Cass HSCC

The Earned Income Tax Credit Project, sponsored by United Way of Berrien and Cass Counties, provides free tax preparation to low-income families and individuals. This year four volunteers donated over 130 hours of service; Rob Burgess of United Way served as the Project Coordinator, Wendy Elsey was the main tax preparer, and Lucy Lee and Kim Brown volunteered with tax preparation and intake. As a result of their efforts over $229,000 in federal, state and EITC credits was returned to residents of Cass County. The Cass District Library donated space and computer access. Congratulations and a big thank you to the entire team for increasing the wealth in Cass County.

Cass County Human Services Coordinating Council
Meeting Minutes— April 11, 2012

Present: Ruth Andrews, Rick Church, Bob Cochrane, Teesha Conley, Roland Fancher, Art Fenrick, Annie File, Victor Fitz, Adrienne Glover, Beth A. Keultjes, Linda Kozlowski, Kim Kramer, Heather Merrill, Mary Middleton, Kelly Nightengale, Sheri Notten, Christine Vandlandingham, Rachel Wade, Jim Ward, Lauren Woodhouse

Absent: Tammy Curtis, Faith-based, Doris Higgins, Joanne Johnson, Debbie Marshall, Megan McCauseland, Sara Park, Stephanie Smith, Shane Varga, Joe Underwood

I. Call to Order
Chair Bob Cochrane called the Meeting to order at 7:45.

II. Approval of Feb. Minutes and March Agenda
Sheri Notten moved and Kim Kramer seconded approval of the minutes and agenda.

III. Focus on Child Well-being
Overview
Heather Merrill, Director, Great Start Collaborative
Great Start was established to look at gaps in services and family needs, based on what the family identifies as needs. Our primary focus is children aged 0 – 8. Great Start began 3 years ago and is now expanding demographically to better represent Cass County. Participation in the Parent Coalition has increased. Home visiting was identified as one of our largest gaps two years ago, and we’ve been able to increase funding, staff and capacity. The number of playgroups, parenting development work, and the number of partnerships have increased. We are conducting focus groups called Parent Cafes. Cass county’s most serious gap is lack of quality, licensed childcare. We’ve gone backward since last year. 62% of Cass County kids are cared for in unlicensed settings. Next year our primary focus will be to increase the number of kids receiving quality, licensed care. We have only two private preschools in the county and both are at capacity. Great Start is also working with healthcare providers to make sure they are identifying developmental delays and making referrals as early as possible.

Beth Keultjes: Are you working with the Maternal and Infant Health Program (MIHP) social workers?

Heather: We coordinate by phone. We now have face-to-face monthly meetings with mental health; perhaps we could include MIHP. We are continually challenged in communicating across the state line; many babies are born in Indiana. A very high percentage of Cass families access WIC services.

Strengthening Families is a foundational way of looking at what families need; this approach was developed by the Children’s Trust Fund. We would like all agencies to incorporate the Strengthening Families approach when doing strategic planning.

Moderator: Most teenagers are unprepared economically and emotionally to become parents. In 2010, 74 babies were born to teen parents in Cass County. The rate of births to teens is 44.3 compared to a Michigan rate of 33.3. What are the challenges faced by teen parents? What can we do reduce the number of teen births? How can we support teens who become parents?

Kelly Nightengale, Child and Family Services
The Link has been welcomed into Cass schools to provide basic life skills. We are working to establish Safe Places in Cass County. We plan to establish a female support group in Cass, based on the success of our group in Berrien County. The group focuses on healthy relationships, self-esteem, and community service. A recent project involved making bracelets that symbolized the number of teens involved in violent relationships. The project has increased self-esteem and positive connections. We run a similar group for young men that includes more sports and less relationship work. The groups provide opportunities for us to get into the girls’ homes. Collaboration is key; we are developing a partnership with McKinney Vento that will provide entry into alternative schools to help them identify homeless youth. We will pilot this program in 4 counties. The biggest barriers for pregnant teens are lack of positive connections.

Heather Merrill: I see an opportunity to collaborate on the support group. We are getting referrals before the baby is born.

Moderator: The number of children living in poverty continues to grow. Poverty includes material hardship, emotional stress, inadequate housing and other disadvantages. In 2009, 2,334 children, or, 21.5% of all Cass County children were living in poverty. What are the challenges faced by these children? How can families improve their financial situation? How can we support families in poverty?

Roland Fancher, Friend of the Court
(Roland shared a number of demographics regarding single parent families, child support, and paternity.) Cass is doing well in determining paternity. DHS can initiate court action even if the family is not receiving DHS assistance. Health insurance makes a big difference for families; MIChild provides medical coverage. The availability of job training and GED programs is important. Parent mentoring is a wonderful model that could make a difference in Cass.

Sue Dobrich: Forty-two percent of children now come from unmarried relationships. Paternity is usually established by affidavits at the birthing hospital. The prosecutor’s office also executes affidavits of acknowledgement.

Mona Borowicz, Tri-County Headstart: Headstart teaches children resiliency skills that are necessary to cope with the chaos of life in poverty. We help parents understand what they can do to get children ready for school. Poverty affects every aspect of child development.

Roland: Anything we can do to reduce teen pregnancy will reduce poverty.

Moderator: The first three years of life are critical to brain development, and to establishing a positive life trajectory. Niles is the nearest source of prenatal care for Cass County residents. Cass County ranks 77 of 83 counties in prenatal care. What are the challenges for children whose parents do not make parenting a priority? How can we collaborate to provide parents with the resources they need from the very beginning? How can we help parents value parenting?

Mary Middleton, Cass Family Clinic
Cass Family Clinic primarily serves Medicaid patients. Last year we served 832 pregnant women and 476 babies. The Maternal and Infant Health Program (MIHP) in Niles has doctors, midwives, and nurse practitioners on staff. MIHP uses a team approach to wrap services around each pregnant woman. Services include home visits. High risk infants can receive support for 3 years. MIHP has better low weight birth outcomes than the national average.

Rich Church, Clinical Director for Children’s Services, Woodlands
Laura Smith, Woodland’s infant mental health specialist, has a full caseload. When we conducted focus groups we heard that many parents lacked support. Laura intends to start a support group this summer. Many kids are functionally homeless. Saving kids is important work. Woodlands is trying to intervene earlier, before the family is in huge trouble. If you are concerned about a family, call me early. We can begin services when the mother is in the third trimester. Laura makes home visits and spends a lot of time modeling how to care for an infant.

Moderator: One of Cass County’s biggest successes has been reducing the rate of confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect from 19% in 2000 to 12.7% in 2010. In spite of this success the rate of children in out-of-home care has slightly increased. Please discuss the successes and challenges in working with abused and neglected children.

Sue Dobrich, Judge, Family and Probate Court
I read our out-of-home placement statistics as positive. Cass County has high standards. We collaborate better than any community I’ve seen. Other contributing factors are a very active law enforcement ethic, and the meth millage. A meth bust means a mandatory petition to remove. Foster care can provide the opportunity for parents to receive services. Family Treatment Court has been a tremendous force for returning children to healthy parents. After the children are returned, families are often referred to Wraparound for ongoing support. We have excellent communication between collaborative partners. The number of out-of-home placements can be positive.

Teesha Conley, DHS
Increased DHS staffing has helped. Child protective service workers educate parents and make referrals for needed services. Collaborative partners, including the tribe, are part of the success story. Our challenges are lack of prevention resources, the economic climate, poverty and meth. Parents often view nonmandatory referrals for prevention services as negative. We are transitioning to Family Team Meetings to help families identify issues.

IV. Roundtable
Bob Cochrane, COA –The grand opening of our Dowagiac Facility is scheduled for Saturday May 5 from 11:30 to 2:30.

Art Fenrick, SMCAA – We need referrals for our deliverable fuels program.

Commissioner Annie File – I commend the judge for her efforts to reunite children with their families.

Chris Vanlandingham, AAA – The developmental assets work of the Search Institute continues to be relevant. We recently trained 6 foster grandparents in asset-building. We are seeking summer placements sites for foster grandparents.

Jennifer Ray, Cass District Library – The library has summer programs.

Beth Keultjes, Cass Family Clinic – I want to thank HSCC members for helping us fill the positions I shared with you last month. We are still in need of car seats, and still have a student internship available.

Kim Kramer, DASAS – DASAS is hosting Toxic Masculinity on April 18th at SMC. May 19 is Walk A Mile in Her Shoes; I will send registration information to Ruth.

Jim Ward, CASA – Six new CASAS were sworn in and have allowed us to serve ten more foster children. Our board fundraiser, a live and silent auction, is Saturday, July 28. Please plan to attend; this is our only fundraiser and it generates 60% of our budget.

Mary Middleton, Cassopolis Family Clinic – We can help people with insurance. We enable our patients to receive mental health and dental care. We are working with Cassopolis Schools to create a school-based clinic.

Roland Fancher, Friend of the Court – Do-it-yourself divorce and guardianship packets are available at the library.

Rick Church, Woodlands – I’ve worked in other counties and appreciate Cass’s high standard for child advocacy and protection, and Cass’s ability to collaborate. richardc@woodlandsbhn.org

Heather Merrill, Great Start – Tuesday the 17th is our 9th annual Parent Expo at Ross Beatty High School. We’re providing free dinners, games, booths, and we’re using our Strengthening Families Approach.

Ruth Andrews for Victor Fitz, Prosecutor – The Flagpole Ceremony honoring victims who lost their lives to crime is Thursday, April 26 at noon at the Law and Courts Building.

V. Meeting Adjourned

Next Meeting, Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Focus on Alternative Education
7:45 – 9:15 at the Cass District Library