STEERING COMMINTTE MINUTES

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

Larry Kauzlarich*, Jordan Schools

Nancy Dickenson, Human Services

Sharon Diedrich, CAC, Advisor

Terry Raddatz, Mental Health Center

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

Kelly Smith*, Belle Plaine Schools

Ken Jaus, Scott County Resource Council

Lezlie Prettyman Olson*, MRVSEC

Therese McCoy*, Court Services

* denotes voting member

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Motion by Jennifer, seconded by Tom L., to approve the March 2005 Steering Committee meeting minutes* as distributed. Motion carried.

CHAMPS Presentation

Corey Lunn, Principal of Hidden Oaks Middle School, presented information about the newly developed coalition CHAMPS for Kids (Connecting Helpful Advocates, Mentors, Programs & Services for Kids) taking place in the Prior Lake-Savage community. The model is something that could possibly be duplicated in other Scott County areas. For more information contact Corey at clunn@priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us or (952) 226-0700 or go to www.champsforkids.org

Advisor Update

The April 5^th Resource Coordinator meeting on the Russian Speaking Immigrant Community went very well. Contact Sharon D. or Wanda for attendance/evaluation information.

The Advisor Team feels these types of trainings are beneficial to direct service staff and provide not only resources and information, but also an opportunity to network with staff from partner organizations. Trainings for the 05-06 program year are being planned with a $0 budget in mind.

All staff participating in the LCTS (Local Collaborative Time Study) are required to be re-trained prior to the start of the 3^rd calendar quarter. A representative from most partner organizations attended a mandatory DHS Train the Trainer workshop and now has the tools to train staff internally. Wanda will also be available to assist trainers in the process.

Budget Update

Preliminary numbers show that the integrated fund balance for July 1, 2005 will be higher than originally projected. Due to improved LCTS coding and reporting, revenues generated over the previous two quarters have increased. Time Study revenues are determined and paid out on a quarterly basis, which makes earnings and trends difficult to project. Until these numbers can be further substantiated, program funding allocations will continue using the previously determined figure of $200,000.

Discussion of Proposals and Evaluation Process for 2005-2006

Proposals submitted by last Wednesday were distributed via email to partners on Thursday, April 7^th. All proposals* were provided in a packet to Steering members in attendance. Proposal comments and clarifications included:

· If there are additional program dollars available, the opportunity to submit proposals will be reopened.

· A proposal submitted by CAC was not sent out with the other emails but is included in the packet. The establishment of Hub Development in communities is similar to the CHAMPS concept and has a wider mission than that of the previous SFN Family Leadership Councils. The proposal is a reorganizing idea and a systemic fix rather than a specific program funding request.

· Larry clarified that Jordan’s request is for $10,000 rather than $20,000.

· Tom L. suggested that an equalizer be determined for funds transferred between Scott and Dakota Counties.

· Frankie addressed New Prague’s “non-proposal” in that it forces the district to seriously look at previously funded programming. The local community is changing and the district plans to take a year to research/study what is most needed.

· There is a need to look at what is most efficient and look across the county at family needs. CSEC and CAP proposals are examples of this.

· SFN previously funded a countywide preschool for children with behavior issues that included a family/child assessment and early intervention. The program had phenomenal results but also had a very specific and small target population.

· Most representatives expressed support for countywide programming as long as their organization could reap some of the benefits.

· It was suggested we keep in mind which partners are generating revenue.

· It is difficult for organizations to change programming directions when those currently being used have been proven to be very beneficial.

· Partners could possibly tap into programs that are working as use them as a resource.

· Jennifer is involved in researching ideas similar to Hubs Development through the County. This type of structure seems to fit with the redesign of Human Services.

· Hubs would have to be sustainable and include buy-in from all partners involved.

Proposals will be evaluated at the May 9^th Steering meeting.

Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant

Wanda gave a brief overview of a grant opportunity that could benefit all partner school districts. Jeff stated that CSEC applied for the grant last year but was denied, and is in the process of reapplying this year. This committee will be kept informed of the grant status.

Collaborative Administration Discussion

A detailed description of the collaborative Executive Assistant position* was distributed and included the percent of time allocated for specific tasks. Judi B. and Judi M. discussed each item as to its impact on reporting, funding and necessity in maintaining the collaborative structure. Possible options as to accomplishing ‘mandatory’ items include:

Fiscal – Scott County Human Services

LCTS Coordination – Scott County; approximately $6,000/yr

Records/Annual Reports – Advisor Team

Meeting Coordination – Staff member from chairperson’s organization

Comments regarding collaborative administrative support:

A .25 FTE position could be contracted with a partner agency to accomplish these tasks.
The loss of a collaborative ‘focal point’ could result in loss of revenues being generated.
Reporting is simpler now than in previous years, more streamlined.
Such changes would increase the responsibility of this group, especially the chairperson.
Tasks sometimes were overlooked prior to the establishment of the Executive Assistant position due to lack of or miscommunication.

Tim, Tom W., Judi M. and Judi B. will meet to put a dollar value on administrative job tasks and develop various scenarios and to how the tasks could be distributed amongst the collaborative partners. Their ideas and further discussion regarding SFN admin will be part of the May 9^th meeting.

Closing

The start time of the May 9^th meeting was moved up to 7:45 am (instead of 8:15) to allow more time for discussion and decision making.

Wanda will provide as much up-to-date budget information as possible prior to the next meeting.

Any changes or additions to proposals should be sent to Wanda ASAP so that they can be distributed to partners for review.

Motion to adjourn by Sharon, seconded by Frankie, motion carried.

*Contact Wanda to receive a copy of these documents