COSA
Council of Social Agencies
MINUTES
V. Networking
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VI. Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance @ 8:18 a.m.
VII.
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VIII.
May 21, 2014
8:00 a.m.
Motion made by Pat Sacco, second by Paula
Trautman with unanimous approval.
Self-Introductions and Announcements – “60
Seconds of Fame”

Debra Ames – CareerSource Research Coast Funding is available for displaced worker employment
transition, paid internships and on-the-job-training. OJT
= 50-90% employer reimbursement. 772-408-1260.

Laura Castro – Florida Rural Legal Services – Help
low-income people in all 4 counties (Indian River,
Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee) with foreclosure
prevention and other legal needs. Must be 275% or
less of the poverty level. 772-466-4766.

Cassey Chang – St. Lucie County School District –
Title I office - MH Services. Offer parent resource
center and many programs, including parent ESL
program, Rosetta Stone lab, Technology classes and a
Lending library. Provided pamphlets. 772-497-4254.
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Nelly Diaz - Council on Aging – Assist with Meals on
Wheels and Homemaker services for seniors. 772-3368608.
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Marianne and Russ Embry - St. Vincent DePaul/St.
Bernadette’s Parish - Thrift Store accepts donations via
drop off or pick up. Small items can be brought to the
COSA meeting. As available, furniture & household
items may be provided to families in need. Five
different conferences (churches) serve their specific
local areas. 772-873-2693.
Harbor Place 3700 SE Jennings RoadPSL
Approval of April 2014 Meeting Minutes
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
Teresa Farnell - Zion’s Daughters of Distinction Ministries - JEWELS helps juveniles reenter employment and become successful – after a 6-week program they will have clean
record. SWAN - Sisters with a Need 772-882-9194.

Deann Ferrell – CareerSource Research Coast Youth Connections – Area Manager – Helps
youth 16-21 get GED – income eligibility. Provide work readiness and basic life skills
training. Paid internships with goal of unsubsidized work. 772-342-5819.

Patty Guttu – Mustard Seed Ministries – ACA Navigator – assisting with resident enrollment
in health insurance. Program ends soon, but there is still much to do. 772-465-6021.
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Andrea Johnson - Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council – Works with low-income
families to stabilize housing using ESG, FEMA, SSVF. Manages rental properties through
the NSP program. 772-567-7790.
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Christy Kee - Department of Health - Project AIDS - Serves those in the advanced stages
of AIDS/HIV. Transitioning with the roll out of the Affordable Care Act. It is unclear at this
time what the impact will be on their program. Ways and Means Chair for COSA - Swap
Shop and 50/50 raffles. 772-462-3847.
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Lourdes Mercedes - Safe Space – helps victims of domestic violence in Tri-County Area.
Spanish and English speakers are available. Shelters located in Martin and Indian River
County. 772-223-2399.
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Ashley Mock - Children’s Services Council - Fund Agencies that provide services for
children to get help with safety, trauma, abuse and addictions , keeping them away from
drugs, in school to stop child abuse before it starts. They have Educational Resources
available. Kids at Hope – Gang intervention. Adult role models. City of Port St. Lucie & Fort
Pierce have all employees trained. Roundtable provides training. “Tunnels of Hope” at
schools during the 1 st week of school. Welfare & Cheer the kids. Career Coaches with
CareerSource Research Coast. 772-408-1106.
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Camille Mongiello - St. Vincent DePaul/Holy Family – President; serves area residents
for emergency housing, medical, utility bills. 772-335-8621.
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Deacon John Mostler – Dignity for All, Inc. – works with homeless people, as well as with St.
Vincent DePaul and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parishes. Outreach for feeding, shelter support, and
obtaining identification. 772-528-5911.
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Stefanie Myers - St. Lucie County Community Services – Provides services for
transportation and supporting low income households to become self-sufficient. 772-4621777.

Sam Patterson – Division of Blind Services. Serves Palm Beach County and the Treasure
Coast – assist those with vision loss from birth to end of life. Looking for outreach
opportunities to let the community know. 561-681-2548.

