Monmouth County Youth Services Commission

(Juvenile Crime Coalition)

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Minutes

Monmouth County Human Services Building First Floor Conference Room

4:00 PM Attendance: Freeholder Director: John P. Curley YSC Members: Dr. Amy L. Altenhaus, Trude Arnette, Det. Kim Best, Charles Brown, Kathi Callaghan, Kathy Collins, Hon. Robert A. Coogan, Rev. Henry P. Davis, Victoria Dean, Hon. Michael A. Guadagno, Eileen Higgins, Hon. Eugene Iadanza, Carl Jennings, Barry W. Johnson, Dr. Martin Krupnick, Rosemarie Marinan-Gabriel, Tim McCorkell, Cee Okuzu, Joseph Passiment, Hoda Soliman, Carmen Vega and Kathleen Weir Staff: Ellen Cohen Guests: Sean Haar, Kelly Ann Smith, Sebastian Trapani, I. CALL TO ORDER: OPEN PUBLIC MEETING’S ACT Judge Guadagno called the meeting to order and read the open public meetings act statement. Judge Guadagno acknowledged Freeholder Director John P. Curley and welcomed him to the meeting. Introductions were made. A motion was made, seconded and carried (Arnette: Passiment) to approve the minutes of the March 6, 2012 Youth Services Commission meeting.

II. YSC CO-CHAIR REPORT Charles D. Brown, III reported that the Freeholders, at their March 22, 2012 meeting, executed amendments to various youth services contracts.

The Mercy Center’s Community Intervention Coaches-Pilot Program contract was extended through June 30, 2012 to allow for additional time to evaluate the Program and to consider whether to extend the Program for a longer time.

In addition, $10,000 in 2012 Family Court Services funds was reallocated to Monmouth Vicinage ($5,000 for the Probation Multi Treatment Program and $5,000 for the Probation Offender Program).

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An amendment to the Youth Detention Shared Services Agreement with the County of Middlesex was executed. The number of youth detention beds reserved for Monmouth County youth was lowered from 37 to 34 and 3 non-secure temporary shelter beds at the Middlesex County Shelter for Monmouth County youths in need of temporary shelter was substituted.

Mr. Brown reported that the Department of Human Services, Division of Juvenile Detention Alternatives is the agency responsible for administering and monitoring shelter services provided for Monmouth County youth including but not limited to admission requirements, transportation and case management. Admissions for shelter care are approved by the Family Court Judge and through Family Court Intake. There are 2 male beds and 1 female bed reserved for Monmouth County youth. The purpose of the Middlesex shelter is to provide a safe and caring residential setting for male and female adolescents, thirteen to seventeen years of age. Youth with delinquency charges and/or youth in crisis can be placed in the shelter only upon direct authority of the Family Court. A few concerns regarding their exclusionary criteria on admissions (assault charges & youth scoring 12-15 points on the Risk Screening Instrument) is being reviewed. Mr. Brown reported that a plan to expand the after-hours response of the Electronic Monitoring Expansion (EME) program to include shelter placement transportation using JDAI Innovation Funding was denied by the Juvenile Justice Commission. The JJC did not approve the request for they indicated transportation to and from the Middlesex County Youth Detention Center was a component of the approved Monmouth County Detention Consolidation Plan and raised the question of supplanting funds. Judge Iadanza commented that the Innovations Committee also reviewed cost evaluation data based on the Innovations Outcomes reports. III. YSC ADMINISTRATOR’S UPDATE Ellen Cohen reported that work was underway on the Youth Services Plan Update and 2013 application for the 2013 State Community Partnership Grant, Family Court Services funds and the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant. She indicated that the additional data section of the Youth Services Plan Update and the Inventory of Resources for Monmouth County Youth were previously distributed to YSC members and a few additional updates will be integrated prior to finalization. Ms. Cohen stated that the JDAI IF 2013 grant application was issued that includes a two phase process. The eligibility criteria, for the 2013 JDAI IF was submitted to the JJC before the May 17, 2012 deadline. We will be notified next Monday, June 11th as to the amount Monmouth County is eligible to apply for. Ms. Cohen reported that an overview of the 2012 NJ Kids Count specific to Monmouth County has been prepared as a meeting handout. An overview on the

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Dept. of Education-School Report Card Data for Monmouth County will be shared once completed. Ms. Cohen indicated that Sebastian Trapani received additional information from David Chippendale, Middlesex County Dept. of Corrections and Youth Services on the mental health services provided by UMDNJ –University Behavioral Healthcare for any resident regardless of which County they reside in while they are detained at the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Facility. She referred to the information in the meeting handouts. Ms. Cohen reported on the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office full day training and review of policies, procedures and legal updates pertaining to juveniles and the juvenile system on April 13, 2012. She indicated that the training was well attended by local police departments. Assistant Prosecutor Hoda Soliman facilitated the training with other key stakeholders as speakers. The use of Stationhouse Adjustments by law enforcement was one of the topics covered at the training. Judge Guadagno thanked Assistant Prosecutor Soliman and indicated she is very responsive to the Family Division. IV. Adolescent Residential Alcohol and Drug Treatment Dave Roden reported that New Hope Foundation has been in existence for over 35 years and that serving Monmouth County residents has been their main focus. New Hope Foundation, Inc. in Marlboro is a 140 bed facility (18 detox beds; 80 adult and 42 adolescent beds). Mr. Roden described the array of services provided by New Hope Foundation and distributed an agency brochure. He noted that they have worked closely with the courts and thanked Judge Iadanza and Melissa Garrett. Mr. Roden stated that New Hope Foundation, Inc. adolescent residential unit is accredited by carf and licensed by the NJ Division of Mental Health and Addictions and the NJ Department of Children and Families. They work closely with Unified Case Management (UCM) system and serve youth with co-occurring disorders. Family involvement in their program is an important component. If families are unable to get to the facility, transportation is provided in a couple of locations. Mr. Roden reported that New Hope Foundation has a staff to client ratio of 1 to 6; there is 24 hour/7days a week nursing staff and psychiatry 3 days a week. V. Youth Employment Eileen Higgins, Director of the Monmouth County Division of Employment and Training reported on the in school and out of school Workforce Investment Act (WIA) youth grants and the Asbury Park Community Development Initiative, “Go for the Gold”. Ms. Higgins stated that there were 15 grant applications submitted

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for WIA youth funding and that an effort this year has been to obtain a provider in the Western part of the county. Ms. Higgins stated that once awards are formalized the information on the new providers for the 7/1/12 -6/30/13 timeframe will be announced. Ms. Higgins stated that the Go for the Gold program has been established to better meet the needs of local employers in Asbury Park by defining minimum employability standards for youth applicants. 1.) Area youth agree to meet Gold standards within community-wide initiatives. 2.) Employers participating in the Go for the Gold Program agree to interview each candidate that has attained Gold status. Youth will receive a Gold Card for achieving: 1.) Successful completion of the National Work Readiness course. 2.) 95% or better attendance within his/her most recent program. 3.) Achieved “Participant in Good Standing” status within most recent program. 4.) Obtained a letter of recommendation. 5.) Completed final Go for the Gold employer workshop. VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. YSC Planning Committee

Trude Arnette reported that the YSC Planning Committee met twice since the last YSC meeting on April 3rd and May 1st, 2012. She stated that the guidelines for the 2013 Youth Services Plan Update and Application have been issued by the Juvenile Justice Commission. The 2013 Youth Services Plan Update and Application will be set as an agenda item for action at the September 4th Youth Services Commission meeting. 2013 is the first, one year renewal option, of our three year competitive contracting process.

• New this year is the inclusion of a cover letter from the Co-Chairs, on behalf of the County Youth Services Commission indicating their support for the Plan Update.

• The 2013 Comprehensive Monmouth County Youth Services Plan Update for will include a description of the county planning process to complete the Youth Services Plan Update.

• Key information reviewed to determine whether the needs identified in the 2012-2014 Monmouth County Comprehensive Youth Services Plan have changed or remained the same will be described.

• The recommendations developed for the 2012-2014 Monmouth County Comprehensive Youth Services Plan for each service categories (delinquency prevention, diversion, detention and detention alternatives, disposition and re-entry) will be reviewed to describe how services and/or gaps were addressed and to determine if recommendations have changed.

• Recommendations or strategies made with regards to policy and practice through the lens of race and ethnicity to ensure similar outcomes for similarly situated youth will be included.

• The 2013 Youth Services Plan Update will include the additional data used in the county’s planning process and describe the source of the data, the timeframe, and how it was used.

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• The 2013 Youth Services Plan Update will describe topics and discussion points that were shared between the YSC and the JDAI Council on Juvenile Justice System Improvement.

• The CY 2012 Continuum of Care-Points of Intervention will list programs/services we consider a part of the continuum of care regardless of funding. The 2012 Inventory of Resources for Monmouth County Youth will be attached.

At the YSC Planning Committee meetings, information on topics related to each service category is shared. This has included the review of data, level of service reports and program updates. The additional data section of the Youth Services Plan Update and the Inventory of Resources for Monmouth County Youth has been completed. The 2012 Site Visits have been scheduled and a few have taken place already. They include:

• Observation of Al’s Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices facilitated by Prevention First, Inc. took place at Thurgood Marshall and Bradley Elementary Schools in Asbury Park;

• Observation of TEEN TACTICS facilitated by the Family Crisis Intervention Unit staff at the Bolger Middle School in Keansburg took place in an after-school program; and

• Observation of an evening session of the Keys to Innervisions (KIV) program at Prevention First, Inc.

• Other site visits are scheduled throughout June and July. If any YSC members are interested in attending them, please advise Ellen.

B. Juvenile Justice System Improvement

Judge Iadanza reported that at the NJ Council on Juvenile Justice System Improvement meeting, the Waiver Subcommittee gave a report on their 2 year ongoing study. He noted that following review by Judge Grant, the Attorney General’s Office and the Juvenile Justice Commission it will be released. Judge Iadanza stated that the access to treatment subcommittee’s report was postponed. He indicated that quarterly data is reviewed by the local Council on a regular basis and commented that the number of overrides to the Risk Screening Tool (RST) continues to be a major issue for Monmouth County. Judge Iadanza stated that access to shelter beds will hopefully help. He stated that JDAI Innovations funding for the continuation of the Electronic Monitoring Expansion (EME) program after hours component will be scrutinized. He outlined cost savings measures & reductions made by the county (closure of YDC, Project ACT, POH) and his desire for the reallocation of those dollars into saving EME or other juvenile programs. He stated losing up the restrictions on EME would help utilization and expressed his dislike with the current policy that requires consent of the Prosecutor to place a juvenile with a 1st degree offense on electronic monitoring. Judge Iadanza stated lack of transportation is a barrier for families to visit juveniles in Middlesex. Judge Iadanza stated research indicates that having a juvenile in the adult system has an adverse impact. He shared a case of a

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youth in detention who waived his right and agreed to be transferred to the adult jail. Judge Iadanza stated when asked why, he indicated it was in order to see his mother. Kathy Collins reported that the contract with the Mercy Center, Inc. for the Community Intervention Coaches- Pilot Program that serves Asbury Park youth on Probation was extended through June 30, 2012 to allow additional time for the JDAI Council on Juvenile Justice System Improvement and the Monmouth County Youth Services Commission to evaluate the Program and to consider whether to extend the Program for a longer time. The Community Intervention Coaches-Pilot Program that serves Asbury Park youth on Probation was evaluated. Ms. Collins stated that the Pilot Program seeks to improve the success of youth on probation who experience difficulty complying with the basic rules of probation supervision and are at risk of violation for noncompliance. Based upon the program’s first year experience and changes to the probation caseload for Asbury Park, modifications to the program design will be made.

• Youth referred to the Community Coaches program can be at the initial point of demonstrating signs of non-compliance with the conditions of probation whereas, the original design focused on youth at imminent danger of violating probation. This modification is recommended in order to reach youth at an earlier stage and address changes within the probation caseload size for Asbury Park which has decreased.

• The length of time the Community Coaches can work with the referred youth will be extended. The original design was a 30 day period, which was unrealistic to reach the intended goal. It will be extended to a 3 month period. This will allow the program for more time to engage the youth and work on the areas of concern identified by probation.

• The coach and the Probation Officer will work collaboratively to develop and implement strategies to bring the youth into compliance. For example, if Probation refers the youth for failure to attend school, failure to obtain employment, failure to attend drug and alcohol counseling, etc. then the coach will draft a plan outlining the strategies that will be relied upon to help the youth achieve the above and review it with Probation. Communication between the coach and the Probation Officer will be on a regular basis.

The local JDAI Council on Juvenile Justice System Improvement endorses the use of $55,205.00 of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Innovation Funds (JDAI IF) for the first, one year renewal option of the contract with the Mercy Center, Inc. for the Community Intervention Coaches-Pilot Program for the period 7/1/12 through 6/30/13 and requests action by the Youth Services Commission to recommend this to the Board of Chosen Freeholders for their authorization and execution of an agreement between the County of Monmouth and the Mercy Center, Inc. .

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A motion was made, seconded and carried (Collins:Krupnick) to recommend to the Board of Chosen Freeholders the award of $55,205 in JDAI Innovations Funding to the Mercy Center, Inc. for the Community Intervention Coaches-Pilot Program for the period 7/1/12 through 6/30/13. A roll call vote was taken (See attachment) Charles Brown stated that with the shrinking probation population in Asbury Park and the Juvenile Justice Commission looking hard at everything, it may make sense at some point to look at expanding the geographic area. Ms. Collins stated that probation is not opposed to this once some success is shown in the redesign of the program. Judge Iadanza commented that there are reduced numbers statewide and nationally. Ms. Collins reported that Monmouth County submitted the eligibility criteria to apply for the 2013 JDAI Innovations Funding. Notification as to the amount that we are eligible to apply for will be made on June 6, 2012. Since the deadline for submission of the application is August 3, 2012, a work group will develop the application that will require a e-mail vote by both the JDAI Council on Juvenile Justice System Improvement and the Youth Services Commission in early July so that it can be forwarded for authorization by the Board of Chosen Freeholders at their July 26, 2012 meeting. VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. OLD BUSINESS Dr. Krupnick provided an update on SORNA. Barry Johnson stated that Fair Haven/Rumson and Asbury Park are establishing Municipal Alliances to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. IX. PUBLIC COMMENT Judge Guadagno announced that this would be his last meeting for he will be moving on to a new assignment. He will be leaving the Family Division. He stated that although his time with the Youth Services Commission was brief, he recognized the work of the YSC as extremely important. Once the new Presiding Judge of the Family Division is assigned we will be notified. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Monmouth County Youth Services Commission is scheduled for September 4, 2012 at 4:00 PM in the Monmouth County Human Services Building, First Floor Conference Room.

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2012 MONMOUTH COUNTY YOUTH SERVICES COMMISSION ROLL CALL VOTE DATE: June 5, 2012 A motion was made, seconded and carried (Collins:Krupnick) to recommend to the Board of Chosen Freeholders the award of $55,205.00 in JDAI IF to the Mercy Center’s Inc. for the Community Intervention Coaches-Pilot Program for the period 7/1/12 through 6/30/13 for their consideration and authorization.

NAME YES NO ABSTAIN INELIGIBLE ABSENT Dr. Amy L. Altenhaus X

Trude Arnette X

Det. Kimberly Best X

Charles D. Brown, III X

Kathi Callaghan X

Kathy Collins X

Judge Robert Coogan X

Rev. Henry P. Davis X

Victoria E. Dean X

Wendy DePedro X

Sheriff Shaun Golden X

Judge Michael A. Guadagno X X

Eileen Higgins X

Jennifer Hoffer X X

Judge Eugene Iadanza X

Carl Jennings X

Barry W. Johnson X

Selika B. Josiah Gore X

Dr. Martin Krupnick X

Rosemarie Marinan-Gabriel X

Tim McCorkell X

Cee Okuzu X

Joseph Passiment X

Hoda Soliman X

Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw X

Carmen Vega X

Kathleen Weir X

TOTAL 17 0 0 6 6

A QUORUM= 10 ELIGIBLE VOTERS – (6 Votes Carries the Motion) MOTION CARRIES

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