Approved 1/29/04
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Members Present: Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Dianne Holman, Calvin Lynch, Mark Grebner, Mary Stid, Randy Schafer and Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Don Reisig, Jeff Venn, David Easterday, Judge Garcia, Judge Collette, Nervy Oliver, Christine Timmons, Richard Kerbawy, Travis Faulds, David Buck, James Wahl, Jim Hines, Maureen Winslow, Chris Horton, Tom Lattig, Kevin Allen, Vince Moser and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at 7:41 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the December 4 and 17, 2003 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. STID, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 4 AND DECEMBER 17 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda: None
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Timmons wished the Committee success with their plans for the Juvenile Justice Millage funds. She also spoke regarding an organization that may qualify for Juvenile Justice Millage funding. Ms. Timmons then addressed the issue of State laws governing prostitutes and homosexuals. She stated the laws for these two issues should be applied fairly.
Mr. Neilsen stated Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant requested that this background information be provided at this first meeting of 2004. This will be a major area of emphasis for this Committee throughout this new year. The Committee reviewed this information.
a. Resolution Honoring Maureen J. Durbin
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. LYNCH, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION HONORING MAUREEN J. DURBIN. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. LYNCH, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY FOR THE ADOLESCENT DIVERSION PROGRAM.
Mr. Neilsen stated this Resolution will authorize the Circuit Court/Family Division to enter into a contract with Michigan State University for a total cost of $149,886 to operate the Adolescent Diversion Program from October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004. The funds are within the Court's budget.
Comm. Holman asked if the contract was flexible to allow for changes down the road. Mr. Reisig explained that the people in this program have performed these services for many years. Therefore, they have the knowledge needed to make changes when appropriate.
In response to Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant, Mr. Reisig stated intake referees select juveniles for this program in most cases.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AMENDMENTS TO THE CIRCUIT COURT/FAMILY DIVISION 2003/04 CHILD CARE FUND BUDGET.
Mr. Oliver stated the Court is proposing the creation of an additional Court Psychologist position within the Family Court Juvenile Division. Consistent with the Court's earlier request for this position in conjunction with expansion of the Intensive Neglect Services program, this position will enable the Court to more effectively serve both Neglect and Delinquent youth.
The addition of the two INS staff positions will increase the client service capacity of the program by over 25%. Without the additional staff psychologist support, the program will not be able to continue the level of services that have resulted in the outstanding success of this program.
Additionally, the development of a standardized behavior risk assessment instrument (the YLS) and implementation will require significant involvement of Court Psychologist, Dr. Turke. Working closely with Dr. Davidson and MSU, Dr. Turke will, along with Dr. Davidson, be responsible for staff training, piloting of the instrument, the eventual court- wide implementation of the assessment tool and introducing/training Ingham County juvenile justice related agency staff regarding the YLS.
The addition of the Child Care Fund eligible Court Psychologist position will cost the County a net $33,571 for year one and $50,867 at Step 7 of the OPEIU scale.
The court believes the creation of this position is consistent with the intent and purpose of the Juvenile Justice Millage and will increase the Court's ability to treat delinquent and disturbed youth within the community.
Comm. Schafer requested a flow chart regarding the Court positions be provided to this Committee in the near future.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated the 2003 Judiciary Committee took action to begin the selection process for a risk/needs assessment tool.
In response to Comm. Holman, Mr. Reisig explained the new psychologist position will enable Dr. Turke to work with Mr. Davidson, MSU, regarding the risk/needs assessment tool.
Comm. Grebner expressed his support for this item. He then explained how this action will fit within the short and long term plans. Comm. Grebner further stated he would like to see a request for reorganization and a centralized authority within the Court in the near future. He does not believe the County will realize its goal without such a reorganization.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Faulds explained the recommendation for enhanced staffing in the Youth Center. The foremost reason for the request is to maintain the basic safety of residents and staff in the Youth Center at all times. Also, with these staffing levels, when staff are sick or on vacation, we would not necessarily have to call in additional staff at additional costs and we could, therefore, operate more reasonably within our budget.
If the Youth Center was adequately staffed in a proactive manner, the frequency of additional staff being called in would be reduced and the Youth Center could stay within its budgeted amount.
In response to Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant, Mr. Faulds stated the net effect is an increase of five (5) full-time employees and a decrease of two (2) special part-time positions which will result in a first-year net cost of approximately $118,924 to the County. The long-term cost of adding these positions is approximately $145,059. The Youth Center believes that it can dramatically improve the level of staffing and services in 2004 with this change. Along with the commitment the Court has made to reduce overcrowding, the additional staff will help bring us into compliance with the State's licensing requirements.
Comm. Lynch asked about the State Audit information. Mr. Neilsen stated he did not have that information with him this evening.
The Committee continued their discussion of this item.
Comm. Grebner suggested the staffing changes will allow for a reduction in over-time costs. Mr. Neilsen stated Mr. Faulds is willing to offer a reduction in over-time. However, Mr. Neilsen explained he is not recommending that offer be made at this time.
Comm. Grebner stated the Youth Center is a very secure treatment center. Mr. Faulds agreed by stating staff and residents are safe. Grievances on behalf of staff have not been filed from the Youth Center within the past 14 months. He stated he truly believes the secure facility can be an effective treatment facility. Rehabilitation of the youth starts with having a secure facility.
Comm. Schafer stated it appears the Youth Center building should be expanded. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated the issues of capacity and treatment will be discussed fully at a future meeting.
Judge Garcia stated he would provide reports to this Committee regarding the Youth Center capacity whenever he is present at a Judiciary Committee meeting.
Comm. Holman expressed her support of this additional position. However, she also expressed her concern that new hires should be flexible in order to accommodate upcoming changes in the Youth Center. Mr. Faulds stated the Youth Center staffing has experienced a huge turn-over during the past one and a half years. The Youth Center's current staff has integrity and is committed to following the mission of the Youth Center.
Comm. Grebner stated he hopes this change will make the Youth Center licensable. Currently, the Youth Center is operating at a substantial financial risk without being licensed by the State. He also expressed his concern that the secure lock-down facility (Youth Center) can also operate as a treatment facility for youth.
MOVED BY COMM. LYNCH, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE STAFFING ADJUSTMENTS IN THE YOUTH CENTER. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE SECURITY EQUIPMENT PURCHASES FOR THE YOUTH CENTER.
Mr. Faulds explained this is a recommendation to authorize the purchase of equipment to ensure appropriate security and management of the Youth Center. The recommendation is to purchase the following equipment:
In response to Comm. Grebner, Mr. Neilsen stated this item is before this Committee tonight because it involves use of the Juvenile Justice Millage funds.
Comm. Lynch stated this item should have been included in the budget process as a capital improvement item. Comm. Holman also expressed her concern regarding the use of the Juvenile Justice Millage funds for this item. Mr. Faulds stated this request does meet the requirements of the Millage. Comm. Stid stated the funds should come from the County's 2004 Contingency Fund as it is a one-time expenditure. This discussion continued.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Holman voting NO.
(Comm. Lynch at approximately 8:47 p.m.)
Mr. Oliver stated up-front administrative issues are being addressed at this time. Also, assessments will be performed in three different areas. Some existing cases will also be assessed. A current employee is very qualified to assist in this matter.
A meeting will be held next Tuesday at the Youth Center. Dr. Davidson and Ms. Lipsey will be present at that meeting. The first full assessment training of court staff will take place during the first one to two weeks of February.
Drs. Davidson and Turke will be present at a future Judiciary meeting to address more technical issues concerning the assessment tool.
Judge Garcia reviewed the information contained in the 30th Judicial Circuit Court - Ingham County Family Division - Delinquency information. Copies of this report were distributed to the Committee for their review.
This report contains information on:
Judge Garcia explained there is no long-term residential placement available for females within Ingham County. The Court relies heavily on Shiawassee Detention and Muncie Reception and Diagnostic Center for placements. A six-bed transitional home for females (Sequel Youth Services) and a six-bed group home for females (Peckham Vocational Industries) would address this need.
He also explained the Court relies heavily on Shiawassee Detention and Muncie Reception and Diagnostic Center for male placement needs. This will be off-set by the additional 12 beds at StART - Camp Highfields.
Sequel Youth Services and Camp Highfields are ready, willing and able to start accepting placements from Ingham County.
Comm. Holman asked the Court for their RFP language for the proposed services. Judge Garcia explained that, in his view, only two organizations meet the County's needs. Those are Peckham and Sequel. Comm. Holman stated it is financially responsible to bid for these services. New groups may offer new ideas. Judge Garcia stated proposals were solicited during the past eleven months. The two organizations previously mentioned are the results of that action.
Judge Collette explained the Courts have always had problems providing placements for females. Comm. Schafer stated he believes the Court has provided a comprehensive plan. The two needed services will be provided by two different organizations.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant informed the Committee that she has earmarked specific Judiciary meetings to discuss specific issues. This Committee's next meeting will include a Drug Court presentation. The next six to seven meetings will address juvenile justice issues.
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Ms. Timmons expressed her support for the Judge's proposal. She then identified agenda items which may or may not qualify for Juvenile Justice Millage funds. Ms. Timmons stated she was happy with tonight's meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff