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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Commission on Persons with Disabilities - Meeting Date: 12/15/2009 COMMISSION ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES GLENDALE MAIN PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD ROOM 5959 WEST BROWN STREET GLENDALE,ARIZONA Meeting Minutes December 15, 2009 6:30p.m. Members Present: Gerald Zastrow Robert Muth Margaret Kulp Linda Yaeger Shirley Galvez Raymond Yaeggi Danielle Bohall Gary Charlson Mounib Shaaban, Vice Chairperson Ricki Ray, Chairperson Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Shannon Rodriguez-Yaeggi and Sylvia Charters, Human Resources, and Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary 1. Call to Order and Welcome The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:35pm. A quorum was present. 2. Sneaker Ms. Barbara Dawson, Executive Director, Mental Health America of Arizona, introduced herself and provided background information regarding her career and her affiliation with Mental Health. She explained there are three main programs offered by Mental Health America of Arizona, which has been assisting clients for over 100 years. This is a national organization with over 300 affiliates. Locally, there is a small staff of four persons. She handed out small bells, which represents a sign of hope as the symbol of the organization. Ms. Dawson explained the first program is Information and Referral. This assists those in need of guidance and direction in order to find the help they need. She continued by stating the second program is the Peer Support Groups. These Groups are available to those in need and free of charge. She said these Groups, currently there are fifteen, are facilitated by volunteers. She added these volunteers are trained and offer support to those participating in these Groups as Commission on Persons with Disabilities December 15, 2009 Page 2 well as any friends or family members that may also attend. She added there is no registration required and those wishing to participate may attend at any time. These Groups meet to discuss mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar, and many other diseases as well as post traumatic stress. Chairperson Ray asked how this organization is funded. Ms. Dawson stated that primary funding is received through United Way. In addition, the organization accepts grants and private donations. Also, fundraisers take place throughout the year. Ms. Dawson said the next program offered is called OPTIONS, Offering Parents and Teens Information On Needless Suicide. She added that Arizona is eighth in the country for teen suicides. She explained that untreated depression is the number one reason for suicide. Major changes or life crises are the main risk factor for teen suicide. She said of every five teenagers with mental illness, only one will seek medical attention. Sadly, for each complete teen suicide there have been 100-200 attempts by others. Commissioner Kulp asked if spiritual guidance was offered. Ms. Dawson said clients can be referred to someone that can provide them with spiritual guidance if needed or requested. Chairperson Ray asked if there has been a rise in clients due to the economy. Ms. Dawson said yes, there are persons that have lost their jobs and subsequently their health insurance. They now need assistance in finding other means to obtaining their medications. Ms. Dawson provided the Commission with information related to the organization and many different mental health issues. The Commission thanked her and appreciated her valuable information regarding mental illness. 3. Approval of Minutes from November 17, 2009,Meeting Minutes Chairperson Ray called for a Motion. Commissioner Kulp made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Yaeger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. New Business Chairperson Ray asked for approval of the 2010 Commission meeting schedule. Commission on Persons with Disabilities December 15, 2009 Page 3 Commissioner Yaeggi made a motion to accept the 2010 schedule as presented. Commissioner Zastrow seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Old Business Chairperson Ray stated that she will be submitting the annual report to the City Council and Government Services. She noted that the Goal Setting exercise which took place at the beginning of the year was very successful with most of the goals being met. Commissioner Galvez described an unfortunate situation regarding disabled parking at the arena. The Commission agreed that if you are attending an event at the arena, it is wise to call ahead and gather information regarding disabled parking. It is the responsibility of the arena as well as the City of Glendale Transportation Department to ensure that parking be easily accessed and available to those in need. Survey—Chairperson Ray asked for comments regarding the survey. The Commission agreed hard copies should be placed at the Adult Center and parks and recreation centers. Chairperson Ray volunteered to brainstorm with Marketing on various ways to publicize the survey and make it more visible. The Commission discussed the possibility of having volunteers that are willing to patrol parking lots and issue citations to those parked in disabled parking spaces that are illegally parked. The Commission decided that representatives from the Police Department should be asked to speak before the group regarding the process of recruiting volunteers that are assigned to disabled parking violations. Ms. Charters agreed to contact a representative. 6. Other Business From the Floor Ms. Charters distributed district maps to each commissioner. 7. Next meeting—January 19. 2010 With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:57p.m. Respectfully submitted, ,- Commission on Persons with Disabilities • December 15, 2009 Page 4 Diana Figueroa