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Minutes 07-28-10 MINUTES OF THE YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROJECT MEETING HELD ON JULY 28, 2010, AT 5:30 P.M. AT THE CAROLYN SIMS CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Jose Rodriguez, Chair Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director Frank Ireland Vickie Henderson Mary DeGraffenreidt Vinola Rada Nate Nichols Buck Buchanan Steve Waldman Doris Jackson ABSENT: Elsa Sanchez Sgt. Cannon Katrina Holder Retha Lowe I. Welcome and Opening Comments – Jose Rodriguez, Chairman Chair Rodriguez welcomed all to the meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m. II. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll as noted above. III. Introduction of Guests None. IV. Approval and/or additions to the Agenda – Jose Rodriguez Motion Mr. Buchanan moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was duly seconded and unanimously passed. 1 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, FL July 28, 2010 V. Approval and/or additions to the minutes of May 19, 2010 Chair Rodriguez proposed that the actions agreed to in the minutes be noted in an Action Item Report. Ms. DeGraffenreidt agreed to do so. Motion Chair Rodriguez passed the gavel and moved to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was duly seconded and unanimously passed. Chair Rodriguez resumed his position as Chair. VI. Chairman’s Comments Chair Rodriguez explained his comments would be made later in the meeting. VII. Old Business A. Program Marketing Chair Rodriguez announced he received many comments about the program. The public relations effort publicizing the program’s activities and accomplishments was phenomenal and the publicity was attracting people’s attention. He commented the program had always had many noteworthy accomplishments but no one knew about them and he expressed he was very proud of the program. Ms. DeGraffenreidt also advised they had received a great deal of positive feedback. Ms. Henderson reported staff had been able to disseminate information to the community via email and hard copy. The materials highlighted the different programs and they have been receiving numerous inquiries about them and how to get involved. Staff would be attending the Family Day event as would the providers and they would continue to market the program. Wally Majors, Recreation and Parks Director, gave kudos to Ms. Henderson for her efforts and insight regarding the program. VIII. New Business None. IX. Update YVPP A. YVPP Program Update (FDLE & FAA Grant update) Ms. Henderson received correspondence from Brenda Oakes of the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) advising their grant extension was approved to December 31, 2010 2 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, FL July 28, 2010 and the program would remain until then. The monies for the extension were funds from unused salaries and staff was working on obtaining free programming for three months. Staff also had to create some enhancement programs because there were no future funds for service providers. The FAA grant proposal staff submitted was denied because there was no approved source of future funding for the Youth Violence Prevention Program. Chair Rodriguez explained he also received a letter from them about next year's funding. The CJC was looking for the City to match Palm Beach County dollars. In the past, the City’s contribution was in-kind. The City Commission tentatively set aside funds on their “wish list” that could be used on a matching basis for the program. Even if the City was successful in allocating those funds for the program, there was no guarantee the County would be successful in its efforts. It was hoped that if the City made the commitment to do so, it would serve as an enticement for the County to continue its efforts to support the program. Mr. Majors advised staff would ask the providers to make some sacrifice and it would be fair to do so. The City was also awaiting word from the County to see if they would match a smaller amount; however, there were four Youth Violence Prevention Program Centers in the County. Mr. Majors anticipated he would not receive a commitment from the County for a few weeks. In the meanwhile, the County Commission and Criminal Justice Commission would receive the newsletter extolling the many accomplishments of the Boynton Center. Chair Rodriguez commented this situation arises each year and it could be an opportunity to shift the program funding from a pure grant to a line item in the City and the County budgets. Mr. Majors noted there were components within his department that were grant funded. He explained the Hooked on Fishing activity entered into an agreement with the City for the bait building so they would provide instructional and educational services to the City. Those were the types of partnerships and agreements the City would need to review more closely, especially when it comes to mentoring and counseling activities for this initiative. Ms. Henderson spoke about the Lifeguard Program. There were eight spots available that were filled through the program participants. The Palm Beach County Safety Council had funds to pay for driving permits and testing for a Driver’s Education Course. Staff would make an appointment to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles so the youth could take the test, once the participants studied for it. The youth would then have to take a 24-hour course. Mr. Majors reported there was an article in the paper about another drowning. Florida leads the nation in drowning and African Americans are three times more likely to drown. The City was taking an active role in addressing the matter. Generally, lifeguarding was not an attractive activity for minorities and City staff found in Boynton through the program that they have a wonderfully mixed class. There are six African Americans taking the course. They want to destroy the myth that African Americans cannot swim as good as Caucasian individuals. 3 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, FL July 28, 2010 B. Teen Council Ms. Henderson advised they held three Teen Council meetings and Mr. Ireland was assisting with the meetings because they were short staffed. Staff discussed Robert’s Rules with the members and Mr. Ireland would be taking the youth to a City Commission meeting to observe. The Advisory Boundary Committee was very structured regarding Robert’s Rules and they meet during the evening. It was suggested the members attend that meeting as well. The Teen Council meetings were recently postponed since nine of the youth were involved with the Work Skills program. The Drivers Education classes meet on Monday and Friday and the youth work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The remaining two youth were on vacation. Chair Rodriguez suggested before the Teen Council attended the meeting, that staff explain the proceedings ahead of time. Ms. Henderson distributed copies of the Rules Chair Rodriguez sent. The next City Commission meeting was Tuesday, August 3, 2010. The next Teen Council meeting would be held after school starts. Ms. Rada invited the teens to observe a South Florida Water Management District meeting, which meets during the day on August 12, 2010. It was noted the meeting took place in West Palm Beach and transportation could be an issue. Ms. Henderson agreed to check the calendar but noted the meeting may also fall on a day the youth would be working. C. Meeting BBHS Principal Mr. Majors advised he and Mr. Ireland had been unsuccessful in their efforts to meet with the principal although Mr. Majors spoke to some teachers about the program. Mr. Waldman indicated he knows the principal and he offered to get in touch with him. Mr. Majors, Chair Rodriguez, Sgt. Cannon and Ms. DeGraffenreidt wanted to meet with them about a program with the school and Youth Violence Prevention Project so when students acted, there would be an alternative to expulsion or suspension. Mr. Waldman advised he would go to the school the next day and would contact Mr. Majors with his results. Chair Rodriguez explained he received a call from the football coach who advised they need restroom facilities at the football games. He reported Boynton Beach was the only school in Palm Beach County that had one commode for the females and one for the males at the games and it caused problems. He requested assistance to address that. Chair Rodriguez commented he tried to return the call but the coach does not have voice mail and he agreed to keep the committee apprised. X. Member Comments Chair Rodriguez commented much of what he does is based on personal experience. He noted when he entered the building to attend the meeting he passed some of the youth working on a vehicle from the car restoration program. It was very difficult for him 4 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, FL July 28, 2010 to hold a conversation with the youth when he tried to engage them. He expressed the youth did not make eye contact with him and those were very important skills as it was necessary to properly greet someone and look them in the eye. There was discussion it was more of a cultural issue than a self-esteem matter. Chair Rodriguez emphasized it was important to acknowledge individuals. Mr. Ireland explained the youth needed to get to know the person. In some instances, looking at another person too long could end with a fight. The program dealt with many situations. The participants are at-risk youth and staff needs to redirect them in a positive direction. Ms. DeGraffenreidt saw the youth everyday and it was a task. She acknowledged that one would think the youth would stop and look up when she was there, but they do not. Staff tries to mentor, mold and redirect negative energies of the youth. Nate Nichols suggested socialization skills development be taught, which the youth may not have or receive at home. He indicated there was opportunity to develop those skills and the youth were looking for adult-child relationships. Specific socialization skills development courses were available and he recommended the Board tap into programs that were evidence-based such as Prime Time. Prime Time has enhancements available that could support the effort. Chair Rodriguez expressed the Board had an obligation to raise the bar for the youth. Ms. DeGraffenreidt pointed out when the youth enter the building, they have to have trust and they have to overcome the barriers. She noted she and Mr. Ireland were more mentors than employees to the youth but the youth had to open up to staff so they could understand what the child was going through. One youth expressed he was happy to come to the center. He realized staff would stand by the rules and he continued to attend. Mr. Majors reported since the program began, the level of vandalism has dropped. The pool used to be vandalized daily but that ceased although they had a bit of trouble with the playground. He commented he needed the historical information to make a comparison but it was amazing what providing structure to youth has done. Ms. Henderson commented the youth indicated it was about the relationship. One youth was troubled and expressed he wanted a way out. He was not in school. She contacted the Job Corps and would be meeting with the child’s mother to discuss that option with her. The youth explained he thinks he could make it there. It was important that providers talk to the youth and develop a bond. Mr. Majors recited his experience with a participant and emphasized race was not the basis for the relationship in the program. Ms. Jackson agreed the youth have to adjust and they have to understand how important the program materials are. They may not recognize its value right now, but they would in the future. The purpose of life skills was to teach them how to act in the community. The youth will not be in the program forever. Ms. DeGraffenreidt agreed the skills were necessary and they would meet with the providers next week to emphasize the importance of adding the skills to their 5 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Project Boynton Beach, FL July 28, 2010 curriculum and talking to the youth. The skill was something they expected from the youth. Chair Rodriguez inquired about the Florida Community Alliance presentation made at the last meeting. Mr. Majors responded they have a Memorandum of Understanding with them and they were working with Ms. King from the Alliance at the Hester Center. Ms. Henderson announced they have 196 registered participants and 125 of them participated in ten programs offered at the Center. Mr. Waldman requested newsletters be sent to Sherri Claude for distribution to the Education and Youth Advisory Committee members. He further requested they be added to the mailing list. Mr. Nichols explained Prime Time has a website and suggested learning if there was a way to hyperlink or distribute the newsletter to the Board. XI. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 6:18 p.m. ~itili.J,K; ~ LUulJ Catherine Cherry 0 Recording Secretary 080910 6