HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Commission On Children And Youth - 07/21/2008 ri 2526
COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH7,-/
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, July 21, 2008, 5:30 p.m. ""`'
lrst Floor- City Hall-Committee Room
1201 Leopard St, Corpus Christi, TX ?1rFi�s
Members of the audience will be provided an opportunity to speak during the meetinCA,recording is made'of the
proceedings. You must first identify yourself by name and address. Then state your point as-briefly as possible when
addressing the Committee. Presentations will be limited to three (3) minutes. _' _�_
Any person who plans to attend this meeting and may need an accommodation is requested to contact the Parks
and Recreation Department at 826-4000 at least 48 hours in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be
made.
Minutes
Call to Order: 5:39 pm
II. Roll Call of Members
III. Adoption of Minutes: Regular Meeting, June 16, 2008: minutes adopted by Commission.
IV. Action on Absent Member(s)from June 16, 2008 meeting: Brian Silva (resigned), Caitlin Martin,
Amanda Stukenberg (ae), Miles Toren (ae), Rita Morales (ae), Johnny Oelschlegal (ae)
V. Hear from the Public
VI. Business
New Business:
1. Community Connections Event
a. Discuss purpose of event
Amanda Stukenberg advised that the subcommittee did meet on 7/3/08 and advised that they
envision the event to be a networking event for the providers who attend. She mentioned that in
the past they use to do this for their annual events and it was quite successful. Each provider
would mention what they did and discuss their programs for about three minutes. She
mentioned that the subcommittee is envisioning that the registration would start at 8:30am and
the actual event would start at 9:00am and end at 11:30am-ish. There would be no lunch served
but that the Commission members could bring pasteries, taquitos etc if they wished for the
attendees. Valerie Villarreal mentioned that she did speak to Gracie Martinez from Del Mar
College and that they could not offer free coffee or coffee pots etc. She mentioned that the room
was offered as"gratis" by the Del Mar College's Dean of Economic Development due to the
event being free to the public .
b. Discuss what is the message the Commission wants to convey to the community
Networking was the prevalent theme of the discussion. The idea of the event is for service
providers to network with each other and promote their programs and also for the Commission
to network with providers and also maybe possibly promote the CCY platform as well as possibly
look for additional funding partners for the data collection project.
c. Discuss partnerships
Amanda Stukenberg mentioned that maybe CBAY would want to be a part of the event due to
them historically being partners for this annual event. Valerie Villarreal will ask CBAY how they
can assist in the event. There was also some discussion on how this event could be used to
search for additional partners to fund the CCY data collection project.
d. Discuss potential dates
It was discussed and approved that 10/1/08 is the date for the Commission Event. Valerie
Villarreal will contact Del Mar College of the finalized date.
e. Discuss event content
It was discussed that the event would be for provider and Commission networking.
2. Discuss budget/funding for platform data collection set
Status of budget process
Dr. Garza informed the Commission that she spoke with Councilwomen Nelda Martinez and was
informed that the Commission would more than likely receive $39,000. Dr. Garza mentioned
that she was originally informed by a councilmember that the amount would only be$25,000. Dr.
Garza also mentioned that nothing is absolute until the budget is finalized.
3. Education Advisor SCANNED
a. Discuss community projects/events as they pertain to children, youth and families
Joann Hooks advised the Commission on her Keep Every Youth In School ( K.E.Y.S.) project
that is partnered with CCISD and also the Corpus Christi Catholic Diocese. The project will be
in two phases. The first phase is a"walk recovery"where volunteers and CCISD staff will be
visiting with students who are believed to have dropped out of school on 9/6/08 and try to get
them to re-enroll in school. The second phase will be an "executive type forum"that will look at
outcomes of the initiative as well as strategize on how to reduce school drop out at a community
level. The forum will be held in the Spring, 2009.
b. Discuss how Education Advisor could assist in implementing the Commission's"Platform".
Joann Hooks advised that many of her position responsibilities reflects areas of the Commission
Platform in addition to economic development through workforce readiness to working with
education organizations like the Citizens for Education Excellence and local school districts to
name a few on addressing education initiatives and projects. One Commission Platform area
that she is currently working is the"Promote and expand effective city-school collaboration". She
is currently working with CCISD on meeting quarterly to discuss progress of City-School
collaboration efforts and initiatives. She is also planning on meeting with the other local area
school districts on a regular basis as well. Another area that she is already working on is the
"Encourage and support youth voice, engagement and leadership"component. Joann Hooks
recently applied and was awarded an "America's Promise"grant that is geared to keep youth in
school and to recover youth who may have already dropped out of school. Joann Hooks advised
that she could assist the Commission in implementing their platform. The Commission asked if
she could meet with them on a regular basis . Joann Hooks advised that she would be happy to
meet with them on a regular-quarterly basis to update the Commission on her projects and
status of education initiatives in this community. Joann Hooks mentioned that she could help
promote the Commission event as well within her education networks.
4. Parks and Recreation-Juvenile Assessment Center Enhancement Project
Discuss enhancement project
Valerie Villarreal presented the enhancement project that included extending case management
services to additional referral sources like community based organizations, school districts, non-
profits etc. In addition, Valerie Villarreal also mentioned that from a social service perspective
that prevention efforts were needed in this community and that prevention initiatives would also
be part of the enhancement project. Valerie Villarreal mentioned that in order to provide
enhanced services like prevention efforts and expanding case management to additional referral
sources, more professional social service staff would be needed.Valerie Villarreal also
mentioned that a name change to something that did not stigmatize the youth and families who
are participating in the program is needed. The"Juvenile"Assessment Center gives an
impression to community members, community based organizations, non profits, and youth and
families that this program is only for`juveniles"who are part of the juvenile court system.Valerie
Villarreal advised the Commission that the JAC is a social service and has nothing to do with the
juvenile justice system. The JAC has partnerships to receive referrals from different community
based organizations that does include law enforcement and local municipal and justice of the
peace court systems but it is not part of these systems. Parks and Recreation is aiming at
changing the name to something that is not stigmitizing nor labels the youth and families who
participates in the program. "Youth and Family Assessment Center"was briefly mentioned but
that Parks and Recreation is not married to any title or name change at this point. Valerie
Villarreal mentioned that this proposal is very flexible and that growing a program takes time.
Valerie Villarreal mentioned that the PARD-JAC did not have any intention in severing ties with
any current referral sources but that"growth" in referral sources is needed in order for the
program to be viable in the community. This agenda item was tabled for the next meeting due to
going over the allotted time for the whole CCY meeting.
5. Commission Advisor
Discuss role as per Commission needs
Topic was tabled for next weeks meeting due to going over allotted time for the whole CCY
meeting.
VII. Committee/Staff Reports
VIII. Superintendent's Report and Commission Concerns
IX. Requests for Information, Agenda Items
•
X. Adjournment: 6:50 pm
POSTING NOTICE: This agenda was posted on the City's official bulletin board in the Leopard St. foyer, 1201
Leopard St. at a.m./p.m. on 2008.
Valerie Villarreal, MPA, CM-C
Community Services Superintendent
Parks and Recreation Department