Meeting Minutes

1. Roll call
The Commission Chair called the meeting to order at 2 p.m. Commissioners Beijen and Chang were present. Commissioner Woodson was excused.

2. Communication Issues between JPD Personnel and Parents/Guardians of Juvenile Justice Involved Youth and Parent Handbook update by Joanna Hernandez (DISCUSSION)

Joanna Hernandez, Parent, said that the draft Parent Handbook is almost complete and was given to Chief Siffermann and Garry Bieringer. Ms. Hernandez said that they have around 15 parents who would like to continue to meet as a support group and work with the department, but have used their $2,000 Action Grant funds. Camille Dockins was able to get them a meeting with 311 to help parents obtain information when their child is detained.
COMM Beijen asked how Ms. Hernandez reaches parents. Ms. Hernandez recruits parents at JPD when court is in session and hands out fliers. Chief Siffermann said it is self-referrals because JPD cannot disclose the names of families.
COMM Beijen said the draft handbook is missing the organization’s contact information. He said that the book might still be confusing to some parents and that their organization can help explain it. Chief Siffermann said that it is providing information to parents and gathering information for the department.
COMM Chang said that once organized, she will get the support of the commission, and the department can find some monies to help.
Ms. Hernandez said that Julia Sabory with the Youth Commission is willing to assist with the pamphlet, for example, inputting their mission, goal, and with organization. Ms. Hernandez said they are looking for a person to organize the group.
COMM Beijen said that she has gained a great deal of knowledge and has the ability to share it. She has 15 parents/grandparents/guardians involved and many more who would benefit from this organization. Ms. Hernandez expressed that there are three projects that she would like to see happen: to get a parent, whose child has been in the system, to be more involved with the commission; the 311 project; and to continue the support group.
COMM Beijen expressed that Ms. Hernandez is a vital part of the communication link and that there are still places where the communication could be improved. Ms. Hernandez agreed. Chief Siffermann suggested Ms. Hernandez be head of a work group that is developing these groups.
COMM Chang asked Ms. Hernandez if she was interested in continuing on after her child successfully completes his probation. He needs to be sure that they have a committed pool that has been through the system for those incoming parents. Ms. Hernandez said that she wants to help. Chief Siffermann suggested going to Probation Orientation to recruit parents. Ms. Hernandez said there are not enough parent support systems.
COMM Beijen and Chang agreed to see that the Programs Committee maintains open communications and working relationships with this group so that they can help facilitate communications between the department and parents.
COMM Chang asked if the parent handbook could be posted in community websites.
COMM Beijen suggested having it on the Juvenile Probation Commission website.
Public Comments
Bob Anyon, YGCIC, said that an engaged parent is a critical aspect of any attempts to help steer young people and really supports this effort.
Chief Siffermann said that Ms. Hernandez’s work was featured at the Youth Commission’s Inauguration and the parent handbook was acknowledged.

3. Presentation by YGCIC Focus Vocational Programs (DISCUSSION)

Presented by Bob Anyon and Jermaine King. The three programs discussed are the GED school; the BT Express; and New Directions Employment Program. Mr. Anyon said that he is mainly responsible for the New Directions Employment Program for youths in the Juvenile Justice System. Jermaine King is the coordinator and counselor for the GED Early Morning Study Academy. They work with youths that are on probation and are referred by JPD, SFUSD, and foster homes. They help youths get their GED, enroll in college, and assist with employment issues. John Knox is also a critical element to the success of this program. They had a total of 48 graduates in June, which is the highest number of any high school GED programs.
COMM Chang asked what the retention rate was once the graduates leave the program. Mr. Anyan said that they do not have the capacity to track long-term contact.
COMM Chang asked if the graduates come back and mentor the kids and Mr. Anyon said that some of them do. Chief Siffermann added that one youth on probation became a member of the Juvenile Advisory Council and then became a member of the SF Youth Commission.
Mr. Anyon said the GED school collaborates with JPD and SFUSD. It’s an official school within the county schools and they need math tutors. The person they are hiring will coordinate a more intensive volunteer effort. Mr. King said that they are working with SFSU to tutor students for their GED and SAT’s. They try to remove any barriers: they pay for tests, buy fast passes, and drive them to the tests. It is then up to the youth to make the effort. They test youths in what they see as their easiest subject, so that youths gain success early in the program. They build on success.
The Beautification Team Express, also known as BT Express, is a community service. They team up with DPW on specific Saturdays to clean up and beautify the community, and are part of the Clean City Coalition, which plants trees in specific neighborhoods.
Work-creation, is a Park and Recreation subsidized program through DCYF, for youth jobs. The New Directions Employment Program was established three years ago and is specifically designed for young men and women in the Juvenile Justice System. They are the intermediaries and interface with the CBO’s to make sure young people do their applications correctly and complete all their work documents. They also put youths through an eight day employment seminar, which tends to build their confidence around work. They talk about employer expectations so that youths know what the culture and language is in order to succeed. The Occupational Therapy and Training Program (OTTP), which is funded by the Violence Prevention Collaborative, allows Occupational Therapist to work with young people to find their interest. They now have mental health counseling and mental health care.
YGCIC needs to let other people know that these programs exist. Their contact information is listed on their website at www.ygcic.com and they are eligible for corporate sponsorship and donations (501C3).

4. Adjournment (ACTION ITEM)

The meeting adjourned at 3:09 p.m.

Meeting Information

Programs_Committee

Meeting Minutes