Boards, Auth. and Committees

Gwinnett County Human Services Advisory Board

The Gwinnett County Human Services Advisory Board (HSAB) was established December 12, 2023 by County Resolution to ensure increased coordination and collaboration among participating entities in the County-wide human services ecosystem as guided by the comprehensive human services needs assessment and 5-Year Strategic Plan.

It is intended that the HSAB will be representative of the County's diverse and vibrantly connected community, and members of the HSAB should represent a variety of viewpoints, interests, and community segments so that it may collectively represent the interests of Gwinnett County. The HSAB shall be composed of 21 members, each of whom shall be residents of or work in a human services field in Gwinnett County, in addition to the Director of the Department of Community Services who shall serve as the non-voting chair, to be appointed as follows:
  • Public Government
      • One member appointed by the Commissioner Chairwoman
      • One member appointed by the Commissioner for District 1
      • One member appointed by the Commissioner for District 2
      • One member appointed by the Commissioner for District 3
      • One member appointed by the Commissioner for District 4
      • County Equity Officer (Incumbent serves this role)
      • Community Development/Housing
      • Child Advocacy and Juvenile Services
      • Health and Human Services
      • Public Safety
  • Private/Non-Profits
      • Five members representing non-profits which work in the human services fields
  • Advocates
      • One member representing Food Security
      • One member representing Housing
      • One member representing Health and Wellbeing
      • One member representing Youth, Literacy and Learning
  • Community
      • One member at large
      • One youth, 16 years old or older, member at large
Term
Members shall serve two-year staggered terms, serve at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners, and may be removed by a majority vote of the Board of Commissioners at any time.

In order to create staggered terms, the initial Public Government Members, with the exception of the County Equity Officer, shall serve an initial term of one year. After this initial one-year term, the Public Government Members shall also serve two-year terms.

All members with the exception of the Director of Community Services and the County Equity Officer serve at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners and may be removed by a majority vote of the Board of Commissioners at any time. Vacancies on the HSAB shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.
Qualifications
The HSAB represents a variety of viewpoints, interests, and community segments so that it may collectively represent the interests of Gwinnett County. The HSAB shall be composed of 21 members, each of whom shall be residents of or work in a human services field in Gwinnett County, in addition to the Director of the Department of Community Services who shall serve as the non-voting chair, to be appointed as follows:
  • Public Government:
    • One member appointed by the Commissioner Chairwoman
    • One member appointed by the Commissioner for District 1
    • One member appointed by the Commissioner for District 2
    • One member appointed by the Commissioner for District 3
    • One member appointed by the Commissioner for District 4
    • County Equity Officer
    • Community Development/Housing
    • Child Advocacy and Juvenile Services
    • Health and Human Services
    • Public Safety
  • Private/Non-Profits
    • Five members representing non-profits which work in the human services fields
  • Advocates
    • One member representing Food Security
    • One member representing Housing
    • One member representing Health and Wellbeing
    • One member representing Youth, Literacy and Learning
  • Community
    • One member at large
    • One youth, 16 years old or older, member at large

 

Responsibilities / Powers

Responsibilities of the Gwinnett County Human Services Advisory Board include: 

  • To serve as a resource to the Board of Commissioners and the Department of Community Services on behalf of the residents of Gwinnett County in recognizing and addressing social services needs throughout the Gwinnett community and the implementation of the Human Services 5-Year Strategic Plan.

  • To create synergy among human services programs by strengthening and leveraging community partnerships.

  • To advise on the ever-changing status of the four human services areas of food security, housing, health and wellbeing, and youth, literacy and learning.

  • To engage the community in health and human services needs through outreach and enrichment.

  • To review outcomes and report success measures of human services initiatives as it applies to the SmartBe Goals in the 5-Year Strategic Plan.

  • To provide feedback and assistance on future planning efforts.

  • To serve as a conduit for community engagement regarding needs, effectiveness, and efficiency of Gwinnett's continuum of care.

  • To conduct additional activities as directed by the Board of Commissioners.

Active Members
Appointed By Position Name Representing Term Expires
Chairwoman's Appointment Marlene Fosque At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2024
District 1 Appointment Randy Redner At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2024
District 2 Appointment Maria Najlis At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2024
District 3 Appointment Jeffree Fauntleroy At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2024
District 4 Appointment Kim Phillips At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2024
BoC Appointment Janice Jackson Community Member-At-Large At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Tracy Joseph Food Security Advocate At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Shameka Allen Health and Wellbeing Advocate At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Melanie Conner Housing Advocate At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Paul Epperson Private/Nonprofits At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Andy Harrell Private/Nonprofits At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Barry Henson Private/Nonprofits At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Victoria Huynh Private/Nonprofits At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Monica Martinez Private/Nonprofits At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Child Advocacy and Juvenile Services Michelle Vereen Public Government At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Community Development/Housing Matt Elder Public Government At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Health and Human Services Regina Miller Public Government At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Public Safety Justin Wilson Public Government At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Brianna Paredes Youth Community Member-At-Large At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
BoC Appointment Babak Mostaghimi Youth, Literacy and Learning Advocate At the Pleasure of the Board - Term Expires 12/31/2025
County Equity Officer Aisha DeBerry Public Government Incumbent