Full_Commission
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 MINUTES OF MARCH 24, 1999 REGULAR MEETING
1. Roll
Call
The
meeting was called to order at 5:37 pm.
All Commissioners were present at the gavel, with the exception of Comm.
Jackson-Drake, who arrived at 5:44 pm.
2. Review
of Feb.24, 1999 meeting
minutes
Comm. Shimko pointed out a typographical
error on p. 2. Comm. Julian asked to include the
commendations made by the Commission to Deborah Alvarez-Rodriguez for her
presentation on the Children's Services Plan, to the Commission, and to
identify her title as Director of the Dept of Children, Youth and
Families. He also asked to clearly
identify John Kennedy as a Deputy City Attorney. With these corrections, the minutes were approved.
3. Chief
Probation Officer's Report:
a. review
of Feb. monthly statistical data;
b. highlights
of month of Feb.
c.
upcoming events/emerging issues
The Chief did not revisit any
details from the monthly statistical report.
He mentioned that they are looking for a new Ombudsman, and that he had
also had a meeting with the Deputy Probation Officers Association (DPOA), in
which all the issues brought up by Mr. Perino at the last meeting were
discussed. They now have a mutual
understanding, if not agreement, regarding both sides of the issue, and will
continue to explore them in a professional and open manner. The Chief said that one result of the
meeting was to initiate a mass Dept. bulletin so that information is widely
available to all those interested. They
will again meet in April. He then
introduced Rev. Dunbar, who gave a short synopsis of the developments around
the spiritual life program in the Dept (she passed out a handout which covered
this). Main developments are: developing a system of identifying
volunteers in the Dept. and where they are involved (in the Spiritual Life
program or elsewhere), developing a wider volunteer program, an internship
program, with orientation and training for them (they are beginning quarterly
volunteer retreats) , and a Juvenile Hall choir. The choir will not only involve singing, but will allow the youth
to become aware of the issue of decorum, and the historical, philosophical
context of gospel music Comm. Dupré asked what are some of the other
gaps that she would like to fill. She
wants to be able to get back to the one on one counseling, after all the
administrative processes are complete.
4. Discussion/Action
Items:
a. Consideration
of, and possible action on, Program Committee's recommendation to contract with
Morrisania West for youth employment services under TANF funding.
Comm. Hale briefly introduced the item as
presented in the Program Committee. This program addresses the lack of
employment training services for youth.
He repeated the 3 aspects of the program as Mr. James enumerated in the
Committee. Comm. Shimko asked if the core program was open to
everyone? Yes. Comm. Hale
moved to approve this contract. Comm.
Arámburo seconded. There was no
public comment. The question was called, and upon voice
vote, the motion passed 6-0-1, with Comm. Dupré abstaining due to a
conflict of interest.
b.
Consideration of, and possible action on, the the Program Committee's
recommendation to retroactively apply, accept, and expend funds for the Repeat
Offender Pilot Project. (S.
Brown-Richardson)
Comm. Hale reported that the Committee
recommended that this be approved. It
is for approx. $497K, for a first offender program, concentrating on those who
are at risk of being put in private placement, or are currently in
placement. There is a compendium of
services integrated into this program. Comm.
Shimko asked about the transition phase spoken to in the proposal,
and if during the 6 month time the youths were in school. Yes.
Staffing:
2 POs will be involved --they are inkind contributions utilizing
existing POs. Comm. Hale mentioned that the Dept will be
looking at involving the Housing Authority in this program.
Comm. Hale
moved to approve this project. Comm.
Dupré seconded. There was no public
comment. The question was called, and upon voice vote,
the
motion passed unanimously.
c. Update
on ProDes--program evaluation development system
Chief Williams referrred to the handout
given the Commission, briefly highlighting the current status. He said they are hoping that the contractor
can attend the Commission's April meeting to give a full update.
d. Chief
Probation Officer's report on the Juvenile Probation Department's role in the
Local Action Plan: Juvenile Justice Local Action Plan (proposal submitted for
Juvenile Crime Enforcement and Accountability Challenge Grant II Demonstration
Project Grant.) Chief Williams referred to the handout
which was formerly given to the Juvenile Justice Commission. Bob Wertz reported
that he asked Delancey St. regarding the new police districts included for
referrals for Community Assessment Referral Center (CARC). They are:
Ingleside and Southern. The Department
has 6 new POs stationed in various areas of the Local Action Plan: the Safe Haven, Life Learning Academy, the
Residential Girls program, to name a few.
He stated that there were 4 girls assigned to the Residential program,
others are being considered.
Comm.
Julian asked for current stats on the CARC. Wertz was only able to give an estimate of
over 100 referrals to CARC through Jan.
Comm. Hale commented that they were concerned with the
relatively low numbers of referrals to CARC and was assured by the Dept. that
awareness is spreading in the SFPD about the CARC, so we should see an increase
in referrals. Comm. Hale asked about POs doing OT on
these activities. With the new work
configurations, there should be a minimum of OT, mainly to do coverage of
regularly assigned POs who go on vacation or otherwise.
Challenge Grant II: The Chief reviewed how the Challenge Grant
Project proposal was completed.
Submitted by the MCJC, it was authored by Bob Bennett of the Research
Development Corp. It is called Project
Impact and concentrates attention on mental health services, increased assessments, in-custody crises
stabilization, placement alternatives, mobile support teams, and a community
alliance to fulfill the activities of the project. It is meant to address the mental health issues which are not
dealt with in the current system of juvenile justice providers.
Kim Burton-Cruz, Director of Mayor's
Criminal Justice Council (MCJC), said the proposal should be reviewed in April
by the Bd of Corrections.
She spoke to the question of the numbers of
referrals to the CARC being low due to many circumstances: times of citations, lack of youth being
picked up. Comm. Shimko asked if this program will take up the types of
mental health problems not being addressed now by the system. Somewhat.
It will generally be sub acute, and only limited to youth in the
placement system, not in the general probation population.
Burton-Cruz said that the Bd of Corrections
wasn't interested in funding multiple programs within one request so this had
to be a targeted population, with a singular purpose, but that the City is
looking into Federal collaborations to address a wider population than the one
being attended to in this proposal.
e.
Mayor's Summit for Women.
(Comm. Shimko)
Comm. Shimko reported that the Dept. had
made available $12K of TANF funds to send 145 people to the summit, 25 of whom are girls in the dependency
system and 95 from our communtiy based organizations. There will be a pre summit meeting, planned for 4/6 where these
participants will be briefed on what to expect, and how to act while there.
There is also a pre-summit gala set at City Hall, for 4/15.
5. Public
Comment on any matter within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Juvenile
Probation
Commission.
Cheyenne Bell said that she would be
getting the resolution for Morrisania West to the Commission at a later
time. She further reported that the
FRPs for the community based contracts will not be issued this year, but at the
end of this fiscal year, for the next fiscal year.
Comm.
Hale reported that he took Commissioner Vernon Grey, Housing
Authority, on a tour of Log Cabin Ranch.
It was a good experience. He
will be arranging another tour and will notify the other Commissioners when
this is scheduled.
6. Unfinished
business
Comm. Julian reported that he met with Mr.
Perino and discussed the issues presented at the last JPC meeting. Comm.
Julian had a similar meeting with Chief
Williams. All parties are
satisfied that there is an open line of communication regarding this
matter. Comm. Arámburo
commended the Dept for meeting with the DPOA.
Comm. Dupré asked for an update
on the progress with the Treasure Island (TI) programs. Chief
Williams reported that Delancey St is now in the application process
for a license to operate a residential facility under community care
licensing,probably to be approved by April.
This will only be for the interim until they find a longterm
operator. In the meantime, Johnny
Miller and Katie Weinstein, co-directors of the facility, are running a series
of trainings for the staff there, and have an operations manual. Comm. Dupré applauded Johnny for the
work he is doing at the Ranch and TI, noting the low number of incidents at
LCR.
Comm.
Jackson-Drake noted her pleasure at seeing the newly painted
W-buildings, and commended the Department and the Facilities Committee --as
well as Norm Cole-- . Comm. Chuck asked the Chief to mention
Christmas in April. The Chief said that
the Mayor had suggested the Department contact Christmas in April about
possibly finishing up the painting of YGC.
They have offered to try and put together a volunteer team of about 75
to do it around April 24.
Comm.
Hale mentioned the document regarding a request to the State for a
grant to construct a new facility. This document was spearheaded by MCJC. The City is slated to present their case to
the State on or about April 6-8.
Commissioner Shimko has been a part of the overall meeting and
discussions regarding this issue and the proposal, and the Chief thanked her
for her participation. Comm. Shimko asked about the design
changes. The final submission was
different from the initial designs during the meetings. But the total square footage and number of
rooms remain the same.
7.
New business
Comm. Julian brought up the request by the
Executive Secretary for a re classification of the position. Comm.
Julian suggested that this be referred to the Director of Personnel
in the Dept. for further investigation and evaluation. Deputy City Attorney John Kennedy commented
that this wouldn't appear to demand an official agendized action, that the Chair
could have the prerogative to direct it to the Director of Personnel. Upon this advice, Comm. Julian directed the Secretary to forward the materials
and issue to the Director of Personnel for further evaluation.
8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 pm.
