Approved 9/30/04
JUDICIARY
September 16, 2004
Minutes
Members Present: Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Dianne Holman, Calvin Lynch, Mark Grebner and Mary Stid
Members Absent: Randy Schafer
Others Present: John Neilsen, Willis Bennett, Nervy Oliver, Christine Timmon, Pam Sievers, Don Reisig and Harry Moxley
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 August 12, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. LYNCH, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 12 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Schafer
Additions to the Agenda: None
Limited Public Comment
Ms. Timmon stated she doesn’t believe the Girl Scouts of Michigan are eligible for Juvenile Justice Millage funding. She expressed her non-support of agenda item 3b. Ms. Timmon further stated she appreciates Comm. Holman’s tracking of the Millage issues.
1. Special Guest – Pam Sievers, Executive Director, Girl Scouts of Michigan Capital Council
Ms. Sievers distributed information to the Committee regarding Issues and Trends Impacting Girls. She reviewed this information which detailed the following issues facing young girls today: Peer Pressure, Family Instability/Family Stress, Issues Relating to Image and Self-Perception, Academic Pressures, Mental/Emotional Heath and Juvenile Delinquent/Anti-Social Behaviors.
Substance abuse affects girls earlier than boys. Ms. Sievers further stated girls are at a much higher risk than boys of developing mental and/or emotional problems. These pressures impact girls regardless of socio-economic status.
Ms. Sievers explained how the information was developed. The sources were CAC Voices/Ingham County Health Department; Ingham County Prosecutors Office; Lansing Police Department; Judge Garcia/Truancy Court; Girl Scout Research Institute; Girl Scout volunteers and staff. She then explained the assessment process used in obtaining the Issues and Trends Impacting Girls information.
Comm. Stid stated she would be interested in seeing numbers in terms of who the Girl Scouts serve, with special attention to the Baker-Donora area. Ms. Sievers stated the Girl Scouts has had programs at Baker-Donora for many years. It is extremely difficult to get girls involved due to other factors impacting their lives. Ms. Sievers stated the mission of the Girl Scouts is to serve all girls ages five through seventeen.
2. Probate Court – Resolution to Authorize Budget Transfers within the Probate Court 2004 Budget
MOVED BY COMM. LYNCH, SUPPORTED BY COMM. STID, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE BUDGET TRANSFERS WITHIN THE PROBATE COURT 2004 BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Schafer
3. Circuit Court/Family Division
a. Resolution to Amend Resolution #04-201, Resolution to Authorize Entering into a Contract with Peckham, Inc. for the Short Term Female Residential Program
MOVED BY COMM. GREBNER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. LYNCH, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AMEND RESOLUTION #04-201, RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH PECKHAM, INC. FOR THE SHORT TERM FEMALE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM.
In response to Comm. Grebner, Mr. Reisig explained the one-year contract term will be extended to three years. The three-year cost for the Short Term Program is $1,248,330. ($624,165 from the Child Care Fund and $624,165 from the Juvenile Justice Millage.)
Mr. Reisig then informed the Committee the ground-breaking ceremony with Peckham will be in the near future. To date, things are going smoothly. In response to Comm. Stid, Mr. Reisig updated the Committee regarding Sequel. He stated Sequel is currently looking for property. The original property plans fell through.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Schafer
b. Resolution to Authorize the Transfer of Monies from the Parks Department Budget to the Friend of the Court Budget to Fund Supervision of the Jail Alternative Sentencing Program Through the End of FY 2004
Mr. Reisig stated this Program works very well due to dedicated staff. The transfer of funds will assist in the management of personnel. Only people sentenced for non-payment of child support are eligible for this Program.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant asked about the cost savings resulting from this Program. Mr. Moxley stated there will be approximately a $100,000 savings per year. As of Augusts 24, 2004, the Program resulted in $30,585 in park improvements and a jail savings of $25,686. As of October 14, 2004 the projected improvements to the Parks is $71,596 and $57,190 in jail savings. The savings are projected to increase to $113,596 in Park improvements and $106,594 in jail savings as of December 31, 2004.
Comm. Grebner stated the Program frees up beds in the County Jail which should result in fewer over-crowding situations.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant requested information regarding feedback on the program from the Parks Department. Mr. Bennett, Parks, stated he has only received positive feedback. The participants in the Program do not wear the usual orange jump suits, they wear everyday clothing. The work hours are 6:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Mr. Bennett also stated the participants are doing time consuming activities. Parks is completely satisfied with this Program.
Mr. Bennett further stated many of the participants are going above and beyond their duties at the Parks. Comm. Holman stated this is a great Program since is allows inmates to be productive while serving their sentences.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Schafer
4. Update on the Development of the “Risk Assessment Process” – Nervy Oliver
Mr. Oliver distributed information to the Committee which contained a Timeline of Events and YLS Administration as of 8/27/04. He stated that as of September 14, all divisions have been trained. One hundred fifty six youth have been through the YLS process to date. Mr. Oliver stated he is exceptionally pleased with how staff has received the YLS process.
The Intake Division has seen 156 youth since April of this year. Its goal is to have 300 youth through the Division by March, 2005. The Delinquency Division has seen 136 youth to date. Their data collection began August 2004. This Division’s goal is to see 300+ youth by November 1, 2004. The Truancy Division will begin data collection on September 27, 2004. Their goal is to see 100 youth by January 1, 2005 and 300+ by May 2005.
Mr. Oliver informed the Committee that the Court will present the first preliminary YLS data at its November 16 meeting. In response to Comm. Stid, Mr. Oliver stated the Truancy Division received specific training and they do see many youth in the Truancy Court.
Comm. Stid stated she has not received the Youth Center data she requested some time ago. The information should detail the number of youth who have been through the Center numerous times. These youth may need some other form of detention than the Youth Center. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated a snapshot of this information would be appropriate.
Mr. Oliver informed the Committee that the Youth Center has received its State Certification for the first time since 2000.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated the County has several community resources available to help meet the needs of the youth. She further stated it is the hope of the County that the YLS will give it the necessary information about the greatest needs of our youth. The Committee continued this discussion.
Mr. Oliver stated the Court is responsible for preventing crime and recidivism. The Court partners with Child and Family Services to provide substance abuse treatment. The Court is not an expert on substance abuse. Mr. Oliver further stated the Court needs a variety of beds for foster kids, for abused kids and for youth who are not receiving appropriate parenting and also some secure beds. Many youth who enter the Youth Center need substance abuse treatment and education services, not a short-term secured detention facility.
Mr. Reisig stated the County needs a diagnostic treatment center for youth. The County has made great strides in trying to meet the needs of the County’s youth. Community resources are available to assist in treatment. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated the data from the YLS Assessments should help the County determine what kind and the number of beds to have available for substance abusers.
Mr. Oliver stated he will make sure the Youth Center data is provided to this Committee as requested by Comm. Stid. He further stated the Court will try to keep this Committee up to date as often as possible regarding the YLS process.
5. Controller’s Office – Resolution Authorizing a Two Month Hiring Delay Policy for the 2005 Budget Year
MOVED BY COMM. STID, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A TWO MONTH HIRING DELAY POLICY FOR THE 2005 BUDGET YEAR. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Schafer
6. Judiciary Committee – Resolution Honoring Elaine Woodruff
MOVED BY COMM. STID, SUPPORTED BY COMM. GREBNER, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION HONORING ELAINE WOODRUFF. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Schafer
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Ms. Timmon expressed her support of agenda items 3b and 4.
The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff