Approved 3/30/06
JUDICIARY
March 16, 2006
Minutes
Members Present: Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Dianne Holman, Deb Nolan, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Randy Schafer and Steve Dougan
Members Absent: None
Others Present: John Neilsen, Sue LeDuc, Matt Wojack, Judge Lawless, Judge Aquilina, Paul Elam, Ruth Hill-Schorsch, Vickie Harrison, Sean Butler, Marc Thomas, Dale Copedge, Jim Paparella, Sherri Solomon, Travis Faulds, Beryl Frenger, Anethia Brewer, Malisa Pearson, Nervy Oliver and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at 7:46 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the March 2, 2006 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. HOLMAN, TO APPROVE THE MARCH 2 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Additions to the Agenda: None
Limited Public Comment
Ms. LeDuc spoke regarding agenda item number seven. She stated Ms. McCormick worked in the Prosecutor’s Office for a number of years. Ms. McCormick was especially good with members of the public. She is an employee who will be missed.
1. Youth Violence Prevention Committee – Presentation on their Response to the Karen Chinn Report
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant apologized to the Ingham County/City of Lansing Community Coalition for Youth (formerly known as Youth Violence Prevention Coalition) for the miscommunication during the last Judiciary meeting. She did not realize the CCY wanted to respond to the draft Report that night.
Mr. Elam distributed copies of the CCY’s response to Ms. Chinn’s draft Report. Mr. Elam stated the CCY reviewed and discussed the draft Report in detail. The CCY fully supports Dr. Chinn’s recommendations and encouraged the development of an action plan. He encouraged the Committee to take advantage of the expertise, commitment and community-wide representation of the CCY.
Ingham County Board Resolution #02-194 recognizes CCY as the appropriate body for advising the Board of Commissioners in the implementation of the comprehensive strategy for preventing and treating delinquency. The Resolution further requests the CCY continue to advise the Board of Commissioners regarding policies and programs involving the juvenile justice system.
Mr. Elam stated the CCY’s membership represents an informed and involved group of County and City stakeholders who deal with delinquent and disturbed youth every day. With financial support from the City and the County, the CCY would take on the responsibility for facilitating the implementation of the Continuum of Care Model, a community-based assessment center and a community-based treatment center.
Residential placement rates have increased even though juvenile crime rates have decreased. The CCY believes the County’s lack of appropriate programs and services may be the cause for the increased placement rates. Mr. Elam stated the CCY has developed a model for preventing and treating delinquency which can be used to begin moving in the right direction.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant expressed this Committee’s appreciation for the input from the CCY and the area stakeholders.
Ms. LeDuc stated Mr. Dunnings is particularly supportive of a centralized assessment center. She further stated Ms. Chinn did not contact many police organizations during her study. Police need a short-term place for youth when they are picked up for minor infractions. Mr. Paparella stated Chief Alley echoed Mr. Dunnings’ position.
Mr. Elam stated it would be helpful for the CCY to have written expectations from this Committee. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated this Committee would appreciate the CCY’s input during discussions which will take place once the Board of Commissioners accepts Ms. Chinn’s final report. Community stakeholders and the Court will be invited to participate in these discussions.
Mr. Elam stated the Court is supportive of the CCY’s model. The question at this time is how to move forward. The development of a continuum of care is a full-time job.
Comm. Schafer stated he senses some frustration from Mr. Elam regarding the time involved in the process to date. Providing a short-term facility for law enforcement to place youth should be the first step. A site should be identified and the appropriate resources allocated for this step. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated the Committee shares those concerns. Chairperson Schafer stated there are many people with the time, money and resources to assist in this process.
Mr. Elam stated the CCY is ready to move ahead and begin to implement the recommendations from the Report. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated this Committee will look to the CCY and the community stakeholders for assistance in developing the implementations.
6. Discussion – Recommendations of the Chinn Planning, Inc., Ingham County Action Plan for Juvenile Continuum of Care
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated this Committee hopes to move through Ms. Chinn’s recommendations at a steady pace. Comm. Holman stated the recommendations should be prioritized. The Committee could work on a combination of recommendations. Small versions of some of the recommendations could be implemented and then grow over time. Comm. Holman stated there appears to be a consensus of the community that a reporting center should be one of the first recommendations to be implemented.
Comm. Nolan stated her preference to locate an existing facility to use as an assessment center rather than constructing a facility. The Facilities Department could seek a place where the programs could grow until a determination to build a facility is made. Comm. Nolan asked how the Committee will determine who will operate such a facility, and who will determine who can drop kids at a center. These are tough questions. Comm. Nolan further stated a reporting center and an assessment center could be in one facility.
Mr. Neilsen stated Ms. Chinn has informed him that her final report should be available next week. Her draft Report specifically listed which recommendations should be implemented during specific years. If people are comfortable, work could begin on the recommendations.
Comm. Nolan stated all interested parties should be involved in future discussions regarding the implementation of the recommendations. Comm. Bahar-Cook stated all parties should be on the same page and work from the mission statement. A consensus must be reached first regarding a mission statement. Comm. Nolan stated the Committee should also keep the millage language in mind during future discussions.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated this Committee could address the mission statement concern. This Committee wants a mission statement to reflect the wishes of the Court and the CCY. She further stated she does not believe the statements need to be the same.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant informed the CCY this Committee would consider its recommendations. A timeline will be created and then discussed with the CCY. Mr. Elam recommended this Committee take part in the CCY’s discussions regarding the recommendations. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated the Committee will try to arrange for a Commissioner to take part in some of the CCY’s discussions.
Mr. Sheehan, CMH, stated the County has an incredible data base from the YLS. This data could be used to determine what needs to be done. Bringing out-of-state placements back into the State would provide additional funds for juvenile needs. An assessment center is critical. A space is needed, not the construction of a new facility. Mr. Sheehan recommended scattered day treatment centers throughout the community to meet the high demand for this service. Mr. Sheehan stated he believes the County should experiment with the recommendations.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant expressed her concern regarding how to identify community resources to partner with to address youth without a physical structure. Mr. Sheehan recommended the County use an existing facility during the experimentation phase. Comm. Holman stated the County should seriously consider leasing a facility while actual needs are determined. Mr. Sheehan recommended tying the day treatment centers with area schools.
Ms. Sequin, Ingham County Youth Commission, stated the Youth Commission visited alternative education programs in the Waverly School District. The Commission was not pleased with the programs. Funding is needed to create alternative education programs which youth will want to attend.
3. 55th District Court – Report on Court Activities
a. 55th District Court and Meridian Township Pilot Project Review
Ms. Brewer distributed copies of 55th District Court – Revenue Analysis to the Committee for their review during this discussion. She stated the Pilot Project began May 3, 2005. Krista Krause was appointed as magistrate to perform informal hearings and probable cause/warrant validations. The agenda information contained a summary of figures from the Project.
The number of scheduled hearings was 729 and 290 of those defendants were found responsible. Ms. Brewer stated 43 cases were dismissed because the officers failed to appear. Ninety defendants failed to appear in court. One hundred fifty-five criminal warrants were signed at Meridian Township.
Comm. Nolan stated she has heard positive responses from people regarding the Project.
c. Delhi Township Ordinance Analysis
Ms. Brewer stated she confirmed the accuracy of the data contained in the agenda information with the State Court Administrator’s Office. The net loss to the County for each 10 over speeding ticket written under the local ordinance rather than state law is $1.66. Under the local ordinance, the libraries will be affected financially. The State receives $20 per average stop sign ticket ($105) for libraries. The local ordinance does not provide funding to the State for libraries.
Comm. Nolan asked if CADL has been notified of this issue. The library millage will be on an upcoming ballot for renewal. Mr. Neilsen stated he did inform CADL and they indicated they would review the situation.
Ms. Brewer stated Stockbridge now has its own police force. They may adopt a local ordinance at some time.
b. 55th District Court Revenue Analysis
Ms. Brewer stated it was estimated during the fall of 2005 the District Court would conclude the 2005 fiscal year with a budget shortfall of approximately $250,000. The Budget Office has now concluded the shortfall totals approximately $160,000 (revenue and expenses). Ms. Brewer stated the Court has requested additional time to collect the loss of revenue from 2005. New procedures, such as in-house warrant enforcement and collection efforts, should be sufficient to make up for the loss.
Ms. Brewer reviewed specialty programs which have been implemented since the discovery of the revenue shortfall.
Probation Amnesty – The Court issued 40 probation amnesty letters with fines and costs totaling $35,333. These cases were in warrant status for failing to pay fines and costs or for failure to appear in Court. Each defendant was given two weeks to respond to the amnesty request. The Court received only three responses from defendants and has collected approximately $2,000. Four letters were returned because of bad addresses. As defendants made contact with the Court, they acknowledged not believing they would not be arrested if they appeared to clear warrants and resolve financial obligations. Ms. Brewer stated the Court has learned a lot from this first effort and plans are being made to offer this program again in the near future.
Probation Officers were instructed to review criminal court files of their clients to determine if recent payments had been made to the Court. If not, the agent is requiring payment the day of reporting or identifying when the next payment will be made. This feature increased the probation oversight revenue line item by $6,500 in November and by $5,100 in December.
Year-End Inventory – The Court closed for an additional two days this year to conduct the inventory. The extended closing was to allow for the review of every court file and to update information concerning each file. This effort contributed to the additional $47,000 collected in January 2006 versus January 2005.
Truck Tickets – Ms. Brewer explained that an analysis of the overall payments to the Court revealed some truck tickets are not being tracked in the case management system because it is not set to warrant tickets issued in a company’s name. This means no future action has been taken on very delinquent fines and costs. A review of all open Ingham County Road Commission tickets revealed a delinquent amount totaling over $24,291. A review of all open State Police commercial tickets revealed an amount totaling over $5,000. A new showcause procedure has been implemented to address this issue.
Judge Aquilina stated the Court will not accept credit card payments unless the County will not be charged for the service. Ms. Brewer stated a local company would put the cost of the credit card charge on the defendant, not the County.
Comm. Bahar-Cook asked if more would be done to inform people of the amnesty program in the future. Ms. Brewer stated the County would publicize the program next time it’s offered.
Comm. Schafer stated the Law Enforcement Committee has been holding discussions with Project Sentry. It appears the 55th District Court does not use Project Sentry’s services exclusively. This is a great concern to the County. The Law Enforcement Committee will schedule this issue as an agenda item in the near future. Judge Aquilina stated the Court has to consider its budget and staffing needs. Unless it’s mandated, the Court will not use just one vendor.
4. Circuit Court – Family Division – Resolution to Authorize Entering into a Contract with Michigan State University for the Adolescent Diversion Program
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY FOR THE ADOLESCENT DIVERSION PROGRAM.
Comm. Nolan asked how long the County has had this contract. Mr. Oliver stated the program is more than 21 years old. The total cost of the $158,687 budget is within the Court’s budget. He further stated $79,344 is funded through the Child Care Fund and the remaining $79,344 is from the County’s General Fund.
Comm. Nolan asked if the County is responsible for full payment if less than 125 juveniles are being treated. Mr. Oliver explained the County is responsible for the full cost if there are less than 125 youth. He then spoke briefly regarding the Program.
Comm. Nolan asked if the Program is evaluated for its effectiveness. Mr. Oliver explained tremendous research was conducted regarding the effectiveness of the Program in the past. The research indicated the Program was very effective. Mr. Oliver stated he would forward the research data to this Committee. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant requested Mr. Oliver forward the graduate student out-come data also.
The Committee held a general discussion regarding the Program. Comm. Bahar-Cook stated pilot-program outcomes tend to change over time; therefore, it is good to review the data from time to time. Mr. Oliver stated adjustments have been made to the Program to better meet current needs.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Presentation on the SAMHSA Grant – Project Impact – Presenters: Matt Wojack, Project Director; Jim Paparella, Director of Child and Family Services Capital Area; Sherri Solomon, Director St. Vincent Catholic Charities; Bob Sheehan, Executive Director Community Mental Health; Malisa Pierson, Parent; Nervy Oliver, Administrator Juvenile Division Family Court
Mr. Wojack stated efforts have been made to obtain grant funds for the Substance Abuse – Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) during the past three years. The grant has been approved. Efforts are also being made to locate local funds.
Ms. Solomon stated her daughter is challenged by mental illness. She attends East Lansing High School. Ms. Solomon presented the information contained in the “Ingham County: Creating a System of Care” material which was distributed to the Committee. A system of care must include access to comprehensive services, individualized services, home-school-and community based services, integrated services, case management and early identification and intervention. Ms. Solomon stated most parents know what is best for their children; therefore, their involvement is very important.
Ms. Solomon defined “SED” (serious emotional disturbance). SED involves a diagnosable mental, emotional or behavioral disorder. The disorder creates a significant impairment in the individual, the home, school and/or community functioning. SED also involves a high-risk of needing out-of-home placement or placement in a residential treatment center.
A System of Care should be created because 5% to 9% of youth have a SED and also have very serious problems in the home or at school; 9% to 13% of youth have a SED and some problems at home or at school; and, 20% of youth have a diagnosable mental health disorder. Behavioral and social-emotional development problems are the leading cause of school failure. Thirty-percent to 50% of TANF and Foster Care cases involve persons with mental illness. Two-thirds of juvenile offenders have a mental illness. This percentage is higher in females.
Mr. Paparella reviewed the national perspective of SAMHSA. Congress established the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and their Families program in 1992. Since 1992, 92 communities have been funded through this program. Successful programs continue to receive funding.
Mr. Paparella also reviewed the six-month national outcomes of the System of Care. Emotional and behavioral problems were reduced or remained stable in 89% of the cases; over 90% of youth with suicidal histories improved or remained stable; school performance improved or remained stable for 75% of the youth; and 89% of youth with co-occurring disorders improved or remained stable.
Comprehensive Community Involvement and Additional Community Partners were detailed in the informational packet. Mr. Paparella explained the funding process. Funds are distributed to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services through the Substance Abuse-Mental Health Services Administration through the Center for Mental Health Services.
Mr. Sheehan, CMH, explained the six-year initiative. The projected total costs of the sixth year of the initiative are $934,317. This financing includes: $802,675 in Grant Funds; $140,252 in In-Kind funds; $1,465,098 in Local Funds; and, $1,605,351 for a Total Local Match.
The first year planning includes:
Mr. Oliver addressed Ingham County’s System of Care. This System includes the Court, DHS, the schools and CMH. The IMPACCT Partnership (Integrating Multiple Paths Activities Comprehensive Children’s Treatment) would involve a stakeholder group and an advisory group. The creation of shared values must be developed so the system works.
Ms. Pearson reviewed the Sustainability Plan. The goal of Ingham County’s System of Care should be to achieve improved outcomes for youth with SED and their families through integrating community partnerships that are family-centered, strength based, culturally competent and community based.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated when she first became aware of this program, she thought it would be wonderful to involve Catholic Social Services. She was pleased to see they are involved. She further stated she would rotate with Comm. Holman to attend the System of Care meetings. Committee members are also welcome to attend these meetings. The next meeting is March 22, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room A of the Human Services Building.
Comm. Holman stated this was good timing for this presentation. The Juvenile Justice Millage will be placed on a ballot in the near future for renewal. Ideas from the two initiatives could be shared. Mr. Wojack stated a Regional Training and Technology Assistance program will be held in Cleveland, Ohio May 9 to 11, 2006. It would be wonderful if a Commissioner could attend this program.
Mr. Sheehan encouraged the Commissioners to immerse themselves in this project.
5. Commissioner Weatherwax-Grant – Resolution to Establish a Juvenile Justice Community Agency Process
This item will be rescheduled for this Committee’s next meeting.
7. Board of Commissioners – Resolution Honoring Rebecca McCormick
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION HONORING REBECCA MCCORMICK. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Board Referral – Letter from Curtis Richard Regarding Camp Highfields
The Board Referral was received and placed on file.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 9:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff