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Human Services Advisory Commission Minutes — November 19, 2001 Page 4 of 5 <br />The Charge of the Human Services Advisory Commission Ms. Hinton explained to the members that part of <br />'�e HSAC charge is to look at community issues and to make recommendations to the Board of County <br />r;ommissioners. For example, from the Latino Forum things have gotten done such as the Hispanic Center in <br />Carrboro and increased Hispanic signage and brochures in County facilities. These happened in concert with <br />the Forum. <br />Mr. Thompson said that the Board of County Commissioners uses many resources to get the information that <br />they use, not just the HSAC Forum. <br />Ms. Young feels that if we in the HSAC don't know if our voice is being heard by the Board of County <br />Commissioners, then how do the participants know? <br />Ms. Bowe would like to see a mechanism to get a report back from the BOCC on what they have done on the <br />issues the HSAC has identified. <br />Acting Chair Echols said to take the example of teen pregnancy. She pointed out that one agency could not <br />take credit to lower it. Many agencies contributed to this. So, in regard to other problems that have been <br />solved or worked on in the community, we could say the HSAC is " working with other agencies." <br />Mr. Thompson said maybe we could create a report with a bullet list and say these are things that we have <br />had Forums on and the County has done umpteen things in the past, and then distribute this after the Forum <br />or have it in the registration packet. <br />Mr. Block agreed that there are other efforts being done on any particular subject. <br />cting Chair Echols agrees that we don't say enough about what we are doing. She says that the HSAC <br />.eeds to market the positive things that we are doing as a group to the Board of County Commissioners and <br />as to the particulars of what we do. <br />Mr. Block said you have to give people the opportunity to reflect on the fact that they spent some time. They <br />would like to know that what was accomplished, if anything. And if you don't give them any feedback, they feel <br />nothing was accomplished. <br />Ms. Echols suggested that we include a report each year in the Forum Packet that describes what has been <br />talked about in earlier Forums and what has been accomplished. <br />Mr. Block said what he is concerned about is that the same people might not attend the Forums each year so <br />wouldn't see a report included in the packet. <br />Mr. Block added that he thinks if such a report was distributed, there would be even more interest and <br />participation generated in the Forums, and there would be a greater audience. We are not tooting our horn at <br />all he said. <br />Ms. Young added that she agreed with Mr. Block, in that doing such a report would reward and encourage <br />participation. Ms. Young doesn't think it is about what we have done or what we haven't done, but it is about <br />facilitating more people being involved. It is also about us showing we appreciate what they have said and the <br />time they have spent at the Forums. <br />Mr. Hurston said that what he would like to recommend is that we take time out of future meetings to develop <br />"iis structure, and to facilitate the process that we've been discussing. We have hit on something that is very <br />Protecting and Preserving People, Resources and Quality of Life <br />Orange County, North Carolina - You Count! <br />Area Code (919) 245 -2125: Fax (919) 644 -0246: EMAIL: npaciga @co.orange.nc.us <br />