Advisory Board MeetingAugust 7, 2008
Board Members Present: Judge Lisa Borges, Michael Wallman, Kevin Murray, Proxy for Sheriff Anderson; Ryan Vaughn, David Wyser, Proxy for Prosecutor Brizzi; Christina Trexler, Margaret Payne, Dale Buwalda, William Carr, Robert Hill, Les Duvall,
Board Members Absent: Judge William Young, Natalie Wolfe, Pastor Adrienne Holmes, Judge Marilyn Moores, Zach Main, Christine Kerl, Mayor Ballard, Dennis Bender,
Others Present: John Deiter MCCC; Patty Montgomery, MCCC; Chuck Eid, MCCC; Tiffany Clark, MCCC; Jennifer Deiter, MCCC; Ashley Black, MCCC; Denice Smith, MCCC; Chris Collins, MCCC; Mike Brown, MCCC; Fred Coan, MCCC; Christy Smeehuyzen, MCCC; John Fisher, MCCC; Chuck Coleman, NESCO; Chip Gibson, NESCO; Tim Campbell, VOA; Josh Gross, MCCC;
With a quorum present Judge Borges called the meeting to order at 12:10pm.
Approval of Board Minutes from June 5, 2008 Judge Lisa Borges asked for a motion to approve the Board minutes taken on the meeting held on June 5, 2008.
The motion was moved and seconded and the Board minutes from the June 5, 2008 meeting were approved.
Approval of Board Minutes from July 7, 2008 Judge Lisa Borges asked for a motion to approve the Board minutes taken on the meeting held on July 7, 2008.
The motion was moved and seconded and the Board minutes from the July 7, 2008 meeting were approved.
Discussion of Duties of an Executive Director Judge Borges opened discussion from the Board for a document for duties of an executive director. It was brought to the attention of Judge Borges, that a committee should be formed to discuss and come up with a written draft for the position of an executive director. The Board would like to review this and then discuss the document at the next Advisory Board meeting.
Judge Borges then asked for a motion to form a committee to discuss the duties of an executive director for Marion County Community Corrections.
The motion was moved and seconded and a committee consisting of members Judge William Young, Robert Hill, Christina Trexler, Dale Buwalda, and Kevin Murray was formed to draft a document for the duties of an executive director.
Judge Borges then informed the committee that Judge Young would like to have another Board meeting on the 4th of September.
Judge Borges asked for a motion to approve a meeting of the Advisory Board on Thursday, September 4, 2008.
The motion was moved and seconded and the next meeting of the Advisory Board for Marion County Community Corrections will be on Thursday, September 4, 2008.
Judge Borges then introduced Mike Brown to speak.
Observations, Reflections, and AccomplishmentsMike Brown began speaking about the Technical Assistance Report completed in July 2007. This report was funded by the National Institute of Corrections Technical Assistance. The Institute is a Federal agency that was established to provide assistance to strengthen state and local correctional agencies by creating more effective, human, safe, and just correctional services. Mike Brown informed the Board that he was Director of Community Correction for the Department of Correction for fifteen (15) years, retiring three (3) years ago. After retiring, he worked on the project here in Marion County. Mike is also working on projects in Texas and Nebraska.
Mike spoke about mission creep. Mike stated that mission creep is what happens when an agency begins to do things that they were never designed to do. Mike referred to the Annex as an example of mission creep. Mike said that after an observation of the Annex, it was in essence an extension of the Marion County Jail and not a diversion program. The Annex is helpful to the County but the Annex has diverted Community Corrections attention from its core mission which is diversion from jail.
Mike said that several agencies and individuals were interviewed for the Technical Assistance Report. Community Corrections received some positive comments from those who were interviewed, but agencies that worked closely with Community Corrections on a day to day basis, voiced some frustrations with Marion County Community Corrections. Those who were critical of Marion County Community Corrections cited communication and coordination as poor and that the agency is disorganized.
Mike said another short coming in Marion County Community Corrections is data. Informer, which is the case management system, is not being utilized to its full potential. Informer is only partially available to Community Corrections, in comparison to probation department’s use of Informer. Mike stated that he and John Deiter have been working closely with Mark Rodriquez of PBS (Paperless Business Solutions) to bring the case management system (Informer) up to date.
Mike said that the electronic version of the LSI-R (Level of Service Inventory Revised) is about to be used in Probation and Community Corrections. Mike stated that the use of this tool is an accomplishment for Marion County Community Corrections. The LSI-R is an assessment tool of the risk and needs of offenders. The LSI-R is used through out the world. Mike said that by using the LSI-R we may find that there are individuals who may be a high risk. These individuals could be at Duvall Residential Center. A low risk offender that is in the Duvall Residential Center could be on Home Detention or another Community Corrections program. Mike said that Community Corrections has contracted with University of Cincinnati to train individuals both from probation and community corrections on using the LSI-R. This training is no cost to the agency.
Mike said that he and John have been working with other agencies to try and find ways to help staff at Community Corrections receive training at little or no cost to the agency. Mike said that he and John Deiter have been working with Department of Correction and DOC has agreed to let home detention officers have limited access to training of officers at their Professional Training Institute in New Castle.
Mike stated that Community Corrections has been in touch with Rebecca Swope of the Controller’s Office in an attempt to get a grant for the training of case managers. The training would be for the development of case plans for their clients. Mike said that after the LSI-R is completed, each individual needs to work with their officer, on a plan that will assist them with their problems.
Mike then stated that he was contracted with Marion County Community Corrections to focus on Evidence Based Practices. Mike said that after about forty five (45) days of working with Community Corrections he went to then Director, Brian Barton. Mike informed Brian that they may have been little bit progressive in their hopes. Mike said that Community Corrections needed to look at their organizational structure and process issues. Mike said that he provided a three hour training of staff on Evidence Based Practices. This is the direction the agency is choosing to go, and the direction Department of Corrections is demanding that Community Corrections goes.
Judge Borges then asked if there were any questions for Mike Brown.
With no questions, Judge Borges asked if there was any old business before the Board.
No old business was brought before the Board.
Judge Borges then introduced John Deiter, Interim Director, of Marion County Community Corrections.
John told the Board that he is appreciative of being able to serve as Interim Director. John Deiter said that he has had the opportunity to look at Community Corrections goals and help redefine some of the things that Community Corrections has been doing. John says training has been an issue and communication within Community Corrections is a problem. John said staff is spread between three (3) locations. Being spread out makes it difficult for staff to sit down and have conversations as to what issues need to be tackled. John said at the next Board meeting he would like to present to the Board where Community Corrections is now, and the direction Community Corrections is going.
Judge Borges then asked the Board it they had any question for John.
No questions were asked of John.
Judge Borges then asked the Board if there was any old business that needed to be addressed.
With no old business to address, Judge Borges informed the Board that there was some new business to address.
New BusinessJudge Borges then stated that there is a contract issue with G4S who is the provider of Marion County Community Corrections home detention and GPS equipment.
John Deiter stated that Marion County Community Corrections missed the renewal date of the contract with G4S. The contract expired on August 1, 2008. John Deiter then introduced Drew Carlson, the legal representative, for Marion County Community Corrections.
Drew stated that the length of the contract was from August 3, 2006 to August 2, 2008. Drew stated past director, Brian Barton, resigned before any decision was made as to whether to renew the contract with G4S, or go out to competition with other vendors. Drew stated that the contract is between the Marion County Advisory Board and G4S. Drew said that in his opinion the Board could approve the contract for six (6) months and then go out to bid with other vendors. If the Board approved the contract the date of the contract would be from August 3, 2008 to February 2, 2009.
Question and answers ensued.
A motion was made by the Board to approve the G4S contract for six (6) months.
The motion was moved and seconded and the G4S contract was approved.
Judge Borges asked if there was any further business for the Board.
With no further business, the Board meeting was adjourned at 12:40pm.