Title
Notice/Advertisement Title: Operating Budget Hearing - Health, Human Services & Equity Committee
Contact Name: Haley Gerken
Contact Telephone Number: (614) 645-0076
Contact Email Address: HEGerken@columbus.gov
Body
CALL TO ORDER
Call to Order: 4:02
Present:
Councilmember Melissa Green
Councilmember Tiara Ross
Hannah Jones, Deputy Director of Department of Development
Danielle Tong, Director of CelebrateOne
Asha Basha, Director of Operations of CelebrateOne
Anita Clark, Assistant Health Commissioner
Susan Hagar, Fiscal Manager, Columbus Public Health
Michael Halloran, Deputy Director of Public Safety
Trisha Wentzel, Deputy Director of Public Safety
Michael Corey, Executive Director, Human Service Chamber of Franklin County
Lauren Sands, Policy Associate, Human Services Chamber of Franklin County
Rhea Debussey, Equitas Health/Safepoint
Carol Argiro, Huck House
Jennifer Sharma, Huck House
Amy Klaban, Families Flourish
John Drury, Legislative Analyst, City of Columbus
Haley Gerken, Legislative Aide, City of Columbus
Jaylan Snowden, Legislative Intern, City of Columbus
John Oswalt, Senior Legislative Advisor, City of Columbus
INTRODUCTION
Opening Remarks: CM Green introduces the hearing, city departments, as well as the audience and guests.
PRESENTATION - Department of Development
- Hannah Jones, Deputy Director, thanks Chair Green and presents the Elevate! Grant Program from the Department of Development. Deputy Director Jones also presents the Columbus Outreach and Resource Engagement Team housed in Southeast LLC and Maryhaven.
- [Chair Green] Thanks Deputy Director Jones and asks her to talk more about how Elevate! May be impacted by the proposed budget cuts.
- [Jones] Overview of the grant process that looked like of a peer-to-peer process that consisted of 360 reviews and surveys to establish ranking process for grant applications. Will have to cut either the amount received for organizations or the number of organizations that can be awarded.
- [Chair Green] Cannot vote on a budget until I know what the cuts are going to be. Understands the grant application process and if we are proposing cuts to programs, further conversations need to be had.
PRESENTATION - CelebrateOne
- Danielle Tong, Director, thanks Chair Green and presents the CelebrateOne program.
- Asha Basha, Director of Operations, continues the presentation of CelebrateOne and their budget needs in FY2026.
- Danielle Tong, Director, finishes program impact, budget changes in 2025, and 2026 vision and strategies.
- [Chair Green] Thanks them both for the work they do and understands downstream effects of budget cuts. Asks to stay in communication with the department.
- [Director Tong] Appreciates Chair Green.
- [Chair Green] Introduces the Department of Health and Assistant Health Commissioner, Anita Clark.
PRESENTATION - Department of Health
- Anita Clark, Assistant Health Commissioner, expresses thanks for the opportunity to speak and presents on Columbus Public Health.
- [Chair Green] Troubled by the unofficial comments about SAMSA cuts and asks how we imagine becoming self-reliant to move further from grants to best serve our clients. Thanks, CPH for attendance and how does CPH plans on tracking additional revenue and keeping in mind next year’s budget impacts.
- [Clark] CPH does monthly tracking and expresses need to look at other sources of funding other than just federal funding. CPH will realign priorities and funds as they get them in.
- [Chair Green] says he looks forward to the data and expresses thoughts about implementing partnerships and innovative models for public health. Welcomes CM Ross to join the hearing. Introduction of Alt. Crisis Response and Deputy Director Halloran and Wentzel.
PRESENTATION - Department of Public Safety
- Michael Halloran, Deputy Director, introduces the Alternative Crisis Response team and introduces updates on the team.
- Trisha Wentzel, Deputy Director, introduces the public safety budget components of Alt. Crisis Team and passes to Anita Clark from CPH.
- [Chair Green] further explains and gives background on the Alternative Crisis strategy.
- [Clark] explains the staffing model and budget that comes from CPH. Passes back to Wentzel.
- [Wentzel] continues to explain fiscal impacts of program.
- [Clark] notes staffing in ROW
- [Wentzel] explains staffing for SPARC and RREACT program.
- [Clark] speaks on funding allocation to allow for more staff, therapy dog, and advisory board. Then welcomes questions.
- [Chair Green] asks for clarification of staffing needs
- [Clark] specifies the need for 6 staff.
- [Green] asks for clarity on staffing hours
- [Clark] says typical hours are Monday-Friday and during typical mobile response programs.
- [Green] asks if we considered
- [Clark] says department partners well with other organizations and is open to further discussions.
- [Green]thanks both departments then introduces ADAMH’s, Monica Cerrezuela.
PRESENTATION - ADAMH
- Monica Cerrezuela, Senior Director, Government Affairs and Special Initiatives, gives thanks for the opportunity to speak and presents ADAMH’s crisis services investments.
- [Chair Green] asks how the ADAMH levy has given us the opportunity to fund services
- [Cerrezuela] says ADAMH will be able to sustain initiatives and expand them further. Also states planning for the next levy and the collaboration between stakeholders
- [Green] states it’s fair to say ADAMH is largest funder of crisis services and gives credit to state administration for their work in mental health services.
- [Green] expresses understanding of budget contratins and urges ADAMH to be proactive and thanks Cerrezuela for being here.
- [Green] introduces Michael Corey and Lauren Sands from the Human Services Chamber of Franklin County.
PRESENTATION - Human Services Chamber of Franklin County
- Michael Corey, Executive Director, introduces the Human Services Chamber and key developments of the sector.
- Lauren Sands, Policy Associate, shares findings from Columbus’s Future Needs report.
- [Chair Green] Thanks both for attending and asking Corey about preliminary FRAC findings for Human Service Organizations and the existing gaps before cuts. What would the HSC recommend to invest in to bridge gaps?
- [Corey] States the need to reprioritize where we are spending and identify new revenue streams from multiple sectors and sources.
- [Green] Thankful for partnership with HSC and summarizes the needs of residents and across the sector.
- [Corey] Gives thanks to Chair Green and gives salutations to CM Ross.
- [Green] Introduces the speakers signed up to speak for public comment.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
- [Dr. Rhea Debussey, Equitas Health] Introduces Equitas Health and speaks on the importance of funding HIV/AIDS services. Requests for funding current proposed budget to further invest in harm reduction services for clients.
- [Chair Green] asks for clarification on county funding that previously was awarded but nt this year.
- Debussey] states that was correct and understands budget constraints existing across the board
- [Green] Budget for Safe Point?
- [Debussey] CPH was unable to provide additional funding
- [Green] express empathy for programs like Equitas Health and commends their work with marginalized individuals. Asks what Equitas Health is looking forward to for the next year.
- [Debussey] Working to keep the health care safety net for individuals in the state and continuing to work with stakeholders to push importance of funding for their services.
- [Green] - Thanks Debussey and introduces speakers from Huckleberry House
[Jennifer Sharma, CEO, Huckleberry House]- thanks for the opportunity to speak and introduce services of teen crisis program and transitional housing program at Huckleberry House.
- [Chair Green] asks how is Huckleberry House funded?
- [Sharma] explains that Huckleberry House receives City, ADAMH, H&HS, and Phil. Funding.
- [Green] explains that as current budget stands that HH will lose their family center and Sharma agrees.
- [Green] Thanks Sharma and introduces Amy Klaven from Families Flourish.
[Amy Klaven, Founder and CEO, Families Flourish] introduces Families Flourish and services provided and gives thanks for previous investment in program and requests for further investment this upcoming budget year.
- [Chair Green] thanks Klaven for the work the organization does and the importance of investing in our neighborhoods.
- [Klaven] gives further sentiments on the importance of giving families options to better their lives.
- [Chair Green] gives the CM Ross the floor for remarks.
CLOSING REMARKS
[CM Ross] Emphasizes the connection between HH&B committee and H, HS & E committee and looks forward to working together.
[CM Ross] Thanks the workers and organizations with boots on the ground doing the work for our residents.
[Chair Green] Thanks to the departments, speakers, and council team and announces CM Bankston’s hearing tomorrow.
[Chair Green] states that we will continue to ask questions and look at innovative ways to stretch our budget and reduce our spending to cover the gaps existing in the community.
Adjournment
Adjourned: 5:51 PM