SR-106-032-02 (4)
NS:BJS'sh
Counc i 1 Mtg. 10-12-82
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/{J6-03Z~0'Z-
Santa Monica, Cal jfornia
10 -A
OCT 1 2 1982
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Report from Social SerVices Commission Regarding the
Initial Activities of the Commission and Proposed Goals,
Roles and Responsibil ities of the City for Human Services
I n trod uc t i on
This report transmits a document from the Social Services Co~mission recommending
that Council approve, in concept, the Initial activities of the Commission,
review the Commission's proposed role for the City in human services, and inform
the Commission if the proposed guidelines are consistent with the Council IS
philosophy and intended role for the Commission. The purpose of the CommiSSion's
report is twofold--to inform the Council of Commission activities to date and to
initiate a discussion on the role of the City in the total human services del ivery
system in Santa Monica
Background
In the Spring of 1982, the City Council appointed seven members to the newly-
created Social Services Commission Since that time, the new CommiSSion has
met monthly in regular session and has also held a number of ad hoc subCOMmittee
meetings for the purpose of developing an overall philosophy and set of objectives
for the Commission, as ~"ell as specific activities addressing these objectIves for
the first year of the Co~ission's existence. Because this is the first time
the City has formed a commission to address SOCial services ISSues in general
(as opposed to issues of specific seg~ents of the community such as women and
senior citIzens), the Commission has seriously considered its intended role and
considers the first year as critIcal in the development of a viable and useful
Commission. Thus, a large amount of time has been devoted to the development
/O-A
of a planning document that ItJill guide the CommiSSion during the year and. as
OCT 1 ~ 1982
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Mayor and City Council
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10-12-82
appropriate, in subsequent years as well. As discussed in the attached report,
this detailed document will be final ized on October 27 at the Commission's
next regular meeting. In finalizing the plan, Commissioners felt it appropriate
to transmit the attached information to the Council for review and com~ent.
Discussion
The attached report emphasizes the need for the City to define its role in the
del ivery of human services and also proposes the development of a "Human Services
Plan" for the City. The prototype for this proposal comes from the City of
Gardena. well known for its active role in the planning and delivery of social
services to its residents. Gardena's HUMan Resources Commission, charged with
a mission similar to that of the Social Services Com~ls5ion, sponsored a planning
process through the use of a large inter-agency task force. This resulted in
a Hu~an Services Plan that has since guided the City and other agencies in the
planning, implementation and evaluation of social services in the community and
resulted in a number of coordinated efforts between agencies.
While the Social Services Commission recognizes the unique characteristics and
needs of the Santa Monica community and the necessity to develop a process of
Commission involvement that may substantially differ from that of Gardena, It
has determined that in order to begin any comprehensive activities In the
community, it would be useful to define the Cityls general philosophy toward
human services and delineate those flexible roles that the City may under-
take in this area. Hence the attached report proposing these roles and
responsibilities. Establishing a formal. yet flexible "stance" is of particular
importance given the increasing involvement of the City Counci1, City staff and
various Commissions in social service issues and the subsequent perception by
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Mayor and City Council
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10-12-82
the community and social service providers that the City is an active player,
and oftentimes leader, in social services issues. While the proposed del inea-
tion is not intended to serve as a legal mandate or firm commitment by the
City to provide specific services to the community, It would serve to provide
a general direction to City staff and Commissions in developing cooperative
efforts with community groups and agencies and in providing leadership in the
area of social and human services.
Recom~endation
City staff recommends that the Council review the attached report from the
Social Services Commission and provide comnents to the Co~nission as appropriate.
It is assuned that CIty Council accepts-and endorses this report and attached
document unless objections to the contrary are raised. It is expected that members
of the Commission wi1l be in the audience if there are any concerns.
Prepared by. Barbara J. Stinchfield
Attachment
Council r1tg, }o-12-82 e
e
AOD fO JD-A
Santa Monica, California
DeT 1 2 1982
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
Social Services Commission
SUBJECT:
Initial Activities of Social Services Commission and Proposed
Goals~ Roles and ResponsibiJities of the CIty for Human Scrv1ce~
Introduction
The Social Services Commission has completed its fourth monthly meeting? in
\
addition to a number of ad hbc committee meetings, and would like to provide
the City Council with a summary of its act~\iliC's to date. He \./ouJd like to
share what we as a Commissiop think the role of the City regarding social
services ought to be.
Initial Activities
Our activities to date have included:
o Adoption of Rules and Procedures for meetings of the Commissiono
o EJection of permanent, presiding officer~.
o Identification by each Co~missioner of Some specific areas of concern
in terms of meeting unmet needs in the community as a base for future
planning and discussion.
o Discussion of what each of us see as the Commission's role, as welT
as short and long-term objectives.
o Discussion of some methods for achieving coordination of Commission
activities \l'lith community planning grnups and other City commissions.
o Determination of vat'iotis methods that can be e'Tlployed to encourage and
maximize citizen participation in CommissiOll activities.
o Formulation of a planning document detailing the philosophy, basic
objectives and corresponding activities of tne Commission for the first
year of operation. An outline of this document is included in this report
A(;)D 70 1011
OCT 1 ;; 1982
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Mayor and City Council
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10-12-82
as AttachmentA. Specific activities~ timeframe and implementing
groups are currently being finalized and will be approved at the
Commission's October meeting.
Proposed Role of the City in Human Services
We have also reviewed the Ordinance passed by the Council which created this
Conmission. We would now like to suggest the fol,lowing broad goals~ respon-
"
sibilities and roles for the City to adopt in regard to social services. We
believe that these suggestions are consistent with the spirit of the ordinancet
and they are intended to further emphasize w~at has already been stated therein.
We suggest that it should be the City's goal to enable atl of the residents of
Santa Monica to take more effective control over their own lives and actively
participate in a community in which their rights and abilit:es to define their
own needs, determine their own priorities and have those priorities met are
*1
insured.
We further suggest that the City, as the closest unit of government to the
people, has the responsibility of insuring that human services shall be delivered
. .. b d h . d *2
to Its Citizens, ase on t elr nee s.
We recommend that the City establish a Human Services Plan. The goals of this
plan shall be to insure every citizen the opportunity to obtain a decent place
in which to live. a proper diet, the protection and care needed in childhood,
quality schooling~ fulfilling employment, dignity and security in the senior
years, a healthy and safe environment, ample cultural and recreational facilities,
and an atmosphere that encourages peaceful diversity in thought and action.
e
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Mayor and City Council
- 3 -
10-12-82
Recognizing all of these goals and responsibilities. the City. with the assistance
of the Social Services Commission. may assume a combination of flexible roles.
These include:
o Assessing human needs. in cooperation with other City Commissions.
community members and agen~y representatives.
o Acting as a catalyst when necessary. to generate the interest and
\
commitment among aPRropriate organizations to insure that a high
qual ity of services is actually delivered.
o Educating the community as to the availability of social services, in
cooperation with service providers.
o Coordinating the necessary public and private resources to success-
fully address a community need.
o Acting as an advocate that other agencies, both public and private,
provide their mandated services.
o Acting along with citizen and consumer representatives as well as wit~
other providers of services as an evaluator of services delivered to
to ensure that they are appropriate and meeting the needs identified.
o Finally, the City may also directly provide services, but only in cases
where no other appropriate agencies are able to do so in the most
effective and efficient manner.*3
In order to fulfill the roles and responsibilities proposed here. we suggest
that it be the pol icyof the City. with the assistance of the Social Services
Commission. to generate the necessary provider - consumer planning. implementation.
and evaluation of services provided to Santa Monica residents to insure that these
services are in fact meeting the needs and priorities of the people.
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Mayor and City Council
- 4 -
10-J2-82
Recommendation to the City Council
The Social Services Commission recommends that the City Council,
1. Approvet in concept, the activities of the Social Services
Commission to date.
2. Discuss the general guideJines in this report and inform "the Social
Services Commission if these general guidelihes are consistent with
the Council's phil~sophy and intended role for this Commission.
Prepared by: Social Services Commission
BJS:wl
Attachment
*1 Excerpt from an informal letter containing suggestions for the Commission,
by Ariana Manov.
