Amended 4/29/04
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, Nervy Oliver, Don Reisig, Donna Rummel, Joe Lessard, Maureen Winslow, Dena Anderson, Dave Buck, Jeff Venn, Travis Faulds, Judy Gardi, Marcus Jefferson, Ernie Boone, Ernestine McMullen, Cassandra Roberson, Christine Timmon and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at 7:06 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the April 1, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE APRIL 1 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda: None
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Timmon addressed the Committee regarding the Juvenile Justice Millage and her proposed investigation into Camp Highfields.
Mr. Boone stated there are few community-based programs that serve youthful offenders as a primary target group. The Black Child and Family Institute (Institute) lost its funding to operate programs designed specifically for this target group. Mr. Boone explained that the most successful programs are those that provide rewards for participation and productive behavior. The three most powerful rewards have proven to be money earned, success resulting from positive deeds and praise from caring adults.
The County would do well to focus on those three rewards. This approach would have three major strengths: a majority of the funding would go directly to the targeted youth group or to provide them with direct services; youth would gain self esteem and confidence by successfully acquiring and utilizing positive skills; and youth would develop relationships with caring adults while engaging in productive activities.
Mr. Boone stated money is a powerful motivator. Many youth commit offenses in an attempt to gain money. Young offenders should be provided stipends for participating in programs that are designed to enhance academic, vocational and/or behavioral skills. Youth old enough to obtain work permits should also have jobs as an option. Young people participate more fully when this is a monetary reward to be gained. Mr. Boone further stated that two of the most influential adults roles in an adolescent's life are coaches and work supervisors. Community based programs should include these influential people.
The County could provide job opportunities for youthful offenders. The youth would assist those agencies while gaining experience and earning a wage. Agencies could provide the youth with the necessary education, training and supervision. Mr. Boone stated the County needs to be creative in order to assist the youth of the County.
(Chairperson Celentino left the meeting at 7:28 p.m.)
Mr. Jefferson, Executive Director of the Closing the Digital Gap Program (Program), spoke to the Committee regarding the Program. The Program's mission is to provide low-income residents in the service area the opportunity to earn a computer and to receive basic computer and Internet experience. The residents are also assisted while making connections with community resources for additional training which may lead to employment.
Mr. Jefferson stated the Program also serves the under-served community including pilot efforts for at-risk youth, senior citizens and people with disabilities. The Program provides training for up to 22 unemployed participants per week at the Michigan Works Cedar Street Technical Center. Computer training is provided for at-risk youth through a partnership with the Lansing School District. Through the County, the Program receives Kellogg Foundation funding which provided for the placement of computers at 25 community organizations which provide services to the economically challenged, troubled families and the homeless population in the Lansing area.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated she could see great opportunities for a collaboration between the Institute and the County to meet the needs within this community. She further stated the Institute will be kept up-to-date regarding the County's plans in the area of juvenile justice.
Ms. McMullen, public person, explained that the County needs programs which work with youthful offenders and their families.
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTATION GRANT FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE GRANT UNIT OF THE MICHIGAN FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY.
Mr. Lessard explained this Resolution will extend the Comprehensive Strategies Implementation Grant from the Juvenile Justice Grant Unit of the Michigan Family Independence Agency through June 30, 2004. The balance of the funds will be used to complete training which will equip law enforcement officers and others to engage in positive interactions with young people. The training will also provide these individuals with skills for de-escalating situations which may lead to violence through a subcontract with the McCoy Company.
Comm. Schafer asked about the McCoy Company. Mr. Lessard stated the McCoy Company is based in Ohio and has worked for the Sheriff's Office in the past. Comm. Schafer stated it seems the Sheriff's Office should provide their officers with any needed training. The County should not have to pay for a contracted service.
In response to Comm. Schafer's concern, Comm. Stid explained the history of the NYPPP's involvement with implementing this training program at Lansing Community College. Some officers have not received this training because it was not available to them while they were at LCC. The training involves an intensive two-day course. The Lansing Police Department asked to be involved in this program.
Comm. Schafer stated he was still ambivalent regarding this matter. He believes it is the responsibility of the Sheriff's Office to provide all needed training.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Schafer voting NO.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A SECOND YEAR CONTRACT BETWEEN INGHAM COUNTY MSU EXTENSION AND THE MICHIGAN FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY (MFIA) FOR A JUVENILE JUSTICE TITLE V PREVENTION GRANT AND A SUBCONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF LANSING.
Ms. Gardi explained this subcontract provides programming which is targeted toward youth and their families and also young mothers and young dads. This is the second round of funding. Ms. Gardi further explained the aspects of the program.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant expressed her appreciation to Mr. Lessard and Ms. Gardi for their work in this area.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ms. Anderson addressed the Committee regarding the Criminon Program (Program). Information regarding the Program's mission and courses was distributed to the Committee for their review during this presentation. She explained that the Program for juvenile offenders works wonders in getting young people on the path to productive and happy lives. The Program works by addressing factors that lead young people into a criminal lifestyle. These factors include low self-esteem, feelings of isolation, illiteracy, drug use and a lack of moral sense. The Program is based on the belief that rehabilitation is based on the establishment of self-respect.
