20. Mental Health America – Vicki Thatcher
  21. Newport Primary School Family Resource Center – Molly Wesley-Chevalier
  22. NKCAC Head Start – Natasha Bigl, Samantha Roll, Sherry White
  23. NKCAC Campbell – Glenda Dishman
  24. NKCAC Kenton – Tammy Jacobson
  25. NKY Health Department – Sophia Black, Bob Ford, Kelly Giesbrecht
  26. NorthKey – Camille Croweak
  27. Pantry of Hope – Brandy Medaugh
  28. Safety Net Alliance of NKY – Gabbi Lanza
  29. Safety Net Alliance of Clermont County – Ruchi Bawa
  30. Senior Services of NKY – Mike Dutle, Tricia Watts
  31. St. Augustine Parish Outreach – Charlene Melihercik
  32. St. Bernard Food Pantry – Dennis Daniel
  33. St. John’s Church Newport – Wanda Quinn
  34. St. Paul’s Church Food Pantry – CordeliaKoplow
  35. Tamar’s Place – Pam Rouster
  36. United Ministries – Becky Ewing, John Jenkins
  37. United Way of Greater Cincinnati – Correy Eimer
  38. Vineyard Christian Church – Pam Rouster
  39. Welcome House – Justin Beale, Lin Delfino
  40. WellCare – Elizabeth Starr
  41. Women’s Crisis Center – Kristy Dangel
  42. Guest: Kenton County Alliance – Lisa Anglin
  43. Guest: NKY Med Clinic – Jessie Ellis, Jessica Allender
  44. Guest: Apprisen – David Johnson
  45. Guest: Chafee – Libby Hawkins
  46. Guest: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – Kirk Porter
  47. Guest: Mae Corbin, Charlie Corbin, Lori Purtell, Emely Ortiz, Mike Hammons

Record-high attendance: 65 individuals