Meeting Information

Ms. Taylor reported College Track, founded in 1997, is a program that primarily serves students who reside in East Palo Alto.  She stated the families served are low to no income with Latino & African-American students making up 80% of the population.  Since inception, College Track has had three (3) graduating classed (58 students), which are now in 4-year colleges ranging from the larger universities to smaller private colleges here in the Bay Area.  College Track now serves 140 students in East Palo Alto and 16 in East Oakland.  Funding to operate the center in East Palo totals $600,000, which serves about 150 students.

College Track has two (2) programs:  An Academic Affairs Program that provides private tutoring, academic workshops, SAT preparation, college tours, counseling, financial assistance, internships, and travel; a Student Life Program teaches students leadership skills, extracurricular activities, and mandatory community service to ensure students are well rounded.  Parent meetings and home visits are also essential in this program.  It is anticipated by next year College Track will expand its operation to San Francisco. 

1. Commissioner Jones questioned College Track’s expansion date to San Francisco? Ms. Taylor responded 2004 will be preparatory work to determine acquisition of the center, location, agreements with school district and other community-based organizations; however, the actual move will occur in 2005/2006. Commissioner Jones asked whether College Track is limited to the number of students served. Ms. Taylor responded average class size usually ranges from 30 to 35 students.
   
   
2. Commissioner Nguyen asked for statistics of graduating students who actually get jobs? Ms. Taylor responded College Track has three (3) classes who will graduate next year. Commissioner Nguyen noted the difference between College Track’s program and other programs is that College Track begins recruitment of high school freshmen and tracks them throughout high school and college, giving them that one-on-one support that is needed.  Ms. Taylor further explained College Track has high expectations. College Track begins recruitment in the 8^th grade year and conducts a student assessment summer school program between 8^th and 9^th grades.  All students must go through an application/interview process.  Students who earn a 3.5 GPA or higher are not accepted into the College Track program.  Commission Nguyen asked how College Track plans to target schools in certain communities of San Francisco?  Ms. Taylor responded College Track will look for a high school or community space targeting one area at first to partner with other non-profits with similar populations.  Commission Nguyen asked how College Track is currently funded?  Ms. Taylor responded currently funding comes from individuals and foundations, no public dollars.
   
   Commissioner Brown acknowledged Commissioner Kennedy’s arrival.
   
   
3. Commissioner Sampson asked for statistics on number of students currently attending historical black colleges?  Ms. Taylor responded one student is currently enrolled with another student trying to transfer over from a community college.  Additionally, as funds have increased and with a growing desire from students/family, many students will tour several black colleges this year.
   
   
4. Commissioner Brown asked for clarification regarding College Track’s expansion date to the City?  Ms. Taylor stated the board is pushing for 2004, but a lot of work must be done prior to that move, i.e., facility location, determination of other services that exist in the community in order not to duplicate but partner with.
   
   
5. Dir. Moses asked whether a needs-assessment process was in place for the expansion to San Francisco? Ms. Taylor responded some needs assessment has taken place. Dir. Moses asked what the revolving-door policy was with regard to dropout rate?  Ms. Taylor stated some students are lost because of family relocation and estimated between 10% to 15% will go on academic probation if a grade point average of 2.5 is not maintained and community service hours not completed.  Dir. Moses asked what College Track’s policy was for high-risk students?  Ms. Taylor responded high-risk students are the population College Track serves.  Dir. Moses asked how College Track supports students to ensure retention is maintained? The success of this program has been that one-on-one contact with students weekly.
   
   
6. Commissioner Kennedy asked what incentives are students given for recruitment? Ms. Taylor stated the recruitment process begins in middle schools. Staff talks about the program, students from the program speak about their success, and scholarships are offered if a 2.5 GPA or higher is maintained (up to $6000), which follows students to a college of their choice.   
   
   Commissioner Brown asked that Ms. Taylor contact Southeast sometime toward the end of next year and possibly the Commission can make themselves available to assist.  She also suggested that she contact Dean Hunnicutt who might be another avenue in terms of identifying space available to develop.  Commissioner Brown opened the floor to the public.
   
   Ms. Harris asked for assistance in locating college grants for her grandchildren? Ms. Taylor advised that she contact the school district and inquire about the Young Scholars Program. 

Commissioner Brown welcomed and introduced Mr. Daniel Michael, Director of Café Phoenix Restaurant who will give update on the Operation of Café Phoenix Restaurant and its employment program. 

