Social Services Advisory Council Health & Wellness Committee Agenda and Minutes - 03/25/25

Social Services Advisory Council Health & Wellness Committee Meeting

March 25, 2025

10:00 AM

WebEx Video Conference

Join by Phone: 415-655-0002

Access Code: 2868 473 6623

  1. Welcome
  2. Public Participation
  3. Approval of Meeting Minutes: October 4, 2024
  4. Presentation on DCFS SPIDER
  5. Discussion on Federal Policies & Impacts Across Sectors
  6. Discussion on Agenda Items for Q2 Committee Meeting
  7. Adjournment

Minutes

  1. Welcome
    1. Attendees:
      1. Gasner, Ireta
      2. Hampton, Angie
      3. Humphrey, Deborah
      4. Lustig, Dan (Dr.)
      5. Simmons, Loren
  2. Public Participation
    1. None received / present.
  3. Approval of Meeting Minutes: October 4, 2024
    1. Motion by Ireta Gasner; second by Angie Hampton.
  4. Presentation on DCFS SPIDER
    1. DCFS provided a demo of the tool and shared future plans for site (e.g., a new provider search that will replace SPIDER, self-service for providers and communication channels)
    2. Dr. Lustig - How does the public find out about this type of tool?
      1. There have been several initiatives to socialize this tool - it is included on DCFS' main. DCFS is planning to make it easier to have people understand what it is via naming, marketing, landing page, etc. for future tool.
    3. Ireta - is there discussion on how early childhood programming can be more easily found on this platform (e.g., updating categorization of services)?
      1. BEACON uses this database - but is not designed to serve children under 5 years of age. Recommendations can be sent to the SPIDER team via email.
  5. Discussion on Federal Policies & Impacts Across Sectors
    1. Dr. Lustig - Was told that the 3% cuts to contractors announced by Chicago mayor includes social services contracts; not clear at this point what the next steps are if organizations are unable to absorb.
    2. Deborah Humphrey - brought together behavioral health associations to discuss potential advocacy needs - conclusion was to wait and see. SAMSHA reductions could be a real concern.
    3. Ireta - suggest reaching out to representatives regarding potential Medicaid cuts. In early childhood, we saw a federal memo on redefining public charge and received a letter regarding DEI -working with lawyers to understand what compliance would look like and how it would be monitored. Also testified in front of human services committee regarding how Medicaid is big part of early intervention for babies with disabilities and community services (lactation support, doulas, etc.).
    4. Loren - for those operating outside Chicago, concerned about closure of Social Security offices and hotline that people use to access services - foresee a greater impact on rural communities.
  6. Discussion on Agenda Items for Q2 Committee Meeting
    1. Dr. Lustig - The last Full Council meeting was great; we should continue to keep federal cuts / policy changes on the agenda for future meetings.
  7. Adjournment