Approved 4/15/04
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Members Present: Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Dianne Holman, Calvin Lynch, Mark Grebner, Mary Stid and Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: Randy Schafer
Others Present: John Neilsen, Jerry Ambrose, Jim Hines, Don Reisig, Nervy Oliver, Donna Rummel, Tyler Vickers, John Castillo, Earl Baird, Allen Heiner, Ray Stowe, Michelle Rose, Mr. Winslow, Ron Smoker, Janice Pinder, Brandan Williams, Taron Wilson and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at 7:15 p.m. at Camp Highfields, Old Plank Road, Onondaga.
Approval of the March 11, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. LYNCH, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE MARCH 11 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Schafer
Additions to the Agenda: None
Limited Public Comment: This will take place during the discussion in agenda item three.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant thanked the parents and youth for attending this meeting. She also thanked Mr. Hines for hosting this meeting at Camp Highfields.
Mr. Hines welcomed the Committee to Camp Highfields. He then distributed information regarding Highfields' programs to the Commissioners for their review.
Mr. Castillo addressed the Committee regarding the need for juvenile violence prevention programs. According to the Uniform Crime Reports 2002 Michigan State Police, this County had the highest number of juvenile arrests among counties of a similar size. There were 1,808 arrests in 2002 and 1,572 arrests in 2001. In 2000, there were 813 arrests. Over the three years, juvenile arrests in this County have increased by 122%.
The violent crime arrest rate per 1,000 was 3.1 in this County. The State's rate is 1.7. This information was provided by Kids County in Michigan Data Book 2003. Ingham County had the second highest juvenile crime rate in this State in 2002 and ranked 62 out of 63 counties in trends in juvenile (ages 10 - 17) arrests for index violent crimes.
Mr. Castillo stated Standard and Poor's School Evaluation Report 2002, lists the Lansing School District as having one of the highest drop out rates in the State. The District's 2002 drop out rate was 8.2% as compared to the State average of 3.0%. During the period examined, the District's drop out rate has decreased by an average of 3.9 percentage points per year. This is counter to the State trend which shows relatively little change, but greater than the average annual peer decrease over the same time period.
Mr. Castillo continued his review of statistics concerning schools within Ingham County. He then stated research on effective interventions indicate that programs are more effective when they target behaviors related to recidivism. These behaviors include self-control, self-management, problem solving, improving communication skills and improving family functioning. The rate and severity of formal disciplinary actions are increasing. Children lack the skills needed to resolve conflicts peacefully.
Cristo Rey works with over 50 Juvenile Court Officers, Judges and schools to provide violence prevention and intervention programs for the community. Cristo Rey's Anger Management Program for Teens and the Roots and Wings Program address the need for violence prevention programs for adolescents who have entered the juvenile justice system or who are at risk because of behavior problems.
The Roots and Wings Program provides a family with skills training to help adolescents learn to work out conflicts, to be sensitive to the feelings of others, to think about the consequences of their actions, to develop communication skills, to problem solve and to make good decisions. The Program also addresses anger and aggressive impulses. The Anger Management Program uses the "Aggressive Replacement Training" curriculum to help adolescents who are experiencing serious anger and aggression problems. This Training curriculum includes skill building, anger management and moral reasoning. Teens who have completed this Training curriculum are showing an average of 20% improvement in aggressive and violent behaviors.
Mr. Castillo stated Cristo Rey needs funding to continue its programs and to add two components to the Anger Management Program. Funding is also needed to develop a program which addresses substance abuse in a family setting.
Comm. Lynch expressed his appreciation to Mr. Castillo for attending this meeting and providing the information above.
Mr. Earl Baird, Camp Highfields resident, stated he has been at this Camp for 2.5 months. Highfields' programs have helped him tremendously. Counselors have worked one on one with him to address his attitude and his respect for himself and others. Mr. Baird thanked the County for his opportunity to participate in the StART Program. He further stated his parents are involved with his treatment programs. Mr. Baird stated schools need more one on one after-school tutoring classes. His goal is to obtain a job, to stay off the streets and to stay out of trouble. He wants to get on with his life and to be successful.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant wished Mr. Baird the best on his goals. Mr. Baird explained that peer pressure was a big factor in his troubles which landed him at Highfields. Teens need more activities, job fairs and opportunities for jobs.
Mr. Vickers, Ingham County Youth Commission, asked about graduates from Highfields' programs. Mr. Wilson stated currently two previous Highfields residents are in trouble again with drinking. However, these two students are doing very well in school.
Mr. Ray Stowe, Highfields resident, stated he does not like attending school. However, when he returns to school he will become involved in activities which will help him stay straight. In response to Comm. Lynch, Mr. Stowe stated he is interested in playing the guitar and riding his bike. He is trying to enroll in Hill Academy.
Ms. Rose, Teacher at Highfields, stated she has spent many hours with the residents of the Camp. She is a StART core teacher. Mr. Winslow, Highfields Counselor, stated many organizations are working together in an effort to meet the needs of the County's youth. However, transitional programs are very much needed to help ensure the success of the Camp graduates. School success is the number one predictor of whether or not a youth will become involved in crime.
