HILLSBOROUGH EX-OFFENDER RE-ENTRY NETWORK MEETING MINUTES March 20th, 2007 Welcome and Introductions Will Daniels Acceptance of Minutes Motion by Willie Jenkins to adopt Minutes from February 20th, seconded by Barbara Richards, was passed unanimously. LOCAL / REGIONAL RE-ENTRY UPDATES 1. State of Florida Transitional Authority Senator Joiner’s bill gives authority and responsibility to parole commission. Discussed difficulties that prevent Department of Corrections from accomplishing this function, streamlining the process, and Robert encouraged members to support this move by calling or writing legislators if they can. 2. First Step Program Judge Padgett has invited Robert Blount on April 10, to present program to Circuit 13 judges. Basic program provides for each person sentenced to be required to pay $1 per month – then that money is used to fund ex-offender needs such as boots for work, etc. 3. Sexual Predator Draft Ordinance Erio Alvarez provided background information on the discussions by the Board of County Commissioners on Commission Hagen's initiative to enhance the protection of children from sexual predators. He stated that the Board would hold a public hearing on the draft ordinance on 3/21/07, and is expected to pass an ordinance creating child protection zones. Sexual predators won't be allowed within 300' of places where children congregate, as defined in the ordinance, such as libraries, parks, child care facilities and so forth. Erio noted that there were currently fewer than 30 registered sex predators in Hillsborough County. TAMPA HILLSBOROUGH SUPER 6 ANTI-GANG INITIATIVE 4. Grant Positions Status Erio Alvarez said that three applicants to fill the Hillsborough County anti-gang grant positions have been selected. They will begin employment with the County's Criminal Justice Office on 4/2/07. He indicated that two positions are for ex-offender reentry and the third position is for the prevention component of the grant. Gulf Coast Community Care (GCCC) is the primary collaborative partner and its staff will work with the county staff and with community providers using vouchers for services for prevention and reentry activities. The law enforcement/prosecution component of the anti-gang grant is operational. Denise Miller with GCCC introduced her anti-gang grant staff: Richard Wagner, Felicia Richardson, and Clarence James. 1 HILLSBOROUGH EX-OFFENDER RE-ENTRY NETWORK COMMITTEE UPDATES 5. Healthcare Freddie Dancer brought brochures for the Red Crescent Clinic – a free medical clinic for the uninsured. Opened in the fall of 2000 by the Islamic community of the Tampa Bay area, the clinic is located at 7328 Sligh Avenue East, and open six days a week. Patients should call 246-5009 for an appointment. 6. Housing Joel Pietsch announced that this committee will meet directly after the general meeting. 7. Employment Michael Randolph distributed a copy of committee priorities: creating a job bank/job fair, job development/employment training, and entrepreneurship training. Carol Tortarelli reported that PRIDE has developed a support group for their program participants, and is looking at inviting non-PRIDE participants. 8. Education Steve Johnson has been working on developing a manual with comprehensive set of information about resources for ex-offenders. Feel free to contact Steve if you have more resources. Michael Randolph ( West Tampa CDC ) 9. Legal Jan Bates and Elizabeth Noland were out today. 10. Mentoring Frank Pressey reported that the committee is fine-tuning their list, gathering information, and looking at various mentoring models. 11. LifeSkills Katie McGill has accepted the chairperson position – several people volunteered to serve. ANNOUNCEMENTS Next HERN Meeting: April 17th 2007, at 2:30p.m. at Florida Workforce Tampa Center, 9215 North Florida Avenue, Suite 101. 2 HILLSBOROUGH EX-OFFENDER RE-ENTRY NETWORK GENERAL MEETING ATTENDANCE March 20, 2007 Excused: Mary Watson, Carol Kori, Jan Bates, Julie Frye Agency Abe Brown Ministries Abe Brown Ministries Catholic Ministries Catholic Ministries Catholic Ministries Catholic Ministries Catholic Ministries Florida Parole Commission Gulfcoast Community Care Gulfcoast Jewish Family Services Anti-Gang Initiative Gulfcoast Jewish Family Services Anti-Gang Initiative Gulfcoast Jewish Family Services Anti-Gang Initiative Hillsborough County Administrator's Office Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Interested Citizen Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Let's Talk Group Metropolitan Charities National Trust for the Development of African-American Men Pre-Release Orientation Program Pride Enterprises Pride Enterprises Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance - Florida Rebuilds Tampa Housing Authority the Centre for Women the Centre for Women US Pre-Trial Services US Probation West Tampa CDC 3 First Name Robert Wayne Ruth Elsie JoAnn Flo Pat Lori Staci Sandra Denise Orlando Erio Jalila Renee Steve Judy Anne-Mari Joel Franklin Barbara Freddie Mohammed Katie Jennifer Walli Ted Angela Carol Sheila Marie Willie Gwen Angel Cynthia Franklin Michael Last Name Blount Tiggett Barthle Foley Koehler Murphy Null Pille Backauskas Bowles Miller Ollorens Alvarez Clarke-Mosley Davelt Johnson Newsome Perotti-Marsicano Pietsch Pressey Richards Dancer Sulton McGill Echeverria Shabazz Kori Carver Tortarelli Wesley Doubrava Jenkins Jones Washington Myers O'Farrill Randolph