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(DISCUSSION) Report on progress of vocational programs at LCRS
L. Jackson-Simpson did a brief sum up of things in place at LCRS.
Highlights: the operating manual for service providers is complete, and training has been done with the providers. There’s only $150K of TANF funds being used for vocational services at LCRS. They have other funds, mostly from a joint project with the Youth Development and Crime Prevention Project, which brings 3 streams of funds to LCRS. There’s money for 2 POs, but while they had some $600K last year to work with, about $200k for therapeutic services, this year it is about $50K.
The LCRS staff is being looked to in operating the vocational programs. They are planning on construction trades, culinary, and the OTTP is still doing their work with LCRS.
The Committee felt that there should be ways that youth could be put to work around the ranch, performing maintenance and repair work which would both serve as job related learning, and responsibility building –as “payment” for being a part of LCRS.
Comm Richard mentioned a graduate of LCRS who is now working with his uncle in a painting operation. These are real trades and skills which they can use.
There was a question of hazardous materials ---lead--- and what exactly the youth could and could not do.
L. Jackson-Simpson mentioned that they are trying to get greater development of the computer lab via OpNet, to have better grade equipment for the youth to learn on, and to showcase their work in designing and maintaining websites. (they currently have 9, they want to get 10 more). Comm. Bonilla mentioned a friend who might have some computers that can be donated. He’ll get the name to L. Jackson-Simpson. Comm. Richard mentioned a friend of his who is a certified computer tech who is willing to volunteer his services in training youth in the computer repair field. He gave the name to L. Jackson-Simpson.
The writer’s corps is still doing their program at LCRS.
They are trying to work with NFTE to further youth entrepreneurship, via operating the “corner store” now operated by the Volunteer Auxiliary. This could be a place where youth work can be displayed and sold.
There is still work being done with the Job Corps on TI, to get youth into those programs after LCRS. The Chief commented that they are wanting to work with other corps, eg. in Utah. The previous program, which had youth being driven back and forth to TI for classes was an extraordinarily expensive proposition, staff wise, and it had mixed results.
A question was asked about the points system. The Chief said this is still being developed and worked out. They’re still building that transitioning happening because staff has to really get themselves together. They went from deadtime to delay time, which was really the same. They are getting on board, but it’s still being concretized.
The Chief mentioned that last week she took a millionaire to the Ranch. He was interested in what he could do for LCRS.
She said that they have painting but they don’t have work crews. She’d like to see them do the landscaping as part of their chores. One of the problems is that grounds staff were laid off, so who would supervise the youth?
Comm. Richard said he’ll contact Kelly Moore Paints for a donation of paint that he can then give to LCRS for them to use.
The Chief commented that there are problems with 790 when the counselors’ job description is changed. She said that part of the problem at LCRS is changing the culture. She said they are requiring that staff do what they are expected to do. The actual battle is the staff, not the kids. The counselors are struggling to keep afloat. Some of them are rebelling and some of them are doing all kinds of other things, distractions. They are struggling with all the changes. Some find other ways to jump ship, like going on WC, filing complaints.
Comm Bonilla said that it now falls on the counselors, since the Commission helped keep LCRS open.
Comm. Richard asked the Chief what was happening with LCRS, given that the last program meeting had T. Mtambuzi and Liz Jackson-Simpson doing the entire reporting about what was going on with LCRS, and not the Director of LCRS. Comm. Richard was concerned that the Dept’s own staff responsible for the Ranch was not fulfilling that responsibility.
The Chief said that T. Mtambuzi was asked to be a monitor for the changes at LCRS, but that he had been gracious enough to train and help with the development. He has played almost the Asst. Director’s role. Comm. Richard asked if T. Mtambuzi was a Dept staff. The Chief said he is the Director of SPY. He is not on the Dept’s payroll, so she felt grateful he accepted the assignment without pay.
Comm. Richard asked that all subsequent reports regarding the progress at LCRS be done by the Director of LCRS, D. Sanders. On these last two occasions it appeared that Sanders was, at most, a minor player in the developments there, since he wasn’t on top of the information being reported, but T. Mtambuzi and L. Jackson-Simpson seemed to be in control.
The Chief said they would comply with this request.
Comm Bonilla commended the Dept for being able to work together toward an improved future.
(public comments)
There was none.
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