Amended 5/13/04
Members Present: Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Dianne Holman, Calvin Lynch, Mark Grebner and Randy Schafer
Members Absent: Mary Stid and Chairperson Victor Celentino
Others Present: Jerry Ambrose, Jared Cypher, Judge Collette, Nervy Oliver, Don Reisig, Christine Timmon, Kathy Davis, Richard Kerbawy, Dr. Turke, Dr. Davidson, Dave Buck, Chris Horton, Jim Wahl, Sara Lipsey and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at 7:09 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the April 15, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. LYNCH, TO APPROVE THE APRIL 15 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Stid
Additions to the Agenda
3d. Jail Overcrowding - Update
Limited Public Comment
Mr. Strand, Probate Court, addressed the Committee regarding the explosive changes regarding the County's aged population. The Probate Court has experienced a tremendous increase in caseload and mandatory court investigations due to the demographic changes of the aged population. Mr. Strand distributed information to the Committee which detailed how the increased caseload is effecting the Court.
Mr. Strand stated the Probate Court has suggested an amendment to the County's "demographic change" area of emphasis. The proposed amendment results in the following language:
Respond to changes in Ingham County's demographic makeup by exploring ways to improve services for seniors, especially personal care services and court-ordered intervention, and to develop strategies to eliminate Medicaid Waiver waiting lists.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant thanked Mr. Strand for bringing this issue to the Committee's attention. This issue will be addressed during the upcoming budget discussions.
Ms. Timmon informed the Committee of her rights to film people in the hallways of the Ingham County Courthouse. She then restated her continuing concerns regarding the expenditure of the Juvenile Justice Millage funds.
Mr. Paparella stated the New Focus - Adolescent Program (Program) is designed specifically for youth substance abusers. The Program is backed by the latest findings on effective practices and is motivational in nature, not confrontational. Six elements are incorporated into the Program: feedback regarding personal risk, emphasis on personal responsibility, clear advice to change, a menu of alternative change options, therapist empathy and facilitation of optimism.
Child & Family Services (C&FS) received a three-year federal grant in the amount of $740,000 which enabled them to revamp their outpatient adolescent substance abuse counseling program and to initiate the Program. Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission provided C&FS with a County grant of $150,000 which supports intensive outpatient and in-home counseling services.
Mr. Paparella further stated the Program has captured the interest and support of key stakeholders and referral sources within the community. The Program has proven to be effective in terms of individual outcomes and cost. Approximately 250 youth will be served by the Program per year. Outpatient treatment involves five weeks of group sessions, individual therapy, family counseling, and weekly parent sessions. Intensive outpatient treatment services provide similar services of the outpatient program, but will also include 10 to 13 hours of weekly therapeutic services.
Mr. Paparella stated if C&FS received funding from the County, it would use the funds to enhance and expand adolescent alcohol and drug abuse treatment plans. He further stated the County should look at existing services within the community and identify and strengthen any weaknesses. Currently, there is a serious lack of mental health treatment services for the youth as well as transitional services. Child & Family Services supports much of Dr. Latessa's findings and recommendations.
Comm. Schafer stated he has heard from a few good organizations during these meetings and would support the consideration of proposals from those organizations.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant asked Mr. Paparella if he had any thoughts on how to build collaborations between the County and the community organizations. Mr. Paparella stated it is hard to develop collaborations. This effort involves a genuine interest in developing collaborations. Also, this effort could be built into the request for proposals.
Dr. Turke informed the Committee that Child & Family Services has provided the Youth Center with the best substance abuse treatment services. He is very pleased that the Youth Center is working with C&FS.
This discussion included agenda item 2c.
Comm. Lynch asked about C&FS's criteria for determining if a program is successful. Mr. Paparella explained that the federal grant received by C&FS required a detailed outcome report. C&FS, according the grant, is required to track 80% of the youth for one year. In response to Comm. Schafer, Mr. Paparella stated C&FS serves the greater Lansing area and also reaches out to the outlying communities.
Ms. Davis, Child & Family Services, stated C&FS is currently speaking with Camp Highfields regarding their proposal to provide services at the Camp. This community needs programs which address substance abuse and behavioral issues. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant and Comm. Schafer agreed that these services are critical at the front end of the treatment process.
Mr. Paparella stated Child & Family Services would welcome the opportunity to submit a proposal to expand its capacity to help youth within this County. Mr. Reisig stated the Court has been very invigorated regarding its work with Child & Family Services.
d. Jail Overcrowding - Update
Judge Collette provided the Jail Overcrowding update. He stated the Ingham County Jail has experienced a number of overcrowding issues during the past few years. These issues are due, mostly, to changes at the State level. Also, society has changed its emphasis on law enforcement priorities. The Jail has had to release inmates early at times to relieve overcrowding in order to meet the State requirements.
Judge Collette explained that efforts are being made to modify local administrative orders to build in safety measures when inmates are to be released early due to overcrowding. He also stated there are many alternatives to consider when trying to reduce overcrowding.
Judge Collette stated he believes the Court should address the guidelines which were established by the Board of Commissioners a few years ago. The Court has been meeting with the appropriate people to discuss this matter. He will report back to this Committee when further information is available.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant encouraged the Court to continue the alternative program for inmates who receive an early release because they worked with the Parks Department.
Comm. Grebner stated that, as a public policy, the County has to realize that jail usage varies from judge to judge. Someday, the County will have to ration jail bed usage per judge while also allowing some flexibility.
The Committee thanked Judge Collette for his update.
a. Update on YLS Assessment Process - Dr. Turke and Dr. Davidson
Dr. Turke stated the YLS team has been extremely dedicated to this Assessment Process. The team also acts as a liaison to divisions of the Court in order to provide Assessment training.
Mr. Wahl, Probate Court Referee and YLS team member, thanked the Board of Commissioners for hiring Dr. Turke. He stated Dr. Turke has been very valuable to the team. Mr. Wahl stated his day to day responsibilities include working with the two other Probate Court Referees. Further, he stated he likes the YLS Assessment Process. Through this Process, he has learned more about the youth he is serving and the additional information allows him to make better treatment recommendations to the Court.
Dr. Davidson stated this is the very beginning of the YLS Process (Process). This Process will not provide a quick fix to the communities' youth-based problems. This tool has added structure and consistency to the existing tool. The goal of the Process is to convert the existing tool to an evidence based process.
Phase One of the Process involves conducting the Assessment of youth entering the juvenile justice system. Phase Two matches intervention with risk. Phase Three provides ongoing monitoring and refinement of services.
Dr. Davidson explained there are multiple channels for youth to enter the juvenile justice system. To date, the Assessment tool has been refined and implemented. YLS data is currently collected in the Intake Division. This Division was selected because it is the largest channel into the system. The Process addresses prior and current offenses, demographics, legal variables and recidivism. The recidivism tracks the youth at six, twelve and twenty-four months. The Court will receive reports regarding recidivism periodically. The YLS Process will start within the Youth Center in the Fall of 2004.
Dr. Turke stated the team will provide scientific calculations to this Committee by the end of this summer. The Committee discussed this issue further.
In response to Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant, Dr. Davidson stated currently every child entering the juvenile justice system is being assessed. Next, Juvenile Court Officers will be trained so that they may assess youth already in the system. The Youth Center will then be trained and then the Truancy Court.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant expressed the Committee's appreciation for the Assessment team's time and efforts on this issue.
Peckham Crossroads representatives had to leave the meeting this evening due to time constraints. They will be rescheduled for the next meeting.
This discussion was incorporated into agenda item one.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AREAS OF PRIORITY EMPHASIS GUIDING 2005 ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET PROCESS. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Stid
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION UPDATING VARIOUS FEES FOR COUNTY SERVICES.
Comm. Schafer expressed his concern regarding the Family Court - Failure to Appear fee rate. Mr. Ambrose explained that the fees are set by the Court. The County can recommend fee adjustments for the Court to consider. Mr. Kerbawy, Probate Court, explained the Courts also assess extensive costs. Failure to pay does result in serious consequences.
Mr. Ambrose stated Judge McCabe could not be present this evening to address Comm. Schafer's concern. Comm. Schafer stated his concern has been resolved. Therefore, Judge McCabe does not need to appear before this Committee.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Stid
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE CONTINGENCY FUND AND CONTRACT WITH ANNE VROOMAN AND DR. JAMES MCCOMB FOR ANALYSIS OF COST AND REVENUE DATA RELATED TO PROPOSED CONSOLIDATION OF 54B AND 55TH DISTRICT COURT.
Comm. Grebner explained that if the County could merge with 54-B in the future, the County would avoid increasing costs by adding another District Judge in Mason. He is supporting this matter due to the long-term concerns.
Comm. Holman expressed her concern that this item had not been previously discussed by this Committee. Mr. Ambrose explained that two meetings have been held with the appropriate parties to discuss this matter. It was determined, after these meetings, that administrative costs for East Lansing's Parking division could not be identified. It is necessary to determine these costs as well as to analyze the distribution of fines and costs that are assessed and collected by the courts. East Lansing has agreed to pay half the cost of this Analysis.
Comm. Schafer stated he was opposed to this proposed merger between 54-B and 55th District Courts. However, due to the information provided to the Committee this evening, he has changed his mind. The Committee continued their discussion of the benefits of entering the contract. Judge Collette stated 54-B Court is a very busy Court. He supported the analysis and stated he believes the two Courts should be merged into one Court.
MOTION CARRIED with Comm. Lynch voting NO. Absent: Comm. Stid
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Ms. Timmon expressed her support for agenda item 3c. She then reiterated her concerns regarding the Juvenile Justice Millage expenditures.
The meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff