Family Justice

Family Justice presented information at the Coalition for Juvenile Justice Annual Conference in May, 2009. The following paragraph describes their mission.

Family Justice taps the natural resources of families, the collective wisdom of communities, and the expertise of government to make families healthier and neighborhoods safer. Since its founding in 1996, Family Justice has emerged as a leading national nonprofit institution dedicated to developing innovative, cost-effective solutions that benefit people at greatest risk of cycling in and out of the justice system.
Through advocacy, education, and research, Family Justice offers a range of systemic interventions that address complex issues of people living in poverty, such as substance abuse, mental illness, and HIV/AIDS. By providing extensive training and support to government agencies and community-based organizations, Family Justice helps families unlock their potential to lead healthier and more productive lives.

http://www.familyjustice.org/

Family Justice aprovecha los recursos naturales de las familias, la sabiduría colectiva de las comunidades y la experiencia del gobierno para que las familias tengan más salud y vecindarios más seguros. Desde su fundación en 1996, Family Justice ha surgido como una institución sin ánimo de lucro con liderazgo nacional, dedicada a desarrollar soluciones innovadoras y económicas que beneficien a la gente con mayor riesgo de seguir entrando y saliendo del sistema judicial.Por medio de la defensa, educación e investigación, Family Justice ofrece una variedad de intervenciones sistémicas que se refieren a los asuntos complejos de quienes viven en la pobreza, tales como abuso de sustancias, enfermedades mentales y el VIH/SIDA. Al dar capacitación intensiva y apoyo a las agencias gubernamentales y organizaciones comunitarias, Family Justice ayuda a que las familias desarrollen el potencial que les permita llevar vidas más saludables y productivas

May 19, 2009 Minutes

Training and Research Committee
May 19, 2009
Vision:
We improve the juvenile justice system by meeting local training needs in a cost effective manner that ensures consistent and high quality instruction. We research evidence-based approaches and provide opportunities for communities and institutions to coordinate efforts. We identify best practices in Idaho and share expertise between stakeholders. We involve and support District and Tribal Councils so training and research is relevant to local needs.

Mission:
To identify and provide effective training and research to prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency in Idaho

Members present:


Brian Dulin
John Varin
Kyle Fisher
Bev Wilder
Carolyn Peterson
Karen Skow
Dawn Wilson
Lisa Stoner


Minutes:
April 21, 2009 Minutes approved. Bev Wilder, Motion; Carolyn Peterson, 2nd, Motion carried.

Strategic Plan
Committee members discussed the modifications to the planning matrix. Special attention was drawn to the fact that the Committee is working to illustrate the process and solicit input from Councils to help advance and refine the plan for training and research. It was decided to adapt the matrix for external stakeholders and present it at the Summit. The matrix will be updated to highlight each of the training/research priorities throughout the 3-Year Plan.

A discussion was held regarding parenting and family involvement. Alan referred an organization that presented information at the Coalition for Juvenile Justice Annual Conference. The Family Justice organization has developed a process that is relative to the paradigm supported by the Committee. The Family Justice website uses the Bodega Model and describes the basis as:

Family Justice develops creative initiatives with a wide range of strategic partners, including government agencies and community- and faith-based organizations. Research shows that our strength-based, family-focused approach results in better outcomes for people who are involved in the justice system and improves the health and well-being of their families. At the heart of this approach is The Bodega Model®.

The Bodega Model of family case management is characterized by these guiding principles and values:
• Respect for all individuals and families
• A broader, more inclusive definition of family
• Recognition of the family as the expert; its members set goals
• The promotion of families’ and communities’ strengths
• Considering people in a broad context
• Building on what exists and avoiding duplication of services

Family includes traditional and nontraditional members, which may mean friends, significant others, clergy, co-workers, or other important people in one’s social network. When a person is involved in the juvenile or criminal justice system, the whole family is affected—and strong family support is critical to the individual’s success.
http://www.familyjustice.org/


Roles and Responsibilities:
The Committee discussed the new roles of Councils and Council Members. The Committee noted the importance of providing clear guidance to Councils so members are not confused or feel a loss of vitality as organizations striving to improve the juvenile justice system. An action step resulting from this discussion is to create an itemized list of roles and responsibilities for Council Members using examples to illustrate how current methods can be implemented and strengthened to meet the goals of Council Action Plans and the 3-Year Plan.

Summit Preparation
The Committee decided to use the following format to present information at the Summit and solicit comments from attendees:

Judge Varin will introduce the Committee and begin the discussion;
Tom Begich will review the vision of the new training and research process;
Alan Miller will provide an overview with step by step detail;
Judge Varin will facilitate a comment period – Committee members will be at the head table to respond to questions as needed
Stephanie Breach will facilitate a tour of the Committee Blog;
Dawn Wilson will facilitate a sample Survey Monkey comment instrument;
Attendees will be provided paper comment cards for onsite written comments.

Next Steps:
IDJC will collect comments from individuals and forward to the Committee in July;
Councils will submit comments by August 15, 2009;
The Committee will meet via webinar in August;
The Committee will present a final plan at the September Commission meeting.

Conference Call / Webinar

1. Please join my meeting. Please note the meeting is 10:30am Mountain Time / 9:30am Pacific Time
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/join/252178586

2. Join the conference call:
Dial in #: 1-888-422-7124
Code: 461283

Meeting ID: 252-178-586

Agenda:
Review Minutes
Update Strategic Plan
Finalize presentation
Identify comment process

Meeting Minutes

Training and Research Committee
April 21, 2009
Vision:
We improve the juvenile justice system by meeting local training needs in a cost effective manner that ensures consistent and high quality instruction. We research evidence-based approaches and provide opportunities for communities and institutions to coordinate efforts. We identify best practices in Idaho and share expertise between stakeholders. We involve and support District and Tribal Councils so training and research is relevant to local needs.

Mission:
To identify and provide effective training and research to prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency in Idaho

Members present:


Nancy Lopez
Stephanie Breach
Brian Dulin
John Varin
Kyle Fisher
Bev Wilder
Carolyn Peterson
Theresa Appeney
Shane Boyle
Karen Skow
Dawn Wilson


Strategic Plan
After an indepth discussion of the priorities for training, the Committee decided to focus on one topic area in the first year and gradually add topic areas in years 2 and 3. Parenting and Family Involvement will be the topic area for training and research in the first year of this plan.

The Committee intends to support regional training events during year-one in collaboration with state and local organizations. The Committee determined that national caliber speakers should be brought to Idaho to discuss parenting and family concepts followed by a facilitated dialogue between attendees. Continued action to develop coordinated efforts improving resources for and relationships with parents and families will be based on local dynamics.

Maintaining a focus on juvenile justice was noted as a critical principle as we collaborate with other organizations.

Efforts will be made to secure continuing education credits for professionals in attendance.

The importance of Balanced and Restorative Justice as a foundation of the juvenile justice system in Idaho was reinforced during this meeting. The Committee will ensure all training is presented within the context of the BARJ philosophy. IJJA intends to provide training on BARJ at its annual conference in September.

Roles and Responsibilities:
Not addressed at this meeting

Summit Preparation
The Committee will meet via conference call to review and refine the strategic plan and prepare a presentation at the Summit.

Participation in OJJDP's EUDL Conference Call Training

I had the opportunity to participate in OJJDP's EUDL conference call training today on adolescent brain development and the impact on how adolescents respond more to impulsive acts than thinking things through, plus, some parenting skills on how to address prevention efforts.

Two things it was an informative training. And I thought it was a great way to get training information available to a high number of folks. Maybe something we can consider to use down the road.

Participation in OJJDP's EDUL Conference Call Training

Great Discussion

I thought our discussion this morning was very productive and we continue to move forward with meeting our goals. You all are amazing in the work you do for our State.

Bev