potrero view

February 2010

Potrero Hill Family Resource Center to Remain Open

By Michael Condiff

Potrero Hill Family Resource Center (PHFRC) – whose funding was threatened as a result allegations of financial misconduct by its parent agency, the Economic Opportunity Council of San Francisco (EOC) – will continue to receive full City funding at least until this summer, with no service reductions.  The center’s fate had been in question after a state review last summer revealed financial negligence within the EOC.  None of the alleged malfeasance involved PHFRC or its executive director, Joe Tasby.

“We’re safe for now, breathing a little easier,” said Tasby. “We’ve been providing services all along, basically without the promise of any money. We kind of had to mask the concern we were feeling, because we still had families that needed help. We have so many services that no one else offers on the Hill, we couldn’t just stop and wait to see what would happen. Now that the funding is secure, it’ll be business as usual.”

Located at 85 Turner Terrace, PHFRC provides comprehensive services to hundreds of families with children up to 14 years of age and/or who reside in the 94107 zip code. Programs include infant, toddler and child development curriculums; literacy classes held in collaboration with Starr King and Daniel Webster elementary schools; parenting and grandparenting workshops; men’s and women’s groups; health fairs and a food pantry that assists more than 100 families a week. PHFRC also offers a certified visitation program for families separated by the courts, and a differential responsibility program that allows families involved with Child Protective Services (CPS) to select social workers from PHFRC or CPS.

“It’s a critical agency for families in Potrero Hill,” said Dennis Yee, EOC’s interim executive director. “Fortunately, we’ve been able to take steps toward resolving some of the fiscal issues that threatened services, not only on the Hill, but in all of our neighborhoods.”

Late last year, EOC came under scrutiny for alleged misuse of more than $500,000 in public funds, including an accusation that some of the monies were used to pay for casino trips.  California Inspector General Laura Chick pulled more than $2 million in federal stimulus funds from the agency, about half of which was redirected to the Mayor’s Office of Housing for other San Francisco projects. When City agencies threatened to pull EOC funding unless its leadership was replaced, many Potrero Hill families joined a mid-December rally at City Hall, echoing the call for change. A week later, Nathaniel Mason was removed as executive director. Yee, who had been one of two deputy directors within the agency, was tapped to lead EOC’s recovery.  “The City and state felt that our agency needed to take a serious look at governance and leadership; we’re in the process of doing that,” Yee said.

In response to the change, City funders have agreed to continue their investment in EOC.  One-half million dollars is being directed to PHFRC by First 5 San Francisco, the Human Services Agency and the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families.   “We were not pleased with the operation of (EOC),” said Laurel Kloomok, Executive Director of First 5 San Francisco. “Sadly, we had to start thinking about whether or not to continue our financial commitment to the Potrero Hill Family Resource Center. But, with the EOC seemingly on the road to recovery and improvement internally, we’re able to confidently continue our investment in Potrero Hill and the outstanding services provided at the center.”

According to Kloomok, First 5 will provide funding to PHFRC through June 30, the end of the fiscal year. After that, she expects First 5 to continue its financial support of the center, but concedes that funding could be scaled back. “The budget crisis in the City affects everyone,” Kloomok said.  The City’s budget for the next fiscal year is expected to be finalized in May.

As for the state funding that was pulled from the EOC, Yee said discussions have begun that might allow $1.3 million from a community service block grant to be recouped.  “At least the door is open for us,” he said. “It’s not precluded that those funds are not available to this agency, but there’s no promise that they will be, either. It’s still very much up in the air.”

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