Charlottesville                                                               Christine Gough, Chair
                                                                                    Kathryn Gallanosa, Vice Chair

      Social Services                                                              Board Members:
                                                                                   Lisa Brown

       Advisory Board                                                              Rebekah Menning
                                                                                   Janet Morrow
                                                                                   LD Perry
                                                                                   Cathee Johnson Phillips
    City of Charlottesville, City Hall Annex, P.O. Box 911,                        Mike Signer
                  Charlottesville, VA 22902                                        Judith Zeitler



                                                                MINUTES

                                              Charlottesville Department of Social Services
                                                             Advisory Board

                                                              October 28, 2019

Board Members Present: Lisa Brown, Kathryn Gallanosa, Christine Gough, Rebekah Menning, Janet Morrow,
LD Perry, Judith Zeitler
Board Members Absent: Cathee Johnson Phillips, Mike Signer
Staff Members Present: Diane Kuknyo, Laura Morris, Autumn Scott
Guests: Four students from UVA

The meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m.

Introductions:
The board welcomed four students from the University of Virginia’s Masters of Public Policy program.

Public Comment:
None

Approval of Meeting Minutes:
The September meeting minutes were approved with one correction under the members’ report. The section on
cultural humility training was revised to reflect that the question came from Mr. Perry.


Members’ Report:
Ms. Brown shared that Birth Sisters of Charlottesville is now accepting clients after completing some structural
changes with the help of a new fiscal sponsor, the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation. Ms. Brown will
send more information to the board with instructions on how to refer clients.

Ms. Brown also shared that the Charlottesville free clinic, Central Virginia free clinic, and University medical
associates have formed a primary care initiative/partnership and are looking to hire two full time navigator
positions. Ms. Brown recently attended a forum to discuss how the positions need to be structured and other
logistics. The community navigators will focus on connecting those who need medical assistance with primary
care services instead of emergency services.

Ms. Zeitler informed the board and guests of the upcoming Ken Hardy Training on November 4th and 5th and
shared that the training covers topics such as racial awareness, sensitivity, and racial trauma. Ms. Kuknyo added
that the training is more clinical focused and tailored towards mental health practitioners and is not open to the
public.
      Charlottesville                                                  Christine Gough, Chair
                                                                       Kathryn Gallanosa, Vice Chair

      Social Services                                                  Board Members:
                                                                       Lisa Brown

       Advisory Board                                                  Rebekah Menning
                                                                       Janet Morrow
                                                                       LD Perry
                                                                       Cathee Johnson Phillips
    City of Charlottesville, City Hall Annex, P.O. Box 911,            Mike Signer
                  Charlottesville, VA 22902                            Judith Zeitler

Mr. Perry shared that the Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless (TJACH) is planning to host a sock
hop to benefit the Haven to support their mission of ending homelessness in the Charlottesville community. The
Haven will be accepting clothes donations to distribute at the sock hop which will be held in the Jefferson-
Madison library sometime in December. Mr. Perry also shared that the coalition plans to hold another repair café
at the Haven in January and hopes to make it an annual event. The sock hop and repair café are organized for the
homeless community, but all are welcome to attend.

Mr. Perry also shared a book recommendation with the board and guests, “Open Season: Legalized Genocide of
Colored People” by Ben Crump. In the book, Mr. Crump discusses mass incarceration, unequal educational
opportunities, police brutality, an unequal justice system, and other prevalent issues in America.

Chair’s Report:
Ms. Gough shared that the department’s holiday luncheon is tentatively scheduled for December 9th and reminded
the board that the annual report will be presented to city council on November 18th.

Update from the Officer Nominating Subcommittee:
Subcommittee members, Ms. Brown and Ms. Menning will send an email to each board member to ask for
nominations or if interested in a chair position. Ms. Gough added that both she and Ms. Gallanosa are interested
in serving another term as board officers. Ms. Brown and Ms. Menning will report back at the November meeting.

Director’s Report:
Ms. Kuknyo reminded board members that clients can attend board meetings and discuss specifics about their
cases; but the department will not comment to protect confidentiality.

Annual Report Draft:
Board members reviewed the report draft and provided feedback. Department staff will make revisions based on
board member’s comments.


The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 25, 2019 in the City Hall Basement Conference
Room.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:42 p.m.

Recorded by:
Autumn Scott