Wisconsin Juvenile Court Intake Association Minutes

HIGHLIGHTS OF MINUTES
January 12, 2007
Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI

President’s Report

Correspondence President Tom Matykowski reports several contacts by phone and in-person with WJOA President Tom Reichert. Their goal is to improve the working relationship between the associations for planning and holding the annual conference. So far they have made good progress. President Tom Matykowski was contacted by DHFS Representative, Mark Campbell. He reports DHFS is putting together a work group to review the training requirements for newly hired social workers. Of main concern is the costs and time requirements for county agencies. DHFS would like representatives from WJCIA and WCHSA.
Case Problems Looking for information and experiences counties have had with attempting to take temporary physical custody of children currently placed out of state. Looking for statutes that address this issue.
The process for permanency plan reviews for children placed in Lincoln Hills was reviewed. All Board members present agreed the Department of Juvenile Corrections takes on the responsibility for permanency planning when children are placed in their facility. Upon their release, the placing county resumes responsibility for permanency planning. Department of Corrections representative, Gretchen Kubnick agreed and will provide additional information to counties as needed.

Department of Corrections Report – Gretchen Kubnick

The final Act V training has been completed addressing the guidelines for releasing juvenile sex offender information by police. Gretchen reports counties will receive updated information as it becomes available.
Legislative updates: Gretchen reports the primary issue of concern at the current time is legislation regarding sex offenders and their supervision. Beginning on July 1, 2007, all registered sex offenders convicted of 1st or 2nd degree sexual assault of a child or repeated sexual acts of the same child, shall be subject to lifetime tracking by a GPS monitoring system.
The Wisconsin Council on Children and Families (WCCF) is making continued efforts to have 17 years old returned back to Juvenile Court.
Act 444 allowing parents to consent for mental health treatment of their minor children will continue to be addressed to work out details.
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is continuing to be addressed at the State level. Currently the State is awaiting direction from the Federal Government for administration and guidelines. There is a website available at www.nicic.org.
The new 2006 WI State Statute books are available in print. Notable changes include State Stature 948.13, which prohibits a child sex offender from working with children, and 948.14, which prohibits persons on the sex offender registry from taking pictures of minors without written consent from the child and parent. See statute for complete definition.
Penalties for 1st and 2nd degree sexual assault of a child and repeated acts against the same child covered under Act 437 would increase these offenses to a Class A Felony.

Committee Reports

Conference Committee
(1) Working on placing conference information on a CD to reduce costs and for easier storage. (2) Eliminate a VIP speaker in order to allow more time for the keynote speaker. (3) Committee recommends one-day conference attendees get membership.
Site Committee
WJCIA Conference Site Committee to attempt to sign a contract with Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells in order to conduct a side-by-side conference with WJOA in 2008.
Newsletter Committee
Deadline for the next newsletter is February 15, 2007
Curriculum Committee
The committee has completed reviewing all test questions for intake worker training. A decision was made to wait until 2008 to set up an “advanced intake worker training” due to the late notice and the upcoming solo conference.
Mission Statement Committee
Mission statement regarding 17 year olds being returned to the Juvenile Justice System has been completed and is currently on the website.
Membership Committee
209 members.
By-Laws Committee
There have been no requests for changes in the by-laws. The committee discussed the option of allowing conference attendees to pay for two years of membership with their conference registration.
Motion made to allow conference attendees the option to pay membership dues one year in advance with their conference registration fee in order to avoid a lapse in membership if they cannot attend the conference every year. Motion carried by all Board members.
Intake Directory
Intake Directory will be e-mailed in the next month or two.
Forms Committee
The forms website can be located on the WJCIA links page if anyone is in need of court forms.
Legislative Committee
The main topic of discussion was locating a legislative sponsor for the Threat to Harm Social Worker Bill.
Training Committee
For January training,, 32 people signed up. For the training in April, there are 18 members signed up.
Information Technology Committee
Continuing to work on a listing of group homes statewide for the web page.
Recognition Committee
The Committee is looking for nominations for the upcoming recognition award.

Regional Meetings

Region 1
Meeting is scheduled for February 14, 2007.
Region 2
Working on getting meetings started again.
Region 3
They will be meeting next week, topic is truancy.
Region 4
Working on setting up a meeting
Region 5
Next meeting is February 20, 2007 in Appleton. They will be receiving a DOC update from Gretchen Kubnick.
Region 6
Next meeting is February 8, 2007. persons.
Region 7
No meeting is scheduled.

Special Assignments

WCHSA Last met on December 15, 2006. Topics of discussion included: (1) The upcoming budget bill. The Committee is looking at gathering financial data for upcoming discussions regarding financial impact if 17 year olds were returned to the Juvenile Justice System. The goal is to be prepared as possible for this upcoming debate. (2) Goals and objectives were reviewed by the Association. (3) Venue and interagency agreements. The Association would like to look at why some counties have not signed on and review problems that have developed. (4) The Association wants to review the Criminal Code and the Children’s Code regarding child abuse and neglect. They would like to see both pieces of legislation be consistent as possible with each other
HFS 44 Work Group
The Federal government rejected the current version of HFS 44, indicating it was missing needed information.

Unfinished Business

Gretchen Kubnick reports the Department of Corrections is looking for information on AODA residential placements. They currently have a teen girl who is failing at the Anchorage Program. Gretchen is also looking for information from counties that use electronic monitoring and how they address juveniles who cut off electronic monitoring bracelets and damage equipment. Most counties indicate the juveniles are charged with criminal damage to property and are required to pay restitution.