Chambana Sun

Champaign County Board Community Violence Prevention Task Force met April 24

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Committee Members:

Present 

Samantha Carter

Aaron Esry

Stephanie Fortado

Jenny Lokshin

Ed Sexton

Diane Michaels

Kyle Patterson

Absent

County Staff: Michelle Jett (Director of Administration), Megan Robison (Recording Secretary)

Agenda Items

I. Call to Order

Committee Chair Patterson called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.

II. Roll Call

A verbal roll call was taken, and a quorum was declared present.

III. Approval of Agenda/Addendum

MOTION by Ms. Carter to approve the agenda; seconded by Ms. Lokshin. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

IV. Approval of Minutes

A. July 12, 2022

MOTION by Mr. Esry to approve the minutes of July 12, 2022; seconded by Ms. Carter. Upon vote, the

MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

V. Public Participation

None

VI. Communications

None

VII. Presentations

A. Chamber of Commerce – iRead iCount Program

Laura Weis, President and CEO, and Madeline Herrman, Public Policy Director, gave details of how the iRead iCount program works and stated they hope to close the achievement gap. They explained the correlation between reading/math literacy and juvenile delinquency. They listed the statistical data from their 2019 pilot and are requesting funds to cover a three-year program for the total cost of $320,160.

Ms. Lokshin asked if they have plans to expand to other schools outside of Champaign and Urbana. Ms. Weis explained that they would love to expand but they need to get the program cemented before they can expand. Ms. Fortado asked how confident they are that they can spend all of these funds before the end of 2026. Ms. Weis explained they really want to get a full snapshot of kindergarten through third grade and that the schools are working hard to make this program work. She also explained this is the

Chamber’s long-term strategy for workforce development.

B. Champaign County Stand-down for Veterans

Cheryl Walker, Post #2019 Commander, explained that a stand-down is a community-based intervention event for at-risk veterans and what type of resources are provided during these events. She shared statistics of homelessness and the violence that the homeless encounter. They are requesting $10,000 to hold a one-day event.

Ms. Fortado asked when they would be holding this event and Ms. Walker explained they would like to do this event in October. Ms. Fortado also mentioned the new legislation on how much money is to be given to the Veterans’ Assistance Commission and suggested that these veteran programs could be shifted to that funding instead of ARPA funding.

C. CU Trauma & Resilience Initiative

Karen Simms, Executive Director, explained that CU TRI is funded to be the front-end of the local community violence response effort and what people receive when they come to CU TRI. Their current funding is for the City of Champaign, and they hope to be able to provide crisis support to the entire County. She gave details of the many programs that they have to offer.

Ms. Michaels asked questions about the budget and how they cover the costs of different services outside of the personnel. Ms. Simms explained how they try to leverage funding from multiple entities and also explained how they are investing in people to continue to do this work when this funding ends.

D. Cunningham Township’s Bridge to Home Program

Danielle Chynoweth, Cunningham Township Supervisor, gave statistics of the housing and safety challenges in Champaign County, the details of the Bridge to Home program, and some successes of the program. They are requesting for the ARPA funds help with Emergency and Transitional Housing components of their program and the request is for $882,000.

Ms. Michaels asked about accepting families from outside of Urbana and Ms. Chynoweth explained that they would prioritize Urbana families, but others would be welcome when there are openings. Ms. Chynoweth also explained she has ideas on how to cover the costs of staff after ARPA funding ends.

E. East Central Illinois Building Trades

Kevin Sage, President, spoke about the good jobs with benefits and how those help with community violence. He wants to start an apprenticeship program and he gave the details of this program. His request is for $249,500.

Ms. Michaels mentioned how the schools used to have programs like this and wondered if he could partner with the schools and give the kids some school credits while also learning some of the trades. Mr. Sage explained they are currently sponsoring a class at Parkland for high school students to earn dual credit and learn about the trades. He also explained this current request is for people that are no longer in school. Ms. Fortado believes connecting all of these trade programs could be a game-changer for our County. Mr. Sage explained that this is not only helping people get jobs, but it is also helping the contractors to find qualified employees. He believes the contractors would be willing to invest in the future and that there may also be some grant funding available for future sustainability.

F. H3 Coalition – Revised Budget

Marlon Mitchell, First Followers Executive Director, gave a presentation detailing what they have accomplished, what they plan to accomplish this year, and how they plan to sustain their program. His request through 2024 is for $1,090,331.88.

Ms. Michaels asked more specifics about their sustainability plans. Mr. Mitchell explained they are working with the City of Champaign and believes there would be other federal funding available after they show proof of concept.

G. Mahomet Area Youth Club (MAYC)

Brianna Buchanan, Executive Director, gave details of the club and how they help students. To continue their mission, they would like to establish a new after school program would be for first through ninth grade children and why their community needs this program. Their request is for $360,000 for three years of programming.

Mr. Patterson asked if there was a fee for the program and Ms. Buchanan explained their sliding scale costs and the different funding sources that they accept.

H. SLEEP Program

Ms. Fortado explained the SLEEP program from RPC and what they provide to residential neighborhoods. This is a program that has been implemented in Garden Hills and how this helps with safety. They are looking at Dobbins Downs, Scottswood and a neighborhood in Rantoul. She believes they would have around 500 households that would participate.

Ms. Carter explained everything that is provided with this program and how she thinks this has really helped in the Garden Hills neighborhood.

I. Stop the Violence Program for Veterans

Robbie Walker, VA Accredited Claims Agent, and Nicole Massey, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, gave a presentation requesting $500,000 annually over a three-year period for training and support for veterans and their families on PTSD. They gave the program purpose, goals, components, and the leadership team.

Ms. Fortado reminded everyone this type of program might do well under the new VAC funding requirements instead of in ARPA since it isn’t sustainable.

J. YWCA of Champaign County – Strive Program

Andrea Rundell, Executive Director, presented a video of a woman who had a bad background and explained how this program helped her to get a business administrator position. Ms. Rundell explained the issues with the digital divide and how this program helps to bridge the gap. Their request is for $50,000.

Ms. Michaels confirmed that the ask is for one year only. Ms. Carter suggested they reach out to work with the Housing Authority.

VIII. Other Business

A. Discussion of Funding Plans

Ms. Fortado suggested they think about all of these funding requests and come to the next meeting with a plan of action. She reminded the Task Force they have $2,407,963 to spend and what questions she will be asking when considering each program.

B. Future Meeting Date

The Task Force decided on May 22nd at 6:30 p.m. for their next meeting.

IX. Adjournment

Chair Patterson adjourned the meeting at 9:29 p.m.

https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/Community%20Violence%20Prevention/2023/230424_Meeting/230424Minutes.pdf