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Minutes 09-15-10 MINUTES OF THE YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROJECT MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2010, AT 5:30 P.M. AT THE CAROLYN SIMS CENTER, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Jose Rodriguez, Chair Frank Ireland Vickie Henderson Mary DeGraffenreidt Vinola Rada (arrived at 5:58 p.rn.) Sgt. Cannon (On Duty) Gertrude Sullivan ABSENT: Buck Buchanan Steve Waldman Doris Jackson Elsa Sanchez Katrina Holder Retha Lowe Nate Nichols I. Welcome and Opening Comments - Jose Rodriguez, Chair Chair Rodriguez called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. and welcomed those who were present. II. Roll Call - Recording Secretary Roll call was taken as noted above. III. Introduction of Guest Michael Low, Deputy Director of Utilities and volunteer at the Sims Center was present to observe. IV. Approval and/or additions to the Agenda The Chair recalled the social skill sets training had been an action item. He wanted some type of tracking to be done and the action items added to each agenda. It was agreed the social skill sets would be added under Old Business. 1 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Program Boynton Beach, FL September 15, 2010 Motion Ms. Sullivan moved to approve. Ms. DeGraffenreidt seconded the motion. The motion passed. V. Approval and/or additions to the Minutes of July 28,2010 No changes were made. Motion Ms. Sullivan moved to approve. Mr. Ireland seconded the motion. The motion passed. VI. Chairman's Comments Chair Rodriguez reported there was $75,000 in the City's budget for the program in hopes the County would match the funding for a total $150,000. If necessary, a scaled- down program could be established with the $75,000 from the City, if the County decided not to contribute. Chair Rodriguez had attended a meeting and Chief Immler had done a presentation to assist and encourage funding. It was a good meeting and the invitation was based on the excellent program that the staff had developed. The Juvenile Justice Commission supported the Boynton Beach Program and West Palm Beach Program as the premier projects. West Palm Beach has two centers. VII. Old Business A. Meeting with BBHS Principal by Steve Waldman Mr. Waldman had notified staff he would be unable to attend. Chair Rodriguez suggested staff follow up with Mr. Waldman on the status of the meeting with the Principal. Ms. Sullivan thought the Principal would be cooperative. B. Social Skill sets. Ms. Henderson had talked with Richard Petty from the life skill program to incorporate a social skills component. Nate Nichols was also consulted for any recommendations. Ms. Henderson would be attending a networking workshop with Prime Time organization for the "Lights On After School" program that had multiple service providers. She hoped some free services in the area of social skills could be found at the event. Chair Rodriguez had been admonished at one point that the YVPP should do more networking for free services. Ms. Henderson advised Prime Time held monthly meetings and they would conduct a Quality Improvement Services (QIS) assessment of the 2 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Program Boynton Beach, FL September 15, 2010 overall Youth Empowerment Center to determine how they could improve the existing programs to utilize their service providers who are paid through Prime Time. The services would be free to the Youth Empowerment Center. Future updates on the progress should be given at the meetings. VIII. New Business There was an inquiry about the status of the Youth Council. It was reported an extension had been received for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) funding to December 31, 2010. New staff would be able to assist with the program reports to fulfill Juvenile Justice Commission reporting requirements. The Youth Council had not been meeting. Mr. Ireland had been working with the Council and reported while school was out the meetings had been suspended. Ms. Henderson advised some programs had been approved by the City Manager involving teen participation with the City. IX. YVPP Update A. YVPP Funding Extension The funding had been extended to December 31,2010 and if the budgeted monies had not been extended by the end of the year a second extension could be requested. With the $75,000 from the City available on October 1, 2010, there would be two budgets. Chair Rodriguez added there would be a third budget for in-kind services. If funds from the County would be approved a fourth budget would be available. It appeared the Center and programs would be fully funded for the next year. B. OJJDP Youth Gang Prevention Grant approval Approval was received for the Youth Gang grant that had been applied for in May, 2010. The $324,000 would be split over five centers. Offering more life skills and mentoring programs may result in a greater share of the funding. Some restructuring would be necessary because the logic model would have to look like the Boys and Girls Club program. c. New Staff Pamela Sawyer would be starting on the September 2ih. She would be assisting with administrative duties including program reports and reimbursement claims. There would remain an opening for the Teen Council coordinator. Recruiting had taken place, applications were received and Human Resources had to setup interviews. The part- time position would pay $17 an hour. There were only six applicants. (Vinola Rada arrived at 5:58 p.rn.) 3 Meeting Minutes Youth Violence Prevention Program Boynton Beach, FL September 15, 2010 Chair Rodriguez was concerned the Teen Council had been neglected and needed more attention. Since school had commenced more effort should be expended to get the Council reorganized. X. Members Comments Ms. Rada was given an update on the funding previously discussed. Mr. Low gave a report on work skills. There is $10,000 in the program. The Amercian Public Works Association, who donated $6,000, sent a report to the State organization and received many accolades. He was hopeful the funding would be repeated. Ms. DeGraffenreidt had worked with the organizer of the Success Teen program working on social skills for girls to learn how to conduct themselves in a professional setting. Chair Rodriguez commented the presentation before the Commission should be created by the youth with statistics on the Youth Empowerment Center and the programs offered. It had been done in October last year. Ms. Sullivan announced there would be a cleanup on September 25th and volunteers of all ages would be helpful. They should report at 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the 25th on MLK. There would assistance from the Community Development Center (CDC) and Habitat for Humanity. Ms. Sullivan indicated a cleanup would be done once a month along MLK. Chair Rodriguez noted cooperation with the tenants and home or business owners along MLK would alleviate the need for the cleanups. Mr. Livergood, Director of Public Works and Engineering would be contacted to supply more garbage bags, rakes and vests. Chair Rodriguez suggested Waste Management may have conservation items that could be donated to assist also. He would assist with the possibility of getting t-shirts for the participants. XI. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 6:05 p.m. udijh A. PYle't Deputy City Clerk 4