HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06021987 - T.8 T.8
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on June 2, 1987 , by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Schroder, Torlakson, McPeak
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT: Runaway Youth
The Chair convened the workshop on services for runaway
youth. Supervisor Schroder commented on the need to address the
problem of runaways , particularly during budget deliberations when
the Board will have to decide on criteria and priorities relative to
the allocation of funds for services to help this age group.
Gerald Buck, County Probation Office gave an overview of
problems and needs of youth, particularly in crises situations that
precipitate their running away. He commented on the large number of
runaways that are not reported. He referred to the lack of resour-
ces available to help these young people and noted that without
proper help many of these youths find themselves in the criminal
justice system. Mr. Buck referred to existing laws which do not
permit a law enforcement officer to detain a runaway in a county
facility pending location of a parent or guardian. He noted that
some runaways may opt to stay at Sherman House (if there is space
available) for a maximum 48-hour period. In addition to the need
for shelters , Mr. Buck advised of the need for outreach, prevention,
and followup programs.
Captain Russell Pitkin, Sheriff-Coroner' s Department ,
spoke about the restrictions placed on law enforcement agencies by
State Law that precludes an agency from holding or detaining
runaways. He also spoke on the problem of holding out-of-area youth
for their parents . Captain Pitkin commented on the need for a
secure place to house these runaways.
Detective Pat Huysson, City of Antioch, advised that the
only housing available to runaways is Sherman House and that if that
facility is filled, the only alternative is to return the youth to
his/her home if it is apparent there is no evidence of abuse. She
also commented on the lack of adequate staffing for police patrols,
particularly during a period when an officer must leave his patrol
to take a youngster to Sherman House.
Sergeant Jim Alcorn, City of Concord, spoke on the need to
increase the number of beds at Sherman House. He expressed the
frustration of law enforcement personnel who are requested by
parents/guardians to detain the runaway but of their inability to do
so under current State Law. He expressed concern that without
proper programs to help troubled youths and families , many will
become criminals or vagrants. He recommended that guidelines be
developed to provide for the detainment of certain runaways as well
as to work with the youth and family to resolve the problems.
Sergeant Alcorn submitted a paper entitled "Status Offenders -
Should They be Incarcerated?"
Chief Ken Sandy, City of Danville, advised that he knows
there is a greater number of runaways than what has been reported.
He noted that many runaways are living in junked cars, vacant
buildings, and various sites that might provide some shelter. Some
youths must resort to theft or burglary for basic necessities, while
others become prey for the more sophisticated juvenile delinquents
and eventually get into trouble with the law. In some instances
criminal charges are filed by parents in order that their children
may be arrested or detained. He spoke on the need for more referral
type shelters in this County.
Detective Betty Williams, City of Richmond, advised that
her Department handles about 48 runaways a month and that about
half of this number are repeat runaways. She noted that these youths
are referred to Sherman House or the Youth Services Bureau. She
expressed concern that there is no procedure to insure that these
youths receive follow-up counselling. She recommended the
establishment of a field counselor position to work with families in
their environment to seek resolution to the problem when it first
surfaces. She also recommended legislative relief to enable detain-
ment of runaways by law enforcement agencies.
Chief John Gackowski , City of San Ramon, advised that the
runaway problem is multifaceted and requires a like response. He
spoke about the need to provide runaways with a safe and secure
environment. He spoke about the crimes fabricated by parents as an
excuse to have an uncontrollable youth placed in police custody.
Charles Eddy, Director, Sherman House, spoke of the ser-
vices provided by his agency. He advised that by the end of June he
will have had 600 referrals as compared to 286 referrals two years
ago. Mr. Eddy noted that his agency is turning away approximately
25 percent of all referrals. He spoke about the need for more beds
and staff to respond to the problems of runaways and families in
crises. In this area, Mr. Eddy noted that his agency is antici-
pating a $30 ,000 deficit under the current contract with the County.
Mr. Eddy advised that an application has been made for a federal
grant to meet this deficit as the Children' s Home Society is not
able to financially subsidize the program.
Penny James , West County Youth Service Bureau Assessment
Team, spoke about the lack of resources available in this County to
help runaway youths. She described the Multidisciplinary Assessment
Team of the West County Youth Services Bureau which could serve as a
model for other communities.
Charles Underwood, Division Supervisor, Child Protective
Services, commented on the role of the Social Services Department in
taking care of abused and neglected children rather than runaway
children per se. He advised than an issue of greater concern to the
Social Service Department has to do with referrals to his Department
of unadjudicated runaways when Sherman House has exceeded maximum
capacity. He advised that the Social Service Department is not
budgeted to give services to runaway minors and beds given to
runaways are beds that are not available to the County' s abused and
neglected children. He spoke of the need to expand the services
currently provided by Sherman House.
Stu McCullough, Assistant Health Services Director, County
Health Services Department , spoke on the need to strengthen the
family structure , the need to address the problems of children, the
role of the school in this area, and the need to have in place
alternatives available in the community to mitigate as well as pro-
vide crises intervention services. He noted that there is evidence
of groups working together in this endeavor.
Dennis Lepak, (Contra Costa County Mental Health Advisory
Board) , 2720 Geneva Street, Martinez, 94553, noted that runaways are
homeless children in need of shelter and that funds should be allo-
cated to provide assistance to this population. He suggested cost
savings through use of correctional staff in the West County Justice
Center to free up funds for runaway services.
Pat Pfann, (Children' s Home Society) , 3050 Roundhill Road,
Alamo, advised of her work as a volunteer and of the need to provide
funds for the support and expansion of Sherman House.
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JoAnne Aiello, (Ad Hoc Committee Out-of-Home Placement) ,
1312 Redwood Street , Pittsburg 94563, spoke on the need for early
intervention services, parenting crises programs and support systems
for families in the community.
David Hanks, 329 Romana, E1 Cerrito, spoke on the need to
provide financial resources for Sherman House where his son received
shelter and crisis services .
Joan Evens , (Children' s Home Society of California) , 834
Glen Road, Danville 94526 , commented on the work of her agency not
only in the area of youth crises but also as an adoption agency.
She spoke on the need for counselling services for troubled youths.
Kathi McLaughlin, (Children and Adolescent Task Force) ,
752 Laurell Drive, Walnut Creek, spoke about the plight of the
runaway as well as the "throw-away kids" who have no one concerned
for their welfare or who have no place to go. She advised that
these youngsters rarely come to the attention . of law enforcement
agencies. She expressed concern that Sherman House can keep a
youngster for only 48 hours and expressed concern as to what happens
to the child after that period, particularly if the crisis situation
has not been resolved. She recommended the development of a
public/private partnership program to address these needs.
Alice Johnson, 859 Birdhaven Court, Lafayette, spoke about
alternate housing for runaways. She suggested doing a survey of
school buildings not being used for possible consideration as a
potential shelter for runaways. She commented on the need for all
public agencies to work toward the resolution of the problem with
runaways.
Taalia Hasan, (West Contra Costa Youth Service Bureau) ,
4237 Florida Avenue , Richmond, spoke about the need for outreach
services for teenage mothers who are runaways.
Natalie Russell, (Juvenile Justice Prevention Commission) ,
1626 Barnett Circle, Pleasant Hill , spoke of the pressures encoun-
tered by children and families in all socio-economic strata. She
commented on the need for outreach and early intervention programs.
She advised of the Commission' s support for the expansion of the
crises service at Sherman House, and the maximization of all
existing community resources to resolve this problem.
Rose Borundan, (Child Assault Prevention Program) , 3020
Grant Street, Concord 94520 , advised of the need to work with
children before they are in a crises situation.
Leonard Lloyd, (no address) , recommended that the County
expand its shelter care capacity.
The Board received written comments from Patricia M.
Mackay, (Turning Point Counseling Center) , 1399 Ygnacio Valley Road,
Suite 12, Walnut Creek, 94598 , referring to two model programs--
Children of the Night, and Shepherd' s Gate Shelter for hornless women
and children in the Livermore/Pleasanton area. She advised that
funding for these programs is provided by churches, corporations,
and individuals. She noted that her agency sponsors Parents United,
a child sexual abuse treatment program that includes prevention
therapy for all members of the family. She recommended the
establishment of a commission of representatives from both the
public and private sector to study workable models and institute
facilities to provide help for homeless children. She also recom-
mended that shelters be located near public transportation and if
possible within walking distance of shopping facilities.
Supervisor Powers referred to the recommendations proposed
for assisting runaways and suggested that Mr. Buck compile a list of
the suggestions presented at this workshop. He commented on the
decisions facing the Board in this area.
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Supervisor Fanden advised of the negative impact divorce
has on the family and of the need to strengthen the family structure.
She noted that many of the runaways come from broken homes.
Supervisor Torlakson advised of the need to discuss this
problem with the cities as well as all segments of the community. He
called attention to the many human service needs and the lack of
fiscal resources required to fund these services . Supervisor
Torlakson suggested that the Human Services Advisory Commission hold
a workshop with other county boards and commissions, advisory on human
service and health care issues , in an attempt to consolidate programs
and provide for a better utilization of limited resources.
Supervisor McPeak suggested joining a public/private partner-
ship venture to develop a challenge grant for this pressing problem.
Supervisor Schroder advised that the workshop reinforced
the notion that the County does not have a program aimed specifi-
cally for the needs of runaway youths. He noted that as the social
structure is experiencing changes , so is there a need for changes
in service programs. Supervisor Schroder advised that the Board
will have to look at existing programs to determine if funding
should be continued or terminated or redirected to other areas.
There being no further discussion, IT IS BY THE BOARD
ORDERED that the County Probation Officer is REQUESTED to prepare a
proposal to address the problem of insufficient services for runaway
youth and to include a public/private challenge grant.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Human Services Advisory
Commission is REQUESTED to coordinate meetings with other human ser-
vices advisory boards and commissions to prioritize programs and
needs for presentation at the budget hearings.
1 hereby certify that this!!i c true tend^^r.^ct co,: of
an action taken and entered on the r snuttir•.
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: `• L� °2. /J�-P Z
PEAL DAf(CHELOR, Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors and County Administrator
B1f ��� . Deputy
cc: Probation Officer
County Administrator
Human Services Advisory
Commission
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