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HAAB Minutes 03/26/2009 R March 26, 2009 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COLLIER COUNTY HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD Naples, Florida, March 26, 2009 LET IT BE REMEMBERED that the Collier County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board, in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date at 6:00 PM in REGULAR SESSION in Building "F," 3rd floor, of the Government Complex, Naples, Florida, with the following Members present: Chairman: Valaree D. Maxwell Luis Alejandro Bernal (Resigned) Raymond Cabral David Correa Renato F. Fernandez (Excused) Manuel Gonzalez (Excused) Cosme Perez Ernesto Velasquez ALSO PRESENT: Mike Sheffield, Assistant to the County Manager Collier County HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD Meeting Agenda March 26, 2009 6:00 PM County Government Complex Boardroom NOTICE: Persons wishing to speak on any Agenda item will receive up to three (3) minutes unless the Chair allows more time. Please wait to be recognized by the Chair, and speak into a microphone. State your name and affiliation before commenting. During discussion, Committee Members may direct questions to the speaker. Please silence cell phones and digital devices. There may not be a break in this meeting. Please leave the room to conduct any personal business. All members participating in the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board meeting are to observe Roberts Rules of Order. Please wait to be recognized by the Chair before speaking. Please speak one at a time into the microphone. The Meeting Reporter will record all statements. I. Call to Order - Chairperson Valaree Maxwell II. Approval of the Meeting Agenda III. Approval of Minutes from February 26, 2009 Meeting IV. Public Speakers V. Old Business A. Education Report-Valaree Maxwell VI. New Business A. (6:05 time certain) Truancy Court and the Impact of Truancy on the Crime Rate- Sgt Tom Wedlock, ccso VII. Member and Staff Comments A. Colombian Independence Day Observance in Collier County-Ernesto Velasquez VIII. Action Item(s) to Board of County Commissioners (if any) IX. Adjourn-the next HAAS meeting will take place on April 23, 2009 March 26, 2009 I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairman Valaree Maxwell at 6:02 PM and a quorum was established. Chairman Maxwell read the procedures to be followed during the Meeting. II. Approval of Meeting Agenda David Correa moved to approve the Agenda. Second by Cosme Perez. Carried unanimously, 5-0. VI. New Business A. Truancy Court/Impact of Truancy on Crime Rate - Sgt. Tom Wedlock, CCSO (A PowerPoint presentation was given.) . Collier County's Truancy Court Program began in February, 2008 . Truancy Court Program is an early-intervention effort targeting "at risk" students, i.e., most likely to drop out and become habitual offenders . The focus is the "habitual truant," ages 6 - 16, (5 + days per calendar month) . High school dropouts cost taxpayers between $188,000 - $297,000 during the dropout's lifetime (Rand Corporation study statistics) . Students are identified as "habitual truants" and the parents are notified via bilingualletters/phone contact . An "intervention" (i.e., meeting) is arranged between student, family, school, and the partnering Agencies to solve problem and present options regarding available community resources . The school can request revocation of the truant's driver's license . The Superintendent of Schools will authorize filing a Petition with the Court if intervention is not successful . 150+ petitions have been filed with Truancy Court since February, 2008 o Majority of students are of Hispanic heritage (CCSO statistics) . Juveniles are screened for drugs at first Court appearance . Ifhome life or gang involvement is the issue, the Court can order placement of the student in a shelter for up to 30 days, i.e., Oasis Shelter in Fort Myers Percentages of results in different areas were presented. Sgt. Wedlock stated one of the reasons for the success of the program is because there is accountability to Truancy Court, and a process has been created to ensure the needs of the students and families are addressed and met. Corporal Roger Mottley stated one ofthe keys to success of the Program is the education of the parents. Most parents didn't think services were needed or didn't know what was available in the community. It was noted interpreters are available for court hearings as often as possible. The schools have bilingual counselors. Pamphlets and other printed information is bilingual. When questioned about the cost for counseling, he stated the majority of services are offered on a sliding scale but some were free. 2 March 26, 2009 Immokalee's population is primarily migrant workers. There is less emphasis on education. Corporal Mottley and an interpreter visit the family residence to notify the parents their child is truant, explain the Truancy Court Program, and advise the parents of the various community resources available. Chairman Maxwell asked what the HAAB can do to assist the CCSO with the Truancy Program. Sgt. Wedlock stated community support is important to encourage the various community Partners to continue their involvement in the Truancy Court Program. III. Approval of the February 26, 2009 Meeting Minutes Ernesto Velasquez moved to approve the Minutes as submitted. Second by Raymond Cabral Carried unanimously, 5-0. V. Old Business A. Education Report Chairman Maxwell stated she met with both the Superintendent of Schools and Steve Donovan, with the School Board, to develop a program to randomly test all students who drive to school for drug and alcohol use. She has been asked to spearhead the program and to bring a drug/alcohol intervention program to Collier County. A grant application is in process. She further stated drug use is not only the main cause of truancy, it also compromises academic success. Statistics have shown drug use can start in elementary school. Education Report: . The NCLB ("No Child Left Behind") Act mandates that all students perform at the "proficient level" by 2014 . NCLB does not recognize the hidden population of drug-impaired students o 61 % of graduating students have achieved only a "Basic" proficient level, i.e., "partial mastery of the knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficient work at a given grade. " o 31 % are at a "proficient" level o Only 2% have achieved an "advanced" level (superior performance) . In Collier County, student academic decline due to drug use begins during the loth grade ("Advanced Placement" students are included) . The FCA T in Florida tests graduating students at the 9th grade level Mike Sheffield suggested when the Grant application is pending, the HAAB could write a letter to the Board of County Commissioners ("BCC") asking for its support. Discussion ensued conceming past group projects undertaken by the HAAB. Issues concerning Naples Community Hospital (employees were prohibited from speaking Spanish) and migrant workers' salary were mentioned. It was suggested the HAAB could reach out to more of the Hispanic community by holding its monthly meetings in various locations throughout the County and Mike Sheffield confirmed the HAAB could meet anywhere within Collier County. 3 March 26, 2009 IV. Public Speakers Diana Egberts, Editor and Publisher, Nuevos Ecos, stated her publication has received press releases from the HAAB. She suggested the Golden Gate Community Center as a location for a future meeting as well as the newly opened Library branch. Chairman Maxwell asked if the newspaper could publicize that the HAAB wants to learn what issues are important to the Hispanic community. She stated specific speakers could then be asked to appear at the HAAB's meetings to address the issues. Ms. Egberts stated the paper has social action reporters on staff whom the HAAB can contact, and she introduced Adriana Ledesma, a reporter from Nuevos Ecos. Cosme Perez suggested the Max Haas Park Community Center as another location. Mike Sheffield stated he will send a letter to the BCC informing them of the HAAB's decision to hold a meeting at the Golden Gate Community Center. He will also contact the center for available dates and will relay the information to the members via email. David Correa stated he had a short report to present regarding the 2010 Census that was not included as an item on the agenda. Mr. Correa reported: . Official "kick off' date is April 10, 2009 for the 20 I 0 Census . Problems regarding counting Hispanic population: (I) fear of Immigration enforcement, and (2) census taking is regarded as governmental "snooping" by the Hispanic community so residents are reluctant to come forward to give information . Budget cuts have reduced Census funding and volunteers are needed . The Census is mandated by the Constitution and Census results will affect the drawing of Congressional Districts as well as the allocation of federal funding for road, schoo Is and other services . Since the 2000 Census, Collier County's population has increased by approximately 26% to 315,839 residents . The population of the Hispanic community has also increased by approximately 80,000 (or 63%) Mr. Perez suggested the HAAB can disseminate information to the Hispanic community, be pro-active and partner with other Community organizations. Mike Sheffield stated Marcela Rice made a presentation to the BCC concerning the Census and mentioned the formation of a committee of community organizations ("Everyone Counts"). He suggested Mr. Perez serve as the HAAB Liaison on the committee. Mr. Perez agreed. Chairman Maxwell suggested the 2010 Census as a topic on the agenda for the next meeting. Other topics can include affordable housing, the issue of foreclosures, student truancy, and the lack of jobs. VII. Member and Staff Comments A. Colombian Independence Day Observances - Ernesto Velasquez . Columbian Flag Day is July 20,2009 4 March 26, 2009 . The suggested proclamation will extend best wishes to Colombian Nationals residing in Collier County on the commemoration of Colombia's Independence Day Mike Sheffield suggested the HAAB send a letter to the BCC asking to support the proclamation as an "Action Item." Mr. Velasquez also suggested forming a subcommittee to determine how to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15,2009) and to recognize at least one role model in the hispanic community. He volunteered to serve as the chairman of the subcommittee. Mr. Velasquez moved to form a subcommittee for Hispanic Heritage Month to meet at the Golden Gate Community Center. Second by Chairman Maxwell Chairman Maxwell suggested using the "Golden Apple" Award as a guide, and to ask for nominations directly from the Hispanic community. Mike Sheffield stated the subcommittee meetings will be noticed and will schedule the meetings with the Golden Gate Community Center as requested. Carried unanimously, 5-0. VIII. Action Items(s) to the Board of County Commissioners Ernesto Velasquez moved to send a letter to the Board of County Commissioners requesting approval of the Proclamation to honor Colombian Flag Day which Mr. Velasquez will hand-carry to the BCC on June 9, 2009. Second by Raymond Cabral. Carried unanimously, 5-0. IX. Next Meeting: April 23, 2009 (Location to be confirmed) ***** There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 7:35 P.M. COLLIER COUNTY HISPANIC AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Valaree D. Maxwell, Chairman The Minutes were approved by the Board/Committee on as presented or as amended 5 PROCLAMA TION WHEREAS, the Colombia Community of Southwest Florida issued a declaration calling upon the people of Collier County to observe Colombian Flag Day; ond, WHEREAS, the Colombia Community of Southwest Florida is a growing community and would like to celebrate their Independence Day to commemorate their fallen heroes; and, WHEREAS, the goal of the Colombia Association and Coso HisponD of Collier County is to preserve and promote the Colombia heritage throughout Collier County to enhance diversity and crass-cultural understanding by providing outreach and educational programs; and, WHEREAS, the mission of the Colombia Association and Coso Hispona of Collier County is to encourage a multi-ethnic porticipation for the Colombian Flag Day and to promote interaction within the IIOriOUS cultural societies to help build bridges throughout Naples and Fort Myers by way of concerts, conferences, seminars, public forums, lectures, and events related to Colombion and Americon History. NOW THEREFORE. be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, that July 20, 2009 be designated as Colombian Flag Day and extend its best wishes for continued success in their commemoration of the Colombian Nationals residing in Collier County to share and enhonce the culture and heritage. DONE AND ORDERED THIS 9th Day of June, 2009. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA DONNA FIALA, CHAIRMAN ATTEST: DWIGHT E. BROCK, CLERK