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Commission on Family Services
Meeting Agenda – Skokie Village Hall
March 4, 2026
7:00 pm
I. Call to Order: Approval of Agenda
II. Consent Agenda
III. Approval of Minutes: Feb. 4, 2026
IV. ADA Evaluation and Transition Plan Update: Rolando Ithier, ADA Workgroup Co-Chair
V. Speaker: Courtney Hall, Program Director of NAMI Cook County North Suburban
VI. Chair’s Report: Harold Primack
VII. Health and Human Service Report: Staff Liaison, Melissa Versch
VIII. Boards and Commissions Training Session: Harold Primack & Melissa Versch
IX. Old Business:
A. Commission Mission Statement
B. T- shirts
X. New Business:
A. Breakout session
B. Subcommittee reports on initiatives
XI. Public Comments:
XII. Adjournment.
Next Meeting: March 25, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
at Skokie Village Hall
If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Melissa Versch, Health and Human Services Division
at (847) 933-8233 or melissa.versch@skokie.org.

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Commission on Family Services
Consent Agenda
March 4, 2026
Youth and Families Subcommittee Report
On Feb. 13, the Youth and Families subcommittee met with Village Trustee Keith Robinson to learn about the
forthcoming Youth Commission. The Village plans to involve all the local private and public high schools in recruiting a
group of civic-minded and engaged high school students to meet on a regular basis. They would like to have two
representatives from each school, plus an alternate student. The kids will set their goals and agendas. Our
subcommittee is looking forward to collaborating with the Youth Commission when it's up and running. Also, 3 members
of the subcommittee shared their observations from visiting the Volunteer Center's Day of Service in January. It was a
massive event that mobilized a few hundred people, mostly kids, in various service projects. We explored the idea of
hosting a similar event sometime in the future.
Seniors Subcommittee Report
We attended the monthly meeting of Dementia Friendly Evanston (DFE) at the Levy Center on 2/10/26. They are open to
sharing resources, initiatives and training, and are very supportive of collaborating with us as we explore the possibility
of starting up a Dementia Friendly Skokie effort. They will publicize, and have a presence at the annual Walk to End
Alzheimer's - Northshore, which will be held on 9/19/26. Evanston's annual Aging Well Expo is planned for Friday, 5/8/26
from 9:00-12:00.
We also met with Melissa Versch on 2/24/26 to plan for our participation in the Skokie Public Library's, "How To Fest",
which will be held on Sunday, 4/19/26 from 1:30-4:00. We will have a table called, "How to Navigate Transportation",
and will have hand outs and maps available. Previous events have seen 300 patrons in attendance. We will also be
gathering info about transportation needs/gaps in Skokie.
Disabilities Subcommittee Report
The disability sub-committee met to discuss future initiatives as the village continues with the ADA self-assessment.
A Community Expo on Inclusion, Awareness, and Opportunity
is the Recommendation of the Disability Subcommittee
Proposed Date: July 2027
The Disability Subcommittee proposes hosting a half-day community awareness and education expo to deepen public
understanding of disability, accessibility, and inclusion across all areas of community life.
This event is intentionally designed as more than a traditional resource fair. Its primary goal is to help residents,
businesses, educators, and community partners recognize disability as a natural and valued part of community diversity
while encouraging more inclusive attitudes, environments, and practices throughout Skokie.
The expo will feature keynote speakers with lived disability experience, followed by a community exhibitor space
showcasing inclusive organizations, employers, adaptive technology, and resources for both disabled and non-disabled
residents. The event proposal is that the event will be co-sponsored by Skokie partner organizations and local
businesses committed to inclusive practices
We are working on a proposal to be shared with whoever it needs to be shared with the village.