March 7, 2008
Wintergreen Resort & Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Case Problems
State Memo 07-06, regarding requirements for monthly visitation of juveniles in placement. Interprets the memo to include contact with treatment foster care workers and other caseworkers, to count for the monthly contact requirement. The contact also has to be documented in the eWiscacwis system. Will contact Cathy Connelly from DHFS to get clarification regarding the memo.
LaCrosse County has experienced several situations with counties placing juveniles in secure detention on a 72-hour hold and then completing a TPC request in order to gain for time resolving the placement situation. Questions whether this is the appropriate procedure. Board members present were not able to identify clear rules for how and when a TPC can be used in conjunction with a 72-hour hold.
Budget process has been completed. Youth Aides monies will be affected. There will be a memo coming out updating counties of the new financial situation. A handout with updated daily rates for state institutions was provided.
More qualifying offenses have been added to Serious Juvenile Offender Program.
Pending Legislation of interest: AB269 – Threat to Harm Social Worker Bill. Gretchen feels the current bill is struggling to make it through the legislative process. She suggests coming up with more real life examples to present to the legislature. Board members discussed current law in the State of Minnesota regarding threats towards others defined as “terrorist” threats. The Legislative Committee will continue to review in more detail at next meeting.
AB326 – Requires registered sex offenders to notify a school if they plan to be on school grounds. This could possibly affect parents and juveniles on the registry.
An updated list of municipal ordinances regarding residency requirements for registered sex was handed out.
Wisconsin received a one million dollar federal grant for a four-year program to develop/improve juvenile sex offender re-entry programs.
Conference Committee
Conference 08 planning going well. Possible topics include: school update/expulsion, internet use updates i.e. “My Space”, secondary trauma to workers, creative dispositions, and intensive supervision programs.
Feedback from Conference 07, negative comments about hotel and service, positive comments about compact disc
Conference Site Committee
Committee suggests picking the conference site as early as possible. This helps with negotiating rates, arranging presenters, etc. The possibility of changing conference dates was also discussed. The current conference dates (September) are usually busy. Different dates might result in better rates, service, etc. The committee will continue to discuss this topic.
Newsletter Committee
The next issue of Prima Facie issue is ready for mailing. The deadline for articles in the following issue will be February 15, 2008. Potential topics for the next issue will be updates on changes in forms, updates on eWisacwis, information for Conference 2008 and the upcoming advanced intake training; and committee photos..
Curriculum Committee
The committee is continuing to finalize plans for the upcoming advanced intake worker training. Proposed dates are May 6, and May 13 at the Wintergreen Resort in Wisconsin Dells and Stoney Creek Resort in Rothschild. DJC will co-sponsor the training.
Training Committee
November 07 training went well. January 08 training is filling up fast. The possible web based training for intake workers is currently in the developmental stage.
Information Technology Committee
Any ideas for possible improvements or changes to the current web page are always welcome.