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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1990I fir-+, roved YOUTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM ADVISORY C014M I TTEE MEETING 14ARCH 1, 1990 7:00 P.M. Members Present: Fran Bukrey, Don Colleton, Chairman; Manny isqulerdo, Bishop Carlis Moody, Bob Roy, Robert Rutledge Members Absent: mike DeVaul, Kathleen Hardgrove, Henry Hayes, Delores Holmes, Janice Lane, Dan Moses, Stan Payne, Allen Price, Eplflanlo Reyther Staff Present: Jay Terry, Carey Wright, Joseph Butler, Kate Ker i n, Arro I 1 a Lopez Presiding Official: Don Colleton Visitors: Sabrina Orick Call to Order Don Col leton called the meeting to order. He welcomed the attendees and requested that they Introduce themselves. Minutes of January 11, 1990 The minutes could not be approved because there was not a quorum present. Retreat Colleton stated that the agenda should be altered so that the recent retreat could be discussed. Carey Wright stated that the retreat was conducted for one and one-half days to build relationships among staff and make program plans. He stated that a consultant was present on the first day to discuss stress and burn -out. On the second day they discussed a policy and procedures manual which they are writing. Jay Terry stated that it became clear him that the day to day Advocate activities do not always match what originally was envisioned when the program was designed. He indicated that the Advocates need to know that the City and Advisory Coimmittee support their activities. Bob Rutledge indicated that at the retreat he learned that the YAP staff is cohesive, express leadership ability and have clear priorities. He Indicated that the Committee should work with the Advocates on how to best channel their energies. He also Indicated that he felt the issues from the retreat were the Advocates's feeling that they are powerless to do what needs to be done and the coordination which many times involves only relying on goodwill. He questioned how to help the Advocates achieve the needed power. Discussion There was a general discussion of Issues such as uncooperative families, re -development of mission statement (redefining goals), need for more support to YAP staff, need for more referrals for family counselling, Advocates as surrogate parents (expanded role), and the accountability factor of agencies, and whether agencies are delivering the needed services. After some discussion Colleton stated that there has never been any doubt that the treatment of high risk would be difficult or expensive. He Indicated that existing agencies cannot afford outreach to high risk. He stated that he felt that with a limited caseload (30 to 35 maximum) no particular agency would be overburdened. There was some discussion of the need for family counselling and mental health services for the high risk families. Roy Indicated that the weakness of the program may the lack of non-professional help from the community. People will turn to someone who they trust (neighbor, friend,etc.) before they seek help from a professional. Bishop !•body stated that there are people in the local community who will help others. These people can be reached through the churches and the schools. Wright stated that he looks for specially trained mental health professionals who can help the high risk families. Roy stated that the solution will come from the community and YAP should help create the opportunities. Colleton descibed the role of Coe-Moms/Coe-Pops as an example of a community help group. He stated that this organization tries to (1) show the youth they care by being physically present; (2) be real explicit in the values set; and (3) be demanding and strict about rules. Rutledge Indicated that the leadership for working with a "YAP" family should fall on YAP staff. The services provided should be prioritized according to individual need. YAP should have a range of services that can be channelled to specific families. Wright stated that the first approach should begin with the family; i.e. services geared toward the family. Colleton summarized by Indicating that YAP should be providing the leadership function for the high risk families served. YAP has to find a way to cooperatively draw out the resources from the community and service agencies to get the job done. He indicated that the question to be asked Is are we approaching our cases 1n a way that invites the agency participation and the community support we think we need? Does YAP have the power to exact the cooperation? Should there be a focus on some sort of participatory process? Carey Wright, Staff -ORAFT-Not-ApFroved- YOUTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 15, 1990 7:00 P.M. Members Presents Fran Bukrey, Don Colleton, Chairman; Mike DeVaul, Kathleen Hardgrove, Manny Isquierdo, Janice Lane, Dan Moses, Robert Rutledge, Bob Roy Members Absents Fran Bukrey, Bishop Moody, Stan Payne, Delores Holmes, Henry Hayes, Eplfanlo Reyther Staff Present: Carey Wright, Joseph Butler, Kate Kerin, Amelia Lopez Presiding Official: Don Colleton Call to Order Don Colleton called the meeting to order. it was decided to discuss matters of Immediate importance such as thinking through improving the relationship between YAP and the Coalition and the two-year program evaluation report which is being prepared by Carey Wright. Don stated that a Subcommittee should be established to evaluate the report before presenting it to Human Service Committee. Don stated that Jay Terry will submit a response to Alderman Washington's previous memo and he (Don) will make an administrative response. Janice Lane, a new member was Introduced to the group. Minutes The minutes of January 11, 1990 were approved as written. The minutes of March 1, 1990 were revised to reflect further explanation of paragraph 2 on page 2. This paragraph required further elaboration on the discussion concerning the difficulty and expense of treatment of high risk youth. The treatment of the most high risk youth requires a tremendous amount of attention and allocation of manpower. There no agency whose sole mission is service to the high risk youth. There is some concern from existing agencies that any one of them takes on all the high risk, then there wouldn't be enough manpower to be effective. The thought with YAP is that they would have a relatively fewer number of cases and the staff (in coordinating) would call upon some of the existing agencies In such a way that the agency services would not be exhausted. The minutes of March 1, 1990 were approved as revised. Old Business Colleton indicated -that Ken Ehrensaft has submitted some draft material as a follow-up of his report. He suggested that discussion of this material be considered at a later time. Colleton stated that the Committee needs to make an appearance before the Human Services Committee on March 26 at which time the Two Year Evaluation will be submitted. The Subcommittee for evaluation of the report will need to meet to give Input on the report and the presentation. It was decided that Kate Kerin would represent the Advocates at the the Human Service Committee meeting. Bob Rutledge indicated that the Evaluation Report may represent a kind of extension of the report by Ehrensaft in that they are seeking a more extensive report on the program from the Advisory Committee. Colleton Indicated that at the last meeting it was the group sense that they need to put some Ideas together on the issues concerning the Coalition. He stated that the Coalition began as group of Youth Serving Agencies who rnt for 16-18 months prior to the Spring of 1986 to develop a program which could address the problems of high risk youth. This consortium of agencies presented the concept of YAP to the City Council. This concept Included the appointment of the Advisory Committee which was made up of agency representative from the consortium. The Advisory Committee reorganized the structure of YAP by having the Advocates become City Employees. It is felt that this reorganization bred some mistrust between those who fostered the program in the beginning and those who administer the existing program. The evaluation of the program by Ehrensaft was not complete or clear enough to present focused Issues. Finally part of the YAP concept was to determine whether there are services gaps or needs of tho high risk youth that are not met because services are not available. This has been a difficult area because the Advisory Committee has been called upon to report to the Human Services Committee on whether or not one or another agency has either been cooperative or is able to deliver services those agencies say exist. These factors have caused some distance between the Coalition and YAP. Don Indicated that the Committee needed to improve the relationship with the Coalition. Rutledge stated that It may be a communication problem for which they may create channels for good communication. He suggested the following ways to create channels of communication: (1) Inviting the Coalition to create a Ilaslon within their group who would sit in on the Advisory Committee meetings and report back to the Coalition. (2) the members of the Advisory Committee who are members of the Coalition could be designated by both groups to give more clarification to both groups. (3) The Advisory Committee could make a special effort to communicate with the Coalition. A rather lengthy discussion followed as various Committee members voiced their concerns that too much time Is being spent discussing turf Issues and there Is not enough focus on youth. Bob Roy, Manuel Isqulerdo, and Dan Moses cited examples of recent incidents that have Incurred Involving Evanston youth. They went on to express the focus of attention must be on youth and what we can do to address their needs. Don Colleton stated we must get on with the business of doing rather than just talking. The potential for gang and youth problems this summer was a concern echoed by Committee members. Further discussion on the relationship between YAP and the Coalition was summarized as follows: 1? There is a need for structured communication between the Advisory Committee and the Coalition. 2? There should be some kind of "air clearing" session with the Coalition to clear up any existing confusion. Roy stated that the Coalition's responsibility to develop a community based support for youth who do not have any other structure. DoVaul Indicated YAP cannot got caught up in confusion because of the importance of their mission i.e., to help the high risk youth. The problems with the Coalition are totally separate from the YAP mission. Further discussion followed on the Issues Involving the Coalition. Lane suggested that It may be time to review the goals originally set for YAP. Bob Roy stated that he agrees as long as the goals are concrete. He indicated that the Youth Services Coordinator was supposed to be an observer of the service delivery problems. He indicated that it may be that YAP has to fall -in order to reach its goals so that the real problems can be revealed. His biggest fear about the program is that if it does not work, then the youth Involved will be victims of the fear response, i.e. they are bad people, therefore don't treat them -lock them up. He indicated that the YAP program stands as a equal to the Coalition and should be treated as such. It was decided that all members would receive a copy of the evaluation report and a meeting would be held on March 21 to discuss the March 26 presentation to the Human Services Committee. The meeting was adjourned. Carey Wright, Staff .1 •DRJF4'Fl�t Approved YOUTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 19. 1990 7:00 P.M. Members Present: Fran Bukrey, Don Colleton, Chairman; Delores Holmes, 81shop Moody, Bob Roy Members Absent: Mike De Vaul, Kathleen Hardgrove, Henry Hayes, Manny Isquirerdo, Janice Lane, Dan Moses, Stan Payne, E:pifanio Reyther, Bob Rutledge Staff Present: ,lay Terry, Carey Wright, Joseph Butler, Kate Kerin, Amelia Lopez Presiding Official: Don Colleton Call to Order Don Colleton called the meeting to order. Statistics Colleton initiated a discussion regarding compiling statistics. He Indicated that a service agency may have a variety of valid reasons why they cannot help a youth referred by YAP. The statistics need to be compiled as soon as possible because they will help determine which agency Is giving satisfactory service and which Is not. Meeting Room There was some discussion on the assignment of meeting rooms. Carey Wright explained that the rooms are assigned months in advance and he will attempt to get the same room each month, If possible. Computer In response to a question from Colleton, Kerin and Wright explained that there was two Wang computers available for use. and Indicated that they needed a programmer to set up the data base. Colleton stated that he would refer someone to them. There was some discussion of the type of data to store. Colleton stated that the data should establish what services are needed and which agencies donit meet the clients needs. Colleton Indicated that the objective Is not to set up any agency for failure. The purpose is to find the service gaps and determino if they can be corrected. If an agency cannot give the service needed, then the case should be taken to the director of the agency (or higher level) so that it can be established exactly what an agency can or cannot do. There should never be a case that gets bogged dorm for lack of proper service. Delores Holmes Indicated that there has to be documentation because the agency has to be able to show the facts. Minutes Fran Bukrey state,l that she was absent at the last meeting, but the minutes showed hor present. Bob Roy stated that his statement on the last page, should be changed to state that he said specific goals should be set and if they are not met, then YAP should be able to explain why. Activity and Statistical Report Roy comnanted that he wants to discuss the establishment of policy and procedures that define what Information must be taken at Intake. He Indicated that terms should be defined. He suggests that the terms be put into the policy and procedure manual. Roy specifically asked for a definitlon of collateral contract as it appears on the Youth Advocacy Program Report. Kerin stated that a collateral contract is any contact between YAP, the client and anyone other than the family with measurements in terms of contacts not hours. Roy suggested that such measurerents of contacts be consistent. In response to another question from Roy, Kerin stated that the "!dumber of intake sessions" are the number of sessions held regarding a client who is not yet staffed. It was established that this statistic may need to be moved on the report. Colleton requested that staff attach a narrative key to the report to clarify terms. Kerin stated that the total number of persons they deal with would be a total of the number of open cases, the number of extended Intakes, and the number of referrals. Holmes stated that this term should be added as the number of unduplicated contacts. It was established that Earn and Learn whould be combined from District 65. Roy stated that there needs to be established standards on horn to closo a case. He stated that there might be the perception that they need to hang on to cases even when people don't cooperate. In response to a question, Wright stated that there was still some capacity to take on more cases. Purchase of Service Agreement Colleton stated that the orgininal theses of the program included asking for, not buying, the services for the clients. He added that It might be over time that It is shown that an agency does not have the financial capacity to give the service. He asked If the proposed service contract reflect some Judgement that Family Counseling has freely given all the services asked for. He asked If tKey have set with the head of Family Counseling and discussed why service cannot be given. 