*2 Adopted from the Human Services Plan. City of Gardena, California, by the
Gardena Inter-Agency Task Force, Nov. 1977, p.4.
*3 Ibid.
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Attachment A
Outline of
Social Services Commission
Philosophy and Objectives
Policy Statement: The Social Services Commisslon1s primary responsibility and
allegiance is to all the residents of the City of Santa Monica, and consistent
with this policy, the Commission shall commIt to an ongoing dialogue with the
grass-roots, perhaps historically non-vocal and under-represented population
base, giving their concerns as much val idity as those of other commissions,
agencies, and other vested interest groups.
Objective 1: TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL SERVICE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY-at-LARGE.
Objective 2: TO PROVIDE THE CITY WITH INPUT ON HUMAN SERVICES PLANtllNG AND
FUNDING PRIORITIES.
Objective 3: TO CREATE COOPERATIVE AND INNOVATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH PRIVATE
SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER CITY COMMISSIONS IN ORDER TO
MAXIMIZE AND COORDINATE THE USE OF SCARCE COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
Objective 4: TO MAINTAIN HIGH VISIBILITY iN THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO CREATE
A PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ACTIviTIES BY THE COMMISSION AND TO ALLOW
FOR MAXIMUM PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN COMMISSION ACTIVITIE~.
A number of initial activities have been formulated by the Co~mission to meet
these objectives. Each activity Includes a detail of those steps necessary to
implement the actiVity, the timeframe for the activity and delegation of respon-
sibil ity for planning and implementation to a specific group. This document will
be final rzed at the October Commission meeting and when approved, forwarded to
the Council.
. Council Mtg. lO-l2-82 ~
e
A () D To
ID-A
Santa Monica, California
lOb ---& 3Z-pz.-
OCT 1 2 1982
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: ~ ~ervices COf!l~!~~!Q-"L
SUBJECT: Initial Activities of Social Services Commission and Proposed
Goals. Roles and Responsibilities of the City for Human Service~
Introduction
The Social Services Commission has completed its fourth monthly meeting, in
\
addition to a nUfTlber of ad hbc committee meetings, and would 1 ike to provide
the City Co~nc;~ \>-"H, ;3 SUJTlfna,y of Irs oct!' ii..ic~ to date. lie; wOI~lcl lIb;: to
share what we as a Commission think the role of the City regcllding social
services ought to be.
Initial Activities
Our activities to date have included
o AdoPtion of Rules and Procedures for mE'et ings of the Commission,
o Election of permanent, presiding officers.
o Identification by each CO"lmissioner of some specific areas of concern
in terms of meeting unmet needs in the community as a base for future'
planning and discussion.
o Discussion of what each of us see as the Commission's role, as well
as short and long-term objectives.
o Discussion of some methods for achieving coordination of CQ~mission
activities \-Jith community planning groups and other City commissions.
o Determination of various methods that can be employed to encourage and
maximize citizen participation in Commission activities.
o Formulation of a planning document detailing the philosophy, basic
objectives and corresponding activities of the Commission for the first
year of ope ratioI'. An outline of this document is included in this report
Af;)D 70 10-11
OCT 1 :.. 1982
e
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Mayor and City Council
- 2 -
10-12-82
as Attachment A. Specific activities, tirneframe and implementing
groups are currently being finalized and will be approved at the
Commission's October meeting.
Proposed Role of the City in Human Services
We have also reviewed the Ordinance passed by the Council which created this
Commission. We would now like to suggest the fal,lowing broad goals, respon-
~
sibilities and roles for the City to adopt in regard to social services. We
believe that these suggestions are consistent with the spirit of the ordinance,
and they are intended to further emphasize what has already been stated therein.
We suggest that it should be the City's goal to enable all of the residents of
Santa Monica to take more effective control over their own lives and actively
participate in a co~munity in which their rights and abilities to define their
own needs, determine their own priorities and have those priorities met are
*1
insured.
We further suggest that the City, as the closest unit of government to the
peoples has the responsibility of insuring that human services shall be delivered
. .. . *2
to Its Citizens, based on their needs.
We recommend that the City establish a Human Services Plan. The goals of this
plan shall be to insure every citizen the opportunity to obtain a decent place
in which to live, a proper diet, the protection and care needed in childhood.
quality schooling, fulfilling employment. dignity and security in the senior
years, a healthy and safe environment, ample cultural and recreational facilities,
and an atmosphere that encourages peaceful diversity in thought and action.
e
e
Mayor and City Council
- 3 -
10-12-82
Recognizing all of these goals and responsibilities. the City. with the assistance
of the Social Services Commission. may assume a combination of flexible roles.
These include:
o Assessing human needs. in cooperation with other City Commissions.
community members and agen~y representatives.
o Acting as a catalyst when necessary. to generate the interest and
\
commitment among aPRropriate organizations to insure that a high
qUe,} i ty of $erv ices is actua 11 y delivered,
o Educating the community as to the availability of social services, in
cooperation with service providers.
o Coordinating the necessary public and prIvate resources to success-
fully address a community need.
o Acting as an advocate that other agencies. both public and private.
provide their mandated services.
o Acting along with citizen and consumer representatives as well as with
other providers of services as an evaluator of services delivered to
to ensure that they are appropriate and meeting the needs identified.
o Finally, the City may also directly provide services, but only in cases
where no other appropriate agencies a~e able to do so in the most
effective and efficient manner.*3
In order to fulfill the roles and responsibilities proposed here. we suggest
that it be the pol icyof the City. with the assistance of the Social Services
Commission. tQ generate the necessary provider - consumer planning, implementation.
and evaluation of services provided to Santa Monica residents to insure that these
services are in fact meeting the needs and priorities of the people.
e
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Mayor ard City Council
- 4 -
10-12-82
Recommendation to the City Council
TheSocial Services Commission recommends that the City Council-
1. Approve, in concept. the activities of the Social Services
Commission to date.
2& Discuss the general guid~ines in this report and inform 'the Social
Services Commission if these general guidelines are consistent with
the Council's philosophy and intended role for this Commission.
~
Prepared by: Social Services Commission
BJS:wi
Attachment
*1 Excerpt from an informal letter containing suggestions for the Commission.
by Ariana Manov.
*2 Adopted from the Human Services Plan. City of Gardena. California, by the
Gardena Inter-Agency Task Force. Nov. 1977. p.4.
*3 Ibid.
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Attachment A
Outline of
Social Services Commission
Philosophy and Objectives
Pol ICy Statement: The Social Services Com~issionl5 primary responsibility and
alleglarce IS to all the reside~ts of the City of Santa Monica, and consistent
with this policy, the Comnlssion sha1l commit to an ongoing dialogue with the
grass-roots, perhaps historically non-vocal and under-represented popu1ation
base, giving their concerns as much val idity as those of other commissions,
agencies, and other vested interest groups.
Objective l' TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL SERVICE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY-at-LARGE.
Objective 2. TO PROVIDE THE CITY WITH INPUT ON HUMAN SERVICES PLANfllNG AND
FUNDING PRIORITIES.
Objective 3 TO CREATE COOPERATIVE AND INNOVATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH PRIVATE
SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER CITY COMMISSIONS IN ORDER TO
MAXIMIZE AND COORD1~ATE THE USE OF SCARCE COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Objective 4: TO MAI!~TAIN HIGH VISIBILITY iN THE COHMUNITY IN ORDER TO CREATE
A PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ACTIVITIES BY THE COMMISSION AND TO ALLOW
FOR MAXIMUM PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN COMMISSION ACTIV1TIE~_
A nu~ber of initial activities have been formulated by the Conmission to meet
these objectives. Each activity includes a detail of those steps necessary to
implement the activity, the timeframe for the activity and delegation of respon-
sibil ity for planning and implementation to a specific group. This document will
be finalized at the October ComMission meeting and when approved, forwarded to
the Council.
e
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Social Services Com~ission
Objectives and Initial Activities
Policy Statement: The Social Services Com~issionts priMary responsibil ity and
allegiance is to all the residents of the City of Santa Monica, and consistent
with this pol icy, the Commission shall commit to an ongoing dialogue with the
grass-roots, perhaps historically non-vocal and under-represented population
base, giving their concerns as much validity as those of other commissions,
agencies and other vested interest groups.
(1) Objective: TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL SERVICE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
Activity 1: Survey of Needs
Survey Committee: PreparatIon, dissemination and evaluation
of survey, presentation of summary report.
Public Affairs Com~ittee: Campaign in support of survey.
Timeframe: December 1982- Social Service Commission approval of
survey methodology.
January 1983-Publicity/distribution
February 1983-Receipt and analysis
March 1983-Presentation, summary report
Activity 2: Social Service Agency Presentations
Commission: Schedule additional Social Service Commission
meeting-each month from December 1982 through April 1983 at
which 18 funded/non-funded agencies per meeting will present
10 minute summaries of history, purpose, goals and activities
based on standard format.using review/selection criteria
for FY 1982-83. Those agencies not wishing to appear may prepare
their presentation on tape.
Staff :
sionls
Schedule Agencies and develop visual mediu~ for Com~i-
use in recording data on needs and services.
(2) Objective: PROVIDE CITY WITH INPUT ON HUMAN SERVICES PLANNING1FUNDING
Activit1 l: In anticipation of budget cuts for social service programs,
develop funding guidelines for use by the City in making final
funding decisions for FY 1983-84 and for use in developing
"Requests for Proposals" in subsequent years.
Social Service commi.. n
Objectives and Initi ctivities
Page Two
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Needs Report Committee: Integrate results of survey with
Gardena Human Services Plan and other reports to produce a
list of funding priorities.
Timeframe: November 1982 - April 1983
Activity 2: Review Of grant funding recommendations
Commission: If desired by the City, consider agency requests
for funding and transmit endorseMents
Timeframe: April/May 1983
Activity 3: Develop long-range goals and human service priorities for use
in future planning and funding activities.
Needs Report Committee: Integrate results of activity l, with
Gardena Plan. other resources and including processes for
citizen participation. Prepare draft and present recommendations.
Timeframe: April 1983 -
Activity 4: On a discretionary basis. respond to a range of social service
issues at the requeSt of City staff. City Council social service
agencies and citizens.
(3) Objective: CREATE COOPERATIVE AND INNOVATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH PRIVATE
SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER CITY COMMISSIONS IN ORDER TO
MAXIMIZE AND COORDINATE THE USE OF SCARE COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
Activity I: Develop methods of private sector participation and recognition.
Commission: Meet with ranking business or organizatioos in
Santa Monica private sector in recognition of the Social
Services Commission's objective to respond to the needs of
the community-at-large, to validate the important role of the
private sector in the community. and to develop the possibil ities
of replacement or adjunctive financing for certain community
based projects.
Private Sector Committee: Form private sector advisory council.
Staff: Recommend procedures for 1 inking appropriate agencies
with private sector organizations interested in supporting special
social services activities or projects.
Timeframe: Ongoing.
Activity 2: Coordinate activities with other City Commissions in order to share
knowledge of community resources. innovate programs and to define
areas of cooperation.
Individual Commissioners. Assigned liaison duties with specific
cOm~issions.
Social Services Commi~on
Objectives and Initial Activities
Page Three
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(4) Objective: MAINTAIN RIGH VISIBiliTY IN THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO CREATE A
PUBLIC AWARENESS o~ ACTIVITIES BY THE COMMISSION AND TO ALLOW
FOR MAXIMUM PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION
ACTIVITIES.
Activity I: Develop publ ic information plan
Public Affairs Committee: Develop, propose public
information plan allowing for appropriate exposure
of the Commission, its plans and policies to community
at large and formulate and 'propose guidelines for use
by individual commissioners in their dealings with
media and public.
Timeframe: November/December 1982
Activity 2: Create publ ic information materials
Public Affairs Committee. Develop publ ic information
materials as specified in public Information plan.
Timeframe: January/February 1983
Activity 3: Disseminate information.
Public Affairs Com~ittee: Disseminate information,
fully implement plan.
Timeframe: Ongoing.
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