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March 2003

Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

B.J.s Restaurant, Gaylord

Friday, March 14, 2003

The meeting was called to order by Vice President Mike Davis at 12:52 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present: Stuart Bartlett, Terry Beardslee, Jim Bricker, Jim Charboneau, Frank Cowger, Bob Cudney, Mike Davis, Jami Demasi, William Ellingboe, Pauline Hall, Bob Harden, Rev. Bill Hipwood, Rev. R.C. Knight, Jean Kroll, Jack Mahank, Daniel Marcrum, Tehea Minke, Boyden Olson, Larry Sabin, Clyde Soucie, Bob Spencer, Gerald Wall, Rose Walsh, Gary Wozniak, and Beaver Donakowski (in for Leonard Zolnierek)

Excused: Ann Denis, Donna Dietz, Marcia Hopcroft, Dale Huggler, Joseph Pellens, Sheila Phillips, and Dianna Schafer

Absent: Jessica Sting

Quorum present.

Staff Members Present: John Briggs , Laura Budreau, Kathy Goddard, Karen Godi, Linda McGillis, Diane Price , Jim Robarge, Laurie Sauer , Sue Schuler, Lisa Slupecki , and John Swise

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

Motion by Frank Cowger to approve minutes of the February meeting. Support by Clyde Soucie. All ayes, Motion carried.

Boyden Olson led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. Rev. Hipwood blessed the meal prior to the meeting.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND PUBLIC COMMENT

Jami Demasi introduced herself as the new Head Start Policy Council Representative, replacing Jamie Hunt. Pauline Hall, Arenac County Commissioner, introduced herself as the new Board member from Arenac County and Beaver Donakowski, Alpena County Commissioner, introduced himself stating that he was sitting in for Leonard Zolnierek.

COMMUNICATION

John Swise read a letter of resignation from Marena Markel which indicated that she is now working full time and cannot travel to the meetings. John stated that she did a wonderful job while serving on our Board.

Motion by Jack Mahank to accept Marena’s resignation with regret and send her a letter of appreciation. Support by Rev. Bill Hipwood. All ayes, motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Head Start Policy Council – Marena Markel

The Policy Council held discussion on the Personal Policies and Head Start Performance Standards. Linda updated the Council on the proposed changes by the Bush Administration and explained what these changes would mean to the current program. The Council approved submission of the Early Head Start grant, approved new hires and approved the appointment of Jami Demasi as a member on the Board of Directors replacing Jamie Hunt.

Regional Council on Aging – Rev. Bill Hipwood

No report.

NEMAH Board – Marcia Hopcroft

No report.

VOLUNTEER SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL

Senior Companion Program – Rev. R.C. Knight

No report.

Foster Grandparent Program – Jean Kroll

No meeting report, but indicated that the volunteers were trained on violence in the workplace by Lt. Chuck Allen from the West Branch State Police Post. Jean indicated that she invited him to return and further train the volunteers on how to handle the various situations they get involved with when dealing with the children and their parents who become upset.

Client Services Advisory Council – Boyden Olson

An updated program information booklet was included in the Board packets. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) will now be funded for a set amount of funding instead of by pounds of food distributed. A Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) update was presented indicating that the State inspector visited the warehouse and found no concerns. In the future, the warehouse will only be inspected every two years. An update on the Crisis Prevention programs was received. A crew of volunteers from West Branch will be submitted for recognition at the state level in conjunction with Community Action Agency Recognition Day.

Program Planning and Evaluation Committee – Rev. Bill Hipwood

No report.

Personnel Committee – Clyde Soucie

No report.

Membership Committee – Jim Bricker

No report.

INFORMATION ITEMS

John Swise updated the Board on the information that was distributed at the meeting including a letter to President Bush in which Bart Stupak, among other legislators, has signed in regards to Head Start and some issues that program is facing. Two resolutions regarding the reauthorization of Community Service Block Grant funding and Head Start were also distributed. John suggested that the Board members take these resolutions to their County Boards and urge their support. Questions concerning any of these issues can be addressed to either Karen Godi or Linda McGillis (for the Head Start) at the NEMCSA office. John also commended Bob Harden for his efforts in building the M-Tech center in Gaylord. An article appeared in the Gaylord Newspaper and was also included in the Board packet.

Motion by Frank Cowger to have the Board support the accomplishments of Bob Harden. Support by Rev. Bill Hipwood. All ayes, Motion carried.

It was suggested that the Head Start resolution be distributed to the outer counties where NEMCSA provides the service and urge for their support. It was also suggested that a copy of the resolutions along with a letter explaining what they are and why support is needed, be mailed to the County Board of Commissioner Chairpersons as well as to the NEMCSA Board member for each county.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Financial Report – Jim Robarge

The financial report presented included information about the following: Agency wide Revenue and Expense, Community Service Block Grant Youth, TANF Adolescent funding, SF/SC Otsego County and Compass Youth and Family State grant.

Motion by Frank Cowger to receive and file the financial report as presented. Support by Daniel Marcrum. All ayes, Motion carried.

Compass Youth and Family Guidance – Lisa Slupecki and Stacy Shafto

Lisa gave a brief overview and history of the Compass program and discussed the information distributed in the Board packets. Lisa explained that Youth in Crisis is now the focus of the program instead of youth who are trying to runaway from home. Compass Youth and Family Guidance does not solve problems for troubled youth. Program Case Workers work with troubled youth to solve their own problems. The program is voluntary meaning that participants must volunteer to work with the Case Workers. Parental permission is not a requirement for those over 14 years of age; however the program prefers to have parental permission. Family counseling and group work are also components of the program. Case Workers work mostly in the schools, but home visits are an option and are available to accommodate the family or student. Most program referrals come from the schools and there are no income guidelines for participation. Staci Shafto, Case Worker, talked about what it is like counseling these youth. Case Workers are overwhelmed with referrals due to many funding cuts at the school level. John Briggs indicated that the all of the staff are Bachelor Degree Case Workers and are committed to the program. They are not child psychologists and do not analyze problems, they only help youth work through them. NEMCSA Case Workers do not work under the sanctions of FIA or the court systems and this helps the youth be more receptive to working with them.

NEW BUSINESS

Dan Dozema discussed the Kinship care issues the Office of Services to the Aging is working with. Tough economic times are present with funding cuts this year. At this time, there are no plans for further cuts. Next year funding levels will hopefully be held to present levels.

Reflections were given by Rev. Bill Hipwood.

John Briggs indicated that Board notebooks were available for those who missed the orientation session held at the NEMCSA office last month.

Motion by Frank Cowger to adjourn the meeting at 2:00 p.m. Supported by Boyden Olson. All ayes, Motion carried.

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Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

B.J.s Restaurant, Gaylord

Friday, March 14, 2003

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL

3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND REFLECTIONS

5. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND PUBLIC COMMENT

6. COMMUNICATION(S)

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Advisory Committees

1. Head Start Policy Council - Jessica Sting

2. Regional Council on Aging – Rev. Bill Hipwood

3. NEMAH Board – Marcia Hopcroft

4. Volunteer Program Advisory Councils

a. Senior Companion Program – Rev. R.C. Knight

b. Foster Grandparent Program – Jean Kroll

5. Client Services Advisory Council – Boyden Olson

b. Program Planning & Evaluation Committee – Rev. Bill Hipwood

c. Personnel Committee - Clyde Soucie

d. Membership Committee - Jim Bricker

8. INFORMATION ITEMS:

a. Director’s Report

1. Financial Report – Jim Robarge

2. Compass Youth and Family Guidance - Lisa Slupecki

9. NEW BUSINESS

10. ADJOURNMENT

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TO: NEMCSA Board Members

FROM: John Briggs, Chief Operating Officer

DATE: March 3, 2003

RE: Meeting Information - March 2003

Enclosed is the meeting notice for our Friday, March 14, 2003 Board of Directors’ meeting to be held at the B.J.’s Restaurant, 990 N. Center Road (Old US-27 North) Gaylord. Please refer to the enclosed directions and map. In addition to the tentative agenda and the minutes of the February 7th meeting, your packet contains a variety of program information and updates. At the time of this mailing, there are no items scheduled that require Board action.

A special thanks to the 16 Board members, including three new Board members who were able to participate in the New Board Orientation Session on February 17th. As usual, the Board Program Planning and Evaluation Committee did an outstanding job. The presentations and discussions were informative and candid. New Board member manuals will be distributed at our March meeting to Board members who were unable to attend the orientation session.

Our Director’s Report this month will feature Lisa Slupecki, Adolescent Services Director. Lisa directs Compass Youth and Family Guidance, NEMCSA’s program that works with At-Risk Youth and their families in an eleven county area of Northeast Michigan . Tough economic times and inadequate staffing of Protective Services are placing some heavy demands on this program.

Next in your packet is a program update for the Client Services Division Programs. Immediately following are several news articles. The first shows Lisa Bolen, Michigan Works! South Program Director working with the Iosco County Economic Development Forum. The second features LaDonna Simpson from Greenbush, Northeast Michigan Consortium Michigan Works! Alumnus of the year being honored in Lansing . Finally, there is another article about participation in the second annual Literacy Night at the Midland Center for the Arts.

The last item in your packet is the March issue of Board and Administrator. As usual, if you have any questions or require additional information about any of the items in this packet, please contact John Swise, Karen Godi, specific program staff or me. See you at B.J.s! Please remember to bring your Board packet, nametag and include the odometer readings for your mileage reimbursement. The Board stipend form with space for claiming mileage reimbursement is included in your packet.

Important Dates to Remember

Friday, March 14 Board Meeting at B.J.’s Restaurant, Gaylord

Friday, April 4 Board Meeting at Wiltse’s Restaurant, Oscoda

Friday, May 2 Board Meeting at Sterling Head Start Center, Sterling

Tuesday, May 6 Foster Grandparent Recognition at Garland Resort, Lewiston

Friday, June 6 Board Meeting at Coyles Restaurant, West Branch

If you are planning to bring your spouse or any other guest with you, please notify Karen Godi, Executive Assistant in advance, so that we can arrange for adequate seating and meals. Thanks!

NOTE: We need to have odometer reading on mileage reimbursement forms to satisfy our audit requirements! Please check your readings before leaving and arrival at the meeting, and then double that for the estimate of the return trip. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

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