3Z In response to questions concerning tho reasons to purchase service, Wright stated that the major service providers who have not been Involved in YAP cases give the following reasons: because they usually provide services In house; service to YAP clients Is not traditional; the agency funding and client load such that they have waiting lists and they cannot do Intensive outreach. Colieton stated that It sounds like this is a case where we know we want and cannot got it. Ho Indicated that these agencies should have the opportunity to put it In writing that they cannot give service. Amelia Lopez stated that she has referred a YAP family to Family Counseling and they accepted the case In March. However, no service has been given duo to scheduling problems. The meeting was adjourned. Carey Wright, Staff r --1LQPftftt Approved YOUTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE" MEETING MAY 17, 1990 7:00 P.M. Members Present: Fran Bukrey, Don Colleton, Chairman; Mike DeVaul, Eplfanlo Reyther, Bob Roy, Bob Rutledge Members Absents Kathleen Hardgrove, Henry Hayes, Manny Isqulrerdo, Janice lane, Bishop Carlis Moody, Elan Moses, Stan Payne, Staff Presents Jay Terry, Carey Wright, Joseph Butler, Kate Karin, Amelia Lopez, Terri Draws Presiding Official: Don Colleton Call to Order Don Colleton called the meeting to order. Activity and Statistical Report Colleton called attention to the key which was written to interpret the categories of the report. In response to a question from Bukrey, Karin stated that the hours in Item VI. were unduplicated. Wright called attention to the explanation on the Code Sheet for Number of Open Cases. Open cases includo any client or parent with whom an Advocate has contact with at least once. (Under the old system only cases that were formally staffed were considered open.) Kerin 'sxplalned that the number of collateral contacts represents each contact with an agency concerning a client. Colleton suggested that the terms be more descriptive. He also requested that a there be a new category which states whether service Is being given. Sub -categories should be created to show when and why service is denied. In reference to item Vlll., Colleton asked If enough referrals are being made? Karin stated that they have not made referrals unless they were sure they would be accepted. Wright stated that they try to make clear, specific referrals. Colleton indicated that YAP needs some measurement of the entire referral process - whether the right referrals are being made, whether the referrals are sucessful, etc. Karin stated that they could track such aspects as "service not available". Wright and the Advocates gave examples of service which YAP ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING — MAY 17, 1990 2 were difficult to find such as counseling and long terns outreach. Wright stated that it can be difficult to determine how long a client needs to be Involved in a service. The Advocates need to determine an objective way to measure the effect of the service. Colleton stated that they need to make a specific, defined service request and measure It. There followed som discussion of what the advocates should do when they get a denial for service from an agency. It was determined that they should attempt to negotiate with the agency and if that falls, then report It as a refusal to deliver service. The Youth Services Coordinator is then responsible for taking appropriate actions. Linder the item, Referrals glade By YAP, it was determined that fob referrals such as Jewels should be placed under "Other". In response to a question from Rutledge, the Advocates stated that surrogate parenting has become one of the services requested especially when parents don't follow up on educational and medical problems. Terry stated that there is a growing number of kids who have minimal parental support. Wright stated that there is a need for agencies to work with the parents to help them with home based family support services. Bukrey stated that substance abuse seems to be common among parents who don't take responsibility for their children. The service gap seems to be the problems involved with getting treatment for the substance abuse. Terry stated that who and what is a substance abuse counselor Is a murky issue because these counselors need to be culturally sensitive and based In the corrrunity. There are few community agencies who have certification as substance abuse counselors. Service here in Evanston is not clear. In response to comments, Aright stated that you can get bogged down looking at the family's problem as a substance abuse issue. Rutledge asked what are the other factors that lead to parent dysfunction? He stated that If there Is substance abuse then It needs to be addressed. Wright stated that many parents who are not substance abusers are young people with low parenting skills end limited problem solving options, some have health problems; some have no job or too many Jcbs. Also the ;aregiver may not be the natural parent so they may not fully commltt to the child. Colleton indicated that he was not sure that the community had the kinds of service the parents need. DeVaul stated that some parents are Inexperienced and they won't expose their children to activities they have never had. Rutledge Indicated that an issue is how to get the parents into services that address their problems. There was some discussion whethers substance abuse was the main problem with the YAP parents. Colleton stated that they need to promote substance abuse programs in Evanston. Kerin stated that families don't necessarily follow up on referrals for substance abuse. Bukrey stated that If YAP accepts families where substance abuse is a problem and YAP doesn't confront the problem, then they are building In a failure component, otherwise, they will have to admit that the family cannot be accepted. DeVaul asked how does one overcome such barriers? Bukrey indicated that you have to confront the resistance, YAP ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING - MAY 17, 1990 3 and help a family Identify what their aspirations are. Rutledge Indicated that as long as there is any resource available to the youth, then, they should not be excluded from the program even if the parents don't participate. He stated that substance abuse is a devastating problem which should be placed in a special category. The Advocates could end up spending a lot of time dealing with what they think Is low parenting skills when the real problem is substance abuse. Colleton indicated that there may be a need for some kind of intensive homo-based substance abuse service which Is not readily available in Evanston. After further discussion, Wright stated that If he clearly thought there was a substance abuse problem, he would discuss it with the parents, then, If possible, refer them to some service to benefit them. Terry stated that there is a need to discuss the strategies of discussing substance abuse with the parents because it Is such a sensitive issue. DoVaul added that parental Issues in general need to be dealt with. Wright stated that YAP should focus on the youth and help parents understand that they can improve the outcome of their kids. The issue and solution are the parents and It does not serve the Advocates' purposes to alienate them by accusing them of substance abuse. Terry stated that it is an unfair burden to the Advocates to try to deal with something that the entire country cannot do much about. Rutledge added that the Advocates should engage the parents by helping there deal with what ever problems they have, then ultimately they can form a relationship which may allow them to discuss substance abuse. After further discussion it was determined that the Advocate should try to avoid actually doing the tasks of the caretaker. The Advocate should help establish a network for tr youth to receive service. This service Includes neighbors, other relatives, as well as agencies. Colleton stated that he would like for the Advocates to report on substance abuse problems In the next few months. Brochure Terri Draws, Intern, requested Input regarding the YAP Brochure. Rutledge stated that he liked the linkage with agency, church and school. He was concerned about simplifying the design because the ,images don't fit the urban situation, He also stated that he 4uestioned the picture of the family. Roy suggested that questions to youth be added. He also suggested that they use photographs. Bukrey Indicated that the brochure may not need so much explanation. Draws stated that she was completing her internship, but would complete her draft before leaving In June. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m. Carey Wright, Staff Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: mot Approved YOUTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM ADVISORY COM14 I TTEE MEETING JUNE 21, 1990 7:00 P.M. Fran Bukroy, Don Colleton, Chairman; Delores Holmes, Janice Lane, Bob Roy, Bob Rutledge Mike De Vaul, Kathleen Hardgrove, Henry Hayes, Manny Isquirerdo, Dan Moses, Stan Payne, Eplfanlo Reyther Jay Terry, Carey Wright, Joseph Butler, Kate Kerin, Amelia Lopez Presiding Official: Don Colleton Call to Order Don Colleton called the meeting to order. Colleton opened the meeting with a brainstorm session on - if the Committee could make any changes In the program they wanted - ghat would they change? Some Ideas included lower Advocate to client ratio which would allow for more intensive service; expand target group to Include youth age 9; fill service gaps by providing home based services Including re -parenting skills, Individual and family counseling, homemaking service to substance abusers, and child care assistance. Colleton Indicated that the group seems to be coming to . the conclusion that the existing service organizations and YAP have not been able to significantly change behavior outcomes such as school attendance, school behavior, and police contacts. Therefore, he wanted to discuss what the Committee could do If they were given a free hand. Wright stated that the program could lower the targeted age group to age nine in order to help the youth earlier when change is more promising. Butler suggested that the school curriculum should be changed for those youth who are not