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Commission on Family Services
Meeting Minutes – Skokie Village Hall
Feb 4, 2026
7:00 pm
Present: Harold Primack (Chair), Commissioners Sandra deBettencourt, Tom Giller (NC), Jo
Hammerman, Shajan Jose (Vice Chair), Peggy Molina, Beth Negronida, Erin Ryan, Nancy
Schwartz, Annie Shear, Phillip Shefren, Daniel Stalilonis, London Summerville, Melissa Versch
(Staff Liaison), Nancy Young
Absent: Commissioners Michelle Friedman, Rondell Merrill, Melissa Ponce, Gail Schechter
(Trustee Liaison), Karen Sherman
I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda
Call to order at 7:04pm.
II. Consent Agenda
Approved by consent.
III. Approval of Minutes: Jan. 7, 2026
Minutes approved with correction.
IV. Speaker: Alyssa Robbins, Director of JCFS Response for Teens & Kathy
Livingston, Clinical Supervisor
Presenters discussed community education and outreach related to prevention and sexual
health, as well as clinical services at JCFS.
V. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack
Welcome to new commissioner, Tom Giller.
VI. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch
Walk-in Wednesday evening clinics in the Health Department have been extended into
February. Hours are from 4:00pm – 6:30pm. Flu and COVID vaccines are provided for people
who live, work or go to school in Skokie.
ADA Workgroup Update: The Village has executed a contract with LCM Architects for in-person
staff training on self-evaluations of buildings, public right of way and parking. The team has
started online training through Rocky Mountain ADA Training Center. In December, the Village
began receiving Requests For Proposals from firms who can help in the process of creating a
transition plan. Interviews have been scheduled with those firms.
A question had been asked in advance about services provided to people who are unsheltered.
The Skokie Health and Human Services Department receives referrals from many sources,
including concerned neighbors, Police, and self-referrals. When meeting with individuals, HHS
assesses for immediate needs including access to medical care, food and clothing. If urgent
shelter is needed, the person may be assisted in calling the Suburban Cook County Homeless
Prevention Call Center. Transportation may be provided to a shelter, if available. Warming and

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cooling centers are open during the day, and the Cook County Courthouse opens as a 24 hour
warming center in extreme weather conditions. HHS works with Connections for the Homeless
and the Niles Township Respite Center to address needs.
VII. Old Business:
A. Commission Mission Statement
Postponed until March 4.
B. Winter market
Thank you to Jo Hammerman and Nancy Schwartz for volunteering at the February 1
Winter Market. Approximately 50 – 60 lbs of non-perishable donations were delivered
to the Niles Township Food Pantry. Volunteers can sign up for future dates through the
SignUp Genius link that was sent out.
VIII. New Business:
A. June dinner meeting
A presentation about emergency preparedness has been scheduled for the June
meeting. To allow enough time, the dinner portion may start at 6:30pm and the meeting
will start at 7:00pm.
B. T-shirts
There was general consensus to make t-shirts for commissioners to wear at events.
Nancy Young and Melissa Versch will work on a design and obtain cost estimates.
C. Breakout session
Postponed.
IX. Public Comments:
None.
X. Adjournment.
Meeting adjourned at 8:13pm.
Next Meeting: March 4, 2026 at
7:00 p.m.
at Skokie Village Hall