JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY
PREVENTION COMMISSION
C O U N T Y  O F  H U M B O L D T
2002 HARRISON AVENUE
EUREKA, CA   95501     PHONE  (707)445-7401
HTTP://HUMBOLDT-JJDPC.ORG

 

REGULAR MEETING OF JUNE 14, 2006 - 7:00-9:00 P.M.

United Indian Health Services

1600 Weott Way, Arcata, CA 95521

 

X     Jason Akana

X     Peggy Hobbs

X     Rose Baker

X     Maureen Johannsen

X     Bill Daniel

U     Samantha Love

E     Dave Douglas

X     Antoinette Martin

E     Morgan Douglas

E     Josh Meisel

X     Vincent Feliz

X     Nadine Fleek

 

 

 

 

 

OTHERS PRESENT: Jim Martin, Matt Daniel, Doug Rasines, Nick Rasines, Stacy Reyes, Peter LaVallee, Judge Miles, Kelly Remington, Beverly Morgan-Lewis, Denise Jones, Bill Nichols

 

1.0       CALL TO ORDER

            The meeting was called to order by Chair Daniel at 7:00 P.M.  A quorum was present.

 

1.1       PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

            There was not a flag in the room.

 

1.2       INTRODUCTIONS

            Members and guests introduced themselves.

 

2.0       ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA

            The agenda was adjusted to allow Commissioner Hobbs to give her presentation prior to the agency reports.

 

3.0       CORRESPONDENCE

            None.

 

4.0       APPROVE MINUTES OF THE MAY 10, 2006 MEETING

            It was moved by Commissioner Akana and seconded by Commissioner Feliz to approve the minutes as written.  Motion carried.

5.0       PROGRAM

            The program was given by Commissioner Hobbs and Stacy Reyes and focused on recruitment of foster parents in Humboldt county.  There has been a recent increase in recruitment activities in order to address acute shortages in foster care availability and to minimize the negative impact on children who are removed from their homes.  Of particular concern is the need to place children in an environment in which they can maintain ties to their families, schools, and communities.  This has involved reaching out to outlying areas in the county and recruiting foster parents in the same neighborhoods where the children live.  There is also an effort to find foster parents who are willing to accept siblings to avoid unnecessary separation of families.  Some of the activities include tapping into the network of family resource centers throughout the county and running a number of ads in local newspapers and on the radio.  They have also developed a recruitment brochure as well as a variety of posters and flyers that are made available at community events. 

 

6.0       COMMUNITY CONCERNS/PUBLIC COMMENT

6.1       COMMUNITY CONCERNS

            Several of the guests at this meeting had been invited by Commissioner Baker to discuss common concerns with respect to interactions with law enforcement officials.  One of these concerns was the perceived disregard on the part of police officers of incidents in which youth were physically attacked by other youth.  Another concern was that some guests felt that police and probation officers were not providing an adequate response to crisis situations involving “out of control” youth.  During the discussion that followed, it was pointed out that each law enforcement entity, i.e., police departments, the sheriff’s office and Probation all have departments that are charged with handling public concerns such as these.  Some commissioners suggested that an explanation of the procedures for addressing complaints with the various law enforcement agencies be part of the commissions’ public awareness program.

 

6.1       NEXT JJDPC MEETING

            The commissions will not hold a regular meeting in July.  The next meeting is scheduled for August 9.

 

7.0       REPORTS

7.1       ADMINISTRATION

            Chair Daniel congratulated Commissioner Morgan Douglas on graduating from the University of Southern Oregon and wished her well.  He also reported that he and Matt Daniel are developing a data base which would show long term trends in juvenile crime in Humboldt county from 1991 through 2004.  The data base would include juvenile crimes broken down by gender, race, age, type of offense, and jurisdiction.  A future JJDPC meeting will include a presentation of these data.  Finally, Chair Daniel circulated a current report of the commissions’ budget for fiscal year 2005-2006.  He suggested that the $2821 remaining in the budget be placed in the special projects trust fund.  It was moved by Commissioner Martin and seconded by Commissioner Johannsen to authorize the chair to request that Probation transfer the remaining JJDPC funds into the special projects fund.  Motion carried.

 

7.2       COMMUNITY RELATIONS

            Commissioner Akana announced that the inspection of the Hoopa Substation is scheduled for June 17 at 9:00 A.M.

 

7.21     DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

            Beverly Morgan-Lewis reported that the FY 2006-2007 budget for CWS and Cal Works will not be cut has previously expected.  Beverly also noted that CWS has contracted with a private foster care agency for six beds to be used for a transitional housing program.  Another contract is in the works to hire Americorpse workers to assist with foster parent recruitment efforts.

 

7.22     HUMBOLDT COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

            Denise Jones reported that there will be 15 students graduating from the alternative schools program this year.  Most of them came from the community schools and the others have received their diplomas while participating in the Regional Facility’s program or who were in Juvenile Hall.  Denise also reported that there has not yet been a decision on the appeal of the denial of funding for the GRIP program.  However, She indicated that the program is likely to continue in some form through a grant from the California Wellness Foundation or through other means.  Finally, Denise announced that she will be retiring at the end of July.  Kim Cobine will be her replacement.

 

7.3       JUVENILE JUSTICE

            Commissioner Fleek reported that she and Chair Daniel attended a pre-inspection meeting at Juvenile Hall and the Regional Facility on June 12.  She circulated the completed report forms and noted that the actual walkthrough will be scheduled soon.

 

7.4       JUVENILE COURT

            Judge Miles reported that two mediators who are trained in family law have been hired by the courts to mediate child custody cases that come through Family court.  She also expressed concern that that Family court staff need to learn about what kinds of mental health services are available in the county for children involved in the Family court system but are not involved with Probation.  She hopes to have someone from Mental Health give a presentation on this.

 

8.0       ADJOURNMENT

            There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.