Mr. Winslow stated some graduates from the Camp lose their seats in their home schools. The community needs to open its hands and mentor these youth. They should be given another chance to attend school. The Committee discussed this issue. In response to Chairperson Celentino, Mr. Winslow stated that those youth who lose their seats in school have to be home schooled. Ms. Rose stated the entire County needs to welcome these youth back to their communities. Comm. Holman stated her understanding that youth learn in many different ways. Mr. Winslow stated Highfields does address issues of learning disabilities.
Ms. Pinder and her son Brandon Williams addressed the Committee at this time. Ms. Pinder explained that her son was a very good student in his early school years. The school then stated Brandon may have ADHD. Brandan then had to deal with taking medications and the frequent change in doses. He has been in and out of a number of schools. Ms. Pinder stated she does not have Brandan take medication any longer. She further stated she believes schools should spend more time with the youth before kicking them out of school.
Mr. Williams stated he is doing well in his classes at Highfields. Mr. Taron Wilson, Highfields resident, stated he skipped school often before coming to Highfields. He is now making good grades. Mr. Stow expressed his appreciation to Highfields' staff for all of their help. He now wants to make positive choices in his life. Mr. Wilson addressed several questions from Mr. Vickers.
A parent of a previous Highfields graduate addressed the Committee. He stated his son attended Highfields 2.5 years ago. Since his son has been out of the program, he has been back in trouble. His son did a great job while at Highfields. A transition program must be developed to help these youth back into their communities and their schools. Family counseling should also be continued after graduation from Highfields.
Comm. Holman stated staying out of trouble is a lot of hard work. However, this is a normal part of life. Youth should realize that their efforts to stay out of trouble will provide them with the opportunity to have a successful future. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant expressed her appreciation for the insight and honesty which has been expressed this evening. She further stated she expects to hear good things about the students in attendance this evening.
MOVED BY COMM. LYNCH, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE CIRCUIT COURT, FAMILY DIVISION TO AMEND THE 2003/04 CHILD CARE FUND BUDGET AND CONTRACT WITH HIGHFIELDS, INC. TO EXPAND THE StART PROGRAM.
In response to Comm. Holman, Mr. Neilsen stated the terms of the contract are contained in the BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph of the Resolution. He then explained the revised price includes several factors that were negotiated between the Court and Camp Highfields including expansion of the Court's capacity from 12 to 24, an inflationary factor, and a factor to account for the implementation of the recommendations of the CCJ Report.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Schafer
Resolution to Rescind Resolution #04-93, Create a New Attorney/Referee Position within the Juvenile Division/Family Court, Authorize a Contract Amendment to the Circuit Court/Family Division 2003/04 Child Care Fund Budget and Authorize the Use of Juvenile Justice Millage Funds
Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that Resolution #04-93 authorized the use of Juvenile Justice Millage funds for the Attorney Referee position. Mr. Reisig caught this error just after the Resolution was passed by the Board of Commissioners. The Attorney Referee position does not qualify for JJM funds.
The three Intake Referee positions do qualify for JJM funding. The Referees will spend one-half of their work days conducting assessments as recommended by the CCJ Report. The Referee positions will now be funded by 50% General Fund, 25% Child Care Fund and 25% Juvenile Justice Millage effective May 1, 2004.
The Committee discussed this item. Mr. Ambrose explained that this arrangement is designed on the premise that the Referee positions are Child Care Fund eligible. Finalizing this process will take approximately three months. The State's reassurances are reasonable and the County should rely on them.
Comm. Grebner explained the County's general policy that County positions are contained on an allocation list which specifies the source of funding for each position. Therefore, positions are continued as long as their funding source continues.
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO RESCIND RESOLUTION #04-93, CREATE A NEW ATTORNEY/REFEREE POSITION WITHIN THE JUVENILE DIVISION/FAMILY COURT, AUTHORIZE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT TO THE CIRCUIT COURT/FAMILY DIVISION 2003/04 CHILD CARE FUND BUDGET AND AUTHORIZE THE USE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE MILLAGE FUNDS. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Schafer
MOVED BY COMM. LYNCH, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE 2004 INGHAM COUNTY BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Schafer
Mr. Ambrose distributed copies of the list of items for consideration during the development of the 2005 Budget. Items are listed according to their appropriate liaison Committee. He reviewed the items contained on the Judiciary list. He stated the Commissioners should inform him of any other items for consideration.
Comm. Grebner stated it appears from Mr. Taylor's March 12, 2004 memorandum, that progress is being made regarding the "no response rate." He suggested the Jury Board consider sending the jury questionnaires by certified mail. If questionnaires are not returned, the County should pursue those people to make it clear that they cannot evade jury duty by avoiding the questionnaire.
The Board Referral was received and placed on file.
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Mr. Oliver stated the Lansing School District is not the only District which does not allow youth to return to class after treatment. The main question is how to get the youth back in school once they have completed their treatment program. This is a nation-wide problem.
Mr. Winslow stated Camp Highfields has a good rapport with the Lansing School District. More efforts need to be made to make school districts aware of this issue.
Comm. Stid expressed her continuing concerns regarding the Ingham County Truancy Court.
The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff