Agenda and Minutes - Pillar 1: Ensure Illinois is Best in Nation for Raising Families, July 10, 2023

Subcommittee: Ensure Illinois is Best in Nation for Raising Families

Monday, July 10, 2023, 1:00-2:00 PM

Recording

Subcommittee members in attendance:

  1. Audra Wilson - subcommittee chair
  2. Annie Hewitt - Commission member
  3. Tyler Bohannon - IWGP member
  4. Stephanie Hammer - Public member
  5. Thomas Schramer - Representative from the Office of Rep. Jeff Keicher, Commission member
  6. Scott Lichamer - Representative from the Office of Rep. Jeff Keicher, Commission member
  7. Kimberly Tate - Representative from the Office of Senator Kimberly Lightford, Commission Member

Administrator:

  1. Kari Branham, IDHS Special Projects Administrator
  2. Len Conant, Office Coordinator, IDHS

IDHS SMEs:

  1. Stephanie Bess, Associate Director, Office of Family Wellness, IDHS-FCS
  2. Lisa Cohen - Program Manager, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, IDHS
  3. Colleen Burns - Chief of Staff, Division of Developmental Disabilities, IDHS

Guest: Matthew Rodriguez, Facilitator, Equity Imperative

Agenda:

  1. Introductions/Welcome Roll Call
  2. Public Comment - subject to written comment in advance
  3. Housekeeping
  4. Approval of Meeting Minutes: March 9, 2023 and May 10, 2023
  5. Presentation & Approval of Committee FY24 Action Goals
  6. Next Steps and Adjournment

Minutes:

  1. Introductions/Welcome Roll Call - out of seven voting members, four were present. Quorum was declared.
  2. Public Comment - subject to written comment in advance, none received.
  3. Housekeeping - Administrator Kari Branham reminded attendees that only voting members can vote on committee business, make motions and second motions. IDHS subject matter experts provide knowledge and information. She also reminded members to complete the 2023 IDHS Mandatory trainings, Len will be sending email reminders.
  4. Approval of Meeting Minutes: March 9, 2023 and May 10, 2023
    • Chair Wilson moved to approve both set of minutes seconded by Mr. Bohannon. The group unanimously approved both set of minutes.
  5. Presentation & Approval of Committee FY24 Action Goals
    • Mr. Rodriguez gave a recap of the previous meeting and presented the three action goals distilled from the discussion.
      1. As a subcommittee of the Commission, Pillar 1 will increase program cross-referral by ensuring that 100% of the programs we know that interact with those experiencing deep poverty, will disseminate the WIC and SNAP benefits awareness campaign materials from the Commission to End Hunger throughout FY24, and will comprehensively document the entities we reach. Reference: Colleen Burns, Lisa Cohen and Stephanie Bess
      2. By June 30th, 2024, Pillar 1 members will continue to schedule advocacy meetings, have conversations and increase the awareness of key decision-makers to influence the continuation of funding for the WIC food package subscription (federally funded) at a level of $25/month per child, thus securing needed resources for families to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and produce. Reference: Stephanie Bess
      3. Throughout FY24, Pillar 1 will continue exploration of the potential barriers preventing families from taking advantage of WIC benefits through deliberate and intentional discussions with families, CBOs, and the like to continue to hone our focus and our work to increase the uptake of families in need.
    • The goals were presented in a shared document were members indicated whether they agree with the goal or whether it could be refined or strengthened, or if they have refinements on the language.
    • On goal 1, Ms. Bess asked how the comprehensive documentation will be done, how the materials will be captured or where it will be viewed or if there is a website. Mr. Rodriguez said there is no mechanism that exists as far as he know with regards to documentation but the details on how to accomplish the goals will be figured out as the FY24 kicks in. The members who will be charged of the goal will figure out the best way to do the documentation.
    • Ms. Burns mentioned that goal 3 seemed like a replicate of what the Commission to End Hunger has done and they were going to do a report on it. She wanted to make sure that there is no duplication of efforts; instead, when the Commission's report is ready, there can be conversation with them on ways how the Poverty Commission can support that effort. Chair Wilson seconded and suggested to change the language to reflect the work of the Commission to End Hunger and the Poverty Commission's efforts to coordinate.
    • Ms. Bess also agreed but added that WIC is a federally directed program thus, steps cannot be skipped. Some people think that because WIC is a food program, they want to make it super easy to get food but WIC is a health and nutrition program and there are many steps in the process which IDHS is held accountable for. She also wants to make sure that all families know about the program. Ms. Bess thinks offering different wrap around and additional programs, like a diaper program or something that has the most impact for families, makes it easier for families to decide whether to participate or not in a program.
    • The group agreed to revise goal 3 to reflect exploration of the findings of the study done by the Commission to End Hunger and support and coordination efforts from the Poverty Commission to address gaps that may have surfaced form the study.
    • The group agreed to shift the language in goal 2 from scheduling meetings to instead, developing and designing an advocacy strategy that will identify strategic moves and key stakeholders that would need to be involved in the conversations.
    • The word "subscription" was changed to "prescription" as corrected by Ms. Bess.
    • The group also agreed to shift the language in goal 2 to reflect maximizing the purchasing power of families which makes it more worthy for families to participate in the program.
    • The group agreed to put goal 1 on hold as it requires more conversation to look at whether it's duplicating efforts of another pillar or whether the goal should be coordinating efforts in recognition that individuals do not come in the same place or the same way when accessing a program.
    • Mr. Bohannon moved to approve goals 2 and 3 as amended, seconded by Ms. Hammer. The group unanimously approved goals 2 and 3 as amended.
  6. Next Steps and Adjournment
    • Ms. Burns suggested to invite the person that replaced her at the Commission to End Hunger to be a member of the subcommittee.
    • The goals will be presented to the Commission in the special meeting to be held on July 13th, 2023.
    • Mr. Bohannon moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Hammer. The group unanimously agreed to adjourn at 2:05 PM.