Probation Department Agenda / Minutes

DPC Minutes 12.05.2023

Meeting Date & Time 12/5/2023 11:00 AM
Location County Office of Education Board Room, 3350 Education Drive. San Luis Obispo, CA
Description DPC Minutes 12.05.2023
Virtual Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82215740024?pwd=L3dTK1FmQmU0QkZPSXhHU2xkbGJadz09

Guests Attending:

  • Amelia Plemons, Commisioner
  • Arlene Sackman, Commisioner
  • Cindy Wittstrom, Commisioner
  • Gwen McNamara, Commisioner
  • Karen Donaghe, Commisioner
  • Kayla Plourde-Reynolds, Commisioner
  • Rich Randolph, Commisioner
  • Margurite Harris, Probation
  • Jill Reifjens, Behavioral Health (Zoom)
  • Chris Balogh, SLO County Office of Education
  • Katherine Aaron, SLO County Office of Education
  • Steve Von Dohlen, District Attorney’s Office
  • Angella Holmes, Child Welfare Services

Minutes

  1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 11:15 a.m. – a quorum was present
  2. Approval of Minutes: The motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the November 7, 2023 meeting. Carried Unanimously.
  3. Correspondence: none
  4. Public Comment: none
  5. Comments / Information from Agencies:
    • District Attorney’s Office – Steve Von Dohlen:
      • Juvenile Court is working electronic filing process with the Courts.  Juvenile Court has adopted use of Judicial Council form for secure track juvenile commitments (JV 733). 
      • Updating the Plea Form (aka the Tall Waiver for Juveniles) to match law changes.  The next meeting of the Judicial Stakeholders Advisory Council is set for February 13, 2024
      • Commissioners invited to attend
      • a lot of detailed discussion including the juvenile dependency side of juvenile justice. 
      • Sent a summary of new juvenile justice laws that are taking effect in 2024.
    • Social Services – Angella Holmes:
      • Co. Child Welfare and Juvenile Probation will be entering new 5-year System Improvement Plan in 2 years.
      • Will be doing County Self-Assessment and Peer Review next year. 
      • Commissioners will be encouraged to participate. Starting in January we will have 4 new Child Welfare Services Social Workers.
      •  CAC anticipated to open in January.
    • Probation / Juvenile Hall – Marguerite Harris:  Updates to facility are moving through approval process.
      •  Master gardeners are coming in weekly to work with the kids
      • Pad for the CTE Mobile Kitchen has been signed off
      • Great Thanksgiving Celebration; some of the food was prepared by CVA students
      • 8 boys + 1 girl in CVA; 4 boys in secure track; 5 in detention
      • We have 1 girl from Sonoma County that should be coming into CVA
      • CPOC is watching AB 702 (proposes to pull funding from Probation)
      • Original money was to pull in evidence-based programs which SLO Co is doing and others (a few statewide) are not
      • Programs will still be required, but there will not be money for them
  6. MOTION: Jim Brabeck moved, and Rich Randolph seconded that the Commission take a position on, and advocate said position on AB 702 (as amended March 23, 2023). Carried unanimously.
    • Behavioral Health – Jill Reifjens
      • Gaps analysis done over the last 6 months – no surprises
      • Pandemic was bad for kids’ mental health
      • Workforce issue in this County
      • Highlighted good relationships with other agencies
      • Highlighted services offered; lacking in crisis services and facilities
      • Will help with applying for upcoming grants
      • Medi-Cal youth receive more in-home services than statewide
      • Prevention Division has counselors on all but 1 Middle School campuses and on some High School campuses
    • County Office of Education – Katherine Aaron and Chris Balogh
      • 83 students enrolled at Loma Vista (8 outstanding referrals); 15 at Juvenile
      • HallWorking with Probation
      • Increase in inappropriate behaviors on the bus; Dr. Brescia authorized a second Probation Officer
      • Probation will hire SLOCOE for classified support for justice-involved youth to coordinate post-secondary, vocational, and career technical education
      • Going to launch the first dual-enrollment at Loma Vista in culinary arts; looking at and into other courses that can be developed
      • WASC accreditation this year; community input will be coming this Spring
      • 3 Loma Vista students returned to their home schools; supports are being provided

Presentation: “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome” – Judge Charles Crandall, Dr. Nisha Abdul Cader, and Margaret Shepard-Moore

  • Causes, implications, and statistics were shared and discussed related to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (PowerPoint slides attached)
  • How we can impact the problem and the supports was discussed
  • Contact with local and national legislators
  •  Information will be shared with Commissioners

Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m.