Wisconsin Juvenile Court Intake Association Minutes

HIGHLIGHTS OF MINUTES
June 8, 2007
Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI

President’s Report

Correspondence The Out of Home Care/Adoption Committee is looking for a representative from WJCIA to participate with the workgroup.
Case Problems A judge ordered everyone out of the courtroom at a dispositional hearing for a juvenile, including the guardians and parents, caseworker, etc. Board members present agreed the judge has authority to make that type of decision in the courtroom. However, no one was able to identify how this would benefit the outcome of the case.
Law enforcement have been sending referrals to intake involving consensual sexual contact between minors, (non-caregiver abuse) because CPS is not accepting these referrals due to recent changes in the law. Law enforcement may be making the referrals because they see a need for a social worker to be involved with the child and family based on their investigation. Possible solutions could be for the intake worker to recommend a CHIPS if appropriate, or gather additional information at the intake inquiry and forward the matter to CPS for a possible CHiPS petition at that time.

DHFS Report – Cathy Connolly

1) A proposed change in the wording of legal documents for children placed out of home in order to meet Federal requirements is being reviewed. The new wording is to help clarify that the placing agency is also responsible for the child’s ongoing care.
2) A request for an increase in foster care rates will likely get Legislative approval.
3) Badger Care Plus is being reviewed by the Legislature. Possible changes could include coverage for parents who have had children removed from their care, relative caregivers, and children aging out of alternate care could receive continued coverage until they are 21 years of age.
4) A requirement for fingerprinting foster and adoptive parents is being reviewed. The Legislature is currently reviewing costs of program.
5) There is a proposed change in the process for permanency plan review hearings requiring the Court to consult with the child at the hearing; including a discussion of the child’s independent living plan. Also, the child would have the option to decline being at court The State would like this change to take place by January 2008.
6) The HFS-43 work group is continuing. Also, the HFS-44 work group will restart. They are set to begin August 2007.
7) Several new memos of interest will be coming out from the State:
Memo 2007-03: Will address ewisacwis confidentiality.
Memo 2007-01: Will address increasing efforts in locating and actively engaging absent parents.
* Tip from Cathy * The Wisconsin Government website offers an automatic e-mail notification system to alert the user when a new memo is being distributed.
8) Additional items of interest being reviewed/discussed: possible merging of Department of Juvenile Corrections and Department of Health and Family Services, returning 17 year olds back to the Juvenile Justice System and the financial impact

Committee Reports

Conference Committee
Conference 07 brochure has been mailed out .
Site Committee
Several facilities have contacted the Association expressing interest in hosting the conference at their location, including the Sheraton Hotel in Madison, Manitowoc, and Kalahari and Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells.
Newsletter Committee
The newsletter has been mailed out.
Curriculum Committee
The committee is continuing planning for an advanced intake worker training scheduled for the Spring of 2008. Possible locations include Madison or Wausau. Potential topics include confidentiality, unusual or rare legal situations, and the Adam Walsh Act.
Mission Statement Committee
Committe presented the statement for “Use of secure detention” to the Board. Motion to accept made ; seconded. Motion carried. Updated version of the statement of “purpose and goals” of the association were presented to the board. A motion to accept made; seconded. Motion carried.
Nomination Committee
No report
Intake Directory
Intake Directory was e-mailed to counties.
Forms Committee
An e-mail was sent to the Forms Committee requesting updates. No response as of mtg. date. Will continue efforts to contact the Committee.
Legislative Committee
ThePending bills of interest being tracked:
AB 269- Threat to harm social worker bill.
AB 271- Would require jury trials for SJO placements.
SB 103- Addresses crimes against children.
Training Committee
There are five scheduled trainings in the upcoming year.

Regional Meetings

Region 1
Next scheduled meeting is August 8, 2007 in Hayward.
Region 2
Trying to set mtg for July 28, 2007.
Region 3
Met on April 13, 2007, well attended. Next meeting is scheduled for July 13, 2007.
Region 4
E-mail was sent out to gauge interest. Received no response.
Region 5
Next meeting is August 21, 2007. Attendance has been good.
Region 6
Did not meet.
Region 7
Trying to organize mtg.

Special Assignments

WCHSA The next meeting will be on June 16, 2007 in Stevens Point.
WARP Annual conference was held in May 2007; went very well. Next meeting will be August 17, 2007 in Fond du Lac.
Department of Juvenile Corrections TAC Committee The next meeting will be on June 1, 2007. Issues to be discussed include: basic intake worker training with the possibility of a web-based component. Department of Juvenile Corrections TAC Committee
Updates:
The Department of Juvenile Corrections 2005 report has been published.
Youth Aides funding/formula is being reviewed.
Rates for institutions are being reviewed. There is a possibility they might be reduced.
Next mtg. scheduled for September 14, 2007.

Unfinished Business

Ongoing discussions regarding potential changes to basic intake training.
Key points:
1) DHFS and the “Partnerships” are both interested in the “web based” training approach.
2) Would be similar to ewisacwis trainings.
3) There would still be a classroom requirement and exam.
4) Earliest possible date for implementation would be Fall 08.

The next meeting date will be August 2-3, 2007 in Waupaca, Wisconsin.