Kate Priest – TC Hospice – liaison for Home Health and private duty nursing agencies.
Hospice offers bereavement counseling for all grief and loss issues, not just death. Have
special program for children. Tuesday, July 8 th Resource Fair at the Thomas Counseling
Center from 8-9:30 am for the Treasure Coast Hospice Staff, opens to the community 10-12
pm. Handed out School Supplies for Students flyers. 772-631-2132.
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
Pat Sacco – Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Association of the Treasure Coast - Website
tcremember.org. Website has informative information on adult daycare centers; support
groups and has 72 links to other agencies. Working to develop CEU credits for
professionals. Has a one-hour radio program each week (WSTU 1450 9-10 am) and needs
speakers for program. Resource center guides people through diagnosis to “neighbor
helping neighbor.” Looking for a curriculum to train caregivers and one for children. 772335-1910.

Brady Talley – Indian River State College/Adult Education. Help those 16 - 89 years old.
Have 3,500 students in the tri-county area with Adults in High school, GED and ESL
classes. New GED Certificate rollout is in process with IRSC. Enrollment is decreasing –
need referrals. 772-462-7390.

Gina Thomas – Mary’s Shelter of the Treasure Coast – Homeless shelter for pregnant
women. Also has a thrift store. 772-223-5000.

Paula Trautman - AARP Foundation, SCSEP - helps ages 55 and over with job training and
employment. Needs seniors for her office. Nomination for SS our Volunteer Award. 772336-3330.

Kristi Walsh – Children’s Home Society. Child welfare program. Program Manager
Wavecrest (11-18 y.o.). Counseling, life skills, family intervention. Manages safe place –
receiving facility. Early school intervention taught in 5 middle schools. Ribbon cutting
ceremony for Garden City Annex May 29 at 8-9:00 am 2102 Ave Q, Fort Pierce. 772-4609752.

Jim Wilder – Rupert J. Smith Law Library – Serves those in need of legal guidance
research - cannot advise - open 7 days a week. Can file petitions, end of life care, and
notarize wills. Jim also offers CPR/AED/First Aid classes at cost for those members who
are interested. Law Day this year is focused on voting. ACA sign up is still open. Jim saves
$952 a month due to new change. 772-618-6995.

Rayma Zugel - Care Net -- Pregnancy Services – Offers prenatal care and parenting
classes. Have baby boutique that provides maternity clothes & furniture. 772-871-2211.
V. Program – Title I St. Lucie County Schools – Cassey Chang – Licensed Clinical Social
Worker (LCSW)
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31 schools in St. Lucie County are Title I.
Federal money given to school district.
All Title I schools have tutoring services.
Provide Parent workshops to engage parents.
“Finding Kind Workshop” addresses Bullying.
Resource Center – Offer computer workshops during school schedule.
Rosetta Stone Lab – “kid-friendly”
Lending library.
Mental Health Services Counselors work with Department of Juvenile Justice. Needs
Assessment & Intervention (not direct services).
Works with PACE Center for DATA House and Drug Abuse Treatment Center.
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VI. Community Resource Identification and Discussion
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VII.
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VIII.
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Family in Okeechobee – renters had their water turned off. Have two children under the age
of 1 year. Need assistance. Call Florida Rural Legal “Cash for keys for renters”
Bed bugs in an apartment – Is it the property owner’s responsibility?
o In Florida, landlords are responsible for and must pay for the extermination of bed
bugs. Section 83.51(2)(a), F.S. of the Florida Landlord/Tenant Law. Summary of
Chapter 83, Part II - Florida Statutes states that:" the landlord of a dwelling unit
other than a single-family home or duplex shall, at all times of the tenancy, make
reasonable provisions for: Extermination of rats, mice, ants and wood destroying
organisms and bed bugs The exact Florida bed bug tenant law can be found here.
Committee Reports
Membership – 31 members
50/50 Raffle – Stefanie won $72 and donated most back to COSA
Next Meeting - Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Swap Shop
IX.
Events and Other Announcements
X.
Meeting Adjourned - 9:35 a. m.
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Minutes respectfully submitted by Rayma Zugel
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