2.

(ACTION) Review and possible approval of minutes of January 24, 2007 meeting.

Upon motion and second the minutes were approved as written.

(public comments)

There were none.

3.

Public comment on any matter within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Program Committee of the Juvenile Probation Commission

There were none.

4.

(DISCUSSION/ACTION) Update on status of CBO contracts and services.

L. Holmes reported that with the exception of one contract in the purchasing dept pending final approval, and one just cleared for insurance, all other contracts are finalized and inforce.

Comm Fetiçō asked about the CMS and how it will be used in evaluations. L. Holmes said that contractors have been trained on how to input data into the system. He said that the CMS could compile some data in some areas (he passed out a sheet showing categories of data being captured).  He said there are some key areas they want to collect data on. He was “cognizant of using the term evaluation because it implies that they are doing analysis-based evaluation in terms of a longevity type study.”  What they will be doing is looking at outcomes.  “With an outcome-based evaluation, it’s predicated on the type of data that is used to achieve whatever type of outcome you are hoping to get.”

He referred to the handout, and some of the categories of data listed therein.  He said the main things they want to look at are the utilization level (number of hours), if there was success or failure, recidivism or not. The CMS system will allow them to look at those areas. As it relates to a comprehensive outcome based evaluation, the system will not do that, but “will give a cursory evaluation based on the outcomes of the following categories (on list).  With this they will be able to break down and look at information that is germane and necessary to make a final decision based on whether or not they have satisfied the terms of their grant agreement.”

L. Holmes also mentioned that they would be starting the RFPs for the baseline programs.

He said that there are two streams of funding (the currently funded programs are paid from the former TANF funds).  The upcoming cycle uses Dept general funds (children’s baseline funds) and covers intervention type programs.  Eg. “Home detention is mandated by the Welfare and Institutions Code.  We have to have that.”

They hope to have the RFP ready by end of March, but will pass it by the Commission before it is published.

There was a short discussion about the types of programs covered under this RFP.

Comm Fetiçō asked about the Night Light program, under Probation Services.  It was reported that funding ran out for that a couple of months ago.  The commissioners asked for this to be on the next agenda.

(public comments)

There were none.

5.

(DISCUSSION/ACTION) Discussion of plans and timeline for evaluations before the next contract period.

There were no details about a timeline for evaluations. The next RFP timeline was mentioned.

(public comments)

There were none.

6.

(DISCUSSION/ACTION) Report on current progress, and plans for Log Cabin Ranch (staffing, programs, SFUSD program)

T, Powell commented that the court protocols haven’t changed.  The courts are still sending older youth (18 yr olds). There are 32 at the ranch now.  She said that Judge Lilian Sing has been onboard for a month now and she is the judge they work with primarily.

Staffing is currently the same. One of the WC individuals has now resigned so there is one open permanent position. Of the recruiting going on now there are 3 who indicated interest to be counselors at LCRS.  She is still in need of a couple of supervisory counselors and 4-5 line counselors. 

She has had incidents where staff shortage has been painfully felt.  Having 4 on all day evening shifts would be adequate.  This is not the case now.

As for the CBO providers, they have been having meetings with them to get things better organized.  A couple of the providers are coordinating with each other to provide the aftercare services.  There is a great concern for the safety of the CBO staff working with the youth back in the community. L. Holmes said they do not have a fulltime aftercare program (YCD isn’t doing it fulltime, works with younger youth still in high school and more apt to get them into stipended positions, whereas Northern California Service League works with those coming out of HS, and places then into jobs). There is also a rub brought on by turf issues, eg. when a youth from Western Addition completes the classes but cannot get a job opp. in the Bayview  district.

The community case manager will now start on their exit plans 20 wks before the youth is slated to leave LCRS. 

There have been no AWOLs.

Asked about getting youth into unions, L. Holmes said the CBOs basically prepare the youth to take whatever union tests to get into a union program.

Vicki Rega (Turning Heads) reported on the work they’ve been doing. They have 3 skills based classes (carpentry, digital sound production and barbershop).  They are working with AND on the carpentry class so that the youth can go into the AND program after LCRS, and after that into the union.  The sound production class is hooked up with SFSU.  If the youth wants to continue this after LCRS, there are some CBOs that they can get into and if they do well, may be recommended for one of the programs at SFSU.  The credits from those SFSU classes would be transferable to completing their 4 yr college program.

There is a scholarship program in place to help students pay for those connections.  Comm Fetiçō mentioned Digital Design as another resource they could look into using.

The barbershop program is still being formalized. There are no easy options in the community (located in identified “turf” areas).  Comm Fetiçō mentioned Chicago Barbershop as a possible resource.

LCRS has had 3 residents pass their GEDs and are taking classes at CSM (these youth will leave LCRS before they finish CSM so there is an issue of paying for that afterward). 1 got his HS diploma.  4 are waiting to take their GEDs. 

LCRS has been seeing a 50% passing rate for youth taking the HS exit exam.

T. Powell spoke about the ongoing struggle of youth leaving LCRS and still having “hook ups” in the community that pull them back into negative activities. There is even sometimes a negative influence from parents who come to visit and bring with them “the word on the street”.

There is a need to work with the parents and family of youth at LCRS.   Therapists have been in transition from the CBOs (OTTP has lost theirs).

On the vocational side (horticulture) T.Powell is holding discussions with DPW and others about possibility of having LCRS provide trees/greenery that is used for landscaping City property.

T. Powell said she was interested in trying to get a track laid in the field. Comm Fetiçō mentioned several noted track stars and other sports celebrities that were involved in supporting track and field activities and other recreational projects.  On the issue of the LCRS physical plant, T. Powell said they are in discussions with the City’s architects about renovating the dorms.

T. Powell’s remaining report is reflected in the attached document.

Comm Fetiçō asked about the ERC (evening reporting ctrs) and L. Holmes said there were issues around gang turf that impacted the work of those sites.

(public comments)

There were none.

7.

(DISCUSSION) Public comment on any matter within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Program Committee of the Juvenile Probation Commission
There were none.

8.

(ACTION) Announcements, future agenda items.  Adjournment

The night light program, asking the site coordinator (Kevin Kerr) for Woodside learning and LCRS to report

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50pm.