Amended 4/14/05
JUDICIARY
March 10, 2005
Minutes
Members Present: Dianne Holman, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Deb Nolan, Chris Swope, Randy Schafer, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Mark Grebner
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Sue LeDuc, Mary Sabaj, Anne Smiley, Paul Elam, Marc Thomas and Dale Copedge
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Holman at 7:12 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the February 24, 2005 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 24 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda
4. Discussion – Next steps regarding residential treatment
Limited Public Comment: None
1. Community Corrections Advisory Board – Presentation on Alternative Sentencing and Programming
Information distributed to the Committee at this time included “Ingham County/City of Lansing Community Corrections PA 511 Funded Community Programming” and “Ingham County Community-Based Sanctions and Services.”
Ms. Sabaj reviewed the above information. PA 511 Community Programming was initially
intended to provide jail and prison diversion programs. Descriptions of the Programming are included
in the information distributed earlier this evening.
Peckham Vocational Industries, Inc. provides Pathways Employment Program services. This Program uses an intensive case management model to provide client assessment, job readiness; job search, job retention and job upgrade services. Inmates incarcerated only on non-support charges are interviewed and information pertaining to income and other available financial resources are communicated to the Friend of the Court.
Total Health Education, Inc. provides Foundations Day Programming (Foundations) services. Foundations is an assessment driven program which incorporates individual counseling, therapeutic groups and structured support groups. The focus of Foundations is on identifying dynamic criminogenic factors that result in barriers to change.
The House of Commons, provided through C.E.I. Community mental Health, provides specialized treatment for drug abusing and drug dependent male felony probationers in a non-medical setting. The scope of services includes assessment and substance abuse and criminal conduct treatment.
Holistic OUIL III Program Enhancements services are provided through the House of Commons. Drunk drivers sentenced to the House of Commons Residential Treatment Center receive, if they elect, nutritional and acupuncture therapy in addition to traditional treatment.
C.E.I. Community Mental Health provides the Relapse Prevention and Recovery (RPR) program. This program was designed to enhance the continuum of treatment available for those completing the House of Commons residential program. RPR provides an additional 27 weeks of aftercare to those who complete the residential program.
Ms. Sabaj stated she would be happy to arrange a tour of any of the above facilities for the Commissioners.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding the above programs. Comm. Dougan asked about recidivism rates. Ms. Sabaj explained it is very expensive to research recidivism rates. Therefore, that information is not available at this time. She further stated that this is a State-wide issue.
Chairperson Holman stated the information in this presentation is helpful because it parallels with youth issues. Ms. Sabaj sated the nutrition therapy is so critical to success that it should be implemented at the youth level.
The Committee thanked Ms. Sabaj for her informative presentation.
4. Discussion – Committee’s Next Steps Regarding Juvenile Justice
Chairperson Holman stated this Committee needs to determine
what it will do next regarding the unallocated Juvenile Justice Millage
funds. She then mentioned the issue of
bringing out-of-State placements back into
Comm. Nolan commended this Committee’s efforts in 2004 regarding juvenile justice. However, she is looking to move in a different direction. She expressed her concerns regarding the high number of youth who are placed out of State. Then stated this Committee should also consider programs which target disturbed, but not yet adjudicated, youth.
Mr. Neilsen stated if the current services provided through Juvenile Justice Millage funds continue, the cost of those services is approximately $3,300,000 per year. Four and a half million dollars remains unallocated for a one-time purchase. He also stated approximately $500,000 remains the fund which can be used for programming purposes from year to year. If more local options exist for residential placement, the number of out-of-State placements could be reduced.
Ms. LeDuc stated the Court is looking to add a day treatment program to their continuum of care services. Chairperson Holman stated this Committee accepts the concept of the Court’s proposal. However, this Committee needs to take time to consider what other services the County should offer for its juveniles.
Mr.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated the 2004 Judiciary Committee agreed with addressing the needs of the youth with the greatest risk factors. Once these needs are addressed, the County could consider the needs of youth with lower risk factors. Organizations appeared before the 2004 Judiciary Committee to discuss their services. She then stated she would support community partnerships. However, her hope is to continue to address youth with high risk factors. This Committee should continue to discuss the needs of the youth and to remind the Court of the programs and services which are offered in this community.
Ms. LeDuc stated this Committee should congratulate itself for implementing the YLS assessment tool. This tool has been a very big help to staff.
In response to Comm. Weatherwax-Grant, Chairperson Grebner stated the Millage should be renewed as long as the millage language is not changed.
This discussion continued. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant stated RFP’s should be issued to address the community programming needs. Chairperson Grebner stated the RFP should be very narrowly focused. Mr. Neilsen stated the YVPC could come back before this Committee with its recommendations once it considers the Court’s proposal. Ms. LeDuc stated the YVPC could be back before this Committee at its first meeting in April.
Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that the Court may request approximately $10,000 for an architect for their proposed facility. The Court should be informed that this Committee is only addressing programming needs at this time, not a new facility.
3. Board Referral – Letter from the
State of
The Board Referral was received and placed on file.
2. Judiciary Committee – Resolution Congratulating the 55th District Court on their First Sobriety Graduation
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, TO APPROVE THE
RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE 55TH
Comm. Dougan offered a Friendly Amendment to the Resolution to add Judge Brennan and Beryl Frenger to the THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph of the Resolution. The Committee accepted the Friendly Amendment.
MOTION CARRIED AS AMENDED.
Announcements
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant informed the Committee that she would not be present for the next Judiciary meeting.
Public Comment: None
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff