April 12, 2007

ATTENDANCE

OPENING

Steve Tatlow opened the meeting and introductions were made. March meeting minutes were passed around for review. No changes were noted. A master attendance list was passed around so that all partners could review and update their contact and agency information.

AGENDA ITEMS

Experience Works :
Susan Streit indicated that Experience Works is a non-for profit agency that assists individuals 55 years and older in locating employment and training. Experience Works collaborates with other non-for profit agencies in placing clients with those agencies to provide assistance, training, and possibly employment. Experience Works pays the wages of the client and many work 20-30 hours a week to supplement their incomes. Susan indicated she brought business cards and brochures for anyone wanting more information.

ROC, or Re-Entry Opportunity Center, Report:
Mike Webber indicated that he had to leave early to attend another meeting, however reported that this month was the last conflict of these meetings. Mike reported that the space leased for the Day Reporting Center, or ROC, is still waiting to be constructed to accommodate the programming being implemented there. Bids are in to the Office of Administration, however OA has not awarded a contract so that construction can begin. After the contract is awarded and the construction starts it should take no longer than 30 days to complete the project entirely. Due to this, several classes have been postponed and there are still some gaps in scheduling that are being worked out. Mike indicated that he is also working with the Boone County Court in incorporating resources for the new Reintegration Court that is scheduled to start this summer. Mike did report that supplies and furniture for the ROC have started to arrive and are currently being stored at the Probation and Parole Office. Mike further stated that he is working on getting the telecommunication lines established so that outside agencies working at the ROC can access the Internet. Mike has been meeting other agencies located within the Resource Center and reported that they are becoming more open to the concept of the ROC. A marquee sign has been ordered with the name of the ROC on it.

Mike also gave a brief history of the Day Reporting Center to new attendees and stated that the main desired outcome is to address technical violations and allow offenders to access a myriad of services under one roof. Boone County has been pivotal in setting a curve for community based Re-Entry efforts and all partners should be proud of the collaborative work that is being put into the ROC. Steve indicated that an individual, who is an ex-offender, came to him wanting to teach basic computer skills at the ROC for free stating he owns a computer software business and wants to give back. This is an example of the endless possibilities available at the ROC and the motivation of local agencies and citizens to assist in this endeavor

Youth - System Entry Prevention:
Steve stated our group spends a lot of time on reacting to offenders, however it might be more productive to be more proactive and reach out to the youth/juvenile population, as this is a high-risk group. It was presented that JobCorps is an option for youth, however they cannot be on supervised probation or parole or have any Court obligations to be eligible. Sue Long reported that JobPoint offers a program called, Columbia Builds Youth, which allows young participants to work towards their GED while learning skills in the construction field. They are also paid when learning construction skills. A new class starts May 15 and usually runs roughly 9 months. Sue stated many youth who participate are able to grow and mature while learning a formidable skill. Duane Shumate mentioned that Booneworks is currently on hiatus due to losing grant funding. Many wondered how many programs are currently out there to assist youth. Some mentioned were Columbia Builds Youth, CY2, Campfire USA, 4H, JobCorps, Youth Empowerment Zone, Blind Boone Center, and Big Brothers/Sisters.

Steve reported that Lorenzo Lawson started the Youth Empowerment Zone three years ago and that it has grown and expanded ever since. YEZ is a non-for profit program that addresses needs with urban youth. The program was modeled after similar ones created in New York City and Harlem.

Some issues pertinent to youth that were discussed included intergenerational issues and parents wanting to make a better life for their kids, but lacking the resources. Wanda Hoffman stated children need to be taught self-reliance to promote “growth for both”, them and their parents. It was also reported that initially several youth agencies attended meetings, however left the table for whatever reason, and what a valuable asset they are to bring back. Many suggested that BCOTN see what is already out there because it is useless to reinvent or replicate it. Further discussion later in the meeting determined that when more strategic planning is put into place regarding BCOTN and its objectives that the group strategize and detail where we want to go in regard to youth and youth prevention.

Charter - Member/Affiliation:
The question presented by Steve was where are we going as a group? There is lots of energy present and everyone is committed to the cause, however it appears we might have outgrown the structure of the group. Steve reported it is often difficult to have all necessary conversations at a monthly 2-hour meeting. Several mentioned there is no organizational structure when it comes to making decision. Betsy Smith suggested revisiting the idea of strategic planning to set goals, objectives, and outcomes for the next couple of years. Some suggested that the conference might be a good opportunity to bring all parties together to flush out the charter and start more long term planning. Chris Egbert from DOC Planning Section could possibly revisit BCOTN and assist in this process. It was also suggested that after the conference a “retreat” planning day be scheduled to detail a proposed organized structure and outline a future plan for BCOTN. Betsy Smith mentioned that there are lots of people that have lots to offer, however can’t attend monthly meetings. Another suggestion was to create a BCOTN website, which Dan Komo offered to assist with. It was determined that community connections is not a reliable tool for resources, however Steve reiterated that the 211 system is coming to Columbia, which will greatly assist individuals in locating resources. However, with any information tool it is only as good as the information put into it. 

Steve indicated that he asked for and was granted funding to establish a teleconference system to link offenders coming out of prison to the ROC. This system would allow for face-to-face contacts between offenders and area resources, mentors, etc. Terri McNeal reminded everyone that Transitional Housing Units were established to assist in the transition of offenders into the community, however not all prisons have these units. Teleconferencing enables a more proactive approach to take place with offenders, as some need to arrange interviews and face-to-face contact with certain agencies to be eligible for services.

Campfire Program:
Wanda Hoffman passed around a brochure she created for Campfire USA and requested approval to incorporate name of BCOTN on brochure. Wanda indicated that she wants to make sure she is properly representing BCOTN name. Some indicated that if BCOTN name was incorporated into the brochure it might set a precedent for the group and may create some confusion. Several suggested that it might be more beneficial to wait until more rules and structure are established for BCOTN before lending out name. More discussion was held and more reluctance was voiced. Wanda indicated that is was not an issue to remove that information and reword some things on her brochure before distributing. After doing so she will again approve it with Mike Webber before giving to Probation and Parole Officers to distribute to their clients.

Sub-Committee Updates:
Focus Groups: Betsy Smith reported that this group has met on several occasions and come up with a list of questions for 2 desired focus groups. Betsy and Jaime Strange will conduct a focus group with Probation and Parole Officers on April 30. Further, Betsy and Dave Perkins will conduct a focus group with 120-Day Incarceration cases within Boonville Correctional Center and possible some parolees coming to the Mid-Missouri area. This focus group will take place on May 11. There is still a desire to conduct focus groups with the faith-based community and long term parolees who have been in the community for several years.

Mentoring: Joe Carr reported that this group continues to meet and work towards establishing a uniform mentoring program.

Conference Planning: Planning is ongoing and flyers have been made and distributed to all partners and local agencies. Steve reported that he met with Julie Boehm, the Missouri Re-entry Coordinator, and received funding for the conference and for a keynote speaker. Steve asked if anyone was willing to assist in this process. Those who indicated they were interested included: Sue Long, Terri McNeal, Dan Komo, Adam Tipton, Stacy Ford, Michelle Sumy, and Brad McConnell. Several suggested during registration for the conference have agencies, whether they are attending or not, submit information as to what they can/do offer offenders so that a more detailed resource guide can be established for agencies and offenders. It was also suggested to submit the information electronically so that more agencies and individuals can be reached and likely to respond.

In-Reach Project: Bill Doiron reported that there is a meeting tonight at the Boone County Partnership Office at 4:30 PM and that anyone interested or that knows anyone who is interested to please attend or contact him.

ANNOUCEMENTS

Wanda Hoffman announced that MOVA, Missouri Victims Association, is having a training session in May at the Boone County Library. Contact her for more details.

Bill Doiron stated there is going to be an In-reach Pilot Project Meeting on 4-12-07 at 4:30 P.M. at the Boone County Partnership. Bill encouraged anyone who is interested to attend or to pass along to individuals who might be interested in participating.

Dan Hanneken indicated that he had several Victory Circle brochures available if anyone wanted more information to pass along to their clients.

Steve stated it might be beneficial to create a BCOTN newsletter so that announcements and pertinent information can be more readily accessible. Dan Komo offered to create a BCOTN website and will work with Steve on getting this started.

NEXT MEETING

Thursday, May 10, 2007 8:30-10:30 A.M. at the Boone County Extension Network Office located at the Midway exit. Directions to follow.