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CSC Minutes 04/05/1991 Children ' s Services Council of Collier County Minutes/Transcripts April 5 , 1991 AMMIIIMMMIW `�s k,vv�a•il O a\ �O elr "Children... Today's Drum - Tomorrow's Rcality" z ® mi GRAND CENTRAL STATION•SUITE 366 GOODLETTE ROAD,NAPLES,FLORIDA 33940 °O U Q TEI:(813)649.8422 OFFKLRi Cho man Ike Harper vice Gnome* bawd Shanahan • k« „T«et The Children's Services Council of Collier County Mani Asn wmFddc Meeting of April 5, 1991 COUNCIL Mii m MINUTES Adsc Ted groomed Awns ` CdanGG Oey Council Members Present: Council Members Absent ry Nelson A WWI,I. Levan Gaynor John Passidomo Delores G. Dry 1ohn°1"idomo Robert Ritz 1 a Thomas Way • Alma Cambridge Richard Shanahan Luanne DONICTOR PsiC Aron Bea Harper Nelson Faerber, Jr. Mary Ellen zumFelde • Lavern Gaynor • Ted Brousseau • A meeting of the Children's Services Council was held on Friday April 5, 1991 at the 9:00 AM, Collier County School Board Room. The meeting was chaired by Bea Harper, chairman. The minutes of the previous meeting held March 1, 1991 were approved as presented. Immokalee Outreach Meeting: Paul Pinson, executive director, re- ported on the March 14, 1991 Immokalee Outreach Meeting. • • Ballot Selection: As was reported in the past, it was the decision of the Board to go with the traditional ballot and they would try and select the March ballot. It was discussed as a favorable alternative beyond the traditional ballot route to research and ascertain whether or not the mail ballot would be a suitable way to go. It was felt that the Needs Assessment was an issue that should, in fact, be strong enough to stand on its own merits and so the selection of a mail ballot route was a very viable alternative in the minds of this particular group. Calendar Update: Mr. Pinson reported that: The Council will appear before the Board of Commissioners regard- ing the proclamation of April as Child Abuse Month. April 9. The five students who attended the Child Advocate Con- ference sponsored by the Florida Center For Children & Youth Tallahassee, will appear on the Susan McKinsey Outlook Program. Student attendance at the Conference was sponsored by the Naples Alliance For Children. April 10. The Council will be involved in a Community Forum meeting. April 20. The Council will play co-host with Collier County Parks & Recreation and WINK TV for Kids Sake Day. April 23. The date set for the Naples Alliance For Children third annual Child Advocate Award Dinner. June 8: The Council will host a conference for board members and ex- cutive staff of private social service and civic agencies at Trinity-By- The-Cove. Solicitation of Funds: Mark Price reported that after completely re- searching the Act he concluded as a purely legal matter that he did not believe the Council was, in fact, subject to the Act; that the Council would fall under one of the exceptions as a government entity. He also reported that as a practical matter, financial reports be made available upon request from potential donors. Needs Assessment Study: After discussion, a motion was made by Richard Shanahan to approve and sign the Needs Assessment Study contract; seconded by Alma Cambridge. The motion was passed unan- imously. Mr. Pinson reported the actual study will begin on April 26 when a team from Florida State University will fly to Naples to meet with the Council. Financial Report: Mary Ellen zumFelde reported a balance of $10,041.83 as of March 3 with a projection of $1,000 remaining in the account as of May 17, 1991. There was a discussion on fund raising and it was agreed the philosophy of the Council is not to be in competition with agency fund raising efforts. It was noted, however, that until taxing funds are available through referendum, it is necessary to obtain operational funds from private sources. Summer Meetings: A motion was made by Richard Shanahan that the July and August Council meetings be cancelled; seconded by Nelson Faerber, Jr. The motion carried unanimously. Child Advocate Conference: Bea Harper reported on the Conference and introduced two students from the audience who attended the meeting. Current Economic Conditions: Reports were made by the following Council members as perceived from their specific organization point of view -- Bob Ritz, HRS; John Passidomo, City Government; Nelson Faerber, Jr. , Collier County School Board; Mary Ellen zumFelde; Hendry Electric Company. Community Reports: Gail Sherman, program director for I. D. E. A. S. , InC. , a new non-profit resource agency, read the proclamation on child abuse to be presented to the children from the Board of Commissioners. Mrs. Sherman introduced Donna Church, who is also associated with I. D. E. A. S. , Inc. Mrs. Church reported to the Council on the goals of and necessity for Child Abuse Prevention Pro- grams. Richard Hallas, Guardian Ad Litem Volunteer, reported on a case in which he was deeply involved, emphasizing the multiple problems involving dysfunctional families and the lack of services in Collier County that could provide assistance to them. There being no further comments from the Council or the community, Richard Shanahan made a motion the meeting be adjourned; seconded by Mary Ellen zumFelde. The meeting adjourned at 11:05 AM. A transcript of the meeting is being made a part of these minutes. Respectfully submitted, Mary Ellen zumFelde THE CHILDREN'S SERVICE COUNCIL OF COLLIER COUNTY 414) M nutcs of Regular Board Meeting Y; ;,9 , C z �4�w Friday, April 5th, 1991 9 :00 a.m. After the invocation by the Reverand Larry Hooper and Pledge of Allegiance, the role call was had. PRESENT: John Passidomo f Bob Ritz Alma Cambridge Dick Shanahan Bea Harper Nelson Faerber Mary Ellen zumFelde Lal Gaynor Ted Brousseau Paul Pinson I 1 4 Page 2 r Minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Executive director Mr. Pinson reported on a meeting on March 14th in which the Council participated. It was an outreach meeting in Immokalee and approximately 35 individuals attended this meeting that introduced the Children' s Services Council to the community, 20 to 22 of which were adults and the rest were children. Mr . Pinson read some quotes and statements that had been received from the audience and the general feeing was don' t wait for a irs crisis, act now. Parent involvement is what we need. There was much discussion had on Immokalee and the uniqueness of the Immokalee culture and the uniqueness of the community. Plans are in the works for another outreach meeting within the year in Immokalee. OLD BUSINESS: Needs Assessment Study: A motion was made by Dick Shanahan to approve and sign the Needs Assessment Study and seconded by Alma Cambridge. The motion was passed unanimously. It was reported by Mr. Pinson that the actual study will begin on the 26th of April . A team will be flying in from Florida State University C 1 41111, Page 3 on the 26th, and they are requesting the full Council to meet. It was reported that that meeting is open to the public and anyone who is interested is welcome to attend. All the necessary information will be provided to each of the Council members in advance of the meeting . Ballot Selection: As was reported in the past, it was the decision of the Board to go with the traditional ballot and they would try and select the March ballot. It was discussed as a favorable alternative beyond the traditional ballot route to research and 474 ascertain whether or not the mail ballot would be a suitable way to go. It was felt that the Needs Assessment was an issue that should, in fact, be strong enough to stand on its own merits and so the selection of a mail ballot route was a very viable alternative in the minds of this particular group. Director Pinson gave a brief outline of this approach, so the Council members would be aware of it and could think about it for the future. The cost consideration was discussed versus a special election and the possibility of a linkage that could occur with other issues that the Children' s Council could team up with. Although there are a number of communities in Florida that have done a mail ballot there are no other communities that have done w Page 4 any attaching of issues, Supervisor of Elections, Mary Morgan, will be contacted on this in the future. There will be further investigation and information forthcoming to the Council on this issue. Calendar Update : The next issue at hand was the calendar update. On the 9th of April the Children' s Services Council will be appearing before the Collier County Commission regarding the proclamation of April as Child Abuse Month. It was also reported that those members of the community who attend the Child Advocate Conference would be appearing on the Susan MacKenzie Outlook program on Tuesday the 9th discussing their trip and their impressions of the conference. On Wednesday the 10th, the Children' s Services Council will be involved in a community forum being hosted by a separate group that is involved in education, educating the community and trying to bring the community together. On April 20th, this Saturday, the Council will play host along with Collier County Parks and WINK T.V. to For Kid ' s Sake day. On the 23rd the Child Advocate of the Year will be announced at a special dinner. All Council members were urged to attend this special evening . On June 8th the Council will be developing and hosting a conference for all of the Board and executive directors Page 5 for the key service providers in Collier County. It will be conducted at Trinity-by-the-Cove Church. The intention of the conference is to bring key boards and key executives together, trying to inform them of what the needs of kids are and what the Council is all about and what the Council is trying to accomplish in the community. Fund Raising : Solicitation of Funds Act : Mark Price, a local attorney spoke on the Solicitation of Funds Act to the Council . After completely researching the Act he essentially concluded that as a purely legal matter he did not believe that the Council , in fact, was subject to that Act but that they would fall under one of the exceptions as a government entity. He reported that upon request from a potential donor the soliciting agency has to provide a financial report. Again, although this body is not absolutely required to provide that information, as a practical matter he felt the Council might want to be prepared to provide that information just in case - to make things go a little bit smoother . The second part of the statute regarded the general conduct in fund raising solicitation. To make sure there were no misrepresentations if or misleading statements as to the sponsorship of this organization, Page 6 it was suggested that in any fund raising solicitation the Board should not state that they are seeking funds for any particular agency or organization but should essentially make sure that they are just seeking funds for the Children' s Services Council . He urged members of the Council to call him directly if they had any questions as fund raising proceeded, and he would handle them on a case-by-case basis. TREASURER' S REPORT: C Mary Ellen zumFelde reported that there is a balance in the account as of March 3rd of $10, 041 .83. She indicated that a projection indicated that by May 15th there would be only $1, 000 remaining in the account. There was further discussion had on the necessity of fund raising . Paul Pinson reported that the Service ' s Council office is operating on a severe budget . There was a discussion about the Community Foundation who had provided funds for the Children ' s Services Needs Assessment and who may have funds that could be designated to the Children ' s Services Council available. It was discussed that it might be possible to have a separately earmarked account through the Community Foundation and to let people in the community know that they can Page 7 make a contribution to the Community Foundation and have it earmarked as going to the Children' s Services Council . Upon further discussion with audience participation it was agreed that the philosophy of the Children' s Services Council is not to be in competition as far as fund raising goes with other like agencies . What the Children' s Council ' s goal is is to help all who have been having to go out and beg, borrow, or steal to keep themselves going for their programs. It was suggested through Chairman Bea Harper that the feeling of the Children ' s Services Council is so adamant that any money raised through taxes for the Children' s Services Council not be wasted with administrative expenses, that the Council would like to see written into the voting statute that administrative expenses are limited to a certain amount so when the people got to the polls they would know that the money voted was going directly to the children. NEW BUSINESS: Executive Director Pinson reported to the Council that there is a recommendation that the July and August meetings of the Children' s Services Council be foregone with the intention that that period 0111"- of time will be primarily focused on the Needs Assessment and Page 8 there won' t be a lot of business things that will necessitate a regular monthly meeting . That, coupled with the fact that a number of the Council people will be missing at one meeting or another - including Mr. Pinson, it was his recommendation that those two meetings be foregone. Whereupon, Dick Shanahan moved that the July and August meetings not be held. The motion was seconded by Nelson Faerber and it was unanimously agreed that no meetings be held those months. The Tallahassee Report : Bea Harper reported on the trip to Tallahassee and introduced two students who attended as well , who were present at the meeting . Mrs. Harper reported on the speakers and those who attended and ended with the hope that what was learned in Tallahassee could be translated to our own community and what we as a community can do for our children. Reports on the Current Economic Conditions: Mr . Ritz from HRS District 8 reported on the general revenue shortfall this year and the consequential budget cuts that most state agencies will have to take. This year in District 8 of HRS a 1 . 8 million dollar cut was taken. Hardly any cuts were taken in the child welfare foster care protective investigations but sizeable cuts were taken OPIN in institutions and in adult programs which does have a rippling effect down to children. Page 9 Mr. Ritz spoke about what would be happening next year and touched briefly on the Juvenile Justice Reform Act and what it looks like for the future. At the last legislative session in 1990 the legislature appropriated 52 million dollars to shore up the Juvenile Justice program in the state of Florida. Within HRS that program has been neglected for probably a decade. This year that 52 million dollars that was to be appropriated went to 17 million dollars. HRS ' s share from 2.4 million has dwindled to $800,000. What they were going to try to do is to take that and expand it over a three year time frame as opposed to trying to bring it on Board at a year and a half. Mr. Ritz went on to report that it ' s a bit premature to figure out what is going to come out of all of this. He felt the bottom line is it' s going to be a lean year. John Passidomo spoke on the lack of trust, confidence and credibility that the people have in the local government and felt that it would be difficult to come before the voters with a request for funds until government can demonstrate to their constituents that they have a degree of responsibility. Mr. Passidomo felt the suggestion of limiting administrative expenses would go a long way in conveying the message to the people that the Council intends that the funds raised will go directly to the children of the community. ams, 4:) Page 10 Nelson Faerber commented on the fact that the Governor had ordered the school Board to cut 9.6 million dollars from their budget. Mr. Faerber went on to discuss where these cuts were made, from the teachers to the administrators, across the board. He indicated that 85% of the School Board' s operations budget was in salary so it was very difficult for them as a Board to implement new progressive research based programs. He also indicated that the Board is very curriculum oriented for the first time in many years. 370 first and second year teachers were notified that they may not have jobs next year . It was Mr . Faerbec ' s opinion that it 4:) depends on what happens in the House and Senate but more than likely every one of those jobs will be back next year with the exception of a few who are not recommended for rehiring by their principals. He also indicated that a quarter of a million dollars was cut from the administrative level and it was Mr . Faerber ' s feeling that those cuts would be made and they will not be back. He indicated that Collier County probably rates at the very top of the state in teacher to student ratios and the Board had made a commitment to have the lowest possible teacher-student ratio as could be afforded. Mr . Faerber urged everyone to write their local representatives and senators to make our feeling known that we want education Page 11 touched as little as possible as far as cuts go. The school Board this time next year will most probably go to the public with a bond of sixty-some milion dollars or avoid the voters and use other methods which do not require voter approval . Commissioner Shanahan indicated that the County Commission has taken a very strong position insofar as budget restraint for 1991 and ' 92 and have set a very tough conservative course. There is a current hiring freeze and a freeze in the purchase of equipment for the county. He indicated almost all of the activities in the community development center have been closed. He indicated that with revenues and building permits off it was clearly indicative of the conditions that exist . In the past few weeks it was indicated that the real estate business has been picking up and the hotel/motel people are very optimistic with the bookings that they have for the fourth quarter. There was good news in that the tourist development tax is coming in quite well from the hotels. Given the state of the economic outlook at this time Commissioner Shanahan also felt it was going to be a hard pull demonstrating the need for the Children' s Services Council . Mary Ellen zumFelde reported from the construction end in the ® Page 12 community and spoke a bit about the wifes and children that have been impacted by it . She indicated that their first concern is always for the macried men with wives and children to support, when it was necessary to lay off any member of their company they did their best to find them alternative work. She felt there should be a real concern for the 25% of the community population who are the workers, the ones that are here year round and the ones that -are being highly impacted by the current economic slow down. Mrs . zumFelde also indicated that there is not a lot of 4;) new construction but that she also felt optimistic about the near future. Gail Sherman was introduced by Director Paul Pinson and a proclamation was read that was going to be presented to the children on Tuesday from the County Commission regarding child abuse. Gail Sherman is the program director for I .D.E.A.S. Inc. , a new non-profit family resource agency. Their goal is the prevention of child abuse by providing services for families in the community. Gail has been involved in child abuse prevention for the last 12 years and feels that one of the Council ' s missions should be to look at what kind of services are needed for families so that we can get involved with the families before the crisis occurs. C Page 13 C Some of the goals of Child Abuse Prevention is to provide future parents knowledge, something for all first time parents to enhance their parenting skills. Some children have special needs and some children just have tougher personalities and are harder to raise than others and there is a need to help parents have skills to cope with that, to increase parents knowledge and skill about child management and the stresses that go along with child raising . There are many children who are at higher risk for child abuse for many reasons, drugs and alcohol within the family, children with low birth rates, children with special needs, children with 110 single parents. What has been seen across our state in the 1980s, as far as prevention of child abuse, are services that are one-on-one services to individuals or families, small group educations for families who need help, crisis support services, hot lines, drop-in centers . Families that are already in the system need layers and layers of services and this is what they hope to provide. It was Gail Sherman' s feeling that community prevention strategies is where the Children ' s Services Council really will have its most effective work to do. In many families the cycle of abuse has been going on for generations and these families are unaware of the help that is out there for them. The message must be that 411) we have to let people know that we are a system of help, that Page 14 we ace not a punitive system, but that we are here to be helpful, that that is our No. 1 priority. Mrs . Sherman introduced Donna Clark who applauded the Council for what they are doing and gave her full support to their efforts. She went on to say that the good news is that the public is more aware now of child abuse that ever before. The majority of families because of publicity and education and support systems that have been set up to this point are changing their parental behaviors. However, the bad news is that there is a 23% increase in the last two years of child abuse is fatalities in our country and serious abuses up (;) 10% alone . The problem with drugs, more so than any other single factor, seems to be wreaking havoc with the lives of parents and their children. One of the problems is that funding has not kept up with this problem. Within the Children' s Services Council in our community it is felt that we can start to look at these problems and help these families, these are the challenges for the decade ahead. Rich Hallas from the Guardian Ad Litem Program spoke about a case that he was very deeply involved in and that is still seen actively involving a single mother and four children. Mr . Hallas told of a woman who was abused as a child and whose four children have 41;) been abused both sexually and emotionally and illustrated just 4C) Page 15 _ what kind of problems some of these families face. Child No. 1 is currently in another county in a therapeutic foster home as there are no therapeutic foster homes in Collier County. This child has been through the system long enough to know how the system works and before being moved to another county this child had been through the entire system here in Collier County. Child No. 2 is in this county in a foster home and of the four children this child is doing relatively well . Child No. 3 was Nb diagnosed as having an emotional disorder and went through a series of tests in another county and was deemed ineligible for LD classes. This child is now in a therapeutic foster home in another county. Child No. 4 is currently in the process of being diagnosed as a sociopath. He has been moved from foster home to foster home because of sexual promiscuity. It is the feeling of Mr . Hallas that what has been done for these children has not been enough and they have become intertwined in the system and when they needed the help no one did anything for them. It is entirely possible in our judicial system that these four children will eventually be returned to their custodial parent and it is Mr . Hallas ' belief that if this happens, since the woman lives with her mother, there 10 will be three generations of dysfunctional people under one roof. Page 16 C If nothing is done to help these children now it is most conceivable that they will be seen in court after having must committed an armed robbery or a similarly serious crime in the very near future. So there is a very much a need for therapeutic foster homes in Collier County and there is a need for psychologists and there is a need for any people who are willing to waive expenses and fees and to help individuals who are the working poor; but most of all prevention is really the answer . COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY: 4411) The executive director of Youth Haven spoke from the audience about the belt tightening that is going on in the community and the consolidation that is going on with Youth Haven' s operation, the cut down on the amount of operating beds in the facility and the revolving-door syndrome with readmissions. He also indicated that not only do we not have a therapeutic foster home program in our community but we do not have a therapeutic group home in the county. Bob Ritz also mentioned that HRS is certainly going to continue to give priority and attention to children' s programs within HRS and that is what they tried to do this year by holding those programs Page 17 46 harmless when the budget was cut. With no further comments by either the Council members or the community forthcoming Dick Shanahan moved that the meeting be adjourned and it was seconded by Mary Ellen zumFelde. The meeting adjourned at 11 :05 a.m. C C