In May, 1997, City Council established the Advisory Joint Task Force on Family Issues (RTC-97-136) with the condition that the Task Force would be reviewed for effectiveness and need in two years. The following is a review of the activities of the Task Force.

Staff is recommending that the Task Force be disbanded and that Council encourage all boards and commissions to keep the needs of families in mind as part of their regular duties as well as when study issues are being proposed.

In the fall of 1996, Council considered a study issue to establish a Commission for Families, Youth and Children (RTC 96-462). Council subsequently directed staff to form a standing advisory body composed of current board and commission members and members of the community (including youth) to periodically meet for the purpose of identifying family-related issues.

Staff contacted six Boards and Commissions and seven public and nonprofit agencies that Council identified (RTC 97-136). They included the City's Parks and Recreation Commission, Library Board of Trustees, Arts Commission, Housing and Human Services Commission, Planning Commission, and the Child Care Advisory Board. Also included were Sunnyvale Community Services, Fremont Union High School District, Sunnyvale Elementary School District, Private Industry Council, Santa Clara County Council on Aging, Teen Advisory Council and Tomorrow's Leaders Today. Each body submitted names of their representatives which Council confirmed. (RTC 97-305)

Council also expanded the area of Housing and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to include any topics related to families that do not fall within the general area of responsibility of any other City advisory body. (RTC 97-136)

The task force was organized because of the concern that there may be significant family issues that were not being addressed as:

• The issue does not fall clearly within the broad parameters of the City's current boards and commissions and/or
• The issue may require the perspective of several boards and commissions and/or
• Members of the public are not aware of the avenues or forums to bring such issues to the attention of the City organization (Council, City advisory boards and commissions, City staff ).

Hence, the Joint Task Force on Families (JTFF) was established to provide "an alternative process to identify those potentially significant family related issues that, for whatever reason, have not been identified through the ongoing review process conducted by the City's Boards and Commissions." (RTC 97-136)

Once the JTFF identified potential study issues, these would be directed to a board or commission for consideration. Boards and Commissions would then decide whether to forward the study issue to the Council. If forwarded to the Council, the study issue would be reviewed during the City's annual Council Study Issues workshop. Should Council select the item, staff would then devote resources into examining the issue in depth.

In July 1997, the first (JTFF) was selected(RTC 97-136). The JTFF began meeting in August. Over the course of six months, the JTFF identified three study issues. They include:

• Review the Need for a Network of Family Support Services - examines whether the City should investigate the need for family support services through which the families can link with the City, non-profit agencies and each other to obtain help and support for families.

• Review the Need to Strengthen City Support for the Homeless - examination of current and future trend projects of the homeless in Sunnyvale, the effectiveness of the City's approach in addressing this issue via other agencies, and recommendations for how to address this issue in the future.

• Develop & Disseminate Community Resource Information-explores whether and how the City should facilitate the dissemination of information about support services available in the community and how these services can be accessed.

All of these issues fell below the line.

In 1998, the JTFF reconvened and following the previous year's format, it recommended the following issues for 1999:

• Review the Need for a Network of Family Support Services

• Review the Need to Strengthen City Support for the Homeless

Returning issue from prior year. STATUS: Dropped.

• Develop & Disseminate Community Resource Information

• Facilitating the Establishment of Bundle/Wrap Social Services

• Community Forums on the Future of the Community

In January 1999, the JTFF reconvened. Several of the members of the task force changed due to term expirations of boards and commission members and different staff assigned from community agencies.

This group identified two study issues:

• Explore Various Subsidies & Resources for Seniors

• Explore Options to Increase Affordable Housing for Families

The JTFF completed its work in July, 1999. 

Though carefully constructed, in the two years JTFF has convened, it has had an on-going struggle with understanding its charge. Part of the struggle is defining what a "family" is and the appropriate role of the City to address issues affecting families. The JTFF also had challenges in retaining consistent attendance as members often changed and/or were represented by substitutes.

Each year’s task force grappled with these issues, however, neither came up with any satisfactory definitions or solutions.

This struggle was particularly apparent as they struggled to seek input using a public forum format. Attendance, interest and participation from the public was poor. Members did go to several community meetings to seek input as well, but this was not very successful.

All JTFF members were sent a written survey to share their thoughts about service on the JTFF at the conclusion of the 1999 session, however, few responded. Of those who did, all felt that there was no reason to continue the task force as these issues could be addressed adequately by the Housing and Human Services Commission. Although other boards and commissions reviewed issues raised by the JTFF, most issues inevitably ended up being adopted by the Housing & Human Services Commission.

Annual expenses estimated for the Joint Task Force on Families was $9,600 which covered the staff cost of prep and post meeting packets, agendas and minutes, general administrative support tasks, publicizing and promotion of Task Force meetings, and preparing study issues. On average, the actual annual expense is very close to this estimate and also includes advertisement costs, securing of presenters, and making arrangements for Task Force members to attend community meetings.

Publication of the agenda in the San Jose Mercury News.

1. Continue to convene and support the Joint Task Force on Families (JTFF).
2. Continue to convene, but redefine the charge of the JTFF.
3. Disband the JTFF and encourage all boards and commissions to consider family issues as they develop study issues, and as appropriate refer to the Housing and Human Services Commission.

Staff recommends alternative #3.

Sophie C. Horiuchi
Administrative Assistant

Amy Chan
Assistant City Manager

Robert LaSala
City Manager