Ms. Anderson further stated the Program is very versatile. It can be used for at-risk youth before they enter the juvenile justice system. The Program can be delivered in the elementary, middle and high schools and also at community centers. It can also be provided in detention centers, jails and prisons. Completion of the Program can be a condition of probation. Ms. Anderson stated the Program is being used successfully in the Los Angeles Juvenile Hall with 18-year-old gang members who have committed murder. The length of the Program depends on each individual and on the number of hours devoted to the Program on a weekly basis.
Ms. Anderson provided statistics of the Program's success in Provo, Utah. She stated she has been an advocate in the criminal justice field for a long time. This is the most impressive program she has seen over the years. Ms. Anderson stated she is confident that this Program will provide real value for the youth of Ingham County.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant asked about the cost of the Program. Ms. Anderson stated the Program cost is based on the specific services to be provided to the youth. The cost of the Program in Provo, Utah is $2,400 per student for a six-month course.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant expressed her appreciation to Ms. Anderson for her presentation and the references she provided to the Committee.
Mr. Reisig distributed copies of the Family Court - Juvenile Division's Quarterly Report for January 1, 2004 through March 31, 2004. Mr. Oliver stated this is the first Quarterly Report being submitted to this Committee per its request. He then explained that rebuilding the County's juvenile justice system will take time. The Court also has to be willing to admit its mistakes and to make adjustments where necessary.
The RFP for a female transitional living home is in its final review. This home will re-integrate females back into their home communities. RFP's will be sent to local organizations and also some organizations located outside of this County that provide services within this County.
Comm. Grebner stated it would be very helpful to him if the Court could provide a spreadsheet which indicates where the youths are being placed and also 'in/out' information. Mr. Reisig stated the County wants to provide that information to the County on a quarterly basis. However, the 'in/out' information would be difficult to generate. Comm. Holman stated she would like to see a baseline of juvenile justice activity before and after the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Millage activities. Comm. Stid stated this Committee would also like to see curriculum information.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant expressed her appreciation for the Quarterly Report. Comm. Stid stated she would like to see the Youth Center numbers regarding repeat youths in the Center.
In response to Comm. Stid, Mr. Faulds explained that providing this information would be very time consuming. He can, however, easily identify regular residents of the Center. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the issue of tracking information.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated the YLS is supposed to provide the requested information to the County. Mr. Oliver stated he would update the Committee regarding the YLS at this Committee's next meeting. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated a parent focus group could be a critical part of the treatment process.
Mr. Faulds thanked this Committee for providing the funding for additional staffing at the Youth Center. To date, the Center has hired one supervisor and two staff persons. Interviews are continuing in an effort to fill the remaining positions. Mr. Faulds then updated the Committee regarding the Center's health inspection. The Center was in substantial compliance in most areas of the inspection. A few very minor issues will be addressed with a written response to the State. Overall, the inspection comments regarding the Center's programs were excellent.
Mr. Faulds informed the Committee the Center will be licensed by the State after it has two continuous months with no over-crowding. He will keep this Committee updated regarding this issue.
Ms. Winslow expressed her appreciation to the Committee for the two new positions in Intensive Neglect Services (INS). For the first time in several months, there have been continuous openings in the program. It has been very nice to accept cases and to not have to turn them away due to over-capacity issues. The INS does provide regular parent group meetings. These meetings have provided great things to the program.
Mr. Neilsen stated when the Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution #02-155, setting various fees for County services, the Controller's Office was directed to annual review the fees and to recommend adjustments. This review has been conducted. This information is being presented at the current round of Committee meetings as a discussion item. A resolution recommending any fee increases will be presented at the next round of meetings.
Comm. Schafer expressed concerns regarding some of the targeted percentages. Comm. Grebner explained that the targeted percentages were established when the fees were adopted. Comm. Schafer stated this Committee should review this information in the near future to ensure the fees are reasonable. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated she would invite the District Court to address Comm. Schafer's concerns at this Committee's next meeting.
Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee they will be acting on a resolution to set its guidelines for the development of the 2005 budget at its next meeting. Any suggestions to the current resolution would be appreciated.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated she hopes that in the future, the guidelines will actually look like our priorities.
Mr. Neilsen stated the Subcommittee's proposed changes to their first recommendations are included in Mr. Ambrose's April 12, 2004 memorandum. This memorandum was included in the agenda packet. He also stated the Subcommittee would appreciate any comments or suggestions. Comm. Stid stated she would think about the Subcommittee's recommendations before make any suggestions for changes.
The Board Referral was received and placed on file.
Announcements
Comm. Stid stated she would not be present for the next Law Enforcement and Judiciary Committee meetings.
Public Comment
Ms. Timmon spoke once again regarding her concerns relating the Juvenile Justice Millage expenditures. She then expressed her thoughts regarding agenda item three.
Ms. McMullen stated her thought that the County's juvenile justice system is missing a community referral system. This system would assist youth who return to their home communities from residential placement.
The meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff