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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12072010 - PR.1RECOMMENDATION(S): ACCEPT the 2009-2010 Annual Report from the Juvenile Justice-Delinquency Prevention Commission. FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact. BACKGROUND: Section 229 of the Welfare and Institutions Code mandates that each county have a Juvenile Justice Commission to inquire into the administration of juvenile court law. The code also allows each county to have a Delinquency Prevention Commission at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors. Contra Costa County has such a Commission with the latter established in 1966. The Commission has access to all publicly administered institutions authorized by the county. It annually inspects detention facilities and county group home facilities. The purpose of the Juvenile Justice-Delinquency Prevention Commission is to be a public conscience in the best interest of justice for children and youth. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 12/07/2010 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS Contact: Lois Weyermann 925-313-4188 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: December 7, 2010 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: , Deputy cc: PR. 1 To:Board of Supervisors From:Philip F. Kader, County Probation Officer Date:December 7, 2010 Contra Costa County Subject:Juvenile Justice-Delinquency Prevention Commission Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2009-2010 No negative action. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: No impact. ATTACHMENTS 2009/10 JJ/DPC Annual Report CONTRA COSTA COUNTY JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMISSION AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION COMMISSION 50 Douglas Drive, Suite 201 Martinez, California 94553-8500 (925) 313-4188 Date: October 26, 2010 To: Honorable Mary Ann O'Malley, Presiding Superior Court Judge Honorable Lois M. Haight, Presiding Juvenile Court Judge Susan Bonilla, Chairperson, and Members of the CCC Board of Supervisors Philip Kader, Contra Costa County Chief Probation Officer Joe Valentine, Director of Employment and Human Services Department David Twa, County Administrator of Contra Costa County Dr. William B. Walker, Director, Contra Costa County Health Services Department Barbara Fenton, CSA Field Representative for Contra Costa County Probation Department From: Brian Lindblom and Lois Weyermann, Co-Chairpersons, Contra Costa County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission Subject: Annual Report Fiscal Year 2009-2010 __________________________________________________________________________________________ Section 229 of the Welfare and Institutions Code mandates that each county have a Juvenile Justice Commission to inquire into the administration of juvenile court law. The code also allows each county to have a Delinquency Prevention Commission at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors. Contra Costa County has such a Commission with the latter established in 1966. The Commission has access to all publicly administered institutions authorized by the county. It annually inspects jails, lockups, institutions and bi-annually county group home facilities. Following each inspection, reported findings and recommendations are submitted to the Presiding Juvenile Court Judge and others for review. The Commission also visits Juvenile Court and may hold hearings on matters concerning juvenile custody care or facilities. The Juvenile Court Judge may issue subpoenas requiring attendance and testimony of witnesses and production of documents at the hearings. The Commission is concerned with policy matters, advises the Juvenile Court, and is responsible for policy- making recommendations. It makes recommendations for administrative body changes, it determines beneficial to juvenile justice, and it ensures that the changes are appropriate, safe and include adequate services. The Commission may conduct studies including: review of essential services and budgets to ensure relevant and effective probation services; exploration of matters initiated by commissioners or referred by the Juvenile Court Judge, the Probation Department, the Board of Supervisors, or citizen inquiry. The purpose of the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission is to be a public conscience in the best interest of justice for children and youth. Membership There are 15 member positions on the commission, all appointed by the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. Each commissioner serves a four-year term unless filling the unexpired term of a resigned commissioner. At least two commissioners must be youth members. The commission attempts to reflect the racial, ethnic diversity and geographic representations of the county. The geographic make up of the commission for fiscal year 2009-2010 was: Concord – 1 Moraga – 1 Antioch- 2 Hercules – 1 Pittsburg – 1 San Ramon - 2 Martinez – 1 Richmond - 1 Walnut Creek -5 The Commission began the fiscal year with 12 adult commissioners. Three new commissioners (two youth) were approved and appointed by the Presiding Juvenile Judge. The membership is at full capacity. The Commission has an established list of five functioning sub-committees. Each member serves on several of these committees. The following committees report to the entire commission as needed: Executive, Inspections, Membership, Juvenile Justice Awards Program, and By-Laws. Meetings: The Commission meets regularly on the third Monday of every month at 5:30 pm. There is no monthly meeting scheduled in August. The January and February meetings are held on the fourth Monday, due to federal holidays. Meetings are normally held in the Second floor conference room of the Probation Department at 50 Douglas Drive and are open to the public. To conduct official business at these monthly meetings, a quorum of members is required. At the monthly meetings, reports are received from representatives of the Juvenile Court and Juvenile Probation. Employment and Human Services Department and Children's Mental Health reports are presented bi-monthly. Reports from other agencies may be requested by the commission as required. Immediately following the adjournment of the Juvenile Justice Commission meeting, the Delinquency Prevention Commission is called to order. This meeting focuses on reports from commissioners and ad hoc members of the public regarding ongoing programs or projects that highlight delinquency prevention throughout the county. Special Programs: Once a year, the Commission endeavors to recognize individuals, groups and organizations that have contributed to juvenile justice or delinquency prevention in a significant way. The Commission hosts an awards ceremony in May to recognize those individuals and call attention to their outstanding work in helping the County’s juvenile population. On May 22, 2010 the JJ/DPC held their annual awards ceremony at the Deputy Sheriff's Association in Martinez. Refreshments were provided by the OAYRF Culinary Arts Program. Recipients of this year's awards were: Outstanding Service/Contribution by a Juvenile Deputy Probation Officer YURI SECOQUIAN, Richmond Probation Office ROBBYN-NICOLE LIVINGSTON, Martinez Probation Office NANCY KENOYER, Martinez Probation Office GREGG JOHNSON, Martinez Probation Office JUDITH NIGHTINGALE, Pittsburg Probation Office Outstanding Service/Contribution by a Law Enforcement Officer CORPORAL SHARLENE DINKINS, San Ramon Police Dept CAPTAIN ALLAN CANTANDO, Antioch Police Dept OFFICER JEFFREY PHELPS, Concord Police Dept OFFICER ROGER WILSON, Brentwood Police Dept OFFICER STEVE HARN, Concord, Police Dept Outstanding Service/Contribution by a Non-Law Enforcement Individual WALTER MILAM DON GRAVES JAMES WOGAN MARGOT TOBIAS Outstanding Service/Contribution by a Community Volunteer BRIAN LINDBLOM MARGE HERGERT VICTOR GOMEZ Outstanding Service/Contribution by a Facility/Institution Program HERCULES POLICE DEPT EXPLORER PROGRAM SAN PABLO POLICE DEPT. EDUCATION SERVICE UNIT Outstanding Service/Contribution by a Business or Organization CONTRA COSTA KOPS FOR KIDS Outstanding Service/Contribution by a Youth Volunteer SEAN PAUL APEDAILE Model Program of Excellence GIRLS IN MOTION (GIM) – JAMES RIVERS Juvenile Success Story McKENZIE MOORE KEVIN COOK Inspections Part of the Commission's mandated purpose is to conduct annual inspections of the juvenile facilities within the County. These include lock up facilities as well as group homes and treatment programs. Following each inspection a report is written by the inspection team and submitted to the presiding judge of the juvenile court and others for review. During the fiscal year 2009-2010 ten inspections were completed. The remainder of inspections (including County group homes) will be assigned by the inspection committee. Following a recent inspection of group homes located in Antioch the Commissioners recognized a need to promote specialized services to the youth. The Commission is planning to hold a symposium for group home directors and managers. Guests: The Commission always welcomes guests at their meetings. This fiscal year Presiding Juvenile Judge Lois Haight; Lynn Mackey, Director of County Department of Education; Sean McNamara representing CASA; Susan Lynn, Library Supervisor and Nadia Bagdasar, Juvenile Hall and OAYRF Librarian; Don Glover, ILSP (Independent Living Skills Program) and Julie Posada Guzman, President, JPG Consultants, gave presentations, Facilities: The Chris Adams Girls Center closed in November of 2009 due to a decrease in population. Services for female juveniles were addressed by developing the Girls In Motion (GIM) program. In January of 2010, the GIM program was announced. The program is modeled after the Youth Offender Treatment Program (YOTP), however, treatment is focused on trauma and behavioral issues. The program is designed for 20 girls. The program must be completed prior to release. There have been 28 girls who have been placed in the GIM program, and currently there are 11 girls in the program. Six girls have completed the program. Eleven girls are under active supervision and are on probation supervised by to the program's DPO. The Youth Offender Treatment Program (YOTP) is for male juvenile offenders who are serving commitments. It has been very successful with 69 minors committed to the program since it opened. Currently there are 30 minors housed in the program. In fiscal year 2009-10 there were 39 minors released from the program and returned to the community, 14 of which successfully completed the program and wardship has been terminated. Four of these young men were presented scholarships. Sixteen of the released minors are on probation and DPO supervision following their release, to assist in their successful transition. Programs: The Juvenile Justice Commission met with representatives from the county CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program and ILSP (Independent Living Skills Program) and believes strongly that the THPP (Transition Housing Program Plus) is one of the County’s most important delinquency and crime prevention measures. The California Department of Social Services provides funding for THPP which is a transitional housing placement opportunity for foster and probation youth aged 16-18 who are currently in the child welfare system. The goal of the program is to provide a safe living environment so that youth can practice skills necessary to live on their own upon leaving the foster care support system. Without this program foster youth must leave the foster care system at age 18. Many of these youth are unable to function on their own and have no employment skills, therefore become homeless or are incarcerated. The Commission has written to both Assembly Representative Joan Buchanan and State Senator Mark DeSaulnier expressing its support for THP-Plus Program and AB 12, a bill to extend foster care benefits beyond age 18. The Commission has heard nothing from Assembly Representative Buchanan, however, received both telephone calls and a written response from Senator DeSaulnier expressing his support for both TPH-Plus and AB 12. The Commission will continue to explore ways to support these efforts. The Volunteers in Probation Program, coordinated by Petrenya Boykins, consists of community members who have made a commitment to support the youth in detention. There are over 200 volunteers that support in one way or another. Volunteers participate in one-on-one mentoring program and other programs such as Computer Skills through the library program, Bedtime Readers, Senior Tutors, Discovery Bay Garden Club and "Meet and Greet" with Juvenile Hall residents. Following the presentation by Julie Posada Guzman on "Recommendations for Improving the CCC Juvenile Justice System" the Commission is researching funding through Victims of Crime Program (VOC). These funds are accessible to youth with documented victimization histories to increase mental health resources for this population. This source of funding could be used to increase mental health resources for this population. Events of Interest: During the fiscal 2009-2010 year the following events involving the Commission are worthy of mentioning. This includes Juvenile Probation Programs and their facilities: Brian Lindblom, Tom Sponsler, and Lois Weyermann participated as Oral Board Raters of the County Probation Officer recruitment. The Board recommended four candidates, who were then interviewed by Judge Lois Haight, Judge John Kennedy, County Administrator David Twa and Commissioner Orin Allen. Mr. Philip Kader was appointed as the new County Probation Officer. The CCC Grand Jury requested the JJ/DPC to attend their meeting to provide them with an update of the Commission's activities. Brian Lindblom and Lois Weyermann represented the Commission. The September meeting of the Commission was dedicated to a restructuring of the commission meetings. The following topics were discussed: recruitment, attendance, interviewing, training and by-laws. The goal was to allow more time for working together on projects. The Juvenile Court requested that the Commission review the Juvenile Hall and OAYRF libraries. The Commission spoke with Nadia Bagdasar, Librarian and Susan Lynn, Library Supervisor and reviewed the book selection guidelines. It was recommended that the libraries continue to use diligence in book selections to screen out inappropriate violence and sexual literature references. The library was recognized for the outstanding services provided for the youth. In April a poetry competition was held at OAYRF. The contest entries were compiled into a book of poetry which has become a valuable asset for all to read. Career Day took place in May with 10 speakers talking to the youth about viable career opportunities. The next career day will feature County Probation Officer Philip Kader as the speaker. Statistics received from both libraries are impressive. At Juvenile Hall, 4,270 items circulate every month, and the number of circulated items at OAYRF is 733. Eighty percent (80%) of residents at Juvenile Hall have one or more books checked out at any given time and 95% of the youth at OAYRF are actively involved in reading materials from the library. The Probation Department reported that they have been actively seeking grants to create a "Reporting Center" to provide assistance in vocational training, living skills and homeless youth assistance. All services would be available to both female and male juveniles. Additionally, they are seeking grant funding for the Volunteers in Probation Program, the GIM Program, SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration) and the Second Chance Recovery Act, a federal re-entry grant focusing on juveniles returning to their communities. These were not successful. Commissioners met with the Department of Health in December 2009 to discuss the lack of mental health services and inadequate mental health staffing at OAYRF and Juvenile Hall. At that time the commission requested documentation of programs and services for youth in the institutions. No reports have been received and services are still severely inadequate. There is currently one therapist, performing services for approximately 35 youth out of 100 residents. Also during the December of 2009 meeting, a representative of the Children's Mental Health Department reported that an intern program would begin at OAYRF in the near future that will be paid for by Probation. Since the December date, there has been no representative from Mental Health attending the commission meetings, nor has the intern program been initiated at OAYRF. First Five is providing teen parenting classes at OAYRF. Additional programs include: Narcotics Anonymous, Alcohol Anonymous, Anger Management, Impact to Crime Victims, Gang Diversion, Life Skills, gardening, Senior Tutors and the Read to Live Program. Minors in the OARYF program observed Black History Month with a luncheon and program. The Senior Tutors Program celebrated its' 25th year of commitment to youth. Each tutor was recognized by OAYRF Superintendent Michael Pitts and was presented with a certificate honoring their contributions to CCC youth at the annual holiday luncheon. In April the Ronald Mc Donald dental van performed dental exams to the youth at the facility. Also of interest the youth participated in the Annual JFK University annual team building and ROPES course event. Joint Commission Workshops: On April 3, 2010, The CCC and Alameda County JJ/DPCs hosted a joint commission meeting/workshop at the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center. Commissioners from the Nine Bay Area Counties were invited to attend the all day event. The workshop featured training from CSA (Corrections Standards Authority) on inspections of detention facilities. Following the workshop, group sessions convened to discuss topics including membership recruitment, restorative justice, truancy and exploited minors. All but one of the nine counties was represented. Valuable information was shared and ideas were exchanged. It is the hope of all county commissioners that additional meetings/workshops will occur on an annual basis. Some of the programs that are regularly reported on are: the Violence Prevention Coalition, DELTA Project, and STAND! Against Domestic Violence. Commissioner Harvey Samuels is the representative from the JJ/DPC. The DELTA project presented a video regarding "The Role off Faith Community" which was followed by a discussion. STAND! which focuses on the education of our young men in the schools and support for the victims of domestic violence has put up posters at bus stations, Bart and other county locations providing information regarding respect for women. The Violence Prevention Coalition hosted a seminar regarding Engaging Men and Boys to Prevent Domestic and Sexual Violence. Tony Porter, co-founder of "A Call to Men", presented the program with emphasis on "taking an active role in creating cultural and social shifts that no longer tolerates violence against women". The JJ/DPC is grateful to the CCC Board of Supervisors for its proclamation to declare October 2010 as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month". The Commission continues to be grateful to the many community groups and organizations in Contra Costa County that fund youth programs to empower youth, fight delinquency and assist in setting positive directions. The Contra Costa Police Athletic Association (CCPAA) administers: Kops for Kids Mentoring, Positive Mental Attitudes Seminars and Sports Clinics. The CCPAA also collaborates with the Violence Prevention Coalition in efforts to suppress teen violence through acceptable alternatives. Conclusions: The Commission’s mission is to reduce the delinquent population and keep youth out of the juvenile justice system by: 1) Sponsoring and participating in diversion and prevention activities that steer youth away from entering the juvenile justice system. 2) Supporting programs and systems that can assist youth with mental health and substance abuse issues that may eventually lead to involvement or re-involvement in the juvenile justice system. 3) Promoting education and training for the youth who are involved in the Juvenile Justice System that they might become responsible citizens. Leaving their delinquency behind and becoming successful in completion of their probation as they return and live in their communities. Mental health services continue to be inadequate again this year in the institutions. Many minors in custody have a history of physical, sexual or mental abuse, alcohol and drug abuse, gang involvement, prostitution, truancy and neglect. There is an opportunity to work with minors that are incarcerated in a controlled environment, yet no resources seem to be available through Children’s Mental Health to make this happen. It was hoped that assistance through MHSA PEI (Mental Health Service Act - Prevention and Early Intervention) would help address this crisis, but these funds have gone to other interests. The Commission believes that one-on-one counseling and therapy can and will make a difference in the future of the "juvenile at risk population". Children’s Mental Health has been unresponsive in the Commissions' request for information regarding this area of treatment, choosing instead to ignore their mental health responsibilities. The Commission requests the Board of Supervisors to assist them in contacting the Health Services Department for Children's Mental Health to secure enhanced funding for the population at OAYRF and Juvenile Hall. This population is in desperate need of higher level of services. The Commission continues to work closely with the Probation staff, other youth serving agencies and County organizations to advance and promote innovative delinquency prevention programs. The Commission is fortunate to have a positive relationship with the Juvenile Court Judges and the dedicated staff of the Juvenile Probation Department.