Travis County Commissioners Court
August 28, 2007
Item 16
16, receive briefing on report regarding contract performance of the Austin lsh Travis County re-entry round table and taiks appropriate action.
>> I'm carol colburn, at large member of the round table planning council. And here with me today are other members of the planning council. We have darla gay at the far end from the district attorney's office and penny rayfield, who is the chair of the planning council. And they are going to give a report to the Commissioners court on the fy 2007 initiatives and proposed initial be actives for fy 2008.
>> good morning. I am penny rayfield. I'm the planning council chair. Darla gay with us this morning was the chair of the employment committee who tweag worked very closely with the committee and county representatives as it relates to the mad cow. So we'll be be -- as it relates to the mou. We'll be reporting on that this morning and taking your questions.
>> I believe you have the backup documentation that summarizes the deliverables. There were four actual goal areas and several deliverables under that. I'll just highlight the deliverables. Under the first component was reviewing the city and the county hiring practices and looking at making recommendations was the ultimate goal around how to enhance the hiring practices to result in more person with backgrounds being able to get employment opportunities with the city and the county. You should have received a report that summarizes our review of the city and county hiring practices. There was a subsequent report that was delivered a month later that was specific to the county that actually listed preliminary recommendations. We've now met with with each of you to talk about those recommendations and those should be coming forward in an official capacity, probably in the next two to four weeks. We have actually on component number 2 as part of those recommendations, we looked at what going on around the country as regards other governmental entity practices in regards to hiring. You have a summary document that summarizes our findings and you will actually see some in of the recommendations that we've actually taken advantage of some of that research in making some of our recommendations. Component 3 is the engagement of -- let necessity go back to 1 and 2. We appreciate the city and county stepping up to be our major employers in our area to be the 2009 really take a look be at your current existing policies and to have an open tie log about how to improve those wevment think that will go a long way with component 3 of our mou, which is engaging the private sector, being able to have the city and county being able to say we're looking at ways we can enhance our own policies will go a long way with making inroads into private sector employers. And that is the third component is looking at how we can engage them. There's been a couple of strategy already in place. We've actually had an employer focus group that was highly successful and got a lot of information. The result of that one focus group was the creation of a coalition of employer that have agreed to come together to help us advocate and reach out to other employers around dealing with the issue that a lot of them may have questions about. So the coalition of re-entry employers is fixing to launch off the ground for us to engage more employers. We also have an online 98 that's ongoing to employer, basically trying to determine what are their concern and issues and barriers and challenges so that as we go forward in doing some advocacy we can actually do some technical assistance and training opportunities. The fourth one is actually doing more community outreach to have broader dialogue about these issues. And actually what they're seeing is common challenges and barriers. So actually engaging the client populations, those persons with criminal backgrounds are actually doing one on one work as well as focus group work. And in addition we're doing some outreach to our service providers who are actually providing employment services to see kinds of issue that they're facing and helping this population get employed and as a plug to a component of what's going on is that today was the kickoff of the first training for employment -- a specialist employment training that criminal justice planning is leading today. That will be a capacity building workshop that will be going on on a quarterly basis that will allow people in employment services to get additional training and resoirses to better serve those needing a job. We actually co-hosted a institute of corrections satellite broadcast on offender employment. And we engaged a cross-section of people and we actually did some work around identifying challenges and barriers and strategies that they're actually doing on the ground today in our community. The last deliverable in our mou is a report on the results of it 3 and 4 and that should be forthcoming to you at the end of this week.
>> when can we expect to get bona fide evidence of what we're doing here as far as making sure that this re-entry program as we have talked on it for a length of time actually we can show the evidence and the proof that here is an individual that has benefitd from this program? A couple of Saturdays ago -- not this Saturday, but two Saturdays ago I attended a very intense neighborhood meeting where we had a collection of many, many neighborhoods. Sheriff fleming and the hhs person was there on -- sherri fleming and the hhs person was there along with mike gonzalez out of pbo. But during that discussion with the neighborhood groups, a coalition of many neighborhood groups, there was a lot of conversation that talked about this program. And in fact, a.p.d., who was also participating in the meeting, we were trying at that time to determine -- because they were interested in frank rango's role in this, especially dealing with the 02 zip code area where a lot of clients would be a part of this program from that area. So the community basically with those type of neighborhood gatherings were very interested in this program. So I guess my question is they -- in fact, they were not even aware of this program. I see community outreach, I see that here, but they were very unaware. But again, a.p.d. Lent a hand and gave mr. Rango's name and number, of course, to the folks because they wanted to make sure that he was able to attend so they could participate in the program. So I'm wondering the implementation, number be one, of what we can do personally as far as Travis County is concerned because I made a statement along with other members of this court, have made similar statements that if we're asking other folks to get involved with this type of program, then of course Travis County should be definitely leading the role and taking a lead position as far as hiring some folks, making sure they go through the proper programs. So this cri tear onand the recommendation that all these things that you're coming up with, will it intertwine with what I'm talking about here. And if so, I guess my question is where are we at the stage of implementing this? Because folk are really wanting to know when are we really goibility to help those -- really going to help those persons who are eligible for this, as far as the work ethics and also work attitude. I think it's very key components and a study that's been done by the major employers all across the nation naition as they looked at this -- these type of employment opportunities for those persons that can lead productive lives as citizens. Can you help me as far as the question of the intertwined as far as the feature that I just brought up?
>> I'll take a shot. And I'll have penny kind of go from a bigger picture. There are many ways that we can really look at the effectiveness of what the re-entry round traibl is table is going. We're looking at how do we get more people on board to change policies and strategies in the way they think. One of the strategies you'll see in our fiscal year '08 is that there's a lot going on around re-entry in our community and the linkages of information flow needs to be strengthened. We have a website and what we're going to take a look at is how we can use that website to more effectively link what's going on. Frank is actually leading a re-entry community in 78702 zip code, so they're going some things that are very specific on the ground kind of thing, but how do we link that information up through the re-entry round table? That's one of the strategy we'll be looking at is how do we take the website and actually take advantage of all the things around re-entry to create a clen calendar of events. What's going on, no matter who is sponsoring it? The other thing that we have already on the website is a link to research. So you will actually be able to go to the website and look at some research that we've actually already linked up and some documents that we've already produced. The documents that you've been provided will be linked on to that website as well. So if other private employers, for instance, want to see our report and our review of your current policies and what our recommendations are, that will be on there. So there will somebody website development that you will actually see some communication linkages. Because frank is on our planning council and actually chairs the policy reform committee, and because he is doing on the groundwork in the 02 zip code that the work of the round table supports what he's doing on the ground and he also is able to come back to us and say these are the issues that we need to help with, whether it's a policy issue or some particular barrier or a community problem as it relates to housing. Those are the types of thing that we can assist him as we leverage resources. And hopefully not duplicate services.
>> I have a few questions. What staffing do you have to implement the contract?
>> this year we have contracted with either students or people who are individual freelance contact persons.
>> that's who you have working with you now?
>> yes, sir. Right now we're not contracted with a consultant at the moment. We have two people that we work with that provide administrative support for us. On an as-needed basis.
>> have spent the 35,000 contract amount?
>> we have provided for you the budget. All of our expenses for the court's fiscal year. So I know that we have notified the court prior that our fiscal year is generally a calendar year, but for the purposes of giving you more visibility where we have spend our dollars, we have provided all the expenses here. I know that you have a plash interest in -- a particular interest in employment.
>> just answer the question.
>> I'm getting to it. Since we were before you, we have broken down on the budget here that we can allocate specifically for services supporting our employment work, $24,000. And I can break that down for you more if you would like.
>> no, that's fine. So you have 11,000 left.
>> yes.
>> but you hope to complete the work in fy '08.
>> absolutely, sir. The rest of '07 and then we have new priorities for '08.
>> but there is a request for additional 35,000 in '08.
>> for '08.
>> we really have not completed the four specific things that we wanted done, but you have made progress on them. And my understanding was that we would get from the re-entry round table specific recommendations that we would then implement. Y'all kind of made it clear that y'all were not implementers, but basically planners and collaborators and etcetera. That was fine with me. But the point I'm driving to is whatever is left in '07 with an additional 35,000 in '08, we believe that you will be able to complete your work and basically it would be left to us to implement the recommendations that we deem appropriate.
>> yes. And the recommendations that we've actually previewed with you actually includes I think three of the 11 recommendations includes our continued involvement to help with implementation processes. So we actually have committed to stay involved from the get go, not just to walk away. We've actually made that commitment to linda Moore submits.
>> if we need you to.
>> right.
>> if seems to me that there are specific steps that either we will do or we won't. And if we do them, we need to indicate when. And the sooner the better. And so -- I do agr appreciate your work with ms. Moran and also hrmd to date. Many of us have talked about this for years, though. And it seems to me that either we're going to do it or novment but it's left to us to do. But I wanted a good indication of the specific recommendations so we could decide whether we would do them or not, sort of go down the list, one in a we're going to do say yes and also indicate when. And the ones that we would not do indicate the reason why. Now, the one that I've seen I have not seen a reason why we wouldn't do them, but at the same time we have to vote as a body to take specific action. So what I will want through the budget process, and my recommendation would be a similar earmark that we look at the contract that we try to put specific dates down there and we figure out a way to get to the next step. The other thing is that for us there is a challenge of trying to coordinate the Travis County f.t.e.'s in sich a way that the many other justice related projects get done also. So we don't want to get in y'all's way, we want to collaborate as much as possible that there is other work, though, that our folk need to get done for us. Any other questions?
>> I have a couple. In looking at the deliverables, the four deliverables and also the statements
>> [ inaudible ]. I'm wondering what other deliverables are we -- are y'all suggesting for '08?
>> last year after the court decided that they would fund our work, we worked with criminal justice planning to develop the four specific deliver rabbles that we have spented to you this morning. So we were assuming that the court would indeed expect something similar, even though it may overlap what we've done this year. And that that work would be done in working with the criminal justice planning. And that we've come before for you your approval.
>> so it would be a continuation of the four deliverables?
>> some of it may be a continuation. Some of it may be new depending upon circumstance, current circumstances.
>> I would suggest -- this is a personal preference -- that that discussion happen in advance of the funding discussion. I think we might get a clearer picture of where we're going in the future and how we're implementing-- how we're best utilizing (indiscernible).
>> there's no way to do that because markup starts next Wednesday. That's why I recommended that we earmark it. That we basically point to allocated reserves so if we are able to agree to a contract with specific terms and conditions, we would then fund it. And that's the same way we did it last year also. During the budget process it's sort of difficult to work on specific contracts. We give ourselves a little time, though, by setting the money asigh. Then right after the bijt is adopted, we really have a lot more opportunity to turn to specific projects and work on them. Last year we did slow around a little bit, and I'm thinking of the court more than y'all, but our goal this year ought to be to spend the latter part of September, first part of October, getting the contract in place as well as some specific timetables. Hrmd will have to be involved in this and has been already. So much of this is yawm, but a lot of that -- much of this is y'all, but a lot of this is us also.
>> and also, I think it's a good point as far as maybe delaying it or earmarking the funds because with the interest that have been magnified in the 02 area, they would like to maybe input additional stuff to frank who actually ties in two w. Those folks as being part of this body. But he definitely ties into them. So we need to really listen to the folks who have a high interest in the 02 zip code area. I think it would be necessary to maybe hear what his report is when he comes back from talking to these folks. They have a scheduled meeting, I understand, with all the collective neighborhood groups in the 02 area.
>> that's fine with me.
>> ol. Okay.
>> that's some of the any things that penny was relating to that are happening.
>> right.
>> and figure out how to support.
>> and that's with the people for them and stuff like that.
>> any other questions?
>> [one moment, please, for change in captioners] folks who have.
>> completed their probation. Are they screened out as well s.
>> currently in Travis County you don't have specific policies that say a time frame. For instance, at the city their time frame is ten years from day of commission. So even if you have a five-year probation you still would have an additional if five years to wait. Although the environment at the city is we are way too stringent and need to take a look at that.
>> can you also just say, let's say someone comes in and says yes, I've been on probation for ten years and I just completed it. Is that it? Can they just move in and apply for a job and get a fair hearing and perhaps get hired?
>> the problem that is they have to disclose that arrest and conviction.
>> and we are not too friendly--
>> once you expose that, and it was funny in our conversations with ms. Smith and others, we can even say we are not going to ask the question until they screen in based on qualifications for the next round, which is one of our recommendations, not asking them to disclose the criminal history until they have actually screened into the next level. Then the question is from a hiring standpoint how does that hiring person look at that particular piece of information. If there's no really guidelines on how they should be looking at it, it may, again, be the easy screening tool to say I've got ten people and nine of them don't have a criminal history and one of them does. So one of the things we are looking at, other jurisdictions have used some broader directions and training, let's look at the time since the commission of the offense. Successfully completing a ten-year probation, I tell you, we should be celebrating because being on probation for ten years is a major intrusion in your life. So if you have completed a ten-year probation there should be a big celebration. I think being able to do, not only be able to say we are going to look at it this from a mitigating perspective, but also from a hiring perspective how they consider that information that is the key. What kind of questions can we help them with to be able to determine, have they rehabilitated, have they changed their thinking errors, are they moved on, you know, past where they were. So that is the kind of help that we could, we think we could stay on board and be able to--
>> the other thing is to remain open, let say they don't disclose it because of fear of getting excluded, then that we won't count it as you didn't tell the truth on your application. You know, so it's some things that need to be tweaked there so that we don't exclude people who have successfully completed their debt to society.
>> what's interesting in the focus groups that we have had with both employers and offenders, they believe disclosing is important for a sign of integrity. Both of them. And so if they both believe that it's a sign of integrity for them to disclose, then I think it's incumbent upon us to be able to help people make hiring decisions to look at it as an integrity issue, the fact they are willing to come forward and tell you about this piece of their life and then being able to ask the right questions to be sure they are hiring the best person for that job.
>> right. Okay.
>> move that we receive the report.
>> second.
>> discussion? All in favor. That passes by unanimous vote. Thank you all very much.
>> thank you all.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 18:30 AM