Priority outcomes and actions

Following are the areas felt to be most important in addressing the priority risk factors. Gaps and recommendations were addressed by the five workgroups. Recognizing that all were important, the Planning Monitoring and Evaluation group felt it incumbent upon them to keep the final number to a minimum in an effort to keep the Strategic Plan workable and the goals attainable. While these priority areas are not shown in any particular order of importance, those that are the highest priority are so indicated with a (P).

1. PRIORITY AREA

Accessibility of local data, and knowing which source to contact to obtain data. Lack of availability of information for service providers on grants.

Recommendation

Outcome: Set Baker County Commission on Children and Families as central clearinghouse for data storage and as centralized resource center for available grants, open to any individual or group investigating grant possibilities

Action Steps and Timelines:
    1. Upon completion of comprehensive plan, Liz Estabrooks, Comprehensive Strategy Site Coordinator, delivers strategic plan, reports, data, and other information pertaining to Comprehensive Strategy at BCCF.

      2. September 10, 2000

    2. Send letters to providers, as well as publishing information in all local papers regarding availability of data and grant information at the office of the Baker County Commission on Children and Families. Place information on Comprehensive Strategy Website.

      3. December, 2000

    3. Upon completion of "one-stop shopping" facility, any available grant information can be forwarded there, as well as updated copies of "The Foundation Book." They can operate as a collection and resource center for individuals or groups investigating grant possibilities.

      4. December, 2001

 

2. PRIORITY AREA (P)

Gender and culturally specific data regarding case dispositions input in the Juvenile Delinquency Information System (JDIS) is not retrievable for the years 1996 - 1998, which is problematic to anyone attempting to obtain the data. The problems with JDIS are being addressed by the new Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS). Plans are in place for the lost data from 1996 - 1998 to be re-input. This will allow juvenile departments around the state to have access to vital information on juvenile delinquents, as well as giving researchers and planners basic non-personal data about juvenile delinquency, including rate and type of offenses and offender characteristics. This information can help to build programs that address the needs of female juvenile delinquents. However, due to severe staff time limitations, the process of inputting the case disposition data could be quite slow.

 

Recommendation

Outcome: Prompt entry of JJIS data regarding case dispositions, particularly relating to 1996 – 1998 data and cultural / gender categories by September 30, 2000.

Action Steps and Timelines:

    1. Request Ruth Whitnah and Juvenile department staff utilize Baker County Prevention dollars to fund a temporary data processing position to enter data.

      2. August 28, 2000

    2. Present to Baker County Commission on Children and Families for approval.

      3. September, 2001

    3. Hire Data Input Staff

      4. September 1, 2000

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED

 

3. PRIORITY AREA (P)

It is the perception of this workgroup, as well as other workgroup members, that a portion of the student body from all Baker County schools have either dropped out or have left the formal school system to be enrolled in home school. While many home-schooled students are successful, there are concerns that those who have left the formal school system are falling behind in some way and, ultimately, may fail to obtain their degree or G.E.D. There is also the concern that some of these students eventually find their way into the juvenile justice system. Recognizing that many of the children who are being home-schooled are successful in their education, the group’s decision was to address those children who come to the attention of an agency or program (i.e. Juvenile Department, Intensive Home Based Services, Services to Children and Families).

Recommendation

Outcome: Help the identified at-risk home-schooled students to successfully complete their education.

Action Steps and Guidelines:
    1. Establish guidelines and policies in working with identified at-risk home-schooled students (i.e. mandate enrollment in formal school system, parental accountability and/or sanctions for non-attendance of student at school).

      2. January, 2002

    2. Work with Juvenile Department, Circuit Court Judge, AFS, SCF, and programs/ partners in identifying at-risk students who have left the formal school system

      3. August, 2001

    3. Track progress and completion of diploma / GED using JJIS

      4. September, 2002

4. PRIORITY AREA

There is a perception among youth that alcohol is readily available to underage youth in Baker County. Because ‘perception’ is as important as actual availability, the data collection group felt that this was an area that needs to be addressed, and the perception subsequently reduced. At the same time, the group felt it was important not to alienate retailers and consumers who are 21 and older.

 

Recommendation

Outcome: Reduce the perception that alcohol is available to minors.

Action Steps and Guidelines using Baker County Prevention Coalition, law enforcement and Oregon Liquor Control Commission:

    1. Develop community buy-in.
    1. Establish consistent guidelines using the input of community youth and adults.
    2. Educate the Community.

      3. August 15, 2001

    1. Conduct an assessment of current level and type of advertising near school zones.

      2. September 15, 2001

    2. Encourage retailers to voluntarily change advertisements near school zone to include "over 21 only" messages, etc. (will need to reach agreement on what distance constitutes "school zone" for these purposes).

      3. December 31, 2001

POSSIBLE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED FOR ANALYSIS AND BUY-IN WORK

 

 

5. PRIORITY area
    1. Effective identification and assessment program tools to identify at-risk youth in Baker County. B. Gender-equity in resource allocation

Recommendation

Outcome: Implement appropriate policies at County level, including Juvenile Department, Health Department, and Commission on Children and Families. The Baker County Prevention Coalition would be the lead group for this priority area

Action Steps and Timelines:
    1. Gather model policies

      2. December 15, 2001

      TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED

    2. Delivery of on-site consultation

      3. January 15, 2001

      TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED

       

    3. Implement policies

      4. December, 2002

 

6. Priority area (P)

Establish guidelines that will implement consequences for delinquent behavior. Change perception of discretionary nature between law enforcement agencies in issuing alcohol citations.

Recommendation

Outcome: Improvement of the public perception of fairness and accountability among all youth. The three law enforcement agencies, district attorney, and Baker County Juvenile Department form a workgroup / process to ensure enforcement, guidelines and police consistency among agencies.

Action Steps and Timelines:
    1. The police chief will be placed on the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC) meeting agenda for June 28, 2000. At that meeting the practices and policies on drug and alcohol citations and enforcement will be discussed and compared among the agencies.

      2. Ongoing

    2. Establish guidelines with Law Enforcement Agencies, Juvenile Department, County School Districts, and LPSCC

      3. June 15, 2001

      TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED

       

    3. Further communicate with, educate and develop "buy-in" with community using Outreach/Communication workgroup Speakers Bureau.

      4. August 15, 2001

    4. Training of officers and frontline staff

      5. August 15, 2001

      TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED

       

    5. Implement the use of guidelines

September 1, 2001

6. Communication and public education

Ongoing

 

7. Priority area

Identification and assessment of victims, conviction of perpetrators: child neglect, criminal non-support, endangering the welfare of minors, abandonment, incest. Some programs have prohibitive eligibility barriers, which prevent services to all at-risk families in need of assistance. While excellent prevention or early intervention programs exist, services are limited or non-existent for those family structures that do not meet required income or risk categories.

Recommendation

Outcome: Appropriate early intervention, family support, and child protection. Enhance existing structures to improve services to currently non-eligible families.

Action Steps and Timelines:
    1. Education
    1. Community
    2. Awareness of percent of numbers of youth not receiving positive support services

      3. March, 2001

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED

 

(Data gathering - what is the need? How many children and families not being served?)
    1. Hire staff person - Trained Staff Clinician

      2. March, 2001

    2. Build positive supports using memo of understanding between administrative agencies of Safety Net , Intensive Home Based Services and Youth Investment programs.

      3. January, 2001

    3. Research and implementation of Best Practices / Promising Approaches for implementation in Baker County.

      4. June, 2001

5. Obtain funding to expand programs OR begin new programs.

August, 2001

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED FOR RESEARCH PROJECT

 

 

8. PRIORITY area

Timely mental health services

Recommendation

Outcome: Policies that support timely access to services for all at-risk youth and their families

Action Steps and Timelines:
    1. Focus group discussions. What would policies look like? What is the need? How practical would it be for professional quality practitioners and Baker County to develop effective mental health policies?

      2. August, 2001

      TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED

       

    2. Implement recommendations and policies from focus work groups.

      3. August, 2002

 

9. PRIORITY area

Lack of court docket priority for delinquency, shelter care, and permanency hearings.

Recommendation

Outcome: Increase accountability of delinquent youth; address safety and permanent planning issues for children through a more timely court process.

Action Steps and Timelines:

    1. Baker County Juvenile department employee Chris Black will contact other Juvenile departments to investigate scheduling protocols.

      2. September 1, 2000.

    2. Deborah Bennett will discuss block scheduling of docket time for juvenile issues with court staff.

      3.  

    3. October 1, 2000

      4.  

    4. Juvenile department staff to seek input from all other parties involved with the court process (i.e. DA, attorneys, CASA).

      5. November 1, 2000

    5. The Juvenile Department staff will develop scheduling plan.

      6. December 1, 2000

    6. Implement court scheduling changes.

      7. January 1, 2001

 

10. PRIORITY area

Lack of accountability of parents of delinquent youth.

Recommendation

Outcome: Increased parental supervision, cooperation, support, and participation

Action Steps and Timeline to be completed by the Baker County Juvenile Department:
    1. Investigate Options Available and develop a draft of a parental supervision contract using examples of contracts from other counties. Include language about clear parental sanctions. Submit to District Attorney and Judge for review and comment.

      2. January, 1, 2001

    2. Send contract to other counties for further review.

      3. January 15, 2001

    3. Make revisions if necessary.

      4. February 1, 2001

    4. Implement.

      5. March 1, 2001

 

11. PRIORITY area

Services for troubled youth that do not meet detention criteria.

Recommendation

Outcome: Assist at-risk youth to avoid escalating behavior problems and delinquency. Reducing the time frame for access to mental Health, A&D evaluations and services.

Action Steps and Timeline to be completed by Baker County Juvenile Department Staff:
    1. Research other programs appropriate for our community and develop a list of potential programs that would fit needs of Baker County Youth.

      2. Begin January 1, 2001

      TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED-OJJDP Resources on Best Practices

       

    2. Develop uniform referral to prioritize urgency of service with partners (Baker High School, Baker Middle School, Oregon Youth Authority, Services to Children & Families, etc.)

      3. January 1, 2001

      TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED-OJJDP

       

    3. Identify and meet with potential providers of programs.

      4. February 1, 2001

    4. Train potential providers and invite them to review new referral process.

      5. May 1, 2001

      TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED-OJJDP

       

    5. Publicize findings and implement programs.

      6. September 1, 2001

 

12. PRIORITY area

Lag time between receipt of referral and first contact with Juvenile Department .

Recommendation

Outcome: Increased accountability and opportunity for reformation.

Action Steps and Timelines:
    1. Determine the current amount of time between referral and first contact.

      2. May 15, 2000

    2. Implement regular weekly staff meetings.

      3. May 15, 2000

    3. Initiate a one-day turnaround for receipt of referral and appointment letter or detention hearing.

      4. May 15, 2000

 

13. PRIORITY Area

Lag time between filing of petitions and adjudication.

Recommendation

Outcome: 60-day turnaround between filing of petition and adjudication.

Actions Steps and Timelines:
    1. Analyze current time frame of petition to adjudication.

      2. July 14, 2000

    2. Research ways to improve process by polling other counties.

      3. September 14, 2000

    3. Revise process.

      4. November 14, 2000

    4. Develop buy-in of defense bar and court.

      5. December 31, 2000

    5. Implement new timeline strategy.

      6. February 1, 2000

 

14. PRIORITY AREA

Continued outreach regarding importance of Comprehensive Strategy in Baker County.

recommendation

Outcome: Support the work of the Comprehensive Strategy through community awareness of Comprehensive Strategy, its goals, its purpose, its vision.

Action Steps and Guidelines:
    1. Design a high-quality brochure which provides information about the Comprehensive Strategy, its workgroups, its goals, and its hoped-for outcomes.

      2. January, 2000

    2. Recruit several members as formal speakers for the Comprehensive Strategy, attending various board, committee, agency, and organizational meetings, keeping them informed of the activities and goals of the Comprehensive Strategy workgroups. Work on educating and communicating with public to improve perception of fairness and accountability, and keep them informed of positive changes. Establish contact person as Ruth Whitnah.

      3. Ongoing, beginning September 2000

    3. Appear on the local radio talk show and give information about the Comprehensive Strategy.

      4. Ongoing, beginning May 2000

    4. Build a website. Recruit website designer willing to build and maintain the site at no cost to the Project. The site will be linked to the OJJDP website, the Baker Chamber of Commerce website, the Baker County website, and others. In return for her services, the designers will show on the website their business information as web designer.

      5. July, 2000

    5. Use the newspapers as sources for continuing to keep the public aware of the Comprehensive Strategy work. Submit regular press releases and keep press contacts aware of events. Contact people will be Ruth Whitnah, Judy Barzee, Juvenile department staff.

      6. Ongoing, beginning January 2000

    6. Design a second brochure that will be less formal and provide less technical information about the Comprehensive Strategy. Tracy Bussard, Baker County Parole and Probation, has agreed to manage this action step.

      7. August 1, 2000

    7. Add five-year Strategic Plan to website.

      8. September 30, 2000

 

15. PRIORITY area

A telephone survey of those providers meeting risk factor areas was conducted in an effort to determine the diversity of service provided by Baker County programs. While some programs do have materials available in Spanish, and others either have access to a second-language interpreter or sign-language interpreter or have the means to obtain one; others have no method by which they can serve individuals who do not speak English. Moreover, the group found that with an increasing population of residents from various backgrounds, ethnicity, religions, and races, there is a high need for training on cultural diversity within Baker City. Specifically identified were medical providers, non-profit service providers, customer-oriented businesses, and government agencies.

Often, there are small steps that can be taken which can make a difference for a client, student, or customer. Understanding and recognizing that diversity is not a threat but an asset benefits every community in every way. Unfortunately, while many employers, agencies, medical providers, and programs may be willing to enhance the awareness of their volunteers and employees, money for the trainings can limit their ability to participate.

RECOMMENDATION

Outcome: Private, non-profit, and governmental providers will have a greater level of awareness surrounding cultural diversity needs and issues of clients.

Action Steps and Timelines:
    1. Develop list of providers and businesses interested in obtaining training and consultation regarding cultural diversity. Utilize services of Mary Tomlinson, Service Integration Coordinator, to lead the project. Suggested partners would include: Downtown Association, Employer Council, School District office, Baker County Administrative Services, and Health Care Association.

      2. August, 2003

    2. Identify who and/or what is available in this area for language interpretation service. Available language interpreters need to include those individuals who can and will provide their time for sign language interpretation. Elizabeth Burton of Eastern Oregon University agreed to work toward identifying available networks, individuals, and resources which provide all manner of language interpretation, produce a resource list, and make it part of the County Resource Book.

      3. January, 2001

    3. Mary Tomlinson, with assistance from Jarri McClarin of the Prevention Coalition and juvenile department staff, can investigate availability of grant dollars for training. Hire Jim Molelrstrom as a consultant to determine a.) the existing laws and diversity needs of the county as a whole; b.) the steps necessary to enhance the cultural diversity awareness level of Baker County; c). to provide a training for medical professionals, businesses, agencies, etc. on how to implement policies and procedures, based on a self-assessment and review process conducted at no additional fee as part of the training.

      4. August, 2001

    4. Investigate the possibility of providing the training through EOCC and making college credit, or continuing education credit, available for those who attend the training. Offer two of the trainings - one for providers (social service agencies) and one for the private sector.

      5. January 1, 2001

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROBABILITY

 

 

16. PRIORITY area (P)

This was identified as a priority gap in Baker County. Currently, there are no shelter-care services for high-risk youth who are not in need of detention or cannot go to detention, but rather need to be in a safe place. Often, youth who are not being punished but are in need of immediate intervention in the form of shelter have no facility.

Recommendation

Outcome: Local, safe shelter care services for female and male high risk youth.

Action Steps and Timelines (Ruth Whitnah and Jarri McClarin)

    1. Assertively explore and research local community-based private shelter care.

      2. January, 2001

    2. Recruit shelter care providers, possibly starting with those willing to shelter female youth (the perception being that young high-risk girls are less difficult and less dangerous than young high-risk boys).

      3. August, 2001

    3. Obtain pilot project funding and assertively train provider[s] in methods of operating a shelter care facility safely and profitably.

      4. January, 2002

    4. Open first shelter care facility.

      5. January, 2003

 

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED

 

17. PRIORITY AREA (P)

Lack of appropriate childcare was identified by service providers and workgroup members as a high area of need for Baker County. There is a lack of affordable, accessible, and available high-quality childcare in Baker, and especially for non-traditional hours (i.e. off-hour employment that includes Marvin Wood Products, Inc., hospital staff, restaurants, bars, etc.) or as backup to regular day-care provider (i.e. in event of illness). This can be problematic to individuals who are employed, or are attempting to find employment, in a field that has shift-work between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

RECOMMENDATION

Outcome: Improve quality off-hours daycare situation in Baker County.

Action Steps and Timelines (Partners could include: Workforce Investment Group, Childcare Resource and Referral, Community Connections, Community Development, Employers).
    1. Identify areas of need, utilizing Workforce Investment Group Survey.

      2. August 31, 2000

    2. Identify all possible willing partners, including employers, AFS, SCF and providers.

      3. November 1, 2000

    3. Investigate possible funding sources and models used in other communities.

      4. March 1, 2001

    4. Recruit daycare providers, train, license, and open facilities.

      5. September 1, 2001

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROBABILITY

 

 
  1. PRIORITY AREA(P)

Currently, Juvenile Department staff are often called in on weekends and late hours to transport youth to secure custody. This practice, with resulting mid-week time off, has drawn juvenile counselors away from Monday through Friday work with their regularly assigned family case loads. With a local short-term hold, the need for transport to a secure hold could be better planned and the youth served more appropriately.

RECOMMENDATION

Outcome: Immediate and appropriate access to community-based short-term hold.

Action Steps and Timelines (PME Group, Juvenile Department, Baker County Commissioners, LPSCC).
    1. County Planning Department approval for construction of facility (conditional use) on 10th Street.

      2. December, 2000

    2. Operating costs finalized

      3. October, 2000

    3. Design request for proposal (RFP) released

      4. March, 2001

    4. Design bids open

      5. May, 2001

    5. Construction bids released

      6. August, 2001

    6. Construction begins

      7. May, 2002

    7. Complete and move in to facility

      8. September, 2002

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED

 

 

19. PRIORITY AREA (P)

Program providers and workgroup members agreed that there is a lack of effective aftercare programs for juvenile delinquents, drug and alcohol treatment, anger management, violent offenders, sex offenders, mental health etc. available in Baker County. Aftercare programs include safe, drug, alcohol and violence free housing.

RECOMMENDATION

Outcome: Increase the quantity and quality of aftercare programs and housing available to all levels of need in Baker County.

Action Steps and Timelines: (Partners include Oregon Youth Authority, Juvenile Department, Service Integration, New Directions Northwest, Mountain Valley Mental Health, Baker School District, Commission on Children and Families, HUD, Community Development Corporation, AFS, MayDay, Drug Resistance Officer, D.A.R.E.).
    1. Work with the partners to assess need areas and prioritize increased availability of aftercare services and/or housing.

      2. December 1, 2000

    2. Identify best practices programs that would align with the needs of Baker County, including model programs for working with existing housing structures regarding drug, alcohol, and violence-free housing.

      3. March 1, 2001

    3. Identify and/or recruit providers of best practices programs, and landlords.

      4. May 1, 2001

    4. Implement programs.

      5. July 30, 2001

      POSSIBLE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED

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