HomeMy WebLinkAboutDrug/Alcohol Task ForceLaurel City-School Task Force
on Drugs and Alcohol
Minutes
October 25, 2000
Persons attending: Dave Ward, Probation Officer, Donna Hirt, Director Laurel YMCA;
Donna Kilpatrick, Chair, Laurel Juvenile Justice Coalition; Patti Muir and John Decker,
PIE; Bud Johnson, Marvin Carter, Ken Olson, Carolyn Boyd
Reports -
Inter-agency team - Del will check with Mr. McMilin on the progress of this team.
Students as reporters - Mike Michunovich communicated to Carolyn that there were no
students interested in acting as student reporters for drug and alcohol issues.
Joint meeting of City Council and School Board - date has not yet been set.
Donna Kilpatrick, Chair of the the Laurel Juvenile Justice Coalition reported on the
group's activities. The idea of revising the inter-agency team came from the Coalition
and they are interested in its progress. The program of having high school students
serve as "Bigs" for elementary school students is in place. The Coalition is working
with Judge Kerr to try to bring an Insight Program to Laurel .
The Conference Committee established in Laurel has heard on two cases. Dave
Ward will continue to make Youth Court judges aware that this program is now
available in Laurel. The Task Force will write a letter to Joy Mariska urging her to
facilitate use of Laurel's Conference Committee.
Donna Hirt from the YMCA reported that many activities are in place and that the
biggest need for the Y at this time is volunteers. Sources of volunteers were shared
with her by everyone present. There are currently 13 students enrolled in the after-
school program . The Y has access to the School District busses but needs volunteer
drivers. Donna also explained the Youth and Family Assessment Center in Billings
and a discussion of whether these services are available to Laurel Youth followed.
Carolyn will check with Dave Morales and Donna will share with the Assessment
Team that Laurel does now have a Conference Committee.
Dave Ward - Probation Officer Chemical Dependency evaluations for Laurel Youth
are now being done in Laurel. Treatment will be available in Laurel when a licensed
chemical dependency counselor is hired.
Dave reported that he is concerned that truancy is becoming a bigger problem in
Laurel. Various ideas were discussed and it was decided that this is an issue that will
be placed on the agenda for the joint City Council/School Board meeting.
Carolyn Boyd
copies to: Henman, Olson, Johnson, Carter, McMilin, Rodgers`