Mr. Michaels thanked the Commission for the opportunity to come and give update of his organization.  He stated Café Phoenix is a non-profit division of RAMS, Inc., (Richmond Area Multi-Service) a community based mental health agency in San Francisco contracted by the San Francisco Department of Mental Health.  The population that RAMS targets is low-income individuals that suffer from various mental health diagnoses, i.e., schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, etc. 

Hire-Ability, also a division of RAMS, offers vocational services to individuals with mental health disabilities.  It serves approximately 200 individuals a year and partners with a for-profit organization that does packaging/manufacturing work.  Hire-Ability, housed in a 1600 sq. ft. facility, is located at 1234 Indiana St. in San Francisco. Hire-Ability offers three (3) programs:  Employee Development (E.D.) program, which serves individuals who need basic job preparation/paid work experience; Employment Services (E.S.) Program, designed to place individuals in the open job market; and Café Phoenix Food Service Training Program, which trains individuals in the food service and related businesses. There is a 1- to 3-month training period provided before individuals are placed into the job market.   Mr. Michaels reported last year, Hire-Ability placed 50 individuals into jobs.

Café Phoenix is located at 1234 Indiana St. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.  They provide breakfast, lunch, and catering service. Funding for the Café is through county mental health and the state department of rehabilitation services.  Mr. Michaels stated the following services are provided: Job development/training program, resume/interview preparation, mental health intervention services (elementary, middle, high schools), prevention programs, senior programs, counselors, therapist, psychiatrists, and social workers. 

1. Commissioner Jones asked the hourly rate for individuals while in training?  Mr. Michaels responded the hourly wage is $7.11 an hour based on a standard 100% productivity level.
   
2. Commissioner Nguyen asked what Café Phoenix’s revenue was for last year and where does it go?  Mr. Michaels stated it kind of brakes even as a business.  Salaries are paid through profits.  In addition, the state department helps to offset the amount.
   
3. Commissioner Brown asked how the idea came about to rehabilitate people with mental illness in the food service industry?  Mr. Michaels stated rehabilitating mental health clients is what RAMS does. In addition, 30% of individuals that RAMS works with are interested in food-related service type jobs to re-enter the job market.
4. Commissioner Sampson asked what the success rate is for placing trainees?  60%-65% of clients are working at some point. Commissioner Sampson followed by asking once placed, are the clients tracked? Mr. Michaels responded yes. Commissioner Sampson asked what age are clients accepted?  Mr. Michaels stated 18 and above, no cap.  Sampson asked have many job placements been in the BVHP area?  Mr. Michaels responded a complete analysis has not been done as to which areas they have been placed.  However, the employers that hire do get anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 a year tax credit for placement within the district because they combine hiring with that disability, which is an employer incentive.
   
5. Dir. Moses asked what the success rate is in terms of retention in terms of support?  Mr. Michaels stated the main focus is intense job coaching, therapeutic maintenance, and working alongside them.  Dir. Moses asked if the job does not work out, are second chances provided.  Mr. Michaels stated yes, they are.  
   
   Ms. Harris asked if College Track limits the type of jobs to domestic?  Mr. Michaels responded client placement depends on skill level of that client.
   
   Mr. Michael concluded by referencing the information packet earlier distributed, listed Café Phoenix’s email address www.cafephoenix.org, and invited everyone to patronage the Café.
   
   

Commissioner Brown asked that Mr. Michael come back and update the Commission in about 90 days as to how things are going. 

1. Directors Report
2. Exe. Dir. Moses reported:  The SECFacility tenants are doing well.
3. The Public Defender’s Office has opened a satellite officer at Southeast on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. An attorney is available to provide legal counseling for individuals who wish to clear their criminal record of misdemeanors and/or felonies (Clean Slate). 
4. Invitation to SECF Commission, Mayor’s State of the Union Address on 10/28/03 @ 11:00 a.m. 
   
   

Commissioner Nguyen movedand Commissioners Person secondedto accept the Director’s report.
             Motion passed unanimously to accept report as presented (6-0).

1. No new business was presented at this meeting. 
   
   
2. Announcement
   Commissioner Kennedy announced a community meeting on the Disposition Development Agreement (DDA) for phase I of the Hunters Point Shipyard will be held on October 28, 2003 @ 6:00 p.m. in the Alex Pitcher Community Room. 
   
   Commissioner Brown reminded the Commission that due to upcoming holidays, November/December meetings have been offset.  Please make note in your calendar.
   
   
3. Adjournment
   Commissioner Jonesmoved and Commissioner Person seconded to adjourn the SECF Commission Meeting.   Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
   
   

  Respectfully submitted,


       _____________________

   Commission Secretary