JUDICIARY

July 13, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:         Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Dianne Holman, Deb Nolan, Rebecca Bahar-Cook, Randy Schafer, Steve Dougan and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino

Members Absent:         None

Others Present:             John Neilsen, Don Reisig, Harry Moxley, David Easterday, Rodney Taylor, Margaret Mays and others

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at 8:05 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the June 15, 2006 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. HOLMAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. BAHAR-COOK, TO APPROVE THE JUNE 15 MINUTES AS AMENDED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Additions to the Agenda

3.         Discussion – Angel House

Limited Public Comment

Mr. Fulger, Lansing Fire Department, stated the Department currently has a good communication system. 

1.         Interviews – Friend of the Court Advisory Committee

The Committee interviewed Jayme Lynn Miller and D. Rene Lewis for the vacant Children’s Advocate position on the Friend of the Court Advisory Committee.

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated this Committee will make a recommendation at a later date.  She then encouraged the applicants to continue to monitor the County’s website for other vacancies.

2.         30^th Circuit Court – Resolution Authorizing a Contingency Appropriation to the Circuit Court for Preparation of the Special Needs of the Court Associated with the Holland Case

MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DOUGAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONTINGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR PREPARATION OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE COURT ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOLLAND CASE. 

Comm. Bahar-Cook asked why the Court would need so many monitors for the Holland case.  She then asked what would happen with the monitors at the conclusion of the case.  Mr. Easterday explained a second jury box is being constructed for the case which will block the view of the current monitor.  Once the trial is over, the County will keep the monitors.  They will be used when other County monitors need replacement. 

Mr. Easterday explained to Comm. Dougan that a technology budget needs to be established to purchase the eight monitors to facilitate communications, fees for a camera operator, breakout box rental and live video and audio fees for the Media and Public Viewing Rooms.  These Rooms will be established on the third floor of the Grady Porter Building.   Mr. Taylor stated not all of the costs are for fixed items. 

Comm. Schafer asked if this item is a priority.  Mr. Neilsen stated the Controller’s Office supports the request.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.         Angel House Discussion – Margaret Mays, Wendy Compo and Jan Kelly

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant asked the Angel House Representatives to explain why the County is not currently using the services of Angel House.  Ms. Mays distributed information to the Committee regarding the Angel House philosophy.  She also distributed information regarding the Family to Family Tools for Rebuilding Foster Care. The Family to Family goals are the same as those for the Angel House. 

Ms. Mays reviewed the information.  She stated that not all kids benefit from foster care placement.  Some of the Family to Family’s Goals for the System includes:

• Developing a network of family foster care that is neighborhood-based, culturally sensitive and located primarily in communities where children currently live.
• Ensuring that all youth are routinely placed with families.
• Increasing the number and quality of foster and kinship families to meet projected needs.
• Providing services to birth families and children in a timely manner so that they can be reunited as soon as possible.
• Screening children who are being considered for removal from their homes to determine the best placement.
• Involving birth parents, foster parents and kinship families as team members.

Ms. Mays explained that if an assessment determines the best possible placement for a youth is the Angel House, the youth will be placed in the House.  Angel House will be used as a last resort for placement. 

Comm. Holman asked if Wayne County had experienced any repercussions from shifting to the Family to Family system.  Ms. Mays stated there were some political repercussions for some smaller agencies.  The program is considered to be successful in Wayne County.  Ms. Compo explained that shifting from the current system to the Family to Family system will be a long-term process which can be painful. 

Comm. Bahar-Cook asked if there is any data which indicates youth are damaged by being placed in the Family to Family system.  Ms. Mays stated such data is not available.  Comm. Bahar-Cook asked where the youth would be placed if they are not placed in Angel House.  Ms. Mays explained DHS will initially look for kinship placements.  There is a list of foster care homes to refer to for the placement of youth.  She further explained that Angel House could be used as a case assessment center.

In response to Comm. Dougan, Ms. Mays explained that Angel House was constructed at a time when the County needed such a facility.  The facility is not used as much due to a changing philosophy.  Comm. Nolan asked if zip code removal data is available.  Ms. Compo explained a system does exist to gather this information.  A few years worth of data is available.  A map can also be established to pinpoint where the removals are occurring.  The north-west end of Lansing has a lot of removal activity. 

Comm. Nolan asked if a snapshot of the zip code data is available for a twelve-month period.  Ms. Compo stated that information is being developed.  Comm. Nolan then asked if the information could contain raw numbers such as the fiscal year or the calendar year.  Ms. Compos explained the DHS has been trained to be very conscientious regarding data.  They would be happy to provide the requested information. 

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant asked about the procedures at the State level which allow for the bypass of the Family to Family system.  Ms. Mays explained staff has been trained to use an emergency placement list at night.  Angel House would be appropriate for a very problematic case.  Angel House will be used as a first placement in some cases. 

Ms. Kelly stated the DHS considers the best interest of the child when determining placements.  Angel House is a frequent consideration; however, there is an understanding that kinship placements are preferred. 

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated the County was lead to believe there was a

prevalence for emergency placement.  She asked if there was a shift in placements when Angel House was under construction.  Ms. Mays explained the State recruits foster care homes on a continuous basis.  Ms. Compos explained the Angel House concept was developed several years ago.  The need for Angel House has decreased due to the decrease in placements.

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant asked if family members are trained immediately before they receive an emotionally distraught youth from an extended family.  Ms. Mays explained the DHS works very closely with the families.   Several resources exist within the County if referrals are necessary. 

Comm. Dougan asked if DHS can provide the number of times it has placed youth in the Angel House during the year.  Ms. Mays stated DHS has used Angel House for 15 youth, for a total of 46 nights within a three-month period of time.  Comm. Nolan stated this information is very helpful.

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated this Committee supports helping youth at the front end; however, crisis youth should not be neglected.  Ms. Compos stated Angel House provides wonderful services.  Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant asked if Judges would be included in the team decision making process.  Ms. Mays stated Judges can participate if they have the time.  Judges may have a conflict of interest concerning ex-parte communications. 

Comm. Schafer stated his belief that Angel House is very important for dysfunctional youth and their families.  Abuse runs through families.

4.         30^th Circuit Court – Friend of the Court:  Maximus Report on 2005 Performance

Mr. Reisig explained that he placed this item on tonight’s agenda to let the Committee know where the Court stands financially.  The Court is currently down five FTE’s.  MICSES continues to be questionable regarding when it will be functional.  Mr. Reisig stated the Court is trying to keep its head above water despite the concerns. 

A projected $58 million in cuts to the Friend of the Court system budget could mean fewer workers to track down deadbeat parents, delays in processing child support payments and fewer workers to resolve disputes over support amounts, visitation or custody.  Mr. Reisig stated approximately 23% of the Friend of the Court’s budget will be affected by the projected cuts. 

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant requested clarification regarding the information

contained on page eight of the Friend of the Court/Prosecuting Attorney 2005 Performance Information report.  Mr. Moxley explained there are more restrictions on TANF eligibility requirements.  In regard to the Cost Effectiveness information on page 16 of the report, Mr. Moxley explained approximately $74 is collected for every $1.00 for Ingham County. 

Comm. Nolan stated definitions of the terms contained in the report would be helpful to the Committee’s understanding of the information.  Mr. Neilsen stated staff could develop a glossary of the terms for the Committee.

5.         Controller’s Office – Update on the Search for a Suitable Site for the Court’s Proposed Continuum of Care Facility

Mr. Neilsen distributed information to the Committee regarding the Continuum of Care Facility site search.  Seven sites are contained in the Site Search information.  Staff will work with the Facilities Department to develop the pros and cons associated with each site contained in the information. 

Chairperson Celentino stated site number three will be sold for a community center.  He then asked if the seven sites are currently available.  Mr. Neilsen explained the sites are available based on the Court’s criteria.  The criteria will be refined as the search continues. 

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant asked that this Committee be emailed if a site tour is scheduled for a facility.  This Committee wants input on the top two or three recommended sites.

Comm. Nolan expressed her wish that the County could rent a facility so that services could be available for the youth sooner.  Comm. Holman stated rental, purchasing and construction costs are being considered. 

Mr. Neilsen informed the Committee that the Court would be present at the August meeting with additional information regarding this item.

Announcements;           None

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff