DJC Newsletter  
November 2006

Click underlined links to navigate through the newsletter. Highlight and print selected portions.

This issue of the DJC Newsletter focuses on the Wisconsin Act 5 Guidelines that have recently been approved. In addition, articles in this Newsletter will also focus on how the Division of Juvenile Corrections is working with the Native American population on the aspect of Re – Entry.

Topic / Theme

• 2005 WI Act 5 ~ “Amie’s Law”

• Successful Re – Entry Services

• Menominee Tribal Courts Host Juvenile Facilities Meeting
  Written by Roberta Penass for the Menominee Nation News, reprinted with permission.

• DJC Tribal Action Plan

Training Opportunities

·         Wisconsin Act 5 Guideline Training

·         ACA 2007 Winter Conference

·         Introduction to Collaboration (Online Training)

Announcements

·         DJC Personnel News

Model County Programs

DJC will reserve space in each newsletter to highlight county programs that are especially effective in promoting juvenile accountability, competence building and public safety.  If you have a contribution for the next newsletter, please forward it to Janell Lathrop at janell.lathrop@wisconsin.gov no later than February 14, 2007.  Thank you.

2005 WI Act 5 ~ “Amie’s Law”
 

The passage of 2005 Wisconsin Act 5, which was signed by Governor Jim Doyle and became law on May 17, 2005, changed the rules for releasing a juvenile’s information from the sex offender registry (SOR).  Formerly confidential information about registrants who are minors and/or whose registration requirement stems from a juvenile adjudication can now be released to the public.  Under this new law, a sheriff or police chief is permitted to release information on an adjudicated or minor sex offender in the SOR to an organization (including schools, day care providers, and certain government agencies), and individual, or the general public if such release is determined to be “necessary to protect the public.”  The provisions of Act 5 apply both to persons who were on the sex offender registry before the Act’s effective date, as well as to persons who are placed on the registry in the future.

More recently, Governor Doyle in October 2006 directed the Department of Corrections to begin posting dangerous adults on the public SOR website who committed sex offenses as juveniles, as part of his Sex Offender Apprehension and Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Initiative. The Department will work with law enforcement agencies to develop a process to assess which sex offenders with juvenile records should be included under this directive. Making this information available on the DOC’s website will not supersede law enforcement’s authority to proactively release information to the public about juvenile sex offenders if deemed necessary.

2005 Wisconsin Act 5 does not affect the Special Bulletin Notification (SBN) process for adult criminal offenders, except that now an adult offender’s juvenile sex offenses can be included in SBN information released to the community by law enforcement.  It is important to note that Act 5 does not create a new Special Bulletin Notification requirement pertaining to adjudicated minor sex offenders.  Nor will information on adjudicated minor sex offenders be placed on the public SOR web site. 

The Department of Corrections has asked county or tribal human/social services agencies to send to DOC a contact name and telephone number that law enforcement agencies will be able to call with questions they have pertaining to a juvenile SOR registrant currently or formerly under a county or tribal agency’s supervision.  Likewise, DOC’s Division of Juvenile Corrections has included agency contacts for youth currently or formerly supervised by DJC.  DOC has posed a contact list on the LESOR web site, for use by law enforcement agencies only. 

2005 WI Act 5 does not provide statutory guidelines to law enforcement agencies to help determine when an adjudicated minor registrant poses a risk to public safety to the degree that public release of information about the registrant is necessary.  With an appreciation for the complexity of the issue, the Division of Juvenile Corrections contacted Dr. Anna Salter to develop a set of guidelines for assisting with the process of deciding which youth should have SOR information released in the interest of public safety.  Dr. Salter reviewed the current research and literature on juvenile sex offenders (JSO) and JSO risk assessment, in addition to contacting leading researchers in the area.  Dr. Salter developed a set of guidelines with a format similar to the adult SBN.  The guidelines use factors that current research showed to be most relevant to public safety concerns; more factors may imply a higher risk for re-offending.  It is important to note that these guidelines are not a risk assessment, rather a tool that law enforcement can use to structure discussions surrounding a youth’s risks, victim and family impact, and community safety.  The Act 5 guidelines have been posted on the LESOR website.

The Act 5 Guidelines focus on 10 specific risk factors:

1.         Number of charged sexual offenses

2.         Number of known sexual abuse or assault victims

3.         Duration of sex offense history

4.         Other nonsexual, antisocial behaviors

5.         Any stranger victims

6.         Evidence of deviant sexual arousal

7.         Deception, planning or grooming of the victim

8.         Treatment Compliance

9.         Stability of current living situation

10.       Evidence of positive support system

A definition and rationale are provided for each risk factor in order to provide a better understanding of potential risk.  The JSO population is a very different population from adult sex offenders.  In addition to the above risk factors, risk mitigation, victim and family impact, offender placement, and level of notification all need to be discussed and reviewed.  Some law enforcement agencies may choose to seek information from outside sources, such as district attorneys and state, county and tribal agencies that are familiar with the circumstances of an adjudicated minor offender’s case. 

The Department of Corrections’ Division of Juvenile Corrections plans to conduct regional sessions this fall to introduce the guidelines in joint sessions for county human service department managers and local law enforcement agencies.  Ongoing training on the use of the guidelines and definitions will be available from the regional SORP specialists during the coming year as part of their in-service training of law enforcement agencies on public notification procedures and policies. 

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Successful Re – Entry Services 

With a wide variety of services needed for youth, all three Juvenile Correctional Institutions have seen an increase in the services they offer to help youth be successful once they leave the institution.  Bernie Stevens is employed by the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC) who contracts with Lincoln Hills School (LHS) to provide services to youth.  Mr. Stevens mainly provides services to Native American youth; however he also provides culturally relevant services to a variety of youth throughout the institution.

Upon commitment to LHS, youth are made aware of Mr. Stevens and the services he provides.  Meeting with them individually and in small groups, Mr. Stevens will orientate youth to the role he will play during their stay at the institution, as well as the role he will play in the “Transition Process.”  Mr. Stevens provides the youth with an opportunity to increase their knowledge regarding their heritage and put some Native American traditions into practice while residing at LHS (Sweat Lodge, tribal ceremonies, Native American food, meeting with elders/speakers from the various tribes, etc.).  Building a solid foundation with the youth and their heritage will likely make the “Transition Process” back to the community easier for all parties involved.

Mr. Stevens continues to meet with the youth throughout their stay at the institution.  During this time Mr. Stevens will gain valuable information regarding the youth and his background.  Specifically, Mr. Stevens is able to use his numerous contacts to assist in determining what factors back home may have contributed to the youth’s placement at Lincoln Hills.  This information allows Mr. Stevens to work with the youth, and build skills that will give them a better chance to succeed in their community.  Having a liaison in the community allows for a link between the youth and home that will hope to increase the chances for a successful “Transition.”  Whenever possible, Mr. Stevens will also personally escort a youth back to their community in effort to reconnect the young man with his tribe.

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Menominee Tribal Courts Host Juvenile Facilities Meeting
Written by Roberta Penass for the Menominee Nation News, reprinted with permission.

On Thursday, September 7, 2006, a meeting was held at the Menominee Casino in the Ada Deer Room in reference to the State Department of Corrections.

Menominee Tribal Courts Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Mary Wayka, organized this meeting and invited various Counties, Menominee Tribal Courts and other Tribal agencies.

Welcoming and opening marks were provided by M.I.T.W. Chief Justice Robert Kittecon.  Judge Kittecon opened up the meeting by introducing himself and had everyone introduce themselves, along with their employment area.  He also thanked all those who attended the meeting.

Pete Waukechon was honored to say the welcoming prayer.

Division of Juvenile Corrections (DJC) Administrator, Mr. Charles Tubbs, was present to introduce his colleagues which include:  Paul Westerhaus – Superintendent at Lincoln Hills School, Patricia Ogren – Superintendent at Southern Oaks Girls School, Kyle Davidson – Superintendent at Ethan Allen School, Audrian Brown – Southeastern Regional Chief, Sue Boeke – Northwestern Regional Chief, Mark Frost – Wausau Unit Supervisor, and Shelley Hagan – Office of Juvenile Offender Review Director.

Each state personnel gave a short presentation regarding the juvenile facilities, which include:  the Division of Juvenile Corrections Institutions, the Division of Juvenile Correction Community Programs, the Southern Oaks Girls School, and the Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center.

The Division of Juvenile Corrections promotes a juvenile justice system that balances protection of the community, youth accountability and competency building for responsible and productive community living.

There are three institutions in the State of Wisconsin, and a Juvenile Treatment Center.

Ethan Allen School (EAS) is located in Wales, WI.  This school provides individualized culturally sensitive programming based on the uniqueness of each youth; utilizes the concepts of restorative justice; affirms that staff are key to successful programming and positive treatment outcomes; provide a safe environment for staff and youth; and maintains partnerships with families, counties, and community agencies to transition youth back to the community.

Lincoln Hills School (LHS) is located in Irma, WI.  LHS provides community protection and holds youth fully responsible for their behaviors while offering them skill building opportunities and contributes to victim and community restoration.

Southern Oaks Girls School (SOGS) is located in Union Grove, WI.  SOGS provides safe, secure, human and innovative treatment and educational programs designed to change the behavior of delinquent girls.

There is also Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center (MJTC), which is located in Madison, WI.  MJTC provides psychological evaluations, specialized learning programs, training and supervision to youth under the supervision of the Division of Juvenile Corrections whose behavior presents a serious problem to themselves or to others in the juvenile correctional environment and / or whose mental health needs are most appropriately met by being transferred to MJTC.  MJTC also sees the provision of training and consultation services to DJC, DHFS and other agencies as fundamental part of its mission.

Judge Wendell Askentte was honored to speak on behalf of the Tribal Courts system.  He shared the procedures they have for the juvenile court system.

Other Menominee Tribal agencies that attended the State DJC meeting were:  Menominee Health and Human Services, volunteer community workers, Community Resource Center, Maehnowesekiyah, Menominee Indian High School Principal Mr. Chuck Raasch, and The Youth Development and Outreach Department.

Each department had a chance to explain what services they have for the youth on the Menominiee Indian Reservation.

A time for discussion was offered to those who wished to know more about departments on the Menominee Reservation.

The DJC meeting was a success to all those that attended.  A variety of information was provided from each individual that attended.
 

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 DJC Tribal Action Plan

The Division of Juvenile Corrections administers programs to treat delinquent youth and protect the public.  It operates the state’s juvenile correctional institutions and community corrections programs.  Through its juvenile offender review program, the Division determines whether offenders in the institutions are eligible for release, oversees the aftercare services of those who are released, and selects participants for intensive surveillance under the corrective sanctions program.

New / Proposed Programs:
1. Tribal Court Jurisdiction:  2003 WI Act 284 expands the jurisdiction of the tribal court to include alleged delinquent and criminal offenses committed by a juvenile placed off – reservation by an order of the tribal court.
2. Promote collaboration:  DJC will continue to work with counties and tribes to promote collaborative planning and service delivery for tribal youth within the tribe and county’s joint jurisdiction.

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Training Opportunities

Wisconsin Act 5 Training
Act 5 Training will be conducted throughout November and December of 2006 throughout the State of Wisconsin.  For more information on this training, please contact Mary Keyes at 608.240.5914 or mary.keyes@wisconsin.gov.

ACA 2007 Winter Conference
The ACA 2007 Winter Conference will be held January 20 – 24, 2007 in Tampa, Florida.  For more information, visit www.aca.org.

Introduction to Collaboration (Online Training)
The goal of this course is to lay the groundwork for collaboration among service providers to develop outcome based, customer-centered case plans in partnership with other family assistance providers.  For more information, visit http://www.wcwts.wisc.edu/W2/default.htm.

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Patrick Kumke Accepts Ethan Allen School Psychologist Position

Dr. Paula Decker, Education Director at Ethan Allen School, has announced that Patrick Kumke, former Psychology Intern has been appointed to the School Psychologist position.  Patrick began working at the school on October 16. HIs familiarity with EAS programs and exemplary work ethic makes him an ideal fit for the position. He is a PhD Candidate in Educational Psychology / School Psychology at UW-Madison, hold's a Masters Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Columbia University, and earned a BA in Japanese Language from the University of Michigan.  Mr. Kumke has classroom experience at the junior, high school and college level having taught English from 1991-1996 at the Seishen Gakuen Junior and Senior High School and ESL at Columbia University from 1990-1991. He completed his field practica at Monona Grove High School in Monona, WI and Sugar Creek Elementary in Verona, WI. Please welcome Patrick back to the EAS community.

Lincoln Hills School Hires English Teacher Thomas Gardner II

Lincoln Hills School Education Director, Stacey Otteson, is happy to announce the hiring of Mr. Thomas H. Gardner II, for the position of English teacher.  Mr. Gardner most recently taught in the Alaskan village of Gambell, on St. Lawrence Island.  Prior to that he has taught in the Winter, WI school district, and at New Heights Charter School, in Stillwater, MN. Mr. Gardner brings with him a passion for literature, writing and looks forward to the rewards, as well the challenges of working with the Lincoln Hills population.
 

Rebecca Bigalke Joins Southern Oaks Girls School as Office Operations Associate

Rebecca Bigalke has joined the staff of Southern Oaks Girls School as the Office Operations Associate for the Education Department. Becky earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in 2001 and is currently working toward a Masters Degree in Business.  Becky brings a wealth of education-related experience to Southern Oaks Girls School including three years teaching experience within the Kenosha Unified School District.  Becky's responsibilities included long-term substitute teaching and special education instruction.  Becky especially enjoyed ninth and tenth grade science instruction with students in the learning disabilities classroom--laboratory experiments were of particular interest!  Becky will be handling all student-centered education records for Southern Oaks Girls School and she looks forward to working closely with school districts statewide, field agents, and institution staff.  Feel free to call Becky at 262-878-6526 and welcome her to her new challenge!

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