Approved 10/12/06
JUDICIARY
September 28, 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, Nervy Oliver, Judge Collette, Judge Lawless, Travis Faulds, Judge Baird and Judge Boyd
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at 7:32 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the September 14, 2006 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. NOLAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHAFER, TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 14 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Bahar-Cook
Additions to the Agenda
3. Resolution Supporting House Bill 5399 was rescheduled for this Committee’s November 16, 2006 meeting
Limited Public Comment: None
1. Circuit Court/Friend of the Court – Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a State Court Administrative Office Grant to the Friend of the Court for the Access & Visitation Program
MOVED BY COMM. DOUGAN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A STATE COURT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE GRANT TO THE FRIEND OF THE COURT FOR THE ACCESS & VISITATION PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent: Comm. Bahar-Cook
4. Controller’s Office – Third Quarter 2006 Budget Adjustments and Contingency Fund Update and Resolution Authorizing Adjustments to the 2006 Ingham County Budget
Mr. Neilsen stated the Resolution authorizes standard adjustments to the 2006 Ingham County Budget.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE 2006 INGHAM COUNTY BUDGET. Absent: Comm. Bahar-Cook
2. Circuit Court/Family Division
a. Review of Recommendations from the Chinn Report
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant thanked the Court for providing the update on the Recommendations. This Committee has been very pleased with the Court’s progress regarding the Recommendations.
1) Fully Implement Community Coalition for Youth – Continuum of Care Model for At Risk Youth
Judge Lawless stated a Letter of Agreement has been signed by the Coalition members.
The system of care with CMH, SAMSA, will begin in mid-October. Comm. Nolan asked how this program will operate. Mr. Oliver explained the SAMSA program will use existing resources more efficiently. It’s very important to have options for the Judges which will reduce the cost of residential placements. Funding will come from the Child Care Fund and the Department of Human Services. Comm. Nolan stated she is very pleased that the Court and SAMSA are going to be working together.
Comm. Nolan asked how the SAMSA program will be funded and if it would be possible to use Juvenile Justice Millage funds. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated a determination regarding the use of the Juvenile Justice Millage funds has not been made.
6) Establish Capacity for Respite/Crisis Intervention Beds to Support Community Based Programming
The Court has discussed the possibility of using the Angel House for Respite/Crisis Intervention beds. Mr. Faulds stated the goal of this program is to help prepare parents and to facilitate the early release of youth from residential placement. The Parent Support Group worked with an average of 26 parents during August. This is a voluntary program. The 26 parents represented approximately 19 families.
2) Create a Comprehensive Juvenile Assessment Center
Judge Lawless stated a lot of internal training has taken place with the Department of Human Services. Currently, court staff conducts assessments where they are needed. An assessment is performed on every filed formal petition.
3) Create Day Treatment/Evening Reporting Program
Judge Lawless stated the Court is working on this Program. A site has not been located. The Court has been conducting independent day treatment and evening reporting.
Comm. Nolan asked for an update regarding the site search. Mr. Faulds stated 15 sites have been reviewed. The Court is looking for a school-like setting. The Main Street building was promising; however, it would require extensive renovation and it is not easily accessible.
(Comm. Bahar-Cook arrived at 7:57 p.m.)
Comm. Nolan stated that at this Committee’s September 14 meeting, Mr. Neilsen stated he would speak with the Purchasing Department regarding the preference for a school-type facility. Mr. Neilsen stated he did inform the Purchasing Department of this issue and the Director will relay this information to the realtors. Comm. Nolan suggested that Mr. Hudgins should contact the Lansing School District regarding any upcoming school closings. Mr. Neilsen stated he believes that contact has been made.
Comm. Holman asked if the Court has considered leasing a facility on a temporary basis in order to start the program while the search for a permanent facility continues. Mr. Faulds stated the Court would consider this option. Comm. Bahar-Cook asked if the Court has considered the old Greater Lansing Board of Realtors building. Mr. Faulds stated the facility was reviewed. The facility is 17,500 square feet; has approximately three acres, a gymnasium that was changed to a conference room and two computer labs. The square footage requirement was met and public parking is available across the street from the facility. The large parking lot could be down-sized to allow for green space.
Comm. Bahar-Cook asked if the Court is still considering the Realtors building. Mr. Faulds stated the Board of Commissioners expressed concerns regarding the location of the facility. Judge Collette stated the building is located on the NW edge of the County.
In response to Comm. Bahar-Cook, Comm. Schafer stated the cost to construct a facility would be approximately $160 to $170 a square foot. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated that cost did not include the cost of the land. Judge Lawless stated the facility search also will include zoning issues and neighborhood concerns.
Comm. Holman stated she had raised a concern that the Realtor facility’s location should be analyzed to determine if it is appropriate for the Court’s needs.
Mr. Faulds stated each facility on the initial list has been reviewed. Judge Lawless stated it is difficult to find the time to continue this search. The Realtor facility could be reviewed again. Judge Collette stated Mr. Terrill thought the facility looked good structurally. The Court is willing to work with the Board of Commissioners to find a facility. He then suggested the vacant Oldsmobile property should be considered. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant agreed that the Oldsmobile property would be closer to the youth being served and it is located on a bus line. She further stated the Court could notify the Board if there is a facility worth touring. This Committee will try to be open-minded.
Comm. Dougan asked if the Court has considered vacant churches. Judge Lawless stated a vacant church has not been available to date. She further stated the old YMCA facility would be appropriate with a lot of work. Comm. Holman asked if the Black Child & Family Institute facility has been considered. Mr. Neilsen stated he forwarded that information to Mr. Hudgins.
Judge Baird asked if the Court could be informed of vacant County property. Mr. Neilsen stated that information would be provided to the Court.
Comm. Bahar-Cook suggested the Court be clear regarding its priorities when dealing with the Lansing School District.
4) Enhance Truancy Intervention Strategies and Revise Truancy Court
Judge Lawless informed the Committee that an Intensive Truancy Caseworker position has been established. This position will work with the most severe truancy cases which involves high-risk behaviors. The Court will work with the school district to firm up its Truancy Court eligibility requirements. A tutoring program has been developed. A summer program was implemented for the students who did not graduate from Truancy Court. Judge Lawless reviewed other measures the Court has undertaken regarding truancy.
Comm. Nolan stated Special Education students should be included in the Truancy Court program. Mr. Oliver explained there are concerns regarding what sanctions would be used for those students. This issue has been discussed. Comm. Nolan expressed her appreciation for the Court’s consideration of this matter. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant asked if elementary students are eligible for the program. Judge Lawless explained that truancy at the elementary level usually involves parental neglect. Judge Baird stated some students are considered truant because they have been expelled.
7) Target 15 to 20 Youth to Return from Out-of-State Placement
Judge Lawless stated she does not know if specific youth have been targeted for return. The Court is trying to reduce the number of out-of-state placements. Mr. Faulds explained that the Court has regular ongoing discussions regarding when youth will be ready to return home from out-of-state placements. The Court also works with the parents while their youth are in placement.
Mr. Faulds further stated the Court has been meeting with Camp Highfields. The Court sent its first youth to Highfields today. Two more youth have been referred to the facility. In response to Comm. Nolan, Mr. Faulds stated the Court has not placed youth at Angel House for respite care.
Comm. Bahar-Cook asked if the Court has a contract with Highfields. Judge Lawless stated the Court does not have a contract with Highfields. It will start placing youth their on a per diem basis. Currently, the daily rate is $163.68. This cost may go up to $190 and $195 soon.
8) Improve System Information Reporting and Monitoring
Judge Lawless explained that improving the reporting and monitoring system is an ongoing process. Reports will be submitted to this Committee on a quarterly basis.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated the Court has experienced some amazing outcomes over the past six months. The community should be aware of the tangible results. Comm. Holman asked how this Committee could assist the Court. Judge Lawless stated the Committee could help by continuing to keep the lines of communication open.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated this Committee anticipates new position requests from the Court. The Court should keep this Committee informed on how it may help. She further stated the Committee would appreciate regular updates regarding the Continuum of Care Model. The Committee loves what the Court is doing in regard to truancy.
5) Expand Community Based Treatment Services
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated this recommendation will remain on the list as it is always evolving.
In regard to Recommendation eight, Improving System Information Reporting and Monitoring, Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated this has improved since the passage of the Juvenile Justice Millage.
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated the County has made a tremendous amount of progress, and she is very proud of the Court’s progress on the Recommendations. Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant thanked the Court for their hard work.
Judge Lawless stated the Court appreciates its relationship and continued support of this Committee. This relationship is necessary for the youth in our community to be successful.
b. Update – Continuum of Care Facility
This item was discussed in agenda item 1a.
Announcements: None
Public Comment
Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant informed the Committee that she spoke with Judge Boyd regarding concerns that were raised at this Committee’s last meeting. She then stated she appreciates Judge Boyd’s presence this evening to address those concerns.
Judge Boyd stated it is good to have the opportunity to speak to this Committee. He then stated his recent article in the Bar Journal explains a lot about himself. His goal is to help real people with real problems. Judge Boyd explained his judging philosophy as it relates to fees. He stated he would be happy to raise the fees when appropriate to do so.
The Committee discussed this issue briefly. Judge Boyd requested a copy of the Maximus Study. Mr. Neilsen stated the State Court Administrator’s Office would have the Study.
The meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff