Approved 7/15/04
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, Nervy Oliver, Jeff Venn, Dr. William Davidson, Sean Hankins, Dave Buck, Steve Gilbert, Ms. Beachnau, Christine Timmon and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at 7:40 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the May 27, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE MAY 27 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda: None
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Timmon spoke regarding the Latessa Report and her continuing concerns regarding the FIA.
Dr. Davidson updated the Committee on the 30 years of service which has been provided by the MSU Diversion Program (Program). The Program first received County funding in the mid 1980's. Research has indicated that proactive intervention is more effective than positive attention programs. Dr. Davidson reviewed data from four studies which supports this statement.
The Program will continue to serve the youth of this County, and it will also continue to refine its methods of treatment. Recidivism rates will be monitored and models for future programs will be developed in the near future. Dr. Davidson stated it is important to build promising programs and to continue those programs which work and that have been thoroughly evaluated.
Comm. Holman stated that she would like future Program updates to include what it's actually doing to help the youth. Dr. Davidson explained that Program youth are matched with youth of the same sex in big-brother, big-sister type relationships. Youth training includes behavior management. Training involves 8.5 hours per day for each youth. Dr. Davidson stated strong bonds are developed in some cases between the youth and their big-brothers and big-sisters. MSU students provide the big-brother, big-sister roles. In response to Comm. Holman, he also stated the Program youth have not been included in any controlled studies since the early 1990's.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant asked about Dr. Davidson's thoughts on how to divide resources between the proactive and reactive services. Dr. Davidson explained that the proactive services would receive the highest percentage of the available resources. He also explained that the Program does not accept extreme cases. Those cases proceed through the court system. Youth will be accepted into the Program if their families agree to participate in the treatments.
In response to Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant, Dr. Davidson explained that it is very important to have a time limit for the youth in the Program. At the end of treatment, some separations between the youth and the big-brothers and big-sisters is extremely difficult. In other cases, the youth are very happy to complete the Program and separate from his/her mentor. In regard to parent feedback, Dr. Davidson stated parental skills are measured at six-week intervals.
Comm. Grebner stated many of the big-brothers/big-sisters who participate in the Program take those experiences with them into their individual careers. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant thanked Dr. Davidson for his work with the Program. Comm. Schafer expressed his appreciation for Dr. Davidson's presence this evening. The Program has been very impressive over the past several years.
(The Committee recessed from 8:26 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.)
Mr. Gilbert distributed copies of Sequel Youth Services (Sequel) information to the Committee for their review during his presentation. He stated Sequel is a privately owned company that develops and operates programs for troubled youth. Its mission is to prepare Sequel students to lead responsible lives by teaching behavioral accountability and by providing high quality academic, physical and vocational education. Career opportunities will be facilitated within a safe, structured, dynamic environment.
Sequel currently operates the Clarinda Academy in Clarinda, Iowa; the Woodward Academy in Woodward, Iowa; Normative Services Prep School in Sheridan, Wyoming; and the Mingus Mountain Academy in Prescott, Arizona. Mr. Gilbert stated Sequel is actively seeking additional opportunities nationwide.
The four treatment facilities offer a total of 599 licensed treatment beds (210 female and 389 male). Eight full-time community based aftercare workers are located in three different states providing services to approximately 100 youth and their families at any given time. Sequel offers the following types of treatments:
Services offered at all Sequel sites include:
These services are detailed in the information distributed at the start of this presentation. Mr. Gilbert explained that Sequel offers classes that are gender specific.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant asked about Sequel's out-come data. Mr. Gilbert explained in-house studies are conducted at each campus. He will send the most recent study data to Mr. Oliver. Mr. Gilbert further stated Sequel would be happy to pay for Commissioners to visit a Sequel campus.
Comm. Stid inquired as to the security of the facilities. Mr. Gilbert stated each campus is staffed 24-hours per day. The campuses do not have any bars. He further stated Sequel has not had someone terminate a contract with them because of a dislike of the program. The regular treatment cost is $125 per day, per youth and specialized care such as sexual offense issues cost $185 per day, per youth due to the clinical nature of that program. These rates include all costs, including transportation, administration, education, etc.
In response to Comm. Grebner, Mr. Gilbert explained that the Iowa campus cost per youth is so low because of Sequel's contract with the State. All Sequel beds are filled on a regular basis. A waiting list is also used.
Comm. Stid asked if Sequel had submitted a bid for female after-care services for the County. Mr. Gilbert stated Sequel has submitted a bid. If Sequel receives the contract, Mr. Gilbert stated there are many factors to consider prior to implementing such a program. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant asked about parental involvement with Sequel services. Mr. Gilbert stated parental involvement is included as much as possible. Sequel also tries to be very sensitive to the youth's needs to contact their families via telephone, letters and video telephones.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant thanked Mr. Gilbert for his presentation this evening.
Mr. Neilsen stated the Purchasing Department worked with the Court to identify their needs and prepared an RFP in accordance with those needs and the County's purchasing/selection policies. Four proposals have been received for short-term residential beds and two proposals have been received for transitional beds. The Court will address the transitional placement program recommendations at a later time.
The Purchasing Department worked with the Court to evaluate the proposals for compliance to the County's policies and responsiveness to the Court's requirements. The Resolution will authorize a contract with Peckham, Inc. for the Short-Term Female Residential Program.
Mr. Reisig stated the County needs local quality treatment programs. He then expressed his appreciation to Mr. Neilsen and Ms. Valentine for their efforts on this matter. Mr. Reisig then explained that Peckham best protects the interests of the juveniles to be served. The Court has met with Peckham and they have expressed a willingness to reduce some of the costs to assist in controlling costs.
The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the financial implications of this issue. Ms. Beachnau, Peckham, stated the Peckham Board approved funds to proceed with this proposal. In response to Comm. Stid, Ms. Beachnau stated she would provide this Committee with another copy of the detailed information regarding Peckham's services.
Comm. Grebner explained that normally the Committee would table this matter until it has received additional information. If anyone feels uncomfortable with the proposal, he would be willing to support tabling this item until the next meeting. Comm. Schafer stated the Court has been very diligent on this matter and he is willing to support the Resolution at this time.
Mr. Reisig stated the Court hopes to be back before this Committee in July with a proposal for the transitional program.
In response to Chairperson Celentino, Mr. Oliver stated the Court is looking at gender-specific programming. He also explained in response to Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant that the Court is beginning to require performance data for all of its programs.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH PECKHAM, INC. FOR THE SHORT-TERM FEMALE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Reisig updated the Committee regarding the training of Juvenile Court Officers in the use of the assessment tool. Comm. Stid stated this Committee will request over-ride information regarding the assessments on a regular basis.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated she would be willing to entertain a similar resolution from this Committee at a future meeting.
The Board Referrals were received and placed on file.
Announcements
Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that it is now on its summer schedule. This Committee will meet once a month during July, August and September, with the exception of budget hearings.
Public Comment
Ms. Timmon spoke regarding agenda item number two and social worker concerns.
The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff