03-26-18 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING March 26, 2018 staff. As I said earlier on,the ratio is one (1)to four(4), which is the highest ratio under DCS that they will provide for us. Councilmember John Voorde followed up, So in their day-to-day activities, whether it is school or the YMCA, young men develop the want for an significant other. How do you mange that? Dr. Bruinsma replied, We have a case manager and we have a therapist. There will be people available to help them get through those usual milestones in life. We act as prudent parents for them and we want to support them and provide them those opportunities. Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, Thank you for bringing this petition before the Council. I have just a couple of quick questions. Could you go over your discipline policy or how you would deal with complaints if there were some to arise from the neighborhood? Dr. Bruinsma replied, We have internal discipline in our Student Code of Conduct. I think our students here today are probably best to tell you about that but there are certain prescribed consequences for violating that Student Code of Conduct. Of course, all the case plans for these young men have to be approved by their case worker either through DCS or the Court. Councilmember Jo M. Broden followed up, So if there are issues, there are disciplinary hearings? Dr. Bruinsma replied, That is correct. Councilmember Jo M. Broden followed up, Who serves on those hearing boards? Dr. Bruinsma replied, Usually the program manager, the unit manager, and either the therapist or case manager. Councilmember Jo M. Broden then asked, Will the security measures that were used for the building previously be reused and in operation? Dr. Bruinsma replied, They will be in operation. Councilmember Jo M.Broden followed up,And you said there will be an opportunity for members of the community to serve on the Community Advisory Board? Dr. Bruinsma replied, That is correct. Councilmember Jo M. Broden then followed up, And is there that Board plus the other board? Dr. Bruinsma replied,No,that will be one (1) in the same. Councilmember Jo M. Broden then asked, Now would you be open to community members serving on the disciplinary board? Dr. Bruinsma replied, Well,there is the issue of confidentiality and we would have to run that by our licensing. Councilmember Jo M. Broden then followed up, With regard to regulatory compliance from the State level, who provides oversight to you and how often? Dr. Bruinsma replied, The Department of Child Services does three (3) audits of us every year. One (1) is contract audit, one (1) is license audit and the last is a clinical services audit. Councilmember Dr. David Varner asked, When you have a client who is disruptive or who has a problem, how do you deal with that? Is it a continuing second chance? Dr. Bruinsma replied, We tend to be very proactive in managing situations like that. We do not allow health, welfare and safety issues to be prolonged and we take action fairly quickly. That is usually in concert with the child's case manager or their probation officer. Councilmember Oliver Davis asked,In your mind,what makes this the best location for you?Prior to that question, will anyone be allowed to have online high school or college situations where they can remain in the Woodford Home building all day? Dr. Bruinsma replied, They could, if we are set up for that. In looking for locations around the County, we had to keep in mind that licensing wants us to be in a neighborhood so that the young men can be part of the community, so that is one (1) thing. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to be 13