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MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2002 PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEETING
held at Youth Guidance Center Room 328 375 Woodside Ave San Francisco, CA 94127

The Minutes of this meeting set forth all actions taken by the Commission on the matters stated, but not necessarily the chronological sequence in which the matters were taken up

1.          (ACTION) Roll Call
Comm. Dupre called the meeting to order, at 5:37pm. Upon the arrival of Comm. Richard, all commissioners were present. Also in attendance: CPO Williams, ACPO Tucker, L. Jackson-Simpson, S. Arcelona, J. Fithian, D. Sanders, L. Lanzaretti et.al (La France Assoc.)
2.          (ACTION) Approval of August 20, 2002 meeting minutes.
The minutes were approved as written.
(public comment) There was none
3.          Public comment on any matter within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Juvenile Probation Commission
There was none.
4.          (DISCUSSION) Report from PrIDE on the Huckleberry Youth Services, Status Offenders Contract
Representatives from LaFrance Associates presented a brief overview of the report. Highlights. This is a very small sampling for the program. The sample size was only 21 (with completed intake and discharge information forms). The program served more than 400 youth. 50% of the sample was African American. 98% of the parents of these youth were involved in the work done with the youth. 100% of the youth maintained school attendance while they were in the services of the program. The average time in the program was 11 days. Many of those youth served became involved in other program services at Huckleberry House.
Issues: the sampling is far too small to be able to extrapolate any meaningful information regarding the success or effectiveness of the program's activities. Upon questioning regarding the percentages given, it was revealed that these were not unusual or improved from the past, for the program, that parents are generated required to be involved in the interaction between agency and youth, and that youth generally maintain their school attendance while in the program. The program is structured this way.
Question: how many of those youth finish school? Ans: this is not answerable. The exit data does not contain this (too short a time). Question: is substance abuse a tested condition? Ans: no, it is self reported.
The contractor is in the process of streamlining the process of data collection. They want to eliminate both staff and youth self-assessment and leave the one intake assessment.
S. Arcelona commented that the agency has a wealth of intake data (even though exit data is missing), that possibly much could be learned from compiling that information.
A representative from Huckleberry Youth commented that having this first report is useful to them and will assist in making those changes necessary to improve data collection.
Liz Jackson-Simpson mentioned that a large number of those in the sample had substance abuse issues, and said that it would be important to have information on how this was addressed (with what referrals, what outcomes).
LaFrance Assoc. reported that they next would be doing a report on the Intensive Home Based Supervision programs (but again there is a very small sampling: total 58, out of 6 programs). The contractor was in the process of re-assessing the PrIDE program and how to continue it, and wanted the input of the Commissioners. She asked the Commissioners to respond to her email inquiry at their earliest convenience.
(public comment) There was none.
5.          (DISCUSSION) Report from the Chief on the staff meeting at LCRS, regarding the Comprehensive Plan.
The Chief reported that they had a 3 hr meeting with the counseling staff. There are issues at LCRS. While some are open to the direction set by the comprehensive plan, there are those who are more resistant to it. The Chief characterized it has "continuing to be our own worst enemy." Jim Fithian offered that possibly this could be due to the fact that a lot of responsibility was being given to the staff to do things they might never have had to do before and they fear the responsibility. He felt that this would be overcome with the majority of staff going forward with the plan.
ACPO G. Tucker felt that the culture had to be changed at the Ranch, and that they needed to take more initiative there. They needed to learn team building. She gave the example of asking if anyone would volunteer to review parts of the plan and give their comments. There were no volunteers.
There will be a follow up meeting on Oct. 7 where they will discuss roles and responsibilities: ie, what will their roles be in the comprehensive plan, and how will the Dept engage them, if they want to be engaged. The Chief said that they can only do so much; that ultimately, some behavior has to change. ACPO Tucker said that one of the things the Ranch staff needs to learn is that they will be given a chance to put something into the plan (eg. the Mission Statement) and learn how to do more than just carry out orders. Comm. Richard offered to attend. Comm. Bonilla also expressed an interest in attending.
Comm. Dupre offered the support of the Dept in this effort, and commended the Administration on its attempts to get the Ranch on the right track. Comm. Richard echoed this opinion.
(public comment) there was none.
6.          (DISCUSSION) Review the Comprehensive Plan for LCRS.
Comm. Richard asked the Chief to review what the basic outcomes he expects from the plan. The Chief said that a uniform intake and assessment process, with an educational plan built on that assessment. The final result will be that when a youth leaves LCRS, he is ready to be re integrated into mainstream society, either in school or vocational training or employment.
Comm. Dupre asked what the impact of this plan was on counselors who have only been serving as custodial staff. And what plan is being carried out to educate the courts regarding LCRS.
The Chief responded that staff training would target counseling skills.
(public comment) There was none.
7.          (DISCUSSION) Discussion of the future of the LCRS Advisory Committee.
Comm. Richard read a statement (copy attached to minutes)
Comm. Bonilla recalled that at the last meeting, he stated that if the Advisory Committee was not able to get on with its work, he would introduce a motion to dispense with. He was more inclined to pursue a tactic as they have begun, via short term, identifiable projects with tangible results.
Comm. Dupre commented that this impasse on the Advisory Committee isn't due to a problem with the Chair. He asked the staff how they felt about this committee.
ACPO Tucker said that the Dept has taken the "bull by the horns" with the comprehensive plan. She felt the Dept is beyond the point of where the Advisory Committee was going to work. She said it has already served its purpose of placing attention on the problems, causing the Dept to come up with the plan.
The Chief agreed. However, he didn't want to lose the energy and commitment of those individuals who had been attending Advisory Committee meetings.
Comm. Richard said that it would be best to work with the Chief, the LCRS Director, on the comprehensive plan, along with those active participants in the Advisory Committee. He stated that he wanted this issue on the full Commission agenda, so the full Commission can take action on it.
J. Fithian commented that it would also be good to get the LCRS staff involved in the various projects, so they have investment in the process. He believes the climate there is more like a "family".
Comm. Dupre suggested that Comm Richard get in touch with those committee members who had been more participatory, to see if they want to continue working on LCRS.
Comm. Richard said that at the October Program Comm. mtg he would have a report about the future role of the individuals from the Advisory Committee.
Comm. Dupre said that he is ready to bring resources down to LCRS, but he won't do that until the Dept ‘gets it together'.
Comm. Richard said that one of his ultimate goals for being on the Commission is to fix LCRS. He also has resources to bring to LCRS.
(public comment) There was none.
8.          Announcements, requests for future agenda items:
Comm Dupre requested to have a dialog with the youth in the units to see what's going on.
He'd like a report on the CBOs working at LCRS.
Comm. Richard said that for the October committee meeting, there should be a report on Juvenile Hall.
Comm. Bonilla asked if there could be a town hall meeting in a neighborhood where they could hear from the community residents.
Comm. Richard said that he was disappointed with previous attendance at meetings the Commission has held in the communities.
Comm. Dupre suggested that parents of young people in detention come to the Program Comm. to talk to the members.
(public comment)
9.          (ACTION) Adjournment
There being no further business, Comm. Richard gave his condolences to ACPO Tucker for the loss of her mom. Comm. Dupre asked that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Asst. CPO Gwen Tucker's mom, Mrs. Mattierean Branch. The meeting was so adjourned.

Meeting Information

Programs_Committee