1 Human Relations Commission Study Session with City Council March 9, 2015

2 What is the HRC? The Human Relations Commission is an advisory body to the City Council. It is also an agency that has the “discretion to act” on matters specified in its charge.

3 HRC Mission Our mission is to address human relations issues, including promotion of awareness, understanding and resolution of actual or potential conflicts, discrimination, or injustice while encouraging community building and civic engagement.

4 HRC Primary Responsibilities The HRC’s primary responsibilities are to assist the City in determining funding allocations for:  Human Services Resource Allocation Process (HSRAP)  Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

5 HRC Primary Responsibilities The HRC also oversees the:  Palo Alto Mediation Program (PAMP) And serves as a liaison to:  Palo Alto Police Department (PAPD)  Project Safety Net

6 Accomplishments  Successfully advocated for $100,000 in additional funding for the second year of the HSRAP funding cycle.  Developed a stand-alone RFP process to distribute the incremental funds.  Created a new application for agencies based on urgent and unmet human needs.  Facilitated a new inter-agency transportation solution for low-income seniors.

7 Accomplishments (cont.)  Reviewed and recommended allocations for the second year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.  Conducted site visits of many HSRAP agencies in order to better understand both available services and service gaps.

8 Accomplishments (cont.)  Hosted and moderated Palo Alto’s first-ever Senior Summit, attended by 40+ service providers.  Identified urgent, unmet needs impacting Palo Alto’s growing senior population.  Facilitated new inter-agency collaborations to expand and enhance senior services.

9 Accomplishments (cont.)  Attended the Regional Human Relations Commission Breakfast for Santa Clara County.  Attended the California Association of Human Relations Organizations (CAHRO) conference in San Francisco.

10 Accomplishments (cont.)  Approved the appointments of new and returning mediators to PAMP.  Reviewed PAMP’s annual service report on cases that were conciliated or mediated.

Projects: HSRAP  FY16-17 HSRAP funding allocation recommendations.  Advocate for regular increases to the HSRAP baseline budget and “rainy day” fund.  Present HRC-sponsored research that compares Palo Alto’s human services budget to other cities’ spending.

Projects: Senior Services  Follow up on key learnings from Senior Summit.  Identify new or expanded services that will address unmet human needs.  Validate proposed projects with local service agencies and seniors.  Develop and submit funding proposals to the City and/or County.

Projects: Homeless Vets Research and make recommendations on issues related to veteran homelessness, healthcare and opportunity. (Commissioners Alhassani & Stone)

Projects: Housing  Investigate possible roles for the HRC in the area of affordable housing. (Commissioners Chen and Bacchetti)

15 Discussion

16 Human Relations Commission Study Session with City Council March 9, 2015