OU BOCES Interagency Collaboration Team Minutes
Calendar| Goals/Objectives | Contacts
Hosted by Terrence L. Olivo
Chief Operating Officer
Orange-Ulster BOCES
In Attendance: Chris Ashman, Justine Bauer, Victoria Casey, Carol Chichester, Joseph DiLorenzo, Mary Dumas, Jean Hudson, David Jolly, Susan Murray-Tetz, Carl Onken, Angela Turk, Joseph Zanetti and Terrence L. Olivo.
Terry Olivo welcomed those in attendance and introduced Manny Axelrod. Chris Ashman thanked Mr. Axelrod for promoting the open door policy that has always been in effect all those years since he was the District Superintendent.
Mr. Olivo asked for a motion to accept the April 11th minutes. Chris Ashman made the motion; Carol Chichester seconded it. Minutes were unanimously accepted.
Stephen King, Orange-Ulster BOCES Webmaster, presented an overview of the new Orange-Ulster BOCES website that will be launched on Monday, May 12th.
“May 22 Workshop – Understanding Poverty”
Vicky Casey reported about the upcoming workshop entitled “A Framework for Understanding Poverty” that would take place on Thursday, May 22nd from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Mount Saint Mary College in Hudson Hall. Mrs. Casey noted the support provided from the Youth Bureau, Mental Health, New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives and Orange County Probation in marketing the workshop. A flyer was distributed.
The flyer indicated the trainer would be Rita F. Pierson, Ed.D of Houston, Texas who has been a professional educator since 1972. As an educator she has served in numerous roles, including elementary regular and special education, junior high, counselor, assistant principal, director, testing coordinator and consultant. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has developed and implemented a school/community involvement program for a large urban elementary school, as well as organized and trained an in-school crisis team for students in need of immediate intervention.
This workshop is for professionals in social services, community development, law enforcement, education, healthcare, mental health, anyone who works with people experiencing poverty. This program will offer a deeper understanding of your clients’ challenges and strengths without judgment.
This workshop is offered free of charge and lunch is included. To register, please all Denise Hegarty at 291-4775.
3) Educational Success
Mary Ann Wilson congratulated Carol Chichester and Rich Logan on a very successful workshop. The Youth Program Quality Assessment Program is one of 11 sites to receive money to implement Ready By 21
.
4) Communications and Partnerships
Dave Jolly talked about after-care services when youth are released from secure placements. Mr. Jolly spoke about the coordination with OCFS and opening dialog in planning for these youth. Mr. Jolly noted the cost of care and the current system of services.
Vicky Casey said there is a probation officer assigned to the enlarged city school district of Middletown. She and the principal addressed this issue and wonder how many of these youth are returning locally. After discussion it was established these students are coming back into their home schools with limited information provided to the school district. Dave Jolly indicated that these youth are often at risk and can be challenging. It appears that there may be 13 youth being re-introduced to the County. There was ongoing dialog about having adequate information about the youth shared with the schools and community partners to put services in place to ensure success. The OCFS After-Care provider is similar in function to a parole officer. There was discussion of the role of OCFS After-Care in servicing these youth.
Angela Turk reported the conference was a great success. It was the fourth annual conference and was held on Tuesday May 6, 2008. The conference was held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Orange-Ulster BOCES Harriman Learning Center. There were 130 participants.
Susan Murray-Tetz said there were three good speakers. Promoting Positive Attachment to Family, Schools and Community by Fran Rosado from Four Winds Hospital. The presentation gave an overview of attachment and a developmental view of how this impacts children as they age, included strategies to identify attachment issues and address them in treatment.
Embedding Cultural Competence in Human Services for Latino Youth presented by Nolly Climes. The workshop increased awareness of the Latino family structure, and communication styles. He spoke about strategies to reduce barriers and explored the role of cultural competence to eliminate disparities. Ms. Murray-Tetz indicated that as professionals we are not engaging the Latino families as we are not aware of the essential differences in hierarchal structure. Ms. Murray-Tetz indicated that Nolly Climes did an excellent job enlightening participants and this opportunity should be offered to all those working closely with youth and families.
Fostering Resiliency After Death and Trauma was Demhy Kanboukos, Ph.D. who spoke on how trauma and loss impact a child’s functioning at all ages. She spoke about 9-11 and the continued effects upon youth and families. Dr. Kanboukos spoke about how to identify factors that contribute to resilience and how to promote effective coping skills.
Chris Ashman indicated that 10 NYS Commissioners are meeting to examine cross-systems services to children. Orange County has been invited to present to this group. Representatives from Orange County include Edward Diana, Terry Olivo, Chris Ashman, Vicky Casey and possible other representatives. Mr. Ashman indicated that there was interest in knowing what the commissioners could do to support children’s services.
Chris Ashman reported that Leadership Orange has been in existence for 15 years. Members range from politics to health and human services. Mr. Ashman suggested that we should look into working with them because they really work on doing things for youth. Mr. Ashman highlighted some of the presentations that were offered to this group and welcomed feedback.
Terry Olivo reported that there were three finalists presented to the Board. The Board was not comfortable naming any one of them to the position. Mr. Olivo would be staying on in his present position as Chief Operating Officer for the year. A new search will be opened in six months to canvas anyone who might be interested. Joe DiLorenzo remarked that Mr. Olivo is very responsive to the needs of the districts and that the Superintendents are very pleased at the possibility of having him around for another year.
Terry Olivo said the pool of candidates will be more forthcoming when and if the salary cap is lifted. Carl Onken commented about the impact of the salary cap in the process of hiring. Mr. Onken indicated they would re-open the search in six months.
Chris Ashman reported that Liz Holbrook would be the recipient of the Women’s Bar Association of Orange County Award and is very deserving of this honor.
Chris Ashman reported that the Mental Health Unit at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital would be downsizing June 1, 2008. They will reduce psychiatric services from 22 to 14 beds because of a nursing and psychiatrist crisis. Mr. Ashman indicated they are recommending this as a temporary reduction of services. Susan Murray-Tetz asked if there were any possibility of converting those adult beds into children’s beds to provide short-term psychiatric services for children locally. Mr. Ashman indicated that they have been unable to attract a provider to offer this service in Orange County.
Susan Murray-Tetz announced that Carol Chichester would be one of the Peacemaker of the Year honorees. Celebration will be at the Hotel Thayer at West Point and is sponsored by Dispute Resolution on Sunday, May 18th. Ms. Murray-Tetz also said Joanne Gurda from the Department of Social Services and Patrick Michel, Superintendent of Schools at Monticello Central School District would also be recipients of this Peacemaker award.
Dave Jolly talked about a one-day workshop to be held at Mount Saint Mary College on October 21st. This workshop will be sponsored by RECAP and Safe Homes and there will be high-level discussion on poverty. Mr. Jolly will send details of this conference will be to Ann Michel who will pass it on to all County Team members electronically.
MISSION STATEMENT
“The Orange County Interagency Collaboration Team is a forum for family representatives, program leaders, and policy level administrator from local schools, courts, and government to work together, maintain communication and linkages, and promote a creative, effective and efficient community services system which supports children and their families.”