Members Present 

Russ Blackburn
Harry Yates
Elizabeth Whittles

David Collier
Chief Ed Morley 

Vern Melvin
Ray Collins

Others in Attendance

John Seeland
Jon Milton
Michael Panella
Tim Krabec
Sue Chess
Chad Collins
Valerie Graham

Laurence Brooks
Jack Frost
Lilli Hendricks
Eric Miller
Christina Kaiser
Richard Stetson
Donna Hosang

Laura Cancio
Missy Harris
Nona Coulter
Gloria Friedman
Donna James
Beverly Brame

Welcome and Introductions

Harry Yates called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. and acted as chair until the arrival of Mr. Blackburn.  Mr. Yates asked meeting attendees to introduce themselves and the participants did so.  Mr. Yates announced that Gwenda Thompson, President/CEO of the Workforce Development Board, has agreed to join the Executive Roundtable.  Ms. Thompson was unable to attend today’s meeting but is being represented by Richard Stetson.  

Review/Approval of Minutes from April 21, 2004

The minutes of the April 21^st meeting were mailed to members and also included in the meeting packet.  The minutes were approved by consensus as presented. 

SSN Alliance Update: Community Based Care Initiative

Mr. Melvin indicated that all four Treasure Coast counties have now transitioned foster care and adoption services to United For Families.  Mr. Melvin added a legislative update indicating that there has been an $80 million dollar increase in the Department’s budget with $40 million of the increase going to child safety. These increased funds will assist with the equity of fees issue.   The local Legislative Delegation has been invited to the June 25 meeting of the Alliance being held at the Workforce Development Board at Village Green.  All Executive Roundtable members are welcome to attend. 

Focus on Foster Care: Foster Care and Adoption Presentation:

 Kathy Basile and Laurence Brooks

Kathy Basile, Executive Director of the Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County, was introduced.  Ms. Basile kicked-off the Focus on Foster Care by thanking the Roundtable for the opportunity to present this program and by introducing the foster parent panel.   Ms. Basile gave an overview of the Community Based Care initiative and indicated that Hibiscus Children’s Center is responsible for recruiting and training foster families.  The purpose of the Focus on Foster Care is to educate the community and heighten the awareness of community leaders as to the lack of qualified, licensed homes.  The initial Child Watch: Focus on Foster Care, a four county initiative, was held in April 2003 and the Alliance asked the presenters to take the presentation to each individual county.  Okeechobee has held their program; St. Lucie and Indian River Counties are in the planning stages.   Ms. Basile indicated that the main purpose of today’s presentation is to make Roundtable members aware of ways that they could assist with the recruitment efforts. 

Mr. Lawrence Brooks, Chief Operating Officer of Hibiscus Children’s Center, was introduced.  Mr. Brooks added that a common thread of discussion for today’s meeting would be how to recruit more homes in Martin County, especially homes willing to take in teens and sibling groups.  A best practice in foster care is to keep the child in the community where he/she lives so that he/she can attend his/her home school and be able to see his/her friends.  Mr. Brooks showed a video which outlined foster care statistics, including statistics for Martin and the surrounding counties. 

Mr. Jack Frost, recruiter for Hibiscus House, distributed packets of recruitment materials to those individuals present.  Mr. Frost introduced Lilli Hendricks who moderated the parent panel.  After each panelist spoke they were asked to indicate what type of assistance would help them to be more effective as foster parents. The foster parent panel responded: 

1. Affordable day care, extended day care and summer programs are a necessity for foster parents. (foster parents should have priority for scholarships)
2. A group home for psychologically damaged children should be available in Martin County.
3. It would be helpful to have a list of businesses that would give discounts to foster parents (i.e. air condition repair, appliance repair, plumbers, etc)

Mr. Frost indicated that Hibiscus provides a free training program and fast track classes to license foster parents.  These classes are repeated often. 

Ms. Hosang added that several of the MC Executive Roundtable members have indicated a willingness to assist in the recruitment effort.  Dr. Wilcox is including a foster care recruitment letter in her first newsletter of the new school year and a resource list is being developed for principals so they will know how to assist foster care students entering their campuses.  Mr. Joe Catrambone has agreed to include a foster parent recruitment flyer in the August mailing of the Stuart/Martin Chamber calendar (1600 copies mailed).  The MC Children’s Services Council had developed a flex fund to assist foster children with special activities (i.e. dance lessons, art lessons, etc.).  Additionally, Christina Kaiser, United For Families Community Resource Coordinator, has been asked to speak at the November meeting of the MC Interagency Coalition (IAC).   IAC members will be conducting a personal products drive at the meeting, collecting soap, shampoo, etc. for distribution to foster children who are removed from their families and placed in foster care.  

Mr. Collier indicated that the Executive Roundtable should look at existing services and see what can be made available to foster children (i.e. scholarships to camps, etc.).  He indicated that the Executive Roundtable should put an emphasis on assisting with the foster care recruitment efforts. 

Ms. Whittles added that perhaps the Chamber could develop a sub-committee regard supports to foster parents (vendors willing to give discounts to qualified foster families with children in placement).  This committee would be an excellent way for business persons to get involved.  

MCTV 20 was unable to film today’s meeting but Mr. Blackburn indicated that the station would be willing to produce a special show on foster care recruitment.  Ms. Hosang will follow-up with David Graham early in August.

Communities that Care Mobilization Planning:

·         Sub Committee updates

Donna Hosang was asked of update the Roundtable on the progress of the sub-committee working on the Community Action Plan.  Ms. Hosang indicated that a written update was presented to each member with their meeting packet.  Ms. Hosang gave a brief overview of the Parents Who Host Lose the Most campaign and showed several of the 30 second PSA spots that were produced by MCTV20.  Ms. Whittles indicated that the Sub-Committee on Community Attitudes is working with Assistant State Attorney Bob Belanger to draft a sample local social host ordinance and an administrative penalties ordinance which would fine owners of establishments selling alcohol to children under 21.  Eric Miller, MADD President, and Elizabeth Whittles are developing a position paper with background information to explain the need for the local ordinances.  The white paper will also outline why the local ordinances are not a duplication of existing Florida statutes.  When the draft ordinances and white paper are completed the committee will be ready to take the drafts forward to city and county attorneys for review, after which the drafts will be submitted to city and county commissioners.  Mr. Blackburn strongly suggested convening a meeting of the Chief of Police, Sheriff and State Attorney before bringing the ordinances forward to the city and county so that the sub-committee is sure that enforcement will not be an issue.  Ms. Whittles indicated that the sub-committee intended to convene such a meeting. 

While there is still no solution for sustaining the MADD Coordinator position there are several entities working together to try to find a solution. The School Board has secured a Department of Transportation Grant which will provide funds for a part-time prevention coordinator from July 1-Septemeber 30.  Ms. McIntrye, MADD Coordinator, will work with Safe and Drug Free Schools to fulfill the DOT grant objectives, which are similar to MADD’s (reducing youth alcohol use and increasing enforcement). 

Ms. Hosang thanked Mr. Blackburn for the excellent assistance provided by MCTV20 as the sub-committees fulfill the objectives of the Community Plan.  Ms. Hosang suggested that the Executive Roundtable should publicly thank the station by presenting the MCTV20 team with a plaque at a future County Commission meeting.    Executive Roundtable members present agreed by consensus to press forward with the presentation.  Ms. Hosang will follow-up with securing the plaque early in August. 

A further update on the sub-committee’s progress will be forthcoming at the October 20 Roundtable meeting.

Announcements from the floor

1. Harry Yates indicated that the proposed amendment to double the homestead rebate could negatively impact social services, as well as city and county government and the School District.  All constitutional amendments have to be brought forward with the fiscal impact outlined.  There is going to be a meeting of services providers around the state to come up with strategies to oppose such an amendment.
2. Mr. Blackburn added that Article V did pass with provisions for funding for law libraries, teen court and legal aide through a fee assessment process.

3.     Ms. Whittles asked Roundtable members to save the date of the TC3 Legislative Summit Breakfast which is scheduled for the morning of August 27.   Written invitations will be sent to community leaders in July.

Adjourn

Mr. Blackburn adjourned the meeting at 4:10 p.m.