November 1, 2010 Planning & Grants Meeting Minutes

Date/Time

November 1, 2010

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Location

Loyola University Chicago
25 E. Pearson
11th Floor
Childlaw Center
Chicago, IL 60660

Agenda

  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call
  3. Approval of Minutes
  4. Funding Strategies and Recommendations
  5. Priority Areas
    • Community Based Services
    • Community Based Supervision Models
    • Detention Alternatives and Reform
    • Education
    • Data
  6. Sponsored Funding Requests
  7. Unsolicited Proposals
  8. CJJ Agenda Resolutions
  9. New Business, Planning & Next Meetings
  10. Adjournment

MINUTES

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 10:05am

II. Roll Call

Commissioners: Roseanna Ander, George Timberlake, Lisa Jacobs, Gene Griffin, Rick Velasquez, Julie Biehl, Esther Franco-Payne, Debra Ferguson. Quorum declared present.  Staff: Karrie Rueter

III. Approval of Minutes

Minutes were not reviewed, will address at the next meeting

IV. Funding Strategies and Recommendations

Strategic Planning: The Committee discussed the need for a well-designed strategic planning process to help develop the Commission's short and long-term efforts. Commissioners noted that this process must develop strategies to use individual Commissioners' time and expertise effectively and to structure the work of the Commission efficiently. The group also discussed that this planning must be focused on not only enhancing the Commission's capacity to administer funding effectively, but to leverage substantive knowledge to choose appropriate systems reform strategies, to structure and oversee grants, services and projects effectively, and to communicate effectively about its work and juvenile justice issues to key decision-makers. Commissioners agreed that the efforts to identify technical assistance to achieve these goals should continue.

While this strategic planning process is developed, the Committee identified several areas of limited funding it would recommend to begin to build the capacity of the Commission and its partners to undertake sustainable systems improvement. Those targeted funding strategies include:

  • IJJC Research and Reports: Professional services to provide research and support preparation of studies and reports required of the Commission, including (but not limited to) the "raise the age" analysis and an annual Commission report to juvenile justice stakeholders.
  • Results-Based Accountability: Professional services to present and assist in developing a "Results-Based Accountability" approach to the work of the Commission, grantees and systems improvement partners.
  • Effective Messaging: Professional services to present research on and assistance in developing effective communications and messaging strategies to accelerate the Commission's system improvement efforts in Illinois' political, economic and social contexts. This work should include a particular focus on public awareness and public engagement on DMC reduction. The Communications Committee will be asked to develop an initial plan for accomplishing the current communications goals.
  • Financial Mapping: Professional services to utilize "financial mapping" strategies to identify the funding available in Illinois to support juvenile justice system improvement, infrastructure and services. Sources would include all federal funding and all state funding. Mapping would include also include the allocation, expenditure and impact of these various funding sources. The goal is to enhance the Commission and Commission partners' understanding of all resources available to prevent and respond to juvenile crime and to maximize the impact of those funds through enhanced coordination and collaboration.

Commissioner Hill motioned to approve the development of one time / targeted funding activities, in accordance with these goals. Commissioner Ander seconded the motion. All in favor, motion passed.

Funding Processes: Following lengthy discussion regarding the various methods the Commission could employ to process and consider funding requests, there was a committee motion to recommend to the full commission that all funding request/approvals go to the Planning and Grants Committee to examine for: 1) alignment with the overall Commission goals, as established and 2) availability of funds. This would include responses to RFPs and ideas for targeted funding, if referred from Committees. Commissioner Hill motioned to approve. Commissioner Ander seconded the motion. All in favor, motion passed.

Comprehensive Funding Priority Areas: Reentry

In addition to the targeted and / or one time funding priorities discussed above, the Committee next turned to the comprehensive programmatic funding areas under development. Commissioner Jacobs noted that the Committee's extensive discussions had led to the identification of five priority areas for initial development, including: 1) community-based services; 2) community-based supervision; 3) detention alternatives and reform; 4) educational opportunities; and 5) improved data capacity. She then asked Committee members to turn to the first item on the list, which is community-based services. Following extensive discussion, the Committee agreed to recommend a focus on reentry services for youth leaving DJJ custody, as follows:

The Planning and Grants Committee recommends that the Commission issue a Request for Proposals for a total amount of up to $500,000 per year for each of three years to support development of effective reentry and aftercare strategies for youth leaving the custody of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. These funds are intended to support and encourage:

Local Governance: Development or strengthening of a local collaborative, including but not limited to local juvenile justice councils, which would be charged with:

  • Obtaining, analyzing and providing detailed data on commitment of youth from that community to the Department and the underlying needs of those youth and their families (At a minimum, this will require the use of the BI expanded DMC data template on commitment of youth to DJJ custody.)
  • Overseeing the reentry projects and engaging in comprehensive analysis and improvement of the policies, practices and programs affecting the outcomes for youth returning from DJJ.
  •  Developing partnerships with state and local practitioners (such as parole agents, service providers, law enforcement, defenders and others) to improve the outcomes of youth returning to the community.
  • Services and Reentry Strategies: Development and delivery of a range of community-based aftercare services tailored to meet the identified needs of youth returning to that community.
  • Services and support strategies must be evidence-based, which in this context means that there is objective research suggesting that the specific strategies will increase positive youth outcomes and reduce re-incarceration of youth on parole.
  • Systems Change: Local and state-wide systems change efforts to create sustainable improvements in the policy, practice and programming which affects youth committed to and returning from the Department of Juvenile Justice

Planning and Project launch: The Planning and Grants Committee recommends that the RFP include an initial (up to) 6-month planning phase, with modest funding available from the overall funds allocated (up to $500,000 in the first year) to communities to plan for implementation of an effective reentry program. Implementation funding would then be provided, upon presentation of an acceptable plan.

The Committee also recommends a "reentry summit" to bring together state stakeholders from DJJ, DOC and other state agencies with the Commission and grantees or potential grantees to share information on current policy, practice and services as well as plan for improvement of state and local reentry strategies. The support of this summit may require an additional, one-time allocation of funds by the Commission. Commissioner Hill motioned to approve. Commissioner Ander seconded the motion. All in favor, motion passed.

V. Unsolicited Proposals

None were presented.

VII. CJJ Agenda Resolutions

None were raised.

VIII. New Business, Planning & Next Meetings

Next meeting will be in December, no date set at this time.

IX. Adjournment

Commissioner Jacobs moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. All in favor, meeting adjourned at 2:10pm.