SFN STEERING MEETING

Present:

Frankie Poplau*, New Prague Schools

Jeff Theis*, CSEC

Jennifer Deschaine*, Human Services

Jerry Hennen, Commissioner

Jon McBroom*, Shakopee Schools

Judi Brumfield*, Human Services

Judi Moonen*, CAP Agency

Kelly Smith*, Belle Plaine Schools

Nancy Dickinson, Human Services

Sharon Diedrich, CAC, Advisor

Terry Raddatz, Mental Health Center

Therese McCoy*, Court Services

Tim Walsh*, Human Services

Tom Lisec*, Burns/Sav/Eagan Schools

Tom Westerhaus*, Prior Lake/Savage Schls

Wanda Houska, SFN Executive Assistant

Absent:

Bill Jaffa*, Scott County HRA

Jim Hinck, CSEC

Ken Jaus, Scott County Resource Council

Larry Kauzlarich*, Jordan Schools

Lezlie Prettyman Olson*, MRVSEC

Susan McNellis, County Attorney

* denotes voting member

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Motion by Tom L., seconded by Judi M., to approve the November 2004 Steering Committee meeting minutes* as distributed. Motion carried.

Budget Resolution

Motion by Therese, seconded by Judi B., to approve the October-December 2004 Budget Resolution* as presented. Motion carried.

Advisor Update

The Advisor Team is planning to have a panel of liaisons to the various Russian cultures at the next Resource Coordinator’s meeting. Date, site and presenters have not yet been determined.

Annual Reports

Wanda distributed select sections of the Annual 2004 Collaborative Report*. She requested assistance in responding to subjective inquiries regarding the mission and intent of Scott Family Net. Partners are to review these inquiries prior to the February meeting and come prepared to discuss them as a group.

Revenue Reduction Projection

Judi B. and Wanda shared the notice from the MN Department of Human Services regarding the projected reduction in LCTS MA revenues that Scott County will be able to generate. The notice projects an 86% decrease in MA earnings, which will result in an proximate overall decrease in LCTS earnings of 59%. Scott County’s decrease is much greater than the state average due to our low MA population.

Comments and questions raised regarding this situation included the following:

What do we need to do now regarding our current programs?
What are we about as a collaborative besides money?
It is obvious we can’t do business as usual. $1,000 here and there won’t have much impact.
What can we put together that would reach the most kids and benefit the most partners?
There is a need to go to our districts and decide how to fund our programs locally.
It was suggested that partners not immediately share this information with staff until some initial planning is done by the collaborative in order to minimize staff turnover (those not under contract)
Chemical Health is the type of program we should consider funding. Most/all partners benefit.
We need to weigh the cost/benefit of reporting state/federal requirements.
We can look for alternative funding to LCTS (i.e. grants)
There are also alternative billing sources to consider (i.e. through mental health)
Partners are already feeling the impact of reduced funding in other areas/programs.
As a group we need to pull back and decide what is essential.
This funding situation is similar to when SFN started and we posed the question as to how we can better utilize/share resources.
It was suggested that partners who know they will not be spending their entire 2004-2005 allocation let Wanda know as soon as possible.
The next few Steering meetings should be for planning. Partners need to think of priorities and whether or not it is ‘just about the money’.
We need to decide what is core and essential.

This discussion will be continued at the February 14^th Steering meeting.

Scott County Vision of Service Presentation

Tim distributed a document titled Scott County Healthy Communities* and did a PowerPoint presentation outlining key concepts of the county’s resign plan. Some of what was presented included:

There already are groups meeting for similar resources – why not combine these energies.
A Community Congress will be developed out of current community volunteers.
A team of direct service staff will advise on how best to meet community needs.
Intent is to invest in primary prevention and early intervention.
Family and child needs tend to cross service systems – need to focus on a horizontal service system, a continuum of service

It was noted that this model closely resembles wraparound, and we need to look at whether or not wrap plans are an efficient and effective means of service delivery.

Partner Sharing/Closing

Shakopee – is educating 5000+ kids and is in need of short-term space, approximately 8-12 classrooms.

Judi B – will be having oversight of all community services at the county.

SC Mental Health Center – may become a separate entity from the county.

Burnsville Family Services Collaborative – is in a similar financial situation as SFN.

Belle Plaine – continues to struggle with space issues. Four additional portable classrooms are planned for next fall. Building referendum vote is in February.

New Prague – will be building two elementary schools. The High School will be hit hard in 2007 and the district is working on a crowding plan.

CAP - continues to look at ways to deliver services more efficiently. Over 4000 people were served through the Holiday project thanks to tremendous community support. WIC services have doubled since last year, Crisis Nursery and Weatherization needs are also up.

Court Services – is seeing a change in the background/situation of clients being served. Most kids are ELL, multiple family generations are living in the same home, many have two working parents yet struggling financially, and there’s been an evident increase in juvenile sex offenders and kids with extremely high-needs.

Scott County – continues to deal with budget reductions. There is a need educate the public on the relationship of tax increases and services available.

CSEC – is determining whether or not to close three of their sites and increase the capacity of other sites. There are currently 15-20 kids with high behavior needs. Meth use and gang issues are increasing.

Prior Lake – will be voting on a bond issue on February 15^th.

Jennifer D. will replace Nancy D. as a Steering Committee voting member from Scott County.

Motion by Jeff, seconded by Nancy, to adjourn. Motion carried.

*Contact Wanda to receive a copy of these documents