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Minutes 10-01-08 MINUTES OF THE YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROJECT MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 1, 2008, AT 5:30 P.M. AT THE CAROLYN SIMS CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Stacey Robinson, Youth Violence Prevention Program Coordinator Lt. Kelly Harris, Boynton Beach Police Department Sgt. Suzanne Gitto, Boynton Beach Police Department Buck Buchanan, Boynton Chamber of Commerce Nate Nichols, Deputy Director, Children’s Services Council, Palm Beach County Kathleen Perry, Palm Beach County School District Vinola Rada, Non-Voting Member Vickie Henderson, Teen Project Specialist ABSENT: Jose Rodriguez, Chair Carly Norsesian, Membership Development, YMCA Jim Kidd, President, South Tech Academy Erin McClosky/Robin Johnson, Palm Beach Community College Laura Elena Santos, LaPalma News Elivio Serrano, Vice President, Programs, United Way of Palm Beach County Robert Taylor, CFO, Bethesda Memorial Hospital ALSO PRESENT: Sgt. Gladys Cannon I. Welcome and Opening Comments – Jose Rodriguez, Chairman Chair Rodriguez was unable to attend. Ms. Robinson welcomed all and called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Funding would not be discussed, as outcome measures had only been received this date from the service providers. Ms. Perry would serve as Chair. II. Roll Call – Recording Secretary The Recording Secretary called the roll. III. Introduction of Guests None. 1 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida October 1, 2008 IV. Approval and/or Additions to the Agenda Motion Ms. Robinson moved to approve the agenda as presented. Lt. Harris seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Following the motion, Ms. Robinson noted she wished to address, under “New Business,” unresolved issues with Mad Dads, a service provider at the Youth Empowerment Center. Motion Ms. Robinson moved to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Nichols seconded the motion that passed unanimously. V. Approval and/or Additions to the Minutes of Wednesday, August 6, 2008 Motion Lt. Harris moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Perry seconded the motion that passed unanimously. VI. Chairman’s Comments None VII. Old Business A.Steering Committee – Stacey Robinson Ms. Robinson reported work was in progress with regard to combining the Executive and Steering Committees. It was noted once the Committees had been combined, certain members would no longer be serving on the Executive Committee. VIII. New Business A.Update on Teen Council Meetings, Program Recommendations and Fall Events – Vickie Henderson Ms. Henderson reported the members of the Teen Council had selected the logo and rules for the Boynton Beach Youth Empowerment Center. This provided an opportunity 2 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida October 1, 2008 for the Teen Council to display their leadership abilities. Ms. Henderson circulated a copy of the rules posted at the Center which were being enforced by the Teen Council. T-shirts featuring the Center’s logo would be received next month. A retreat was scheduled for December to assist the Teen Council in further developing their leadership skills. In order to participate in the retreat, Council members were required to improve their grades, provide progress reports and report cards, and ensure no new charges were issued. Six new programmers had requested funding and, to date, three had been interviewed. The remaining three would be interviewed during the next Council meeting. The Council had been meeting monthly; however, in order to accommodate a heavy agenda, the Council determined it was necessary to meet bi-weekly. The last meeting was well attended. Ms. Robinson noted it was the intent to have the Teen Council serve as the Steering Committee from the Center, with matters brought before the Executive Board for final determination. Ms. Henderson noted more boys than girls served on the Teen Council. Officers would be elected in November or December. Ms. Robinson would arrange for Council members to attend Executive Committee meetings in order to discuss the numerous programs offered at the Center. The Flag Football Team had been featured on Fox Television in a segment presented by Suzanne Boyd. A DVD of the event would be viewed at the next meeting. B.2008-2009 Interlocal Agreement with the County – Sgt. Gitto Sgt. Gitto reported the Interlocal Agreement with the County was approved by the City Commission on September 18, 2006 and would be presented to the County for approval on October 23, 2008. The agreement provided funding for the Youth Violence Prevention Project in the amount of $285,000. D. Mad Dads (Taken out of order) Ms. Robinson noted issues with Mad Dads had surfaced many months ago which remained unresolved. In addition to reporting problems and programming issues, for a period of three months, Ms. Robinson attempted to obtain a list and location of the capital assets purchased, which were required to be tagged for the County. Ms. Robinson noted she had prepared a certified letter a month ago to be sent to Mad Dads, but did not mail the letter in the hopes of resolving the issues. She believed Mad Dads provided a viable program that was beneficial to the Center’s youth. Lt. Harris 3 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida October 1, 2008 and Sgt. Gitto had also attempted to resolve the issues, and Ms. Robinson met with the Assistant to the City Manager as well. Ms. Robinson requested Mad Dads provide the list and location of capital assets by Friday. If the deadline was not honored, Ms. Robinson recommended Mad Dads’ Interlocal Agreement with the City be revoked and their contract cancelled. She advised that although she had received Mad Dads’ outcome measures this date, other issues had been ongoing for a protracted period of time. Ms. Robinson pointed out that at the time Mad Dads submitted their proposal for funding, all of the requirements were fully set forth in the Interlocal Agreement. The question was raised as to whether an interim period could be provided before the Agreements were cancelled. Ms. Robinson stressed she had attempted to work with Mad Dads for some time in order to resolve the issues. Mad Dads, however, had not complied. Mad Dads was advised in meetings that if the Interlocal Agreement was revoked, they would have five days within which to turn over the assets to the County. Ms. Perry recommended an official letter be sent to Mad Dads with regard to the issue. Motion Sgt. Gitto moved that if Mad Dads has not responded to Ms. Robinson’s request by Friday, funding be suspended and a letter be sent to them outlining all the meetings and discussions, and the reason for the termination. Mr. Nichols seconded the motion that passed unanimously. C.Building School Relationships – Sgt. Cannon Sgt. Cannon had been developing the school component of the program and cultivating relationships with academic advisors, principals, teachers and students. She thanked Ms. Perry for laying the foundation for the program. Members of the Police Department also met with faculty and staff at the Boynton Beach Community High School, Poinciana Elementary, Odyssey Middle and Congress Community Middle Schools to ensure improved relationships. Sgt. Cannon assisted students with homework and in preparing for Florida’s Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). The children were responding to the program, and were eager to provide the police officers with their progress reports. Grades had improved and students were beginning to participate in sports activities. Some of the students assisted the Detective Bureau in solving cases involving juveniles. It was important a trusting relationship existed between the students and police officers. It was noted Sgt. Cannon and Officer Kellman were involved in the Juvenile First Offender Program. Ms. Robinson noted young offenders, while visiting the Youth 4 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, Florida October 1, 2008 Empowerment Center, had often expressed joy and bewilderment with regard to the diverse population participating in the various programs. The school-police program positively influenced the youngsters and all agreed Sgt. Cannon was an asset to the program. Ms. Perry pointed out the School District was desirous of working with the Youth Violence Prevention Project. She was unaware of whether the Superintendent had intended to expand the program that allowed students to avoid suspension if they participated in Alternative-to-Suspension programs. Ms. Robinson noted the Youth Empowerment Center elected to provide a Drop-Sack-In program as an alternative to suspension. The program was also open to individuals up to the age of 21, allowing them to return to school and obtain their diplomas. Ms. Perry believed a number of students began experiencing difficulties as far back as the sixth grade, and several had not attended high school. Additionally, many students had "aged out" by the time they reached the ninth grade. Absenteeism and suspensions caused students to fail classes, fall behind or be suspended. Ms. Robinson pointed out the Alternative-to-Suspension programs were provided for first-time or second-time offenders and as such, would likely not assist the Center's youngsters. Sgt. Cannon was instrumental in determining and resolving many of the reasons for chronic suspensions. Sgt. Cannon was commended for her fine work. IX. Member comments None X. Guest Comments None. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 6:06 p.m. ~~~-,-'- 5:) ~ Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 101508 5