January 14, 2003

In Attendance: Donna Carroll, Laura Whitlock, Freddie Lorick, Semaj Fletcher, Beth DeHart, Darrell Chambers, Mary Jo McInerny, Willie Davis, Sherri Free, Richard Schiliro, Courtney Grainger, Mt. Pleasant YC participant (student), Rob Street, Mt. Pleasant YC participant (student), Mark Rosensteel, Ruth Fowler, Elizabeth Adams, Stephanie McCummings, Captain Estelle Young, Lynn Rogers, Camile Niarn, Raphe Jones, Donna Branham

Beth DeHart called the meeting to order and explained a few changes in the agenda. Ms. DeHart asked that everyone introduce themselves and their affiliation

Ms. DeHart asked about the change in staff at the Department of Education regarding WA Perry Middle School Youth Court. Brenda Meyers is now with McKinney Homes Project and will volunteer with the YC. Stephanie McCummings is now the representative for WA Perry.\

Ms. DeHart referred to the information handout and asked everyone to add his or her information or correct existing information. She reported that there are four new Youth Courts- Greenville, Ware Shoals, Colleton, and Winnsboro. Ms.DeHart welcomed everyone's participation in promoting the YC idea.

Laura Whitlock, SC Dept. of Public Safety, has been named by the Governor to administer the Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant funds. There is roughly about 5 million from which YCs can be funded. Grant submission deadline was Jan. 14, but attendees should know about these grants. The group was reminded that free technical assistance is available through the federal government. General discussion was held regarding grants. Beth DeHart reminded everyone that the SC Bar provides training for programs and passed out training request forms.

The Association main focus:

Promote development of association membership.

Provide information for new Youth Courts.

Provide training for existing and new Youth Courts.

Continue to develop a communication network.

Provide technical support for participants.

Adopt by-laws

Questions and comments from the floor:

· A request was made for a grant writing class.

· Inquiries concerning liability insurance for youth court and would the grants cover something like that. Ms. DeHart will pose the question to the national YC center in Lexington Kentucky. Also stated the parents should sign a release in the case something happens.

· Character education training is provided by Dept of Education. Call Camille Nairn anytime you have a question and if she does not have the answer she will find it for you.

· Registration for the Feb 7 Cyber Conference on Mentoring information was shared. Conference was sponsored by the National Dept. of Juvenile Justice. Conference was to be provided at no cost to the participant.

Beth DeHart asked the committee to review the changes made at the last meeting to the by-laws, giving special attention to the objectives. She also reminded everyone that the meetings are held the second Tuesday every quarter beginning in Jan 2003. Most meetings are held at the SC Bar.

Ms. DeHart reminded members to send in the statistics for a statewide report. Software is available from the national center in NY that will help calculate the statistics. The software can be downloaded from web address www.teamyc.com.

The group agreed that the Association needs to decide on what we want to statistically reflect as an association. This will be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

It was discussed that any new Youth Court interested in joining the Association could do so by coming to the meetings and by paying their dues $25. The main purpose for the Association is to create uniformity among the courts that exists in SC and to ensure high quality programs.

Ms. DeHart solicited group thoughts on the association.

· Truancy court in Darlington County is based on a Youth Court premise. It is strictly truancy. It is held after work hours and judges do not get paid.

· Concerns expressed about time required of volunteer attorneys and judges. But, divergent programs for truancy are needed to keep truant students out of the courts. The group agreed it was not a good idea to use peers for truancy cases that involve parental problems.

· Donna Carroll, Truancy for District since 1997, uses two volunteer attorneys to preside over the Ridgeview High School Youth Court when they hear truancy cases. Ms. Carroll makes referrals to the court when necessary. Her position is funded by a Public Safety grant, written by Barbara Grossburg.

· Question: If we have some one to come through YC referred back to DJJ would they still be eligible for arbitration and/or PTI? The Judge will advise that problem at his discretion. The County Solicitor often makes the decision whether or not to send the youth through another program?

· Beth DeHart was asked to train the Coordinators (trainers) so that they are able to train local people. A curriculum workbook needs to be developed so that you could just get the manuals and go through training. It is our goal to train more people statewide.

· Crime Court booklets are available from Estelle Young, Columbia Dept. of Public Safety.

By-laws questions and concerns:

Youth Court Association members were agreed to be represented by one person from that court. They would be allowed to vote on behalf of their court.

A vote was taken to adopt the by-laws.

The committee asked that a checking account be established for the YC Association.

New officers were elected: Richard Schiliro, Chairperson; Vice- chairperson, Stephanie McCummings; Secretary -treasurer; Semaj Fletcher.

Meeting was adjourned.