- Report on Log Cabin Ranch (LCR) programs
Johnny Miller brought Lillar B Jackson, a counselor at LCR, and Dr. Jennifer Danek, who runs the Vision Youth program.
Jackson passed out documents which showed a monthly calendar of classes and programs that are operating at LCR, beginning with a 4 wk assessment, and moving through a graduated schedule of promotions, from ‘freshman' to ‘senior' and ‘graduate' (for the youth), and gave a comprehensive overview of all programs. She spoke about the other services such as parent support, empowerment groups, that operate on Sundays, and various workshops which address life and personal skills and problems the youth are having (eg. family issues, anger and violence issues). Some of the educational therapeutic workshops are: sensitivity groups, independent living skills, health education, violence reduction, conflict resolution, commitment of offense group (self realization), teen fathers group, meditation (a popular program), multicultural/diversity groups. Jackson commented that under the Restorative Justice orientation, much more work is done with the youth in developing a conscience and sensitivity to the impact of their actions on the victim and society, and in the development of the youth's own skills so they can handle situations and responsibilities they face in life. How are the outcomes evaluated? Johnny Miller said that to progress through the levels they have to attain a certain level of performance (eg. grades) before they are advanced. They also have to exhibit the behavior they learn about in the workshops. How are counselors involved? They're the ones running the workshops.
There was a concern that not enough was done with the parents. Transportation is a problem.
What kind of testing is given to the students? Both multiple choice and compositional. There are also satisfaction surveys given pre and post. While there is no formal advisory group made up of residents, they are constantly asked how they feel about the programs at LCR. J. Miller said that they are planning to develop a peer-counseling program at the Ranch next year.
Comm. Hale was insistent on making more parent involvement happen. The Chief said that more would be done in the Aftercare planning and programming.
How much coordination is there with the SFUSD? J. Miller is working with the SFUSD to enhance the academic services at LCR. He has a plan that will be reviewed 10/22 by the LCR staff, and hopefully by the end of December of this year, everyone will be on the same page with the overall mission of LCR. Comm. Hale asked if the Department knows just what works in coordination with a school district. The Chief said there are lots of models. He said he would be taking personal time to work on this.
Are teacher assignments consistent? No.
The Chief said that he and Susan Wong of SFUSD will be meeting to iron out an action plan. How much time will he need? Within the next 60 days they can have a draft done. He'd like to have the Commissioners involved in this.
Comm. Arámburo said she'd be willing to do what she can in this regard. She said that both teachers and parents are important to the educational process. She asked how many parents actually come down to visit at LCR. About 30%.
Comm. Dupré asked that the Chief meet with the SFUSD and report back to the Committee in December on their action plan. He asked the Chair or his designee attend one or more of the meetings, with the Chief. Comm. Hale said that he'd like this item on the next agenda for the Committee.
J. Miller mentioned a program of the National Juvenile Detention Association, dealing with treatment and academic staff in ranch facilities and how to make their services better.
J. Miller introduced Dr. Jennifer Danek, who has worked for Vision Youth for the past 3 yrs, who is now developing a program called Paths of Success, at LCR.
Danek explained that originally they were interested in creating life changing experiences while they were in LCR, and then a continuity of experiences back in the community which provide a platform for them to reality through comprehensive support services. (She passed out a document, which described what Vision Youth was doing overall). She commended the Commission, the Department, and the staff at LCR (especially Johnny Miller) for being supportive of their efforts to develop the program at the Ranch.
Dr. Danek reported that Paths of Success has already raised $100K for the program at LCR, and are in the first stage of development of the program. They hope to raise $1 million to continue. They are carrying out a ‘fire circle' group up on the mountain, Saturday nites and feels it has been very powerful. She said that there are a number of youth who are leaving the Ranch, but coming back during their Aftercare involvement, to help on Saturdays. She is impressed that the Ranch is not just plopping programs down without thinking about how they affect the overall outcome for the youth; what the long-term benefit is. She is interested in changing the culture of the Ranch, so that it is not one of the streets imposed at the Ranch. She said that most important is that after the youth as graduated from the ranch, he should have accumulated a series of successes, which show them how they can be on the outside.
Miller said that the Ropes Course is still in the contracting stage. It might take another 2 months or so before they know if the group they are looking at (Challenge Works) will be awarded the contract.
Can it be sole sourced? Don't know.
Miller reported that an inspection in May by the Council of Juvenile Corrections Administrators resulted in a clean bill of health with many recommendations for how to get some things done.
Public Comment: Dr. Jeanne Chapman, of the Christian Resource Center in SF. recommended that the Department get in touch with the inter-denominational community to be involved in many of the activities the Department is doing for its youth, from transportation to volunteers who can perform many activities that could benefit the youth.
Comm. Arámburo mentioned the potential of having parent mentors (parents who are successful with their own children, mentoring parents with kids at LCR)
- Discussion of potential 4-H programs at LCR, with
Gloria Brown of Half Moon Bay 4-H, and Kate Caldwell of San Mateo 4-H.
Comm. Dupré introduced Gloria Brown of the San Mateo 4-H, and Kate Caldwell of Half Moon Bay 4-H.
G. Brown introduced the Elkus G. Brown introduced the Elkus Youth Ranch, which is very close by LCR. They have youth development programs in environmental ed., horticulture, since 1975. They collaborate with the San Mateo Probation Dept. and are able and interested in doing programs with many entities, using both their own resources and program formats and those already in place for the youth in those other organizations. The 4-H is more than just cows and chickens.
Kate Caldwell of the Santa Clara 4-H mentioned various programs they have, including animals, and computers. It is a youth leadership development organization, and through programs where they learn to grow and care for plants and animals, they can learn responsibility and gain self esteem. This can continue when the youth gets out of LCR, in a regular 4-H program. She mentioned that children from the Sunnydale Housing project managed to exhibit one animal at the Grand National exhibition at the Cow Palace. She further mentioned that she had already contacted several national breeders about stock, which could be used at LCR. A donation of a barn should also be looked into.
Both individuals were very positive about the potential of collaborating with LCR.
Comm. Hale asked for the Department to set up some timeline for next steps and plans for the collaborative work to begin.
Dr. Chapman led a circle of prayer for the positive advancement of the Department's work and the positive growth of the youth.
- Master Calendar for Program Committee
