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Quorum: Yes

Chair’s Report:
Congratulations to Marisa Gary on her recent marriage and to Mary Bruno on her husbands election as County Chair. Chair also recognized Debbie Wright, Volusia County Career Development Program participant.

Minutes:
Motion made by Mary Bruno and seconded by Dr. Martin to approve minutes of November 10, 2004. Motion passed.

Correspondence:
David Talley – House Next Door – Acting Director Barbara Triggs

Old Business:
Motion made by Mary Bruno and seconded by Dr. Martin to delay discussion of Summer Camp until after presentations by Dr. Colwell and Carrie Garnett. Motion passed

New Business:
Dr. Chris Colwell, Deputy Superintendent for Instructional Services for Volusia County Schools introduced Stan Whitted, Area Superintendent. Mr. Whitted explained that the purpose of their visit is to give an overview of the of the School Superintendents goal of closing the educational gap and present a proposal for a partnership for service on closing the gap. Dr. Colwell presented data detailing the education gap between Caucasian students and Black/Hispanic students. The target population is students from 4th grade through 10th grade in the geographic areas NW Volusia, SW Deland, central Halifax area, and the greater Deltona area.

Dr. Colwell proposed that the school board would provide materials and training for providers interested in adding an educational component to their program. Mr. Williams advised the Board that he is a member of the African American Advisory Committee with the School system and stated there are significant issues that relate to gaps with regard to how African American and Hispanic students are achieving vs. white students. As a funder of after school programs Mr. Williams questioned whether the Board should build initiatives into the program that is being funded to assist in closing the educational gap. Dr. Colwell stated the School Board is interested in providing matching funds for these educational activities. Mary Bruno suggested that we bring the providers together as a focus group to discuss how to add the academic component in the future. Dr. Colwell stated the school board would assist in developing the programs with the agencies. This is a community issue. Mr. Williams stated that community dialog is needed because this is a change and we can work toward the next funding cycle to incorporate this change. It may be possible to start on a small scale with the summer programs. Karen Bourbonnais stated she agreed with working toward this goal and not focus on early childhood, but middle and high school. Angela Jackson questioned Dr. Colwell on accountability required by the school board. Dr. Colwell stated that the school board would want assurances from the agencies that the materials would be used. The users would need to be trained on the use of materials, and that an hour was dedicated to that function. Mr. Williams stated that performance outcomes would be a part of the program, which would be monitored by county staff. Karen Bourbonnais asked what else can be done to close the achievement gap other than the educational component since the needs of the student are more than just educational. Mr. Whitted stated that there are several components that the school board is working on including a mentoring program, going to the Spring Hill, Chisholm area, and extended learning opportunities in various centers in our community. In addition, more advocates/mentors to work with students, additional training of teachers, and parent education. Dr. Colwell stated that if the Board wants to partner with the school board in a summer program with an academic component the school board is willing to dedicate their resources human and financial to a program or programs as such. There would be a cap due to budgetary constraints. Mr. Williams suggested that the Board establish work groups to determine if it is in the best interest of the children of Volusia County to include a component of this type in the programs that we fund. Mary Bruno stated that the educational component seems to be a missing piece of what the Board has been funding. Motion by Dr. Martin and seconded by Angela Jackson to establish partnership with the School Board to pursue agencies willing to add the educational component to their program. Motion passed.

Carrie Garnett, Executive Director of One Voice Volusia presented information regarding current trends:

• Juvenile delinquency in Volusia County 10% of children age 10-17 are involved in the system, compared to statewide average of 8%.
• Youth Substance Abuse – Alcohol Abuse is increasing as well as marijuana use
• Child Abuse – a slight decline (Half of hotline calls indicate verified abuse)
• Teen Pregnancy – increase

Negative issues concerning emerging trends:

• Unemployment in Volusia County
• Increase in Alcohol and Marijuana use
• Increase in the risk factor for Poor Family Supervision
• Increase number of Youth in Foster Care

Positive indicators:

• Property and violent crime rates are declining
• Decrease in risk in risk factor measure for poor academic performance
• Decrease in the percentage of youth carrying a handgun to school
• Decrease in the risk factor measure for sensation seeking
• Increase in youth thinking it is cool to drink and use marijuana and smaller percentage of youth perceived drinking as harmful or wrong

One Voice for Volusia is a coalition of adults representing 55 different entities who meeting monthly. Over 550 local youth ages 10-18 were surveyed regarding what they considered the top three critical issues. Three questions were presented. If you could change one thing about your neighborhood, what would it be? In what ways does the community meet your personal needs and interest? In what way does the community fail to meet your personal needs and interest? Four common themes emerged into the following categories. 1. Community and neighborhood issues 2. School issues and 3. Lack of activities or opportunities. 4. Access to drugs and alcohol.

Proposed solutions to the issues are:

• Increase Law Enforcement visibility in the neighborhoods
• Get community members involved in meetings, cookouts, etc. to generate communication, respect, and pride for their neighborhood
• Put out positive messages in the neighborhood (anti-drug posters/fliers created by youth for youth and their families
• More free or reduced-price youth organizations for youth who cannot afford membership fees
• Use the $25.00 ticket fines towards building more skate parks
• Free Votran bus passes for youth with good grades to get to youth clubs, work and youth centers
• Remodel older parks
• More opportunity to work during school and earn credit
• Vocational programs for youth with lower academic status
• Programs that encourage business to hire youth (15 and over) for summer employment

The three key issues were 1. too much drug and alcohol use in the neighborhood 2. lack of skate parks and other activities and 3. lack of job opportunities. One Voice for Volusia has committed to take these three issues to all Coalition members and ask for a commitment in writing through a memorandum of understanding that they will do something to address one of these three issues i.e. initiate a program, enhance a program, encourage staff to get involved, a personal commitment or a company commitment or a commitment to do something in the community.

Carrie informed the Board that One Voice is working on a community agenda project with the primary goal of engaging a broad group of community stakeholders in the process of examining empirical data and establishing priorities to create a shared vision for local health and human services that will be used to determine local funding and planning decisions. One Voice is requesting the support of the CFAB in supporting the Community Agenda.

Ray Salazar stated that they are proposed a community collaborative effort and advised the Board of a workshop with presenters from Jacksonville who are currently used a Community Agenda to be held February 25, 2005. United Way has made a commitment to the community agenda. A comprehensive needs assessment is in process. Angela Jackson questioned is tobacco use was included in the study. Carrie stated that tobacco use is declining. Mary Bruno concern about a comprehensive needs assessment is not so large it is not meaningful. She would like for the CFAB to be able to use the data from the needs assessment to target dollars based upon the key indicators. Mr. Williams encouraged CFAB Board members to attend the February meeting.

Motion made by Mary Bruno and seconded by Dr. Martin to include an academic component to the summer camp funding application Motion passed. Mr. Williams advised Board to establish focus groups on how the educational component can be added to our funding process. Motion made by Dr. Martin and seconded by Angela Jackson to establish a partnership with the School Board to include academic component. Motion passed.

Public Participation:
Claris MacKie of Family Renew advised Board of addition on staff. Family Renew is committed to opening a two-parent site in West Volusia in 2005. Claris expressed appreciation to the presenters today.

Advisory Board Participation:
Karen Bourbonnais with Junior Achievement announced that they are looking for opportunities to give students to job-shadow. Claris MacKie and Joe Sullivan volunteered.
Dr. Martin thanked the School Board and One Voice for their presentation.
MaryLou Mirino expressed appreciation to Dr. Colwell, Mr. Whitted and Carrie Garnett for their participation.

Adjourned: 7:30 pm

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