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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - JuvenileJuvenile Court & Youth Services Tuesday, August 24,, 2021 —Agenda Submitted by: Suhail Palacios l\ Financial 2) Intakes S\ Courts: i. Offender/Okxersion: |i. Truancy: iii. Dependency: 4) Martin Hall 5) Administration Tuesday, August 24, 2021 submitted by S. Palacios 2) Intakes: Today's Daily Population Report: We currently have 5 Juvenile in detention. (3 Juveniles for a Probation Violations Warrants, One for Rape of a Child 1 and one juvenile for Assault 1 & Possession of a Stolen Firearm) 3) Courts• L OFFENDER/DIVERSION: All civil and criminal matters are still being held via WebEx, and we only have in person court hearings for Dispositions and Trials. I continuously have conversations with Garth Dano as to the difficulties we are having in court. The court is experiencing difficulties with correct paperwork. Typically, when the prosecutor is in the court room, the prosecutor can make last minute changes like bail amount and conditions of release. Since the prosecutor is appearing via WebEx, the paperwork is constantly wrong, and orders have to be amended. After talking to Crystal Burns and Garth Dano, the juvenile prosecutor will be able to appear in person to alleviate that problem. I have been in contact with our local law enforcement as to the changes to their organization and the way they respond to calls due to HB1310. The Sheriff department and Ephrata Police Department reassured me that they will be able to assist us and the public even with some of the tricky calls involving Mental Health. They will be there as a peace maker to make sure to protect the public's safety. The Ephrata Police Department will also be able to assist us when we have a release and parents don't want to pick up the youth so we can start the CPS process. ii. TRUANCY: I hosted a meeting with Superior Court Judges, Defense Attorney and Juvenile Truancy staff to talk about the impacts of E2SSB 5290. Judge Estudillo asked me to send an email seeking advised from our civil attorneys Kevin McCrae and Rebekah Kaylor considering the issue regarding a child's right to counsel in truancy hearings under this bill. Their advice was to continue to appoint an attorney after the initial hearing as to the legislature has been unclear as to its intent as to whether there is a statutory right to counsel for truancy after the first hearing. DEPENDENCY: The dependency unit is also doing regular docket hearings, via WebEx. Due to new statewide mask mandate and after Washington recently broke the previous record for COVID hospitalizations set in December, I informed to all staff that as of Monday August 23, 2021, the Juvenile Department will no longer be allowing in home visits. Staff will be able to continue to meet with youth and families outside their homes or at the office following social distancing and PPE protocols and all staff will be required to wear a mask outside of their offices. 4) Martin Hall: Communication continues, Martin Hall has been able to provide transportation on a timely matter. 5) Administration: Anew job description for Probation Counselor and Intensive Supervision Counselor was sent to the Association. The Association presented this information to staff members and because they had some concerns, we are waiting for the Association to schedule meetings including staff members to be present to discuss the impact to staff doing this job. • Follow up with the incident about standby over the weekend. • Environmental Assessment at Grant County Juvenile Court & Youth Services. • Our first Mediation meeting with the Association will be this next Thursday August 26, 2021 at 9am. • WAJCA Summer Conference August, September 13.,2021 — August, September 16, 2021. • The Juvenile Department currently has 2 employees working from home due to COVID exposure quarantine recommended by Grant County Health District. • Governor Inslee's proclamation - Agency Affiliated Counselors. It is anticipated that we will be required to verify that employees that have the credentials for Agency Affiliated Counselor be "fully vaccinated" by October 18, 2021. We are currently reviewing and discussing the impacts of the Governor's proclamation with Human Resources and the Labor Union. Additional direction will be sent out as it is available. 6) Needs of the Department Tech Services was able to proceed with the purchases of the Juvenile Court and Youth Services Security Cameras.