February 8, 2007

ATTENDANCE

Boone County Community Partnership-Steve Tatlow
1st Ward Ambassadors-Darrell Foster
DED/DWD Veterans-Craig Morton
Boone County Community Partnership, AmeriCorps VISTA-Michael Harper, Joseph Carr, Antoinne Jones
Division of Voc. Rehab-Duane Shumate
Probation and Parole, District #6 Columbia-Jaime Strange, Mike Webber
Adult Learning Center-John McClure
Booneville Correctional Center-Terri McNeal, Michelle Sumy
Columbia College-Stacy Ford
University Extension-Art Schneider
UMC-MO Restorative Justice-Wanda Hoffman
Offender Representative-Bill Doiron
DMH-Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse-Debra McBaine
Health Department-Betsy Smith
Community Representative-Dave Perkins
Division of Workforce Development-Janice Dawson-Threat
Reality House-Joel Putnam
Phoenix House Programs-Bobby Reichert

OPENING

Steve Tatlow opened the meeting and introductions were made. Mike Webber indicated he had to leave to attend another meeting but gave a report on the progress of the Day Reporting Center.

Steve handed out and reviewed January meeting minutes. No changes were noted. Some reported they were not receiving the monthly meeting minutes. Those names and e-mail addresses were given to Jaime Strange to be corrected.

AGENDA ITEMS

Day Reporting Center:
Mike indicated that he is still meeting with community partners to see what agencies would like to take part in the center and offer services. Mike reported he is currently working on developing a calendar of events and services that will be offered at the center when it opens. Systems furniture informed Mike that they are currently working on a large project and that after completing it will be getting the furniture into the Day Reporting Center. Due to this development opening of the center will be pushed back to April 2007. Mike also reported he is meeting with an individual about Victory Fellowship, which is a support group that hopes to start up in Columbia. Further, he is meeting with representatives from the Court, including Judge Carpenter, about the new Re-Entry Court and how it might coordinate with the Day Reporting Center. Mike stated he is currently talking to Information Systems about data/phone lines being installed. The initial request was approved so it appears things are progressing.

Charter:
A completed version of the charter was passed around and Jaime Strange reported that a small group met a couple of times to complete the charter and incorporate appropriate information. Jaime stated that at the last meeting the group decided the finished product was something they could all agree upon and that they were ready to present it to the group. Some questioned listing the Basic Needs Coalition as a sponsor since BCOTN is currently only an affiliation of BNC. It was decided to change it to “originally sponsored by” or delete the sponsor heading all together.

Art Schneider stated that he thought perceived outcomes should include outcomes that could be measured objectively, such as short and long-term goals. It was also mentioned that specific objectives be listed in the outcomes section including employment and education After some discussion it was determined that the charter should serve as a foundation for the group and that it might be more beneficial to be more general at this time to allow for open interaction and participation from various agencies. It was mentioned that a group come together and look at putting together a more elaborate document with more specific details. Janice Dawson-Threat suggested utilizing sub-committees and their data to set a baseline and then building upon that when data becomes available. Debra McBaine mentioned that ADA tracks data on offenders that could be useful. It was decided that in the next six months to a year a strategic plan be developed to create a roadmap for BCOTN.

Bill Doiron mentioned creating a database of resources to gauge more accurately what is really out there. Steve Tatlow stated that this is an ongoing effort through the utilization of the Voluntary Action Center Blue Book and web-based technology. Steve reported that in December 2006 it was reported that funding for the 211 System in the state of Missouri was conditionally approved. With the 211 System comes a web-based directory that contains all local and state resources. It was mentioned that the SHARE network currently exists and assists in linking communities with resources.

Focus Group:
Stacy Ford reported that she sat in on a cognitive restructuring group ran by Probation and Parole and was able to conduct a focus group with the participants. Stacy indicated she told the offenders about the Day Reporting Center and the resources offered there and asked them what needs they would like to see addressed within the Day Reporting Center. The offenders stressed that transportation was a main issue, as was childcare, healthcare, food assistance, psychiatric services, employment, pre-employment programs, and financial aide. Offenders also reported their relationship with their PO and having a mentor were important to them and that it would be nice to have their PO or someone who “knew how to” refer them to appropriate resources.

The question posed to the group was, “what information would agencies like to find out?” Betsy Smith mentioned it was important to have consistency on what information needed to be pulled from the offender groups. She also stated that having the offenders sign a release so they are aware what the information is being used for is important.

Steve Tatlow asked if anyone was interested in laying the foundation for what information needs to be obtained from future focus groups. Betsy Smith, Wanda Hoffman, Art Schneider, Dave Perkins, Stacy Ford, and Jaime Strange expressed interest. Betsy Smith indicated she would assemble the group for further discussion.

Steve reported that in regard to transportation a pilot project for a transportation route in rural Boone County has been granted partial funding for 2x/day, 5 days a week. The route would include Sturgeon, Centralia, Hallsville, Columbia, Ashland and Jefferson City. The vehicle providing the transportation will be similar to an Oats type vehicle. Steve stated that a Public Transportation Sub Committee operates through the City of Columbia Visioning Process and that the next visioning meeting is scheduled for February 21, 2007 from 6-8pm at West Junior High School.

A group member stressed that the needs presented by the offenders in the focus group Stacy conducted are their current needs and that the BCOTN group needs to find a way to address them. Several indicated they are concerned about getting all the services lined up in a timely manner.

Mentoring:
Steve reported that with the assistance of the VISTA Program a goal has been established to identify and provide mentoring in the Boone County area. Joe Carr reported there is a mentoring meeting scheduled for Thursday February 22, 2007 at 6:00-7:30 PM. The meeting will take place at the Boone County Community Partnership Building located within the Parkade Plaza, Suite 217 C. Joe indicated that all are encouraged to attend if interested in this project. Joe further reported that some possible mentors could include those successfully released from parole supervision. Joe stated there are several people currently providing mentorship, however there is no structure and coordination, although there are many models available to build from. Dave Perkins mentioned starting with the faith-based community. Janice Dawson-Threat suggested taking it to the next level and including businesses that might offer assistance. Art Schneider mentioned when developing a mentoring system making sure it is not too formal because not everyone responds well and many might back off.

Conference:
Steve reported that a group has met on 2 occasions to discuss the basis of the conference and the goals and objectives of such a conference. Steve stated that at the last meeting a primary concern from involved parties was to demystify the offender for the public and to put a face to the stereotype many hold of offenders. A conference could serve to fight biases that exist and provide the foundation for offenders to be seen as humans. Steve stated that currently the group has blocked out all of the conference rooms within the Resource Center for June 21, 2007-June 23, 2007. These dates offer conference sessions on weekdays as well as weekends. Due to having the conference rooms at the Resource Center costs are reduced and estimated to be around $6,000 maximum in total, which includes advertising, marketing, etc. Steve has employed the assistance of a grant writer within his agency to provide direction in this area. A theme of the conference generated from the small group meetings was something along the lines of “Lessons Learned ~ Reentry issues affecting Mid-Missouri families”. As with any conference there are several jobs available to all interested parties. Debra McBaine mentioned that through Dept of Mental Health she should be able to ascertain speakers.

Mike Harper will be the contact on this project and will coordinate meetings. A list of all interested parties was generated and included Michelle Sumy, Wanda Hoffman, Duane Shumate, Joe Carr, Art Schneider, John McClure, Daryl Foster, and Stacy Ford. Please contact Michael Harper if you would like to assist and you name is not on this list.

Outreach Pilot Project :
Steve indicated that through interviewing VISTAs he found that there is a strong connection between the time from prison to community and due to this maybe more efforts should be spent on an “In-Reach” project to reach the offenders prior to their release. This would involve taking resources into the prisons and distributing them. This also could include access to an individual’s Transitional Accountability Plan (TAP) and more coordination with local resources.

Terri McNeal reported that the St.Patrick’s Center in St. Louis currently operates this type of program and that they come into the prison 6 months prior to an offender’s release. Terri also mentioned that several faith based groups offer this assistance, but hardly any offenders take advantage of it. Terri reported that offenders serving all of their time before release are also offered transitional services, but most are very resistant.

Everyone agreed that a project based on the “In-Reach” concept was worth pursuing. Bill Doiron stated he would coordinate efforts on this project. Joe Carr, Terri McNeal, Michelle Sumy, and Steve Tatlow stated they were interested as well. An e-mail will be generated with more information to all interested parties.

ANNOUCEMENTS

Stacy Ford reported that the city offers a “whites only” diversity workshop, which she facilitates. Stacy reported that the workshop offers differing views on race and diversity and that she attended it last year and got a lot out of it. The workshop is free and those interested in more details can check out the city website page.

NEXT MEETING

Thursday March 8, 2007, 8:30 A.M. at the offices of the Boone County Community Partnership