In Attendance: Elizabeth Adams, Mary Fleetwood, Camille Nairn Rich Schiliro, Chair, Semaj Fletcher

Bar Staff Present: Beth DeHart and Donna Branham

The meeting was called to order by the Chair. Mr. Schiliro welcomed members to the meeting and asked the group to look over the materials that were provided for them by Beth DeHart. Ms. DeHart then briefed the members on the materials that they received. She also informed the members that the main purpose for this meeting was to discuss grant writing.

The committee was informed that there should be $400,000.00 through the Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs available for juvenile accountability. Youth Courts would fall in to this category perfectly and additional funding is needed. The due date for the grants is Tuesday August 26, 2003. These are every year Grants. Ms. DeHart explains that in 1987 IOLTA (Interest On Lawyers Trust Account) funds were made available to the communities.

Every year Grants are received from IOLTA money the to fund other kinds of programs. A good portion of this money funds LRE programs such as Mock Trial, WTP.... Citizen and the Constitution and Project Citizen.

Committee members suggested conducting effectiveness studies throughout the State to determine the number of students participating in Youth Court and how it made a difference. It was suggested we contact The University of South Carolina to conduct this study. This information would help get grant funds. An evaluation component is needed to provide hard evidence to the legislature. A five year trend that really will help when writing the grants. Studies show that the programs work.

The committee is in the process of revising the Youth Court Manual. Its goal is the creation of the best practice manual for South Carolina Youth Court for training purposes. The committee is looking into developing a training video for the youth courts students SRO and community members that participate.

Need to tap into state money for Youth Courts as only 1/3 rd of the counties in SC presently have Youth Court programs. This grant fund will enable the Youth Courts to employ a trainer for each region.

An idea exchange was discussed. The committee then prioritized the option for IOLTA funding list. Priorities were: A statewide evaluation of Youth Court effectiveness, provide training for new Youth Court and their Volunteers adult and youth, creation of a best practice manual for SC Youth Courts, Website and media marketing to create exposure.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.