Minnesota Department of Corrections Central Office

Minnesota Department of Corrections Central Office

MCORP Steering CommitteePage 1 of 4

Meeting Minutes November 27, 2007

General Meeting

November 27, 2007

9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Minnesota Department of Corrections—Central Office

Attendees:

Dennis Avery (Hennepin Co.)Darryl Lindsey (the Network)

Farris Bell (DOC) Diane Lunda (DOC)

Lee Buckley (Governors Office)Jeff Peterson (DOC)

Marvin Clark (Emerge)Ann Rivas (Olmsted Co.)

Barbara Cox (DOC)Lynne Singlemann (DHS)

Larry Eisenstadt (DEED)George Stone (CSH)

Andy Erickson (Ramsey Co.)Sabrina Sutter (DOC)

Kelley Heifort (DOC)Steve Thomas (the Network)

Tricia Hummel (DPS)Chris Turner (Senate)

Gary Johnson (DOC)Jeff Williams (the Network)

Gary Karger (MN House)Oliver Williams (University of MN)

Gary began the meeting by welcoming everyone. An Agenda was passed out to follow along. The reentry grant winners were in attendance to give presentations about their organizations. Larry Eisenstadt from DEED was present to give a small presentation on a study that DEED is conducting.

University of Minnesota School of Social work: Professor Oliver Williams, PhD

  • As winners of the Domestic Abuse Reentry Grant, they are creating a report that will look at the success of reentry and how incidence of domestic violence can be reduced among offenders reentering the community. They want to provide services to not only the offender’s partner and family but also to the recently released man to try to prevent domestic violence. Another goal of the organization is to try and reduce recidivism due to domestic violence.

The Network: Steve Thomas, president and CEO of the Network, Darryl Lindsey and Jeff Williams

  • The Network is the winner of the High-risk Adult Demonstration Grant. They are an Agent for a multiple alliance of non-profits. They have been testing ideas and practices for the last five years with fifty men. They are currently working on getting a better system for housing with a “master lease” program. They have also started work crews for temporary employment for the recently released men to start them on their way to a successful reentry.
  • The men have to start an individual prosperity plan to become a member of the Network. Not only do they have to meet their conditions of parole they have to meet obtainable personal goals. Membership into the Network they have to pay 100% of their own rent, have to save $3,000 in a savings account, do not re-offend, and pay all restitution. The Network is not a charity and the hold the men accountable for their progress.
  • Housing is the number one priority for the men being released from prison. The Network is working on the goal of moving the man from prison after being released directly into his own room. Many of the guys return to the Network housing to visit the safe, secure and sober environment that is present. The men also receive immediate Medica coverage and see a Doctor for a physical right away. They would like to create a “wrap around service” to create a successful reentry for the men right out of prison.
  • The DOC and the Network are trying to bring together their definitions of a “high-risk individual.” This would be beneficial to the case managers so they can better determine who is eligible for the Network program.

Emerge: Marvin Clark, Program manager

  • The Emerge program is the winner of the Employment services in North Minneapolis Grant. The program is going to work with African American males with the North-side Reconnection Initiative in North Minneapolis. The program does a lot of hand-holding with the participants to get stable housing, a steady job and build soft-skills. Within 30-90 days the participants must be acclimated to working and moving towards to stability.
  • Having good community partners is key in the program working to its’ full potential. They are hoping the program will be successful so they can expand across the metro to help as many people as possible. This particular project is just focused in North Minneapolis.

DEED Study of Employment and Wage Opportunities for Minorities: Larry Eisenstadt, Employment and training coordinator

  • The Legislature asked DEED to conduct a study of individuals of color in relation to their employment status. The Legislature looked at the study and noticed great disparities in the employment, training, and wages for African Americans. It is partly due to the fact that employers are not willing to take a chance on people with felony convictions on their records. DEED is now looking at reentry programs to determine ways that reentry can be accomplished successfully to eliminate racial disparity. Larry would like any thoughts on barriers that people of color face in becoming economically and socially sufficient. The ideas will be compiled and sent with DEED’s report to the Legislature. Please contact Mr. Eisenstadt at .

Case Plan Working Group Update: Kelley Heifort

  • There are many supervisors and case managers from different counties and facilities working together to come up with the best practice for the case plan. The group is reviewing a final product of the case plan document today. The group will discuss it more to see if there is additional training to launch their plan.
  • Kelley was going to check with the Policy and Legal Department to see if the case plan for an offender can be shared with the vendor prior to release.

MCORP Pilot Project and DOJ/DOL PRI Grant Update: Gary Johnson

  • For the Federal PRI Grant that the DOC has received, they have to get new reentry coordinators hired. Ramsey and Hennepin Counties will be involved in the hire process for the two positions.
  • The MCORP pilot project is hoped to be in gear for the beginning of the calendar year.
  • Hennepin County update: The county board is going to act on the grant with acceptance. They have had 21 agents apply for the positions that will be made available with the grant.
  • Ramsey County update: The board has approved what they need to do for the grant. There has been a lot of interest for the positions that will be created from the grant.

Next Meeting:

  • Please note that Gary has cancelled the December MCORP meeting. The next scheduled meeting will be January 29, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you all there.
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