Approved 2/10/05

JUDICIARY

January 27, 2005

Minutes

Members Present:         Dianne Holman, Deb Nolan, Chris Swope, Randy Schafer, Steve Dougan

and Board Chairperson Mark Grebner

Members Absent:         Tina Weatherwax-Grant

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Don Reisig, Jeff Venn, Donna Rummel, Sue LeDuc, Lisa McClone and Paul Elam

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Holman at 7:14 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human

Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the January 13, 2005 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SWOPE, TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 13 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent:  Comm. Weatherwax-Grant

Additions to the Agenda:           None

Limited Public Comment:          None

1.         Youth Violence Prevention Coalition – Continuum of Care for Youthful Offenders

Chairperson Holman stated this Committee should work more closely with the Youth Violence Prevention Coalition (Coalition) regarding the needs of youthful offenders.  Ms. LeDuc stated the Coalition stands ready to work with this Committee.  The Coalition also has some recommendations to share with this Committee.  Ms. LeDuc explained the committee structure within the Coalition.  She then spoke regarding the two-day seminar regarding the Continuum of Care for Youthful Offenders. 

Comm. Nolan stated she was very impressed with a recent Coalition meeting she attended.  The Coalition is represented by an impressive group of individuals.  She further stated the Coalition is a valuable resource to the County and its plans regarding the Juvenile Justice Millage.  

Mr. Elam, City of Lansing, stated the City is committed to assisting the County through the Coalition.  He further stated his concern that services should not be duplicated.  Ms. LeDuc stated the Coalition’s focus is on prevention.  The Coalition is currently working on the concept of Balanced and Restorative Justice through Pattengill Middle School. 

Comm. Nolan informed the Committee that the next full-body Coalition meeting is scheduled for February 9, 2005 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Human Services Building.  She encouraged the Commissioners to attend this meeting if possible. 

After further discussion, Ms. LeDuc stated the Coalition would be back before this Committee in the near future to continue discussions of activities related to juvenile justice.  

2.         Chairperson Holman and Vice-Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant:  Overview of Judiciary Committee’s Approach Over the Past Two Years on the Juvenile Justice Millage

Chairperson Holman gave a brief summary of the Juvenile Justice Millage.  Once the voters approved the Millage, this Committee invited organizations to Judiciary meetings to inform us of the services they provide for youth. 

Mr. Reisig stated the Millage freed up Court staff and funds to concentrate on the risk assessment tool.  Comm. Nolan requested a copy of the risk assessment tool.  Mr. Reisig explained the tool would be meaningless without appropriate training.  However, he will provide her with a copy of the tool.  Mr. Neilsen explained the County contracted with the University of Cincinnati to develop the assessment tool for Ingham County.  Based on the assessment tool, the Court is able to determine the programs which are needed for the youth in this County. 

Mr. Venn stated the assessment tool is very complicated.  Staff must fully understand the tool in order to make the best recommendations for the youth being assessed.  He further stated he has been very impressed with the training which has been provided to staff by Drs. Turke and Davidson.  The success the court is experiencing from using the tool is well above the national average.  Mr. Reisig stated each youth entering the court system is assessed.   

(Comm. Schafer left at 7:56 p.m.)

Chairperson Holman distributed copies of her Juvenile Justice Programs Worksheet to the Committee.  The Worksheet is updated regularly and it lists current youth programs and those which will be implemented in the very near future. Chairperson Holman stated millage funding has already been allocated to the StART Program at Highfields, the Peckham home for girls, St.  Vincent’s Home/CSS Residential and FIRST (modified YAP).

Mr. Neilsen stated the Youth Center has met the State’s requirements and is now re-licensed.  He then spoke regarding the Millage funds.  As of this year, all the millage funds have been allocated with the exception of $500,000.  This year, $3.3 million will be spent on youth programming and approximately $3.8 million will be collected.  The court will be presenting recommendations to this Committee as to how to spend the remaining $500,000.  The Committee discussed this issue further.

Mr. Elam stated the Coalition will focus on prevention and will work with the County to address this issue. 

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff