New Harmpshire Juvenile Court Diversion Network

New Harmpshire Juvenile Court Diversion Network

General Meeting, January 9, 2002

1. Present were: Joan Howard (Grafton Co.) Jon Donovan, Peter Brigham, Lance Zack, David Roarick (Hillsboro PD), Mark Plummer (Derring PD), Judy Sadoski, Holly DeWald, John Roberge, Diane Casale, Martha Douglass, Dawn Shimberg, Emily McLaughlin(Laconia), Cid Southworth, Myla Everett, Jackie Valley, Sharon Drew Henson. Cathy Steers was unable to attend a she was at an Endowment for Health meeting. Excused was Kelly Cathcart.

2. Treasurer’s Report: The Network Membership Forms for 2002 will be mailed or handed out today. Peter circulated an update sheet for program information. Some programs paid late in 2001 and are paid through 2002. Dues continue to be $25.00 per program. There is currently $9086.68 in the checkboodk. $5000 of this is slated for updating the diversion handbook and new brochures. DCYF currently owes the Network $2263.00. Balance sheets are availabe from Peter upon request.

3. The minutes of the November meeting could not be approved as there were no hard copies available at the meeting. The minutes were available on the Network laptop, but there was no way to print them. Copies had previously been sent to members.

4. Peter suggested that members discuss what has been going on with their specific programs. Peter urged members to use Cathy Steers’ (Network Coordinator) services as that is part of her job duties and she has been quite helpful. Topics discussed were how to get town support for your program and quality programs for fire starters. Lance mentioned there is a good one in Gilford. The Challenge Program was also discussed at length. United Way has refused to fund Challenge due to it not being Science Based. DADAPR has been trying to determine a way to do a science based evaluation of the Challenge Program. Diane is still involved in the Challenge Advisory Board. A think tank is to be held on Jan. 14 at DAPAPR. There exists an evaluation for the program that was actually part of the original works. Diane has been doing her own follow-up questionnaire with Challenge graduates. She also employs the services of a LADAC to do an initial assessment of each participant. The young person has to sign that the assessment can be discussed with the parent. This has helped facililitators to have a clearer picture of what is going on with each youth before the group begins. This approach does change the focus of the Challenge Program which was originally for self-assessment for kids who were doing experimentation. Jon does a special physical adventure activity for challenge graduates. Mark informed that according to the law there is a minimum fine of $250 for an alcohol violation. Diane is currently charging $125 for the Challenge Program in Derry. Holly DeWald charges $175 in Laconia. Sharon feels the original Challenge Program has turned into a reduction in harm program, not a prevention program.

5. Jackie informed the membership that Cathy has prepared a zip drive with 52 grant opportunities. She will give it out at the February meeting. If you would like it sooner or cannot be at the February meeting let Cathy know and she will mail it to you. Cathy will also send out information on our goals as a Network for members to review and discuss at our next meeting.

6.Sharon has been working with Tricia Lucas and Cathy on the new CHINS law. Community Programs that are not assisting with CHINS may have funding cut. Sharon and Cathy will stay on top of this.

7. The members agreed to meet every other month instead of monthly. The schedule will be February(Concord), April(Laconia), June(Annual meeting at Daniel’s in Henniker), Sept.(Franklin), and November(Plymouth). The locations have yet to be confirmed and may need to be altered. Unless otherwise stated all meetings will be the second Wednesday of the month at 10:30am.

8. Any program information that has changed since Cathy visited your program site should be gotten to Cathy. Once published it will be impossible to make changes in the Network Handbook regarding your program. She is also going to get pocket-sized manuals for distribution.

9. Sharon and Jackie have an upcoming meeting with JAIBG. Bonnie Wrisley is the new DCYF liaison for the Network. She is available to attend meetings when we would like her, help with obtaining information and be our contact person with the State. It was suggested we invite her to our next meeting so she can answer questions regarding the next JAIBG cycle which may begin this Spring. Creative expression and grant writing

will be important to learn about. Jackie will invite Bonnie to the February meeting at 11:30 so we can focus on other Network business first. We will be discussing Network goals and evaluation prior to Bonnie’s arrival.

10. The meeting was adjourned at 12:15pm. No Business Meeting was held due to the lack of pressing business. The next meeting of the NHJCDN will be held on February 13, 2002 at 10:30am at the Merrimack County Juvenile Diversion Program in Concord. This location is tentative.