September 17, 2014 Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission

Audience

Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission Members and Staff. The public is welcome to attend.

Date/Time

September 17, 2014, 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.

Location

401 S Clinton
Chicago, IL

Call In:  888-494-4032 | Code:  5329547331#

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Committee & Project Updates
   1. DMC 
   2. JDAI
   3. Planning & Grants 
   4. Youth Advisory Board
4. Approval of Minutes
5. Motions to Consider
   1. Request for funding - IPCSA for Fall Conference
   2. Request for funding - RFK Children's Action Corps for Probation Review Project
   3. JABG RFP for January through June Projects
6. Strategic Planning Update
   Break
   
7. Detention Data Assessment Report
8. Presentation from Urban Life Skills
9. New Business
10. Public Comment
11. Adjournment

Minutes

1. Call to Order
   The meeting was called to order at 9:12am. 
2. Roll Call
   Commissioners: Rodney Ahitow, Julie Biehl, Jacqueline Bullard, Shelley Davis, George Hill, Toni Irving, Vice Chairman-Lisa Jacobs, Brendan Kelley, Patrick Nelson, Esther Franco-Payne, Michael Rodriguez, Ben Roe, Dana Weiner. Quorum established at 9:36am. Staff: Karima Douglas, Julie Stremlau, Rob Vickery, Monica Kelley, Donna Taylor, Dick Walsh, Ron Smith, Jeff Bradley. Guests: Erica Hughes, Jim Bray, Camille Taylor- Children and Families Practice Group, Susan Witkin, Kanoka Ishida and two gentlemen from Urban Life Skills.
3. Committee & Project Updates
   1. DMC
      Commissioner Franco-Payne gave the update for DMC. Public awareness was focus of last meeting. They discussed Town Hall meetings, Cool Kids, etc. They are planning a meeting with law enforcement officers to look at the public awareness factor, how we approach law enforcement to improve interactions. Commissioner Hill asked if the police are trained on DMC at Law Enforcement training events. The Department of Justice came to Chicago and worked with law enforcement on these issues. We want to partnership on their actions. Commissioners Davis and Biehl and Robert Vickery are volunteering to assist. When this is ready and established it could be a statewide group. DMC Coordinator, Karima Douglas gave the YMCA Law Enforcement project update. Karima and Executive Director Robert Vickery spoke with the officers and they are very excited about learning and working the issues of DMC. They continue to develop the toolkit. They are almost ready to send the data template out.
   2. JDAI
      JDAI Coordinator, Jeff Bradley gave the JDAI update. The self- assessment is going well. Peoria County is the next training scheduled. They will report back to the JDAI Committee. The measurements are not finalized at this time. Jail Removal seems to be a topic of interest. They haven't exactly determined the measures at this time but they work on all the principles. There is a JDAI committee motion to fund IPCSA Fall Conference. This will be reviewed later in the meeting. The Department of Juvenile Justice wants to be involved in the Transportation Study. Commissioner Hill does not believe this is our study. DJJ is overwhelmed by this issue and we will be too. Commissioner Hill believes we should not take part in this Study as it will become too cumbersome and we do not have the capability to suggest the changes that need to be addressed. If we do continue, our focus should be the Department of Juvenile Justices (DJJ).
      We need to have all our questions answered before we advance any further on this. Commissioner Ahitow voiced his concern with the number noted to be transferred; it was listed as over 700 kids. Commissioner Bullard agrees with Commissioner Ahitow. These kids may represent multiple trips. Commissioner Ahitow further stated that these transfers of youth must be a result of adult charges. Vice Chairman Jacobs noted that since the resolution will more than likely make the IJJC participate in this, we need to ensure we address the issues we have. It is imperative that DJJ participate in this study. Many Commissioners do not agree about our efforts in this study. Unless there has been a change in statutes, Commissioner Ahitow stated that transport is the responsibility of DOC/DJJ. Jeff added his overview of this upcoming report.
   3. Planning & Grants
      Vice Chairman Jacobs gave the update. She explained we are currently working through the budget and the new guidance on secure detention. A call was held with Robert Listenbee and there were many questions asked and answered about the process. Illinois is getting there. There was a meeting in August with a DOC monitoring unit to explain what they do and how they do it. This really helped with our goals in terms of compliance. We need to maximize that and enhance communication. We are modifying the 3 Year Plan this year as instructed in the Juvenile Justice call Robert Vickery participated in this week. The National Academy of Science items. There appears to be a decrease of focus on grants management and more on change. We anticipate getting the guidelines in December or January.
   4. Youth Advisory Board
      Robert Vickery gave the YAB update. He explained that in the packet, on page 8, there is an explanation of what the IJJC does and the responsibility of the youth Commissioners and their role on the YAB. ICOY continues to assist with the YAB. They continue to have ongoing discussions about what they are doing and what the IJJC wants them to do.
4. Approval of Minutes
   Commissioner Biehl motioned to approve the July 16th minutes. Commissioner Weiner seconded the motion. Minutes approved.
5. Motions to Consider
   1. Request for funding - IPCSA for Fall Conference
      There is a request for $2500 for the IPSCA conference Oct 29-31 in Champaign, IL. There will be two juvenile presentations. Commissioner Hill would like a conversation with probation and county government at the community level. Commissioner Biehl voiced her concerns on the mandatory 5 year and transfers being key issues we need to address. If we want to continue this relationship they need to give as well. Commissioner Biehl explained we don't want a presentation we want a discussion. The JDAI Committee and DJJ are to address the concerns with probation. Vice Chairman Jacobs motioned to approved. Committee motion, no second necessary. Motion approved.
   2. Request for funding - RFK Children's Action Corps for Probation Review Project
      They have requested $36,113 for travel from IJJC for five visits. The group discussed their concerns with this request and does not like paying for services, this is not our purpose. The idea is to move forward with a reduced amount and work toward the insight coordinator. We need to build a dialogue in the probation field. Commissioner Roe feels this can be very beneficial. We could get a lot of good information from this project. There needs to be a strategic plan as are we ready to act on the analysis we find. Commissioner Biehl believes we have other areas of focus and our funds are depleted. Commissioner Hill motioned to approve. Commissioner Bullard seconded. Commissioners Roe, Franco-Payne and Biehl abstained. Motion passed.
   3. JABG RFP for January through June Projects
      Given the amount we have spent down the RFP plan may be tabled. Planning and Grants will determine if we can deobligate those grantees who do not spend their funding. Commissioner Biehl moved to table the motion. Commissioner Roe seconded. Motion tabled.
6. Strategic Planning Update
   Robert Vickery gave the planning update and went over the current projects and the budgeted amounts.
   * Break
7. Detention Data Assessment Report
   Susan Witkin, Senior Research Program Coordinator from CPRD, presented the draft Detention Data Assessment Report. We have gathered the data and then will make it available for the public and committees. The Oregon model is the template we used. 2013 is the year and it includes the population of all youth in secure detention. She explained the various data categories and graphs. It indicates the changes in population over a five year period. Please note this is a draft and just a sample of the final report. Vice Chairman Jacobs thanked those that helped Susan and her staff with this report. The final report will be presented at the next meeting in November. Contact Rob Vickery if you would like to assist with the study.
8. Presentation from Urban Life Skills
   Presentation was made by Jonathon Greener of Urban Life Skills and Hector Escallara of Cook County Juvenile probation.
9. New Business
   None noted.
10. Public Comment
    None noted.
11. Adjournment
    Commissioner Weiner motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Ahitow seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 12:48pm.