Health, Human Services, and Arts Committee Meeting - Jan 12, 2026

The committee convened to hear updates from the Music School Settlement regarding a major capital expansion project and from the Division of Health Equity and Social Justice regarding equity initiatives, federal funding challenges, and programmatic improvements. Presenters provided detailed statistics on student demographics, financial aid, and community impact, while council members expressed strong support for the organizations' missions and requested deeper dives into specific health disparities and funding mechanics.

Consent Calendar

• Routine introductions of the newly appointed committee team.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A member of the public (alumnus) expressed that the Music School Settlement teaches character and curiosity, having learned there as a child in the late 90s.
• Councilman Austin expressed full support for the Music School Settlement project as a "must-have" for sustainability, stating that without growth and innovation, an organization cannot last.
• Councilman Jones expressed deep concern regarding infant mortality in the 44128 (Lee-Harvard) zip code, characterizing past conditions as "third world" and expressing a need for a fundamental improvement and a direct working relationship with the Health Department to address systemic barriers facing the African American female population.

Discussion Items

Music School Settlement Capital Project

• Project Overview: The Settlement presented plans to rehab the historic "Grease House" (built 1912) on their University Circle campus to increase instructional space by 50% (from 28 to 42 rooms) and build a state-of-the-art technology lab. The new addition will feature specialized acoustic separation for jazz, rock, and pop, and will be named the "Jack Joseph and Morton Mandel Music House" following a $3.3 million gift from the Mandel Foundation.
• Accessibility & Financial Aid: Director of the Settlement emphasized that 44% of students received financial aid last year, with discounts up to 90% based on federal poverty guidelines. A new Community Engagement Manager has been hired to increase visibility.
• Community Engagement: The technology lab will be open to the general public for music software and sound editing training. The organization also highlighted its Suzuki program, which involves active parent engagement, and its Creative Aging program, which combats isolation in seniors.
• Council Feedback: Councilman Austin praised the project and offered to facilitate a meeting to discuss potential city assistance for the capital campaign, noting the importance of municipal endorsement.

Division of Health Equity and Social Justice

• Equity Framework: Commissioner Wills presented the division's work in implementing the "racism is a public health crisis" resolution, utilizing Health and Equity Assessments (HEAs) to review city policies across four categories: neighborhood/built environment, economic mobility, health/public health, and social/community supports.
• Federal Funding Challenges: The Commissioner expressed concern regarding potential impacts of federal changes to Medicaid and SNAP work requirements, particularly on the HIV treatment population (5,000 beneficiaries in Cleveland). A "war of paperwork" regarding reapplications (every six months) is anticipated. Additionally, conflicts between federal presidential orders regarding gender inclusivity and municipal laws are being reviewed by the law department, causing a lag in finalizing HERSA (Mom's First) contracts.
• Program Highlights:
  • Mom's First: A home-visiting program for pregnant women and infants, now facing potential reporting constraints regarding gender recognition due to federal compliance issues.
  • Community Hubs: The Health Department is leveraging existing community partners (libraries, schools, ministers' groups) to navigate benefit application barriers.
  • Infrastructure: Work is ongoing to increase language access (beyond the language line) and improve physical accessibility in City Hall buildings.
• Civic Engagement: The committee discussed the formation of the "CIVIC" (Cleveland Infant Vitality Group) to address infant mortality, modeled after Cincinnati's "Cradle Cincinnati" initiative to standardize equitable care for Black women and babies.
• Council Feedback:
  • Councilman Jones requested specific data on infant mortality improvements in the 44128 zip code since 2017 and asked for a comparative analysis of barriers preventing African American women from accessing care.
  • Councilwoman House Jones commended the Division of Health Equity for its intentionality in team training (using CliftonStrengths, communication styles, and empathy training), stating the team operates at a "level of excellence" and urged the city to replicate this model.

Key Outcomes

• Music School Settlement: The committee acknowledged the organization's $10.1 million in raised funds for the $12 million project. The city is not currently a direct funder but Councilman Austin offered to explore city involvement in the capital campaign. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin April/May 2026 with a Fall 2027 opening.
• Health Department Reporting: The Commissioner committed to publishing the 2024 Annual Report (using the "Clear Impact" database) prior to the Mayor's Budget message in February 2026. The report will include geographic breakdowns of infant mortality and other health indicators.
• Future Directives: A separate meeting is scheduled to address the "CIVIC" initiative for infant mortality in the Lee-Harvard area and to review the city's lead program status and resources with the Community Development Department at the next meeting.
• Team Development: The Health Department's approach to mandatory team training (standard operating procedures, soft skills, and technology) was recognized as a best practice model for city-wide staff development.