Community Coalition Updates

 

The Champaign County Community Coalition had an event in Champaign this week as part of its outreach to neighborhoods dealing with gun violence. I cover that below. The organization also recently gave a presentation to the Champaign City Council (video available here). There was a great overview of the Coalition's history, goals, and related municipal actions assembled by City staff ahead of the presentation available here. For example, in these excerpts from the background section, there's an explanation of the City of Champaign's role in the coalition:

The City partnered with governmental partners and organizations to create a Community Coalition. The Coalition is a collaborative initiative involving governmental partners, community organizations, and members working together to address and solve community problems of mutual concern...

Since 2016, the Executive Committee Members annually meet to discuss and identify the strategic priorities for the upcoming year. The draft of the priorities is then agreed to by the Coalition partners for implementation and coordination of activities. Once these activities are identified and agreed upon, the monthly Coalition meetings are a coordinated approach to highlight activities and promote on-going dialogue with community stakeholders. The City of Champaign is the lead organization for the coordination of the Coalition and is responsible for the overall administrative responsibilities and daily coordination of all Coalition partners and activities.

Full update report on the Champaign County Community Coalition here. Another recent update on their CU Fresh Start program addressing gun violence interruption is available on the Cheat Sheet here.

There was a lot of local coverage of one of their recent community outreach events in the Willis Park area. Video segment available here from WAND. Below is an overview from yesterday's News-Gazette coverage:

Willis Park residents urge Champaign officials to shed some light on neighborhood
Pitch-black streets were among the biggest issues discussed by dozens of Willis Park residents who packed a neighborhood-safety forum Monday hosted by the Champaign Community Coalition...

Other sources of blight that were brought up included gun violence, rampant vandalism, and vacant homes...

Residents also said investments like youth centers, child-care facilities and mental-health services could help alleviate a lot of the burden placed on parents, the idleness of some young adults in the area and what neighborhood leaders have identified as a trauma-ridden community.

Champaign Police Chief Anthony Cobb said more neighbors have to be cooperative with police as they investigate crimes in the area. Without that cooperation, he said, it’s much more difficult and time-consuming to do an investigation, find the culprits and make arrests.

Full article available here. The News-Gazette also had an article previewing the meeting with additional information here.

CU Fresh Start Updates

First a reminder of what CU Fresh Start is from their web page:

CU Fresh Start is a community-led, focused effort to deter gun violence. This approach gives individuals with a history of violent, gun-related behaviors a choice to put down the gun and move in a different direction. If they choose to stop shooting, offenders will receive help to access community services and resources. If they continue to engage in gun violence, they will face swift and certain consequences.

WILL had a recent detailed article explaining the program and its evolution here. Excerpt:

In the past, a person had to already be on probation or parole for gun-related crimes to be eligible for CU Fresh Start and receive the individualized support to program provides to find housing, jobs, mental health or addiction treatment, or anything else a person needs to get their life back on track.

Now, anyone 18 and older is eligible to apply, or refer someone else, as long as they don’t have pending criminal charges.

Champaign Community Relations Specialist Mary Catherine Roberson said the goal is “to be able to get them support services they need before they have to enter the criminal justice system.”

Forms will eventually be available online for agencies or individuals interested in referring someone to the program.

Full article here. Cheat Sheet posts with previous updates and news on CU Fresh Start are available here. WILL also had coverage of the most recent "call in" with details on how they currently work. Excerpt:

CU Fresh Start held its sixth “Call-In” Thursday, attempting to set a new path for young men in trouble for gun-related offenses in Champaign-Urbana. At the same time, local officials say they’re looking at ways to expand the program’s reach.

Modeled after programs used in Boston, Minneapolis, Peoria and other cities, CU Fresh Start takes an interventionist approach, warning young people in trouble of the dangers and legal consequences of gun violence, while offering help with education, job-training and cutting through legal red tape.

Thursday’s Call-In, like previous ones held over the past three years, took place in Champaign. Nineteen young men, a larger number than in previous Call-Ins, came in for the event. Their names were not released, and the invited audience, including local officials and reporters, were told not to disclose the names of anyone they might recognize. The audience was present only for the first part of the program, which featured speakers ranging from local prosecutors to mothers who had lost sons to gun violence. After that, the men went to another room for one-on-one discussions, after which they would decide whether to continue with the program.

That full article here.

Champaign County Reentry Council 4/3

The April meeting of the Champaign County Reentry Council had a presentation on Narcan by the C-U Public Health Department's PROMPT (Partnership to Reduce Opiate Mortality & Promote Training) coalition. Here's the Illinois Department of Human Services description from an older summary of similar programs:

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) provides services in Champaign, Vermilion, Ford, Dewitt, Piatt, Douglas, Edgar, Coles, Clark and Cumberland counties. During 2015, both Champaign and Vermilion Counties had population rates of opiate overdose deaths in excess of 11 per 100,000, which was higher than the Illinois statewide rate.

CUPHD formed a coalition, “Partnership to Reduce Opiate Mortality and Promote Training (PROMPT)”, to direct the expansion of the overdose prevention efforts into the East Central Illinois region. Coalition members include: county health department officials, city police, county sheriff’s officers, emergency departments, drug treatment providers, opiate replacement program providers, mental health providers and pharmacy staff. Bystanders, family and friends of persons who use opiates are prioritized through this project. 

In short, the program helps the community prevent overdose deaths. Their focus is in stopping the epidemic of overdose related deaths as opposed to treatment and continuing care is (a separate critically important matter).

The presentation explained how opiates work and affect the body and how overdoses occur. It provided information on how Narcan interrupts an overdose event and what happens after it