Members Present:
Judge Bruce Romanick
Judge Wade Webb
Deb Davis
Tod Dahle
Dale Rivard
Dr. Kevin Thompson
Ron Schneider
Nicole Leitner
Deborah Carlson
Mary Hall
Jackie Presley
Melody Peterson
Peter Welte
Mike Pesch
Sue Lass
Jonathan Anderson
Lauren Teezen
Members Absent:
Justice Mary Muehlen Maring
Judge Karen Braaten
John Thelen
Brandi Sasse Russell
Steve Mottinger
Brad Peterson
Birch Burdick
Rep. Ron Carlisle
Dave McGeary
Staff:
Marilyn Moe
The Juvenile Drug Court Advisory Committee met at the Doublewood Inn, Fargo, ND. Judge Bruce Romanick chaired the meeting. A motion was made to approve the minutes of September 17, 2004, by Deb Davis and seconded by Peter Welte. Motion carried.
Al Lick from the Division of Juvenile Services presented the committee with information on its current programs. These programs include: Day Report, Day Treatment, Tracking, Intensive In-Home Therapy, Juvenile Accountability Conference, and Nonsecure Holding/Attendant Program. The yearly budget for juvenile correction is $11 million.
Judge Bruce Romanick reported for the Bismarck team. Bismarck currently has ten participants in its program. It continues to struggle because there is not a drug test available for detection of mushrooms.
Sue Lass, coordinator from Fargo, reported for the Fargo team. Sue began as coordinator in January. She is employed with R.E.S.T.O.R.E., Inc. Fargo currently has eight participants. Two participants have graduated since January 1, 2005. She has been working on the strengths of the participants and finding activities that will build on their strengths. Fargo is also planning on applying for a Marshall Fields Grant to enhance its Writing and Parenting Program and strength-based projects.
Mike Pesch reported for the Grand Forks team. Mike replaced Shawn Peterson as court officer for the program. Grand Forks currently has seven participants in its program. Four participants have graduated and three have been terminated from the program since January 1, 2005. Judge Braaten continues to serve as the drug court judge. Judge Braaten has been working with the local media to publicly recognize the success of the program. Grand Forks will begin its summer schedule June 1, 2005. It will alternate court with a summer activity.
Dr. Kevin Thompson stated that he and Justice Maring have met with all the teams and reviewed the adult recidivism report. Dr. Thompson is currently working on a school report and a Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS). The purpose of the CAFAS report is to show the improvement of the participant from the beginning of the treatment to completion. Dr. Thompson will contact all treatment providers that are involved in drug court. Deb Davis, treatment provider, agreed to help Dr. Thompson set up a reporting system for Grand Forks.
Judge Wade Webb reported on the judges training given by Judge Henry Weber from Louisville, Kentucky. Topics presented included treatment, 12-Step Program, strength-based approach, and criteria and eligibility for the program. Ten individuals attended.
Jackie Presley reported on the Writing Program training. Ellie Greenwood, of Missoula Youth Court, presented Missoula’s Writing Program. Ten individuals attended. The participants will read poetry, stories, and also write. The program ends with the participants writing a memoir. The participants are invited to read their memoir to family, friends, and drug court team members. The Parenting Program for Missoula’s Youth Court was also presented. Each team will decide when and how to start these programs. Verona Lecher from Bismarck is willing to share her parenting program with all courts. She has developed a program for Prairie Learning Center. Marilyn Moe will meet with the coordinators to assist in getting the programs set up.
Marilyn Moe reported that Judge Gail Hagerty is working on establishing a North Dakota Drug Court Association. A meeting has tentatively been scheduled during the June Judicial Conference in Bismarck. Marilyn will provide team members with the time and location closer to the date. Marilyn also stated that May is National Drug Court Month. A proclamation has been sent to Governor Hoeven. The committee discussed ways to promote National Drug Court Month. It will also be Grand Forks’ and Fargo’s five-year anniversary.
Marilyn Moe stated that a drug court team will present at the Roughrider Conference in Medora on June 1. A team comprised of Judge Bruce Romanick, Deb Davis, Jackie Presley, Brad Peterson, Brandi Sasse Russell, Nadene Butts, Perry Lauer, and Dr. Kevin Thompson will give three two-hour presentations on the drug court program.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted:
Marilyn Moe