in main stream America so that they can learn their heritage to Increase self-esteem and pride. Kerin stated that they should change the way the service agencies provide service. General discussion followed concerning the Importance of family involvement In the services to high risk youth and why parents have to be encouraged and supported In fulfilling their parental obligations. Service agencies need to know that when they deal with the high risk youth, they need to get the family Youth Advocacy Program Advisory Committee, June 21, 1990 2 involved. Roy stated that some agencies may object because dealing with the family will expand their mission. Holmes Indicated that there Is a real lack of services to the high risk families. Terry stated he has included language in the contracts for the City purchase of service arrangements this year which indicates that the agencies must cooperate with YAP. He indicated that it has been called to his attention that OCFS goes even further by requiring a "no refuse policy" in their contracts. Roy stated that It may make a difference since YAP requires additional service from the agenclos. Colleton summarized that they really need the agencies to realize that they cannot duck the hard cases. General discussion followed which Included that there needs to be some training on how to service the high risk. It was mentioned that YAP is not the only Committee that Is concerned about the high risk families falling through the cracks. Rutledge stated that you cannot ask an agency to do something that Is not Included In their mission. Terry added that In the Unified Budgeting Process, agencies state that they will serve all people. Bukrey Indicated that agencies need to be trained to serve the high risk families and youth. It was also stated that there may need to be some street workers to reach the kids on the street who are not referred to YAP. Wright Indicated that the agencies need to be flexible in terms of fitting the clients into their guidellnes rather than vice -versa. There should be more attempts to see these types of clients more often and bear with them. It was also Indicated that it should be recognized that the relationship betweeen service agencies and the high risk client needs to be different from other client/agency relationships because the high risk clients need a closer relationship. Existing agencies need to develop the ability to give "quick fixes" to these families while involving them In long term services which are focused on helping them develop the ability to independently sustain their lives. With the help of Committee members and YAP staff, Colleton developed a summary list of changes that ESOs must make to serve high risk youth. 1. Must attempt to reach high risk youth through family. 2. Cannot refuse to serve high risk youth or cooperate with YAP. 3. Staff training to effectively serve high risk youth. 4. Street presence ala street worker concept. 5. Outreach delivery. 5. Must be flexible. 7. Long term and Intensive. 8. Must be committed to and accept where clients are tat present). 9. Utilize churches, extended family and others within the community. 10. Address concrete needs as part of service. There was some discussion on whether there was any agency which taught parenting skills to the parents of high risk youth. Programs exist Youth Advocacy Program Advisory Committee, June 21, 1990 3 for teen parents, but little exists for the adult parents. Lane stated that it would be beneficial to encourage high risk families to Interact with the churches to learn the values and skills. Kerin remarked that there is some resistance on the part of the youth to Interact with the churches. Bukrey indicated that resources need to be developed by going to the community, extended family, the neighborhood churches, centers, and street corners rather than expecting the traditional agencies to change their ways of operating. The Committee then developed a list of five (5) key changes that needed to be addressed to accomplish the mission of the program: 1. Political power to compel change. 2. Lower Youth Advocate to client ratio from 15 to 10. 3. Fill service gaps (all home or community based services) such as: a. re -parenting skills b. counseling (individual and family) c. housing and other basic needs d. substance abuse e. money management and homemaking 4. Rower ellglblity age of YAP referrals from 11 years to 9 years old 5. Develop improved ways of addressing educational needs of Black males in the primary grades in summary Colleton asked how does the Committee make the points listed heard and If the listed points are changed, then will the family outcomes change? Terry stated that outcomes will change but, he feels that changing the structure of the agencies will not be as effective as the major system changes such as 11 and 13. Building some political concensus to make changes was discussed. Roy stated that the people with fiduciary responsibilites to services need to feel comfortable about their decisions. Thera Is a need for support for the programs to be evident. Terry indicated that there is no Identified, effective spokesman or supporting elected official who 1s the expert for high risk youth. What is developing is a new call for the appointment for such an official. Bukrey Indicated that creating such a position is not the answer to the problems for high risk youth. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Carey Wright, Staff Notes YOUTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 15, 1990 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: Michael DeVaul, Fran Bukrey, Bob Rutledge, Dan Moses, Manuel Isquierdo, Jay Terry It was established that a quorum was not present and that minutes were not available from the previous meeting. Therefore, this did not constitute an official meeting, but rather was an informal discussion of issues. Mr. Terry acknowledged there had been some discussion about cancelling the meeting in view of the fact that Don Colleton was out of town, and he was aware of other Advisory Committee members who could not attend. However, he felt it was important that there be a meeting held in view of two significant developments regarding the program, and that it was important to begin a process for Committee input regarding those issues. The two issues are: I. Carey Wright had submitted his resignation as Youth Services Coordinator, and his last day with the City of Evanston was November I6th. 2. As a result of recent City Council priority setting sessions and a concern about the impending budget deficit, and a concern about the effectiveness of both the YAP program and the Police Department Youth Outreach Program; that there was discussion of a new program in the next budget year being a joint program of both Youth Outreach and YAP and a strong desire that there be feedback from the members of the YAP Advisory Committee about such a proposal. Mr. Terry reviewed some of the history of YAP and why he felt the perception of the program was not what it could be. He felt the program had sustained a number of credibility blows during the years it had existed. Some of the issues highlighted were the relationship between the program and the Youth Coalition, which had created it and the Advisory Committee. He felt that the move to have the Advocates become City employees was a decision that caused a lot of hurt feelings from which the program had difficulty recovering; that the high Advocate turnover the program experienced had led to less than total confidence in the program; that the controversy regarding the Ehrensaft report had undermined confidence in the program, and the Advisory Committee was diverted to come out with their own evaluative report; that the program never did get the data from the schools and Police Department needed to measure the program; that leadership in the program had been an issue which a lot of people had not wished to confront directly; that the program never clearly articulated its goals and objectives; that it remained a vague program. i YOUTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE Notes of Il/I5/90 . . . Page 2 A discussion ensued among the meeting participants, and some of the points raised were: it was very important that any newly designed program would have the input of the two school districts; Leadership was a problem with the YAP program and that the key to any new program would be the new leadership. questions were raised as to what were the precise issues the City Council had raised relative to the two youth programs, and what was the thinking in the Council as to why the two programs could merge; a reluctance to give up on the concept of YAP; a feeling that there needed to be a sorting out of what was successful about YAP and what was not successful, and a need to try and retain those most successful elements; a belief that one more critical issue regarding community perceptions of YAP was a decision somewhere along the way that the coordination role was dropped for a more direct service, therapeutic role and this was not a good decision; that the program identified certain kids and felt it had to save certain kids. questions that were raised by the meeting participants included: what is the City's commitment?; what is the agencies' commitment?; how is it measured?; is there any concensus?; what is the central need for the program right now and what is the direction the program needs to go? Consensus was that a special Advisory Committee meeting needed to be held with as many members as possible bringing everyone up to date with some written materials ahead of time. It was noted that the burden was on the program to prove itself, not on the program's detractors prove that it doesn't work; feeling that the program had never really articulated its outcomes or its activities appropriately. It was noted that the group who had originally designed the program did not embrace it. 'there was some thought that perhaps YAP was designed to fail; some comments about a two tiered service system. The consensus was that Mr. Terry would call Don Colleton to set up a special Committee meeting; there needed to be an identification of those things that went right with YAP; that there would be notes from the meeting so that all Advisory Committee members would understand the context of the discussion. Also, it was felt that it was key for this meeting to be held as a presentation by Dan Moses on the current activities of the Youth Outreach Bureau of the Police Department.