Amended 4/1/04
Members Present: Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Dianne Holman, Calvin Lynch, Mark Grebner, Mary Stid, Randy Schafer and Board Chairperson Celentino
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Travis Faulds, Nervy Oliver, Jim Hines, Ben Wallace, Bob Sheehan, Richard Kerbawy, Stephanie Zin, Mary Scott, Jeff Venn, Maureen Winslow, Rebecca Bough, Christine Timmons, Al Way, Jim Luce, Jim Welch, Sarah Schultz and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at 7:22 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 26, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. LYNCH, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 26 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda
4.5 Comm. Holman - Juvenile Justice Planning Tool
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Timmons addressed the Committee regarding an article in the Lansing State Journal. She stated her belief that the title of the article was incorrect.
Ms. Bough addressed the Committee as the mother of a seventeen year old daughter who is currently in the County juvenile system. Her daughter is scheduled to be released from residential care soon. Ms. Bough expressed her fear for her daughter if she is not enrolled in an after-care program after release. Ms. Bough explained the abuse and addictions her daughter has worked hard to overcome while in residential treatment. If she is released without support to her home neighborhood, she will be preyed on once again. Ms. Bough asked this Committee to please understand the value of a transitional living home.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant informed the Committee that the applicant has withdrawn her application.
Mr. Sheehan distributed an informational document (Key Issues of Children and Families with Mental Health Problems in the Juvenile Justice System) to the Committee for their review during his presentation. The key issues involved four major variables: Community Based, Comprehensive, Centered on Family and Collaborative. Mr. Sheehan stated family-centered treatment and supports to youth within their homes and communities are critical. The treatment and support would consist of home-based treatment and wraparound services.
It is critical to provide health screening/assessments of children who have been removed from their homes by the Court. The screening/assessment would identify at risk children with treatment needs. Risk and need assessments for all court-involved youth will guide treatment decisions and provide consistence in case dispositions. A comprehensive treatment package is needed for high-risk/high-need youth. Without this comprehensive treatment plan, many youth will end up back in the County's juvenile justice system. Specific tailored interventions are necessary for the female population.
Assessments should be conducted on families of all court-involved youth for the purpose of guiding interventions. Treatment should include a systematic approach to working with parents and families of court-involved youth.
Mr. Sheehan continued by stating a collaborative effort would include the development and utilization of a coordinated service plan for court-involved families. Also, a community team would review high-risk cases and develop alternatives to out-of-home placement. This collaboration would also involve a joint effort between the Court and the CMH programs.
Comm. Schafer asked Mr. Sheehan to address the cost issue between his suggestion and placing youth in out-of-home placements. Mr. Sheehan stated placing youth in out-of-home placements costs approximately $6,000 more per youth. Foster care costs $12,000 to $25,000 per year per youth. He also explained that family based treatment plans have a much higher success rate than out-of-home placements. Mr. Sheehan stated he is not against foster care for the appropriate situations.
Mr. Way explained the foster care system usually does not work with youth who have multiple needs. Mr. Sheehan stated his proposal is very broad. However, it does echo the sentiments of the Cincinnati Juvenile Justice study.
In response to Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant, Mr. Way stated all youth contained within the Youth Center have been screened by CMH. He also stated he didn't know the number of transitional treatment beds that would be needed to meet the community's needs. Mr. Sheehan stated a coalition of community groups could provide that information. He will obtain this information and provide it to this Committee.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT WITH COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD OF CLINTON, EATON AND INGHAM COUNTIES FOR THE INGHAM FAMILY AND YOUTH INTERVENTION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.
In response to Comm. Holman, Mr. Ambrose explained the State of Michigan would reimburse the County 50%.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Hines distributed an informational folder to each of the Commissioners for their review. The folder contained information regarding Camp Highfields. Mr. Hines explained the goal of Highfields' Youth Opportunity Camp is to intervene with youth earlier in their history with the court. This intervention consists of using residential placement, engaging families and providing reintegration preparation and support to both the youth and his family. Currently, one of the Camp's 12-bed units is being used to provide these services.
Mr. Hines stated many youth return to the court system when they are released from residential placement without after-care services. This is a critical component for the youth. Highfields' program has been very successful for the County. Basic operational parameters and admission criteria were outlined in the folder information.
Mr. Hines addressed questions from the Committee at this time. In response to Comm. Holman, Mr. Hines explained Highfields' proposal addresses male youth. To Chairperson Celentino, he stated every youth receive an IEP upon admission. Mr. Hines invited the Committee to hold one of its meetings at Camp Highfields. The Commissioners would be able to tour the facility at that time.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant expressed this Committee's appreciation to Mr. Hines for his proposal. This Committee will hold one of its April meetings at Camp Highfields.
(The Committee recessed from 8:27 p.m. until 8:36 p.m)
Mr. Luce, Youth Challenge Academy (Academy), distributed information regarding the Academy to the Commissioners for their review during his power-point presentation. He explained the Academy is a 17.5 month, three-phase program. The Academy offers teenagers 16 through 18 years of age the opportunity to change their lives and make a future for themselves. The program incorporates eight core components that encourage physical, mental and moral development. The core components are: academic excellence, leadership/follower skills, physical fitness, community service, health/hygiene, citizenship, life coping skills and skill training.
The first phase of the program involves two weeks of living in barracks at historic Fort Custer. Youth will spend much of their time doing physical training, marching and performing military movements. They will learn the basics of military structure and organization. The second phase includes 400 hours of classroom instruction to prepare cadets for the G.E.D. exam. Youth will also receive 160 hours of vocational/technical training in one of over five different skills. This phase also involves 40 hours of community service. Graduates from this phase can receive thirteen college credits from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in addition to a full semester of high school credits.
Mr. Luce explained the third and final phase is a post-resident phase. During this phase cadets will be matched to a local mentor from their community who will keep weekly contact with the cadet and help guide him in executing his life plan for the next twelve months of the post-resident phase.
Mr. Wallace stated youth must volunteer to be admitted into the Academy in order to be successful. In response to Comm. Schafer, Mr. Wallace further explained the Academy could set up a program to accept court-ordered youth into its program. However, the Academy could not accept youth charged with felony crimes. Mr. Luce then explained tuition is based on tax-payer investment.
Mr. Luce and Mr. Wallace continued to address questions from the Committee. In response to Comm. Stid, Mr. Wallace explained that all youth in the Academy have been assessed for mental health needs as well as other needs. Cadets are supervised at all times unless they are participating in an approved off-site activity. Staff are on site 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The youth are not locked down.
In response to Chairperson Celentino, Mr. Wallace further explained the voluntary nature of the program. He stated some youth see this program as an opportunity to succeed. Some youth hear about the program from graduates of the Academy and others hear of it from parents and/or schools. In response to Comm. Lynch, Mr. Wallace stated the Academy does serve female youth. To Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant, Mr. Wallace stated .002% of Academy graduates enter the jail system. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated .002% is a very impressive rate.
In response to Mr. Neilsen, Mr. Luce stated the Academy must turn away some youth due to budget constraints. Mr. Wallace stated the Academy will develop a program to meet the needs of this County. Employees of the Academy are State of Michigan employees. The budget is based on two program cycles per year.
Comm. Schafer stated his class was very impressed with the Academy's presentation at their school. This is another option for this County to consider and research further.
Ms. Zin expressed her appreciation to the Committee for the opportunity to make her presentation this evening. Ms. Schultz stated Gateway Community Services (Gateway) has been providing shelter and counseling services to troubled Lansing area youth for over 16 years. Gateway has received the Governor's Discretionary Grant from Michigan's Office of Drug Control Policy. This grant will fund our new Violence Prevention Program which will provide Aggression Replacement Training (Anger Management Groups).
Gateway has five beds available now for appropriate court-referred youth. A small amount of time will be needed to hire additional staff. Gateway will hold a place in the continuum of services needed for court-involved youth in Ingham County by sheltering and providing counseling for youth. We serve males and females ages 14 to 17 years old who are not a danger to themselves or others and are referred by the courts. Other services offered by Gateway included intensive individual, family and group counseling; sexual assault/abuse counseling if appropriate; and drug/alcohol prevention education and counseling.
Ms. Schultz stated Gateway's Program Goal is to provide a safe and structured living environment for appropriate court-referred youth. Services are aimed at developing pro-social skills, strengthening familial support systems and decreasing instances of future interaction with the Juvenile Justice system. The length of a contract for services with the County would be flexible and be based on the needs of the County.
Ms. Schultz reviewed the service specifics. Twenty youth per year will be housed based on five beds with a 90-day average stay. More youth could be served with a shorter average length of stay. The cost per youth is $11,150 per year or $929 per youth per month. Gateway's services are specifically outlined it its proposal which was received by the Commissioners.
In response to Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant, Ms. Scott stated Gateway's program would be ideal for Ms. Bough's daughter (Limited Public Comment). Gateway provides the youth with needed services once the youth has been released from residential treatment.
Comm. Grebner inquired as to the separation of males and females within Gateway's facility. Ms. Scott explained the physical structure and the 24-hour supervision allows for males and females to be housed in the same facility. Male and female staff are available for the youth at all times. In response to Comm. Grebner's statement regarding Gateway's inexpensive rate, Ms. Schultz stated Gateway receives funds from other sources and also Gateway is a very lean operation.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding Gateway's program rates. Ms. Schultz explained Gateway's entire budget is approximately $400,000. Gateway also owns its facility.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant expressed her appreciation to the Gateway representatives for their informative presentation.
4.5 Comm. Holman - Juvenile Justice Planning Tool
Comm. Holman distributed copies of a planning tool which she drafted. She explained this tool could be helpful to this Committee when making recommendations regarding the juvenile justice millage funds. The Commissioners expressed their appreciation to Comm. Holman for her planning tool.
a. Resolution Regarding Creation of a Position of Attorney/Referee within the Juvenile Division/Family Court and Authorizing a Contract Amendment to the Circuit Court/Family Division 2003/04 Child Care Fund Budget
MOVED BY COMM. LYNCH, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION REGARDING CREATION OF A POSITION OF ATTORNEY/REFEREE WITHIN THE JUVENILE DIVISION/FAMILY COURT AND AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT AMENDMENT TO THE CIRCUIT COURT/FAMILY DIVISION 2003/04 CHILD CARE FUND BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Kerbawy thanked the Committee for their support of this request.
Comm. Lynch distributed copies of his proposed substitute to this Resolution - Resolution Seeking Proposals to Provide Treatment Beds for Female Juveniles.
MOVED BY COMM. LYNCH, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION SEEKING PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE TREATMENT BEDS FOR FEMALE JUVENILES.
After some discussion, the Committee consented to amend the THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph:
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby authorize the Controller to seek two Requests for Proposals to obtain up to a total of 12 beds; including six transitional beds for females returning from long-term residential treatment and six beds for short-term community based female placements, outside of the Ingham County Juvenile Center for the treatment of female juveniles.
Mr. Oliver stated it was very interesting to listen to the proposals submitted to this Committee this evening. The court appreciates the agencies' willingness to assist it with juvenile justice issues. He further explained the court can build a relationship of trust with any of the agencies over time. However, he would never support a court order which places a youth in the Youth Challenge Academy.
Mr. Neilsen explained tonight's agencies have received funding cuts. These agencies are familiar with the Juvenile Justice Millage, and they are willing to make necessary changes to meet the needs of this County. Mr. Oliver explained the Courts do not want to contract with agencies for services. The Court wants resources for youth placement within this County. Mr. Oliver further stated the Court has a pressing need to take some form of action regarding additional placement options soon.
Comm. Stid stated she believes the Board of Commissioners are being pressured by the Courts, the Prosecutor and the Judges to make decisions now. The County has needed the additional youth services for several years. She further stated the County residents provided the County with a gift when it approved the request for a Juvenile Justice Millage. It is the Board of Commissioner's duty to spend the millage monies wisely. Comm. Stid then expressed her concerns regarding the need for female placements and services.
Mr. Oliver stated he understands the Board's need for due diligence. However, the Court is aware of youth who will need these services very soon. The Court wants the County to move as quickly and efficiently as possible in regard to making placement decisions.
Comm. Holman stated it is clear that there is a need for residential and transitional beds for females. The Board should give every interested agency an opportunity to present their proposals for its consideration. An RFP process would provide structure into the decision making process. Comm. Holman further stated she supports Comm. Lynch's proposed Substitute Resolution.
Mr. Neilsen stated Judge Garcia was present at a Judiciary meeting in the past when this Committee discussed the need for an RFP process. He also stated he understands Mr. Oliver's position on this matter. Therefore, Mr. Neilsen proposed this Committee could proceed with the RFP process and, at the same time, increase the Court's budget to make placements. The Committee discussed this matter further.
Comm. Grebner suggested that this Committee should approve the Substitute Resolution. He then proposed the following amendment to the Substitute Resolution:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the 30th Circuit Court/Family Division request and authorizes an increase in the 2003-2004 County Child Care Fund for a total costs of $100,000, $50,000 from the Child Care Fund and $50,000 from the Juvenile Justice Millage in order to add capacity for residential female placements in fully licensed primarily local treatment facilities within Ingham County.
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO AMEND THE SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION BY ADDING THE "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED" PARAGRAPH ABOVE.
Comm. Lynch expressed his concern that Dr. Latessa's recommendations included community involvement in this process. He has not seen any of this community involvement. It is the Board of Commissioner's job to make the Courts listen to our recommendations.
Mr. Oliver stated he wants to speak with Gateway representatives very soon regarding their proposed services.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY as Amended.
Comm. Stid informed the Committee that the Law Enforcement Committee sent this Resolution back to Finance with some concerns. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant agreed with the Law Enforcement Committee that the proposed process needs more discussion. The Committee consented to referring this matter to the Finance Committee.
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Announcements
Mr. Neilsen asked the Committee if it would like to meet at Camp Highfields on April 1 or April 15, 2004. The Commissioners stated they would email Mr. Neilsen regarding their preferences.
Mr. Neilsen further stated there has been some discussion regarding the direction this Committee is taking in regard to the use of the Juvenile Justice funds. Comm. Stid stated this Committee needs to discuss where it is in this process.
Comm. Schafer stated he would like to discuss the issue of placements for youth charged with home invasions. Mr. Neilsen stated he would do some research into this issue.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated any and all groups are welcome to present their proposals to this Committee.
Public Comment
Ms. Timmons addressed the Committee regarding her position on tonight's presentations. She then expressed her opinions regarding the Courts.
The meeting adjourned at 10:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff