Human Service Council (HSC) Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 26, 2015
WELCOME: The SCHSC meeting started on Thursday, March 26, 2015. The following 24 people introduced themselves and/or signed in as attending the meeting. Nikki Lullman (Central Iowa Community Services), Julie Saxton (Places to Grow), Deb Russom (Friendship Ark Homes), Ashley Linduski (Job Corps), Ashley Mahlstedt (YSS), Kaylie Kraayenbrink (YSS), Ashley Kinkade (Story County Extension), Melody Griesdorn (MICA), Elise Murchison (LSI), Katy Johnson (Story County Extension) Tamra Jurgemeyer (CFR), Kim Combes (Combes Counseling Consulting), Cynthia Lidtke (ERP), Cris Broshar (CC R&R), Nicole Seid(Erly Ball), Anneke Mundel (DMACC), Sarah Constable (HIRTA), Sipele Quezada, Suzy McPherson, Natalie Hushemi (DECAT/CPPC), Cassandra Clyde (Drake University Headstart), Cari McPartland (The Salvation Army), Rachel Hanson (Childserve), Shannon Bardole (VWSC).
BUSINESS MEETING: Julie Saxton called the business meeting to order at 11:33 a.m.
Minutes from February 26, 2015 meeting: Tamera Jurgemeyer gave a motion to approve the minutes for February 26 and Nikki Lullman seconded it.
REPORTS:
TREASURER: Nikki Lullman gave the report and stated there was a balance of $1,610.64. The website was down for a while due to another payment that needed to be made to maintain it. This has been done and the website in up and running again.
RESOURCE GUIDE UPDATE: Sapele Quezada gave the report. There is a volunteer in place now to implement this data. Sapele Quezada handed out an update form for everyone to fill out. Please scan them and send them to Sapele or leave them today after the meeting. Sapele will also send a copy to the SCHSC secretary to be emailed out to everyone.
OLD BUSINESS:
POST TO SCHSC EVENT CALENDAR: You are able to post different events online that are going on in the community.
TRANSPORTATION BROCHURE: The new brochures will be printed soon.
NEW BUSINESS:
Co-Chair and Treasurer: Cassandra Clyde has been voted in as new co-chair and Nicole Seid has expressed interest as the treasurer.
Agenda: For those members that are new, the old format consisted of a main presenter and then two spot lights that would talk about their organization. This year there is a sign-up sheet for agencies to sign up and have a theme each month.
There was discussion that the people liked the new format. This will be put on the agenda to be voted on in May.
Money for church to use space: Cari McPartland made the motion to give the church money not to exceed $100.00 Tamera Jurgemeyer seconded, it was passed.
Mini grants- Four grants consisting $200.00 will be awarded to four agencies/groups to be used within Story County. The deadline to get the applications in is April 30. There will be a volunteer panel to look over the applications to review them and decide which four agencies/ groups would receive these mini grants. The following people volunteered for this committee: Elise Murchison, Tamra Jurgemeyer, Cassandra Clyde and Ashley Kinkade.
Julie explained the option for a lunch instead of an ice cream social when we end for the year. Subway would cost$5.00/person for a 6 inch sub, cookie and chips. The Café would be $8.25-12.25/person for their lunch. There was a motion to purchase from Subway.
Sign-up sheets for April and May are on the table. Please sign up.
1. Disability Services Month: Tamra Jurgemeyer handed out brochures about their agency. She has done therapy for over 20 years. Tamra gave a descriptive definition of self-harm. The myth is a self-harmer wants to commit suicide or for attention. It is really their way to manage emotions.
People with these mental health issues may be at risk for self-harm: mood disorders, victims of abuse or bullying, loss or grieving, academic or job performance anxiety, family discord, isolation or rejection.
This may spill over to your kids, work, I have to be perfect or I can’t fail or I can’t feel anything. Doing self-harm helps some people get in touch with their feeling when they are overwhelmed.
Disassociate- If they self-harm brings them back to here and now.
I’m worthless-I deserve this- I hate my body.
Cutting yourself gives you some relief because of the endorphins.
I feel nothing- by cutting they feel something.
I will hurt myself instead of hurting others.
Treatment-Medication and psychotherapy is the best combination and best success.
Cognitive behavioral therapy- address those beliefs of why they feel the way they do and why they do this. The therapist needs to go to the pain and give them options of other ways to handle the strong emotions. A question was asked if a person doesn’t like their therapist what should they do? Tamra explained this person has a right to have a therapist who they trust.
2. MICA nutrition was not able to attend the meeting.
3. Changes happening with Human Services. 10 county area- Nikki handed out a brochure to help with questions you may have.
4. Social Worker’s perspective- Ken Combes Nurtured Heart Approach
Kim has been in this field for 35 years. He and his wife have opened their house to foster care. They now have five adopted children. Kim presented the Nurtured Heart Approach. He will be conducting classes on this for three consecutive Mondays; April 3, 10 and 17. He will also do this again on three consecutive Mondays in May; 4, 11 and 18. These seminars will be at the First Baptist Church, 200 Lynn Avenue in Ames. There will be a light supper at 5:30pm with the seminar to follow from 6:00-8:00. If you are interested, please call Amy at MICA.
The Nurtured Heart Approach is a set of core methodologies originally developed for working with the most difficult children. It has become a powerful way of bringing inner wealth to all children while facilitating parenting and classroom success. The approach is simple and accessible. It will help neutralize negative behavior, energize positive behavior in meaningful ways and demonstrate fair and consistent boundaries. This kind of approach can work in many settings and be used for any age.
Kim used an analogy of an iceberg- top above the water is 10% and 90% is under the water. You see 10% of behaviors, how do we get to the 90% underneath the water? Come up with reward systems, will they work or won’t they?
It takes trust. He started to text his adult children to try this approach. Within days his children had opened up to him on what they went through in their abuse.
In Cerro Gordo County by using this system- bullying went down, abscentism went down and the teachers were enjoying teaching again.
Testimonials within a week of using this.
Shamuing- Put bar 10 feet under the water. Associated getting fish with that part of the pool. Moved the bar and Shamu still got fish. Kept moving the bar up as Shamu learned where the bar went he also got fish.
Julie Saxton shared a story of using this technique. She positively rewarded a child for something good she did before addressing the negative behavior.
What do you do because it sounds like you are being sarcastic? You are modeling. If the kids know that you are genuine, they will open up. You have to do this for everybody. Some kids may say, why is the troubled kid getting all this attention? Give out the good stuff for even sharing. Give out attention for positive behavior too.
Agency Sharing- DMACC partnered with United Way for anyone from the area trainings. Partnering with local businesses on careers. Offer classes for GED and ESL.
Family Fest is April 11.
Cassandra Clyde-Drake Head start program- now taking applications-
Elise Murchison- People Place- Handouts for programs they offer.
Ashley Linduski- Job Corps- Handed out a brochure and a handout to explain how they can serve people.
Kaylie Kraayenbrink at Youth and Shelter Services- Brochures from Stork’s Nest and Healthy Features
End of Meeting 1:00 p.m.