Advisory Board Minutes
November 7, 2007

In attendance were: Lynn Patton – MCDSS, Dan Kohn – Greater Wausau Christian Services, Brenda Pellowski – EMPD, Jim Schroeter – MCDSS, Laura Yarie – Justice Programs, Mort McBain -  County Administrator, Keith Wilk – Goodwill, Shannon Young – New Horizons Alternative School (accompanied by two students- Dakota & Jessica), Jill Falstad – District Attorney, David Cha, Paula Schultz & Carrie Vergin – Restorative Justice.

Carrie went over the minutes for the August 16, 2007 board meeting and reviewed some of the items that were discussed during the meeting.

In updating the third quarter activities, Carrie shared with the board the statistics of the program and explained that we would be taking a trip to Wisconsin Rapids on November 7^th to report to the Office of Justice Assistance (OJA). There were several positive comments noted in the OJA’s recommendations concerning Marathon County’s program and we were one of three agencies asked to appear before the council. Carrie shared however, that 2008 would be the last year that funding from OJA would be provided for David Cha’s position.

Carrie said that she and Lynn Patton attended a grant writing conference in Wausau earlier in the day. They shared different opportunities that we could investigate in order to help the program sustain it’s funding. Carrie asked that any other ideas or grant opportunities be emailed to her.

Carrie then introduced guests Shannon Young from New Horizons Charter School and Jim Schroeter of Marathon County Social Services. Jim explained the Youth Restitution Project and shared how much funding the program was able to raise through donations from area businesses and foundations (approximately $10,000.00). So far, approximately $6,300.00 of these funds have been earmarked for payment to victims. The board discussed ideas and asked if possibly, the county could help. 

Next, Shannon introduced herself and the two teens that were with her. She explained how the charter school came to be and that they had recently added a high school division. She explained that New Horizons had partnered with the Restorative Justice Program this year and restorative staff members were leading a circle time each week with the students. She had the teens speak about circle time and they shared their positive experiences. They explained that they would be willing to take part in helping to teach the process to teens from other schools. Shannon also shared that she is working with Carrie to write a proposal. This proposal will give us the opportunity to present at a conference that is open to all the charter schools in Wisconsin. Shannon also provided Carrie and Lynn with a letter she wrote in support of our program. This letter will be shared with the Office of Justice Assistance. 

Mort McBain shared that the funds for Restorative Justice would be available on January 1, 2008. This will give the program the opportunity to work together with the District Attorney’s Office and handle some of the 17 and 18 year olds. Jill shared that the District Attorney’s Office would also be creating restorative programming for some of the other adults in the justice system. They will be adding a 3/4 position to their office. 

As we ended the meeting, the Board agreed to meet on February 7, 2008 at 12:00 PM.