Marion County Community Corrections Advisory Board MeetingJune 24, 2009
Board Members Present: Judge Lisa Borges, Scott Newman, Proxy for Mayor Ballard, David Wyser, Proxy for Prosecutor Brizzi; Dennis Bender, Dale Buwalda, Meshell Chapman, Robert Hill; Christina Kerl, Judge Salinas, Natalie Wolfe, Major Eva Talley-Sanders, Proxy for Sheriff Anderson, D. Michael Wallman, Judge Barbara Collins, Ryan Vaughn.
Board Members Absent: Judge Marilyn Moores, Christina Trexler, William Carr, Margaret Payne, Cathy Boggs.
With a quorum present Judge Borges called the meeting to order at 12:04 pm.
Approval of Board Minutes from April 16, 2009
Judge Lisa Borges asked for a motion to approve the Board minutes.
The motion was moved and seconded and the Advisory Board minutes from April, 2009 were approved.
Consideration for Approval: Amended Contract- Indianapolis Urban League
Board members participated in an active discussion with Mr. Joe Slash of the Indianapolis Urban League and Mr. Tom Marendt, of MCCC. At issue was a discrepancy on whether the Urban League should be paid on a monthly basis or on a per participant-per day basis.
A motion was made to allow the Executive Committee to meet at a future date, make a determination, and resolve the dispute up to an amount of $70,000. The Board voted and agreed to give the Executive Committee the authority to make a decision and further agreed to ratify that decision at the next meeting of the Advisory Board.
The meeting of the Executive Committee was called for July 6th at 8:00am with the location to be announced.
Consideration for Approval: Contracts
PACE/OAR Tiffany Wilson, Contract Manager with MCCC, explained that PACE/OAR will provide 17 hours of services, in-house at Duvall Residential Center, for Duvall residents. Residents will participate in a Job Readiness Workshop that includes goal setting, career planning, skill identification, job search, completing an application, developing a quality resume, communicating with employers about a felony conviction, interviewing skills, mock interviewing with HR professionals, developing a support system and developing healthy coping skills for job retention. Term is July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. The contract is for $40,000 paid in 12 monthly installments.
Questions and answers ensued. A motion was made and seconded to approve the contract. The board voted to approve the contract with PACE/OAR.
Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis (MHAGI) provides a part-time employee, 20 hours per week, to assist with the referral and screening portion of the Mental Health Component. MHAGI is responsible for collecting and organizing referral information, for obtaining a Release of Information on all referrals, for obtaining appropriate medical/psychological records, and for obtaining the initial treatment plan from the mental health provider. In addition, MHAGI conducts weekly Mental Health Component screening meetings, the purpose of which is to screen referred offenders for participation in the Mental Health Component. Term is July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. The contract is for $20,750.04 paid in 12 monthly installments.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the contract. The board voted to approve the contract with MHAGI.
Volunteers of America Theodora House provides services for up to 32 female offenders including Substance Abuse treatment, Anger Management, Life Skills, GED, Leadership Group, and family and individual counseling. Aftercare programming is offered by a home based counselor one year post discharge from VOA. Family recreational activities, including summer camp for the kids, graduated visitation, and suite stays for mothers and their children are part of the program at Theodora House. Theodora House residents are responsible for their own transportation and medical expenses. Three meals per day are provided by VOA, for the residents. Term is July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. The contract is for and amount not to exceed $254,193.30. The contract is paid per participant/ per day, based on the assignment within VOA. Empty beds are charged at the lowest rate.
Questions and answers ensued. A motion was made and seconded to approve the contract. The board voted to approve the contract with VOA.
Riverside Community Corrections Riverside Residential Facility is a work release program for male offenders. They provide a total of 105 beds split between general population, Community Transition Program and the Mental Health Component (including 2 stabilization beds). Riverside provides in-house individual and group programs to assist the residents with employment searches, financial planning, social adjustment, and behavioral modification. Referrals can be made for several needs including substance abuse, family services, education, and other specialized areas. Term is July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. The contract is for an amount not to exceed $723,247.50. The contract is paid per participant/ per day, based on the assignment within Riverside. Empty beds are charged at the lowest rate.
Questions and answers ensued. A motion was made and seconded to approve the contract. The board voted to approve the contract with Riverside.
John P. Craine House, Inc. The John P. Craine House, Inc. is a non-profit organization serving up to 6 non-violent female offenders and their pre-school aged children, ages 5 and under. Children reside with their mothers at Craine House, a home-like setting. Services provided include: GED, Substance Abuse programming provided by Fairbanks, Parenting, Life Skills, and Anger Management. Depending on age, children may engage in counseling with their mother during the parenting education program. Craine House residents are responsible for their own transportation, medical expenses, daycare expenses, and food expenses. Term is July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. The contract is for an amount not to exceed $87,906.60. The contract is paid per participant/ per day.
Questions and answers ensued. A motion was made and seconded to approve the contract. The board voted to approve the contract with Craine House.
Michael Brown Contractor shall conduct duties as the Director of the Duvall Residential Center. As director, Michael Brown shall assist the Advisory Board in establishing policies and procedures and direct the day to day operation of the Duvall Residential Center. Term is July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 and terminates the current contract which was set to end in September. The contract is for an 11 month work period in order to compensate for holiday and benefit leave. The contract is for $60,900.00.
Questions and answers ensued. A motion was made and seconded to approve the contract. The board voted to approve the contract with Michael Brown.
RFP Tom Marendt explained that a Request for Proposals went out for educational and life skills programming. The response was not as expected, so the proposals have all been rejected. Mr. Marendt would like to start from the beginning and draw another RFP.
New BusinessJudge Borges asked if there was any new business before the Board.
Tom Marendt presented on the JAG grant with funding to come mid-July. 60 days after funding is received, programs are required to be in place. As such, the Advisory Board meeting should be moved forward to August 20th.
Judge Borges welcomed Mark Contestabile from Sentinel Offender Services. Mr. Contestabile remarked on the ongoing investigation by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office of a Sentinel Offender Services, LLC employee charged with official misconduct and an alleged rape on MCCC property. He offered his full cooperation and indicated that changes are being made to prevent any similar situations going forward. Mr. Marendt indicated that MCCC was also making continuing changes to do everything possible to ensure safety.
Questions and answers ensued.
Old BusinessTom Marendt presented the only item of Old Business. On April 30th, a letter was sent to the owners of the Annex building (147 E. Maryland St) giving 12 month notice of intent to terminate the lease. He indicated that the letter should come from the Board and be signed by its chair. The content of the letter originally sent would be the same. Members of the Annex Committee commented as well. A motion was made to authorize an appraisal of the building, as the option of purchasing the building remains. A vote was taken and the motion passed. A motion was also made to approve the decision made by the Annex Committee and authorize Judge Borges to author a letter indicating intent to terminate the lease. A vote was taken and the motion passed.
With no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:00 pm.