Vice President Shokooh Miry called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm. She excused President Breanna Zwart.

No changes to the Agenda.

No Public Comment.

Action: To approve agenda. (Roll Call Vote) m/s/c (Soo/Andary/5 ayes, 0 nays - Unanimous)

 

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Julie Soo asked that the minutes be amended to include her request that the Department monitor domestic violence related homicides.

No Public Comment.

Action: To approve amended minutes from the Commission meeting on January 27, 2021. (Roll Call Vote) m/s/c (Soo/Andary/5 ayes, 0 nays - Unanimous)

 

III. NEW BUSINESS

A. Department of Child Support Services Proposed FY2021/2022 and FY2022/2023 Budget

Administrative Code Section 3.3(c)(2) requires the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) to present its budget at one public hearing in order to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed budget. The Commission on the Status of Women has no authority over the Department of Child Support Services budget but offered the DCSS the opportunity to fulfill their obligation of a public meeting at the current Commission meeting. Director Karen Roye of the Department of Child Support Services presented her department’s proposed FY2021/2022 and FY2022/2023 budget. In explaining the budget proposal, she described her department’s work and accomplishments. The Commissioners said that they learned a great deal about what the DCSS does. They thanked Director Roye for her work.

No Public Comment. 

 

IV. OLD BUSINESS

A. Proposed FY2021/2022 and FY2022/2023 Department Budget

Director Kimberly Ellis wished everyone a Happy Lunar New Year and thanked the Commissioners for making this special meeting happen. Director Ellis stated that the goals of the proposed budget were threefold: meet the Mayor’s mandate of a 7.5% deduction with a 2.5% contingency, maintain funding for current programs and partners, and expand external funding from federal, state, or private sources to support the growth of the Department.

Director Ellis shared that the target reductions for FY2021-2022 and FY 2022-2023 were $747,022 in addition to a 2.5% contingency of $249,007, for a total of $996,029. She explained that the reductions have been applied equitably across the board with additional consideration for the size and budget capacity of the Department’s grant awardees. 

Public Comment:

1. Katie Albright, Executive Director of Safe and Sound, discussed a partnership between the Department and First 5 that included $250,000, noting that the proposed budget will redirect those funds to the Department. She shared that she has been honored to partner with the Department and First 5 on that project, which embodies the essence of the Family Violence Council. Ms. Albright said that COVID-19 has raised concerns of family violence and child abuse and that those funds are needed to support addressing the root causes of child abuse and prevention.

2. Saara Ahmed, Community Resource Coordinator at Asian Women’s Shelter, thanked the Department for its long-term support of Asian Women’s Shelter through grants which support the organization. She shared that the funding the Asian Women’s Shelter receives from the Department allows them to maintain critical programming to meet the needs of their clients during the constantly changing conditions. She reiterated that only with funding support are they able to sustain and continue to support survivors and their needs.

3. Orchid Pusey, Director of Asian Women’s Shelter, told the Commission that she appreciates the new leadership of the Department, Director Ellis, and the Commission. She explained that Asian Women’s Shelter staff have been working every day to support their communities and clients to end the cycles of violence that they are experiencing alongside COVID and anti-Asian discrimination. Ms. Pusey stated that every investment that the Department makes, goes a long way.

4. Emberly Cross, Coordinating Attorney of the Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic (CROC), explained that CROC provides emergency services to domestic violence survivors. She said that she understands budget cuts need to be submitted but is worried because domestic violence is escalating during COVID. Ms. Cross shared that she is extremely nervous about cuts at this time and how it will detrimentally impact survivors. She offered to work with the Department to advocate for restorations of cuts.

5. Beverly Upton, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Consortium, stated that domestic violence direct service providers should be top priority in the budget process. She shared that she is here to stand with the Department to get every dollar of funding reinstated, to maintain these vital supports and services, to keep San Francisco safe and ensure the wellbeing of San Francisco’s most vulnerable populations.

6. Mary Martinez, Associate Director at W.O.M.A.N., Inc, explained that over the past year there has been an escalation of violence and the needs of survivors has increased. She shared that none of the W.O.M.A.N., Inc staff have been able to take a day off throughout the pandemic, and that all domestic violence organizations and partners need to be working together to provide resources for survivors. She also noted that the organization has recently lost private foundation funding and is very much in need of the Department’s funding; survivors in San Francisco depend on this funding.

Commissioners discussed the budget and asked Director Ellis questions. One question that was raised was regarding the $250,000 that Ms. Albright mentioned in her public comment. Director Ellis explained that the money is from Proposition V, the Soda and Sugary Beverage Tax that the voters approved in 2016. She said that a great deal of money is generated from it and distributed across many departments; the funds are to be used to mitigate the negative effects of sugar on youth in San Francisco. Director Ellis also mentioned that the redirecting of these funds was a matter of compliance and not discretion. Director Ellis said that she is committed to doing the best for the Community and will work towards restoration of all funds.

Action: To approve the Proposed FY2021/-2022 and FY2022/2023 Department Budget.

(Roll Call Vote) m/s/c (Andary/Miry/5 ayes, 0 nays - Unanimous)

 

V. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

Public Comment:

1. Katie Albright, Executive Director of Safe and Sound, thanked the Commission for the robust discussion and information on the sugary beverage tax. She noted that she strongly believes that domestic violence prevention work would fall under the sugary beverage tax mandate.

2. Celestina Pearl, Outreach Manager at Saint James Infirmary, asked if her organization’s outreach program that delivers healthy produce fit the requirements of the sugary beverage tax mandate.

 

VI. ADJOURNMENT

Action: To adjourn

(Roll Call Vote) m/s/c (Soo/Miry/5 ayes, 0 nays - Unanimous)

Meeting adjourned at 6:59 pm.