Martin County Shared Services Network
Executive Roundtable Meeting
October 8, 2003
Minutes

Topic

                                        Discussion

Members Present

Russ Blackburn
Harry Yates
Elizabeth Whittles
Vern Melvin

Jim Vojcsik
Sara Wilcox
Bruce Colton
Joe Catrambone

Others in Attendance

Cheryl Bass
Robyn Cleghorn
Donna Hosang
Vicki Davis
Emily Moore
Jeff Ralicki
Danny Lyons
John Bracken
Maureen Simmons

Bill Connolly
Toby Olson
Martha Poorbaugh
Sharon Slattery
Susan Perez
Patricia Mirende
Stephanie Gray
David Cardno
Eric Miller

Carol Jones
John Gonzalez
Bill Clair
Mary Warren
Jerry Doyle
Esperanza Morales
Rebecca Galante
David Heaton
Robin Delgado

Gayle Swift
Berry Scalt
George Woodley
Kelly McIntyre
Beth Stone
Andy Hindman
Melissa Sarantos
Anica Vin
Pastor Paul Smith

Welcome and Introductions

Mr. Russ Blackburn, Executive Roundtable Chair, called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m.  Mr. Blackburn welcomed Executive Roundtable and Steering Committee members and representatives of the community in attendance.  Mr. Blackburn indicated that MCTV would be filming and broadcasting today’s meeting for the government channel 20.

Contents of Meeting Packet

Today’s meeting packet includes the following: Executive Roundtable members list, minutes of the September 4, 2003 Executive Committee meeting, ER meeting Schedule for 2003-2004, Steering Committee meeting schedule for 2004, information regarding the local community based care transition, DCF cost per child comparison for child welfare funding for fiscal year 03/04, information regarding the amendment to the Florida constitution, Article V, overview from Martin County Healthy Start Coalition addressing teen pregnancy, and a list of the current members of  the Shared Services Network Alliance of Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast.

Introduction of New Executive Roundtable Member(s) and SSN Alliance Representative

Mr. Blackburn gave a brief overview of the major entities that make up the Shared Services Network.  He indicated that by collaborating that all agencies contribute to healthier youth in Martin County.  Mr. Blackburn added that Mr. Ray Collins, Administrator of the MC Health Department, will be joining the Roundtable, although he was unable to attend today’s meeting. Additionally, Dr. Sara Wilcox has agreed to be the fourth representation from the MC Executive Roundtable to sit on the Shared Services Network Alliance of Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast.  Mr. Yates plans to ask Mr. Collins to be the fifth representative from Martin County to the four county Alliance.  Other MC representatives are Harry Yates, Chief Ed Morley, and Jim Vojcsik.

Review and Approval of the Minutes from January 22, 2002

The minutes of the January 22, 2002 Executive Roundtable were approved by consensus as presented.

Shared Services Network Project Continuation:

·         Review of 2003 Budget

·         Review of Proposed 2004 Budget

Ms. Elizabeth Whittles, Steering Committee Chair, briefly discussed the status of the 2003 Shared Services Network budget. Additionally, Ms. Whittles reviewed the proposed budget for 2004 which was approved by the Executive Committee in September.  The budget figure that needs to be raised for half of the SSN budget is $25,852.  The funding has been committed by the Department of Children and Families, the United Way of Martin County, Children’s Services Council of Martin County, the city of Stuart, Martin County Community Services, Safe and Drug Free Schools and the 21^st Century Grant.   Members will be updated on the status of the budget at the January 28, 2004 meeting of the Roundtable.

 Communities that Care Mobilization Planning

Ms. Robyn Cleghorn, Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator, from the Martin County School District was invited to the podium.  Ms. Cleghorn gave a brief overview of the definition of prevention as it relates to youth substance abuse.   Ms. Cleghorn spoke about why children turn to alcohol and drugs and discussed research that looks at risk factors in the environment, the family, and in society.  Ms. Cleghorn also discussed protective factors, or developmental assets, that keep children connected to their families and their community.  Additionally, Ms. Cleghorn discussed the results of the 2000 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey in which the level of substance use by Martin County youth was assessed (as self reported by students).  The survey was a joint venture of Communities that Care, the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Education.   There were 954 high school and middle school students who were randomly selected to participate. Results of the survey showed an above state average use of substances by Martin County youth.   These survey results prompted the Martin County Shared Services Network to focus on reducing youth substance abuse as a priority issue.

The Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey was again administered in Martin County in the year 2002.  The biggest strides were in reducing youth tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use.  However, the Martin County statistics are still higher than state average.   Ms. Cleghorn added that risk factors identified in the survey results were transitions and mobility and peer and parent attitudes favorable toward using substances.

Ms. Cleghorn continued by indicating that there are currently a variety of programs being implemented in our schools and community to combat the local statistics.   Ms. Cleghorn added that the draft community plan that is being presented today will include research based best practice programs and activities.   Ms. Cleghorn deferred to Ms. Elizabeth Whittles to continue.

Ms. Whittles gave a brief overview of Communities that Care Mobilization Planning Sessions, organized by Shared Services Network and financially supported by Safe and Drug Free Schools and the Children’s Services Council of Martin County.   There were two planning sessions, one on April 23, 2003 and one on August 27, 2003.  All Shared Services Network Executive Roundtable and Steering Committee members were invited to participate, as well as invited community leaders and community members.  Approximately seventy individuals worked together to identify and prioritize the risk factors affecting our youth, discussed what could be done to decrease youth substance abuse and discussed best practices that are in place in other communities.

Community Mobilization Action Plan

Ms. Whittles introduced the PowerPoint presentation which outlined the community plan as developed by the SSN Steering Committee using input from both Communities that Care Planning sessions.  Ms. Whittles walked participants through the written plan, which was distributed in hard copy to those in attendance.    Ms. Whittles explained that the plan was developed by reviewing best practices and activities that were discussed at the Communities that Care planning sessions and collating and assembling the information into a draft plan.  The document addresses the common threads of concerns expressed by those individuals present at the two community planning sessions.  These concerns include denial and ownership of a local substance abuse problem, enforcement issues, communication and community awareness.  The plan is divided in to four categories, which include risk and protective factor domains, best practices and activities, who is responsible and target dates for completion.  The best practices and activities outlined in this plan will be coordinated by Shared Services Network in collaboration with its community partners.  Ms. Whittles closed by saying that this action plan is a fluid, working document and action items will be added as needed.

At the conclusion of the presentation members of the audience were encouraged to comment.  Ms. David Cardno, Father and Child Resource Center, added that an addition to the plan should include an increase in sports and other activities available to middle and high school students after school.

Mr. Jerry Dee added that the community needs to be more aware of how often families are affected by drug addition.

Mr. Eric Miller added that he is interested in championing the cause of reducing youth substance abuse and he is forming a citizen group to collaborate with Shared Services Network.

Ms. Emily Moore, State Shared Services Network Technical Assistant Consultant, told audience members that Martin County is one of 23 Shared Services Network counties in the State of Florida. She added that the county is looked at as a model county by virtue of the fact that the local Shared Services Network looked at our local data and developed a plan based on local data the priority issue.

Executive Roundtable members offered the following comments regarding the plan:

Dr. Sara Wilcox:  After school activities at the middle school level are very important. As school district resources are cut the School Board avoids cutting athletic programs.  The District is currently seeking ways to increase activities.  The School District facilities are available and the District is looking for ways to partner.  Student energy needs to be channeled into positive activities.  Dr. Wilcox added that SSN needs to continue to add community partners such as the Health Department and others.

Harry Yates:  The Children’s Services Council has been involved in assisting with funding for after school activities at the neighborhood level.  An example is the program in East Stuart which has assisted in reducing juvenile crime 78% in the city of Stuart.  The Council is interested in enhancing in other areas.  Parents need to assist with the development of after school programs. 

Russ Blackburn:  SSN needs to reach out to each community to discuss why each community is experiencing substance abuse problems.

Joe Catrambone:  SSN can partner with five local Chambers of Commerce, which cover 95-100% of new residents.  The Chambers have the vehicles to reach the people, including printed material.

Sue McVeigh, Director of Development for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County: SSN should not reinvent the wheel but solicit assistance from community entities such as neighborhood associations and businesses.  Providing presentations to communities on developing assets in youth will help parents understand their ability to increase protective factors in their children.

Where to go from here

Joe Catrambone moved to accept the community mobilization plan as presented (a living document which can be amended as needed).  Harry Yates seconded the motion which was approved by consensus unanimously.

The SSN Steering Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 5.  At the November 5 meeting the members will chart the course on how the plan will be implemented, which may include developing sub-committee for each risk factor domain.  The Steering Committee will report back to the Executive Roundtable Executive Committee on progress in December and to the ER at the quarterly meeting on January 28, 2004.

Steering Committee Report:

·         Progress toward measurable goals 2003

·         MC MADD Chapter update

·         Developmental Asset Building in Youth

Ms. Whittles gave the following report:

·         The Steering Committee is still working on the measurable goals and objective for 2003.  There will be a written report on progress distributed at the January 28, 2004 meeting of the Executive Roundtable.

·         The MC MADD Chapter is being formed.  The Children’s Services Council provided a grant to hire the Executive Director and a membership drive is currently underway.  A required research project has been completed and is being submitted to National MADD which will then charter the chapter.

·         Healthy Communities Healthy Youth, a sub group of the Steering Committee, has provided numerous developmental asset presentations in the community. A proposal has been submitted to Dr. Wilcox to train all school board employees.

Announcement

Ms. Whittles announced that Scott Berry, a researcher with Children’s Services Council, would be presenting the preliminary results of the Whole Child Project at a public meeting on Thursday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the County Commissioners’ Chamber.  The public is invited to attend.

Adjournment

Mr. Blackburn thanked the Steering Committee for the work that was done to compile the community plan Additionally he thanked the community members that participated in collecting information that was critical to the development of the plan.  Mr. Blackburn adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m.  The next meeting of the MC SSN Executive Roundtable will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Stuart/Martin Chamber of Commerce.