April 16, 2021 Redeploy Illinois Oversight Board Meeting

Audience

Redeploy Illinois Oversight Board Members and Staff. The public is welcome to attend.

Date/Time

Friday, April 16, 2021

9:30am to 11:30am

Location

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Agenda

1. Call to order/Roll call
2. Approval of Minutes
   1. 2/19/2021 RIOB Meeting
3. DHS Updates
   1. Member Updates
   2. FY22 Grantmaking Process - Update
4. Data Work Group Update/recommendation/decisions
   1. Update on discussions regarding identification of a screen/assessment tool that would capture positive youth outcomes consistent with the new Redeploy Service Matrix
   2. Work Group recommendation to full Board
5. FY21 Unobligated funds update/discussion/decisions
   1. Review of FY21 expenditures; planned expenditures & remaining appropriation balance
   2. Discussion of possible funding opportunities
   3. Funding Decisions
6. RIOB Planning Grant update/discussion/decision
   1. Sangamon and Lake County updates
   2. Recent interest from unfunded Counties
   3. Planning Grant Funding Opportunity discussion/decision
7. FY21 Redeploy Program updates
   1. ICOY Expenditure update
   2. Redeploy Program expenditures and commitments/number served
   3. Redeploy Illinois program intensive site visit discussion
8. Adjourn

Upcoming meetings/events:

• Executive Board Meeting: Friday, May 21st, 2021
• Full Board Meeting: Friday, June 18th, 2021

Meeting minutes

1. Call to Order/Roll Call
   Secretary Hou called the meeting to order at 9:34am and invited Kristen Marshall to do roll call.
   Roll Call: Secretary Grace Hou, Delrice Adams, Janet Ahern, Honorable Walter Brandon, Betsy Clarke, Avik Das, Director Heidi Mueller, Peter Perry, Tracey Seneca, Anne Studzinski, Honorable George Timberlake (late), Rick Velasquez, Paula Wolff
   DHS Staff: Erica Hughes, Kristen Marshall, Karrie Rueter
   ICOY Staff: Katy Culleeny, Leslie Ress
   Staff & Guests: Garien Gatewood, Luis Klein
2. Approval of Minutes
   1. 2/19/2021 RIOB Meeting
      Secretary Hou called for a motion to approve the minutes.
      Motion: Judge Walter Brandon moved approval of the minutes from the February 19th RIOB meeting. Paula Wolff seconded the motion.
      No oppositions. No abstentions. Motion carried.
3. DHS Updates
   1. Member Updates
      Secretary Hou provided general updates. DHS is creating a Division of Early Childhood, effective July 1st, 2021. DHS sites across the state are running vaccination clinics, prioritizing individuals with the highest barriers to accessing vaccinations.
      Karrie Rueter informed the Board of several Notice of Funding opportunities currently open, including Teen REACH, Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission grants, and the Youth Services Training and Technical Assistance and Support grant that includes Redeploy support, to which ICOY is the current grantee. Secretary Hou added that the Department worked with the new Office of Strategy, Equity & Transformation to make improvements to the NOFO system to ensure equity, including ensuring that application reviewers are diverse and receive anti-bias training, and that all NOFO's were constructed in a way that welcomes providers that are authentic to the communities they serve. Department of Human Services also launched a significant training module available to providers that will teach what it takes to be GATA certified.
      Secretary Hou announced the resignation of Pam Rodriguez from TASC and the RIOB, noting that Ms. Rodriguez has been a staple of the Board and a champion for youth and families in Illinois. The Board currently has two vacancies for community providers. Ms. Rodriguez provided a recommendation, Reverend Rodney Walker from TASC, who's biography was shared with the handouts. Carla Barnes also resigned in the previous meeting, to which Jackie Bullard suggested Ron Lewis, Lead Public Defender in McClain County and member of the Public Defenders Association. Mr. Perry agreed to speak with Mr. Lewis. Secretary Hou emphasized her desire to make this process transparent and welcomed suggestions from members. Judge Timberlake expressed he feels it important to ensure representation from a community provider downstate, as they work in a different environment, and that he has a few people in mind he will recommend. Mr. Velasquez suggested providers in the Southern region, like East St. Louis, possibly CCBYS providers. Garien Gatewood suggested violence prevention providers may be able to assist with current issues sites are facing and that Delrice Adams may have suggestions. Ms. Clarke suggested Youth Build programs downstate as they are in the emerging adult space, to which Director Heidi Meuller agreed and expressed confidence in the Youth Build program in Belleville. Director Meuller agreed to contact Youth Services Network in Rockford.
      Secretary Hou opened the floor for Board members to share updates. Ms. Wolff requested the Board take time in the meeting to discuss Cook County as a potential grantee. Secretary Hou confirmed that a letter of interest was received from Judge Toomin, and asked Peter Perry to provide updates. Mr. Perry provided a recap of his visit with Judge Toomin and Cook County stakeholders, explaining that Judges have expressed concerns about gun related cases and the need to try something different. Stakeholders acknowledge the success of the diversion program through Lurie Children's Hospital and Cook County Probation, and that Redeploy would be another option to revisit. Ms. Rueter added that she has not yet reached out to Judge Toomin and noted that Cook County has done two planning grants in the past. In response to a question from Judge George Timberlake, Ms. Wolff confirmed that Chief Judge Evans was also willing try Redeploy again.
   2. FY22 Grantmaking Process - Update
      Ms. Hughes added 3 additional counties have expressed interest in Redeploy, including Champaign County. Kankakee County also expressed interest, they are only eligible if they combine with Livingston County to apply as a circuit and round up their IDJJ commitments from 9.4 to 10. Ms. Hughes shared that Logan County was not eligible as a county or a circuit so she shared information about Redeploy Focused.
      Ms. Studzinski asked what action was needed. Ms. Rueter explained there is currently $1.7 Million in unobligated funds, which provides sufficient funding for a planning grant from every eligible county and would therefore also not be competitive. If there is level funding, it should be enough to fund programs that would potentially turn into full site. DHS could release planning grant NOFO a second time to see if folks are truly interested in going forward. State statute requires leftover funds first go to current funded sites. If the Board requests, DHS could have the planning grant NOFO out by May 1st, it would have to be posted for 30 days, then the grant would potentially be in place by June 1st. In response to question from Rick Velasquez, Ms. Rueter explained that the timeline described would only allow for 30 days to spend in FY21 and that planning grants would have to reapply at the start of FY22, July 1st.
      Motion: Ms. Wolff motioned to release non-competitive full site phase planning grant to begin in FY22 and eligible for continuation in future years. Ms. Studzinski seconded the motion.
      No opposition. 3 abstentions. Motion carried.
4. Data Work Group Update/recommendation/decisions
   1. Update on discussions regarding identification of a screen/assessment tool that would capture positive youth outcomes consistent with the new Redeploy Service
      Secretary Hou invited Ms. Rueter and Omar Jamil to present.
      Ms. Rueter provided the board with some background information. After the Board decided to turn it over to the Data Work Group to procure additional information, DHS staff asked them to not meet with Chapin Hall as requested as that would have made Chapin ineligible to apply for a funding if released. The work Group discussed possible options, including releasing a NOFO to create a new tool or to modify an existing one. Ms. Rueter suggested that staff first meet with the current provider, Orbis, to see if they may be able to make the requested modifications. DHS Staff met with Dave Robinson from Orbis and invited him to present to the Data Work Group and answer questions. Ms. Rueter invited Mr. Jamil to continue the update and share the proposal from the work group.
   2. Work Group recommendation to full Board
      Mr. Jamil provided a summary of the discussion with Mr. Robinson and the recommendation from the work group. Orbis is open to revising the YASI and can add subskills and new sections to align with the matrix and Positive Youth Development, moving away from a criminogenic focus altogether. This revision would also utilize Orbis' data platform and storage instead of eCornerstone. Orbis has recently added sections to the tool in North Carolina, which indicates it is something they are capable of. Mr. Jamil added that this is the direction the field is heading, there is empirical support and that they have validated and expanded before. The additional benefit being that IDJJ is interested in partnering on this and that the tool could be validated through RDI, IDJJ, and Aftercare.
      Ms. Rueter added that the revision could also mean a switch to Orbis' data platform instead of eCornerstone which would allow for regular and easier collection of data, a notable barrier with eCornerstone. Illinois is the only state out of twenty-five who does not use Orbis' data platform. If the Board is interested in this proposal, it would be considered updates to an existing system and could potentially be funded non-competitively. From the DHS perspective and service system as a whole, whatever tool is used could be adopted across youth services, like CCBYS. Ms. Rueter explained that in her most recent conversation with Mr. Robinson, he said that this could be done within a year and that they were ready to start as soon as an agreement is reached, which could be a couple months. It would cost $160,000 a year for max user licensure, trainings would be available for an additional cost. Ms. Rueter explained that Orbis would be open to bringing on consultants, on their own or that the Department or RIOB would make available, like Chapin Hall or Jeffrey Butts, to ensure an equity lens and expertise.
      Ms. Clarke asked how this would intersect with the Mobile Units being considered by IDJJ. Director Meuller explained that IDJJ was looking into ways to utilize a structured decision-making process that allows IDJJ to make placement decision at mobile intake and that the changes being discussed for the YASI would align. Additionally, that RDI, IDJJ, and community providers all using the same approach will allow for a meaningful comparison of outcomes.
      Ms. Wolff asked, with regard to consulting, where the court assessment would fit in. Ms. Rueter expressed that she does not presume to know the answer and that the court's instrument would still be the tool used to make the referral. Ms. Studzinski added that the court instrument would identify criminogenic needs and the RDI tool would complement probation, rather than one driving the other. Ms. Rueter suggested that the Board could have conversations about eligibility requirements. Ms. Wolff suggested it would be prudent to explain to the courts, including and especially those assigned to juvenile cases, what the distinction is between these instruments and what RDI and DJJ will do with them. Ms. Wolff expressed that the complication of this needs to be explained and supported and agreed to. We should also approach the Chief Judge with a memo on what the Board is working on, the timing, and the hope for an opportunity to speak with court and judges.
      Ms. Rueter requested permission to reach out to Orbis to have a conversation about what we are looking for and to request a proposal on what to consider. Mr. Velasquez asked if the intent was to have a unified YASI system across different agencies currently using the YASI, and if so, conversation and more planning is needed with those stakeholders (IDJJ, CCBYS, Youth Services, RDI etc.). Ms. Rueter agreed and added that data sharing agreements would be needed to track across systems.
      Judge Timberlake suggested the first motion should be to collaborate with those other system stakeholders, not individually talking to Orbis exclusively and that everyone needs to know what we're getting, how much it will cost and who is paying for it. Secretary Hou suggested concurrent efforts, including DHS staff beginning conversations with Orbis while conversations with stakeholders occur. Ms. Rueter suggested a motion to charge the Data Work Group, and other Board member volunteers, with convening stakeholders to determine scope.
      Motion: Ms. Studzinski called for a motion to charge the Data workgroup with convening a meeting to include representatives of IDJJ; DHS Youth Services and Redeploy Illinois to develop the scope of the request to ensure understanding and input from the various systems to ensure a collaborative effort. This scope, once approved, will be presented to ORBIS to prepare a response.
      Ms. Wolff moved approval. Director Meuller seconded the motion.
      No opposition. No abstentions. Motion carried.
      Secretary Hou turned the meeting over to Vice Chair, Anne Studzinski.
5. FY21 Unobligated funds update/discussion/decisions
   1. Review of FY21 expenditures; planned expenditures & remaining appropriation balance
      Ms. Studzinski recapped that there is $1.7 Million available in unobligated funds. As statute requires current sites must be contacted first to see if they could use any additional dollars this fiscal year, but that amount would likely be nominal.
   2. Discussion of possible funding opportunities
      Ms. Studzinski suggested potentially using some of the funds to improve statewide marketing efforts, and added that Mr. Velasquez previously suggested using the funds to make updates to the JMIS system. Mr. Velasquez added that thorough detention data is critical for Redeploy to see how detention is being used in the jurisdictions they fund. Updates to JMIS would need to involve detention centers and the AOIC, updated software, new programming, and ongoing technical assistance and training to ensure fidelity. Mr. Velasquez expressed it might be possible to start the work in this final quarter of FY 21 and continue the work over the next 12-18 months.
      Judge Timberlake indicated during a conversation about the importance of marketing. The Board has never had strategy that worked. There is a need for a coordinated and well-done strategy to reach people with no or negative knowledge of the program. Can funding be spent on a communications strategy? Karrie indicated that the Secretary is willing to use her communications team to help with this. DHS will need to get an opinion on if Redeploy funds can spent on this.
      Ms. Clarke suggested providing regional training and licensing for MST for sites, noting that assessments are important but do not help much if there are not evidence-based programs available. Judge Timberlake agreed, noting the exceptional barriers for southern region. Mr. Velasquez noted that DCFS and Child Welfare systems are moving towards a family first model and are creating an infrastructure for MST mechanism throughout the state, therefore it would be a better use of resources to collaborate with DCFS and build off of what they are doing. In response, Ms. Studzinski explained that it is not the role of the Board to tell the provider what to use and that staff turnover is in the nature of the program and should be accepted. If there is a provider with DCFS in the respective locale, then joint contracts would be possible. Ms. Studzinski suggested marketing efforts but at the site level.
      Mr. Velasquez added that in the recent site visits had challenges analyzing their RED data and that TTAS should be available for that. Ms. Rueter explained that provision of RED trainings was built into the most recent funding notice for the TTAS provider, which is up for competitive bid.
   3. Funding Decisions
      Ms. Rueter explained that the Board can give staff the ability to consider additional funding requests from existing sites, allowing an award increase up to a certain amount or percentage and presuming the requests do not exceed those limits, staff would not need to go back to the Board.
      Motion: Ms. Studzinski calls for a motion to give DHS staff the flexibility to approve requests from existing sites and to upgrade JMIS if that is in fact something that is feasible. Ms. Wolff added a condition: DHS staff share in writing to the Executive Committee any financial changes made.
      Paula Wolff moved approval under the condition DHS staff provide financial changes in writing to the Executive Committee. Judge Brandon Seconded the Motion.
      No Oppositions, No Abstentions. Motion Carried.
      Motion: Ms. Studzinski called for a motion to permit collaboration with the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission to update JMIS between now and the end of June 2021.
      Judge Timberlake moved approval. Judge Brandon seconded the motion.
      No opposition. 1 abstention. Motion carried. 
6. RIOB Planning Grant update/discussion/decision
   Due to time constraints, there was limited discussion around these topics. Sangamon and Lake County updates were shared via email after the meeting. Ms. Rueter mentioned there was interest in Planning Grant opportunities from eligible counties. The Planning Grant Funding Opportunity discussion was postponed until the June meeting.
7. FY21 Redeploy Program updates (received with handout)
   Ms. Studzinski requested an update on the Intensive Site Visits, asking if final reports would be ready for review by the June RIOB meeting. Ms. Hughes replied that staff was focusing on the recommendations from the site visits so they could be shared with local Redeploy teams to use while writing their FY22 Redeploy Applications. Final Site Visit reports will be written soon after and provided to Board members as soon as possible.
   Due to time constraints, there was no discussion on expenditures, commitments, and numbers served. This information was provided in a handout shared with Board members prior to the meeting. Board members know to contact DHS staff with questions.
8. Adjourn
   Ms. Rueter stated that the next RIOB meeting would have to be moved up to June 11, 2021 and a quorum will be necessary because Board members will need to make funding decisions for FY22. If there is no quorum in June, an emergency Executive Committee meeting will need to be called in ensure FY22 funding decisions are made in time to process FY22 Redeploy contracts.
   Meeting adjourned at 11:47am.