Approved 11/2/06

JUDICIARY

October 12, 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: Jared Cypher, Matt Wojack, Janeil Valentine and Tanesha Grace

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant at 7:40 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.

Approval of the September 28, 2006 Minutes

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 28 MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.  Absent: Comm. Bahar-Cook

Additions to the Agenda

2.         Substitute Resolution

5.         Status of Continuum of Care Coalition

(Comm. Bahar-Cook arrived at approximately 7:43 p.m.)

Limited Public Comment:          None

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE A CONSENT AGENDA FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

2.         30^th Judicial Circuit Court – Resolution Authorizing Amending the Contract with AVI Systems for Upgrades and/or Purchases for Court Recording Equipment

3b.       IMPACT Partnership - Resolution Authorizing Ingham County to Enter into the Ingham County System of Care Interagency Agreement

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MOVED BY COMM. SCHAFER, SUPPORTED BY COMM. NOLAN, TO APPROVE THE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3a.       IMPACT Partnership, Matt Wojack - Update – System of Care

Ms. Grace informed the Committee that IMPACT will host a Speak Your Mind event on Monday, October 16, 2006 and Monday, November 6, 2006 from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m.  This event if for high-school aged youth who have been involved with juvenile justice, child welfare and/or mental health issues.  It will be held at St. Vincent Catholic Charities. 

Mr. Wojack stated the Ingham County System of Care Interagency Agreement was signed last week.  He then reviewed the Scope of Services which will be provided through the System of Care.  The services include Family Guidance Home-Based Services, Wraparound Services and System of Care Family Advocates. 

Mr. Wojack explained the System of Care initiative will collect demographic information on children and families served.  This information will be evaluated on an extensive list of outcomes.  A list of the outcomes was included in information that was distributed to the Committee.

Comm. Nolan asked if the first set of data is available.  Mr. Wojack explained when the instruments have been approved, the data will be gathered.  He does not know when the instruments will be approved. 

Comm. Bahar-Cook asked if the Youth Commission will be contacted regarding the Speak Your Mind event.  Ms. Grace stated she would contact the Commission soon.   Comm. Bahar-Cook also asked for an update regarding SAMHSA.  Mr. Wojack stated the level of cooperation is phenomenal.  SAMHSA has funding for its first six years.  Efforts are being made to ensure the sustainability of the program beyond the first six years.  Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated the community partners realize the program is cost effective for them.  Comm. Nolan asked if the program is eligible for Juvenile Justice Millage funds.  Mr. Wojack stated he did not know the answer to that question. 

1.         Sheriff’s Office

a.         Discussion Item – Update on Michigan Department of Corrections Contract

Mr. Cypher informed the Committee the Sheriff’s Office was successful in securing a contract with the MDOC for 30 additional beds.  The Office has fulfilled the requirements of Resolution #06-114.  The three remaining Correctional Officers will now be hired to bring the staff up to its full level. 

            b.         Discussion Item – Jail Overcrowding

Comm. Schafer informed the Committee that the Law Enforcement Committee will implement a task force to deal with the over-crowding problem.  The task force will submit a recommendation for resolving the problem to the Law Enforcement Committee by March 30, 2007.  Chairperson Celentino stated a Resolution authorizing the implementation of the task force will be submitted during the next round of meetings. 

Ms. Sabaj stated Mr. Myers provided the Law Enforcement Committee with options for discussion during the task force meetings.  The options include:

• The size of the Ingham County Jail could be increased.
• The number of rental beds could be decreased which would leave more available beds for local use.
• The County could not accept ordinance violators or it could accept them and charge the appropriate municipality.
• The County could consider issuing credit to inmates who are on work-release status. 

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated the creation of a task force is an excellent idea.  The County needs to explore innovative ideas to resolve the over-crowding at the Jail.  Over-crowding is a constant battle.  She further stated low-level offenders should be punished to help maintain the quality of life in this community. 

In response to Comm. Dougan’s question regarding the September 2006 County Jail Capacity Report, Judge Collette stated a work-release facility was constructed approximately four years ago.  This facility holds approximately 90 people. 

Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated this Committee will defer to the Law Enforcement Committee regarding the task force.  She suggested if any members of this Committee are interested in serving on the task force, he/she should contact Chairperson Celentino. 

4.         Board Referrals

a.         Letter from John Evans, Administrator, Department of Human Services Approving Amended 2005-2006 Annual Plan and Budget for Child Care Fund Expenditures

b.         Letter from Ingham County Circuit Court Regarding Corrective Action Plan for Ingham County Youth Center

5.         Status of Continuum of Care Coalition

Comm. Nolan suggested interested Commissioners should visit the Wayne County juvenile assessment center.  She further stated she would be willing to visit the facility over her two-week Christmas break.  Family Court members may also be interested in touring this facility.  Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant stated Mr. Neilsen will contact the Family Court regarding this matter. 

The Committee held a brief discussion regarding the Wayne County facility.

Comm. Copedge stated the CCY System of Care Coalition is interested in the Chinn Report Recommendations.  Chairperson Weatherwax-Grant sated the Coalition is welcome to attend meetings of this Committee at any time.

Announcements:           None

Public Comment:          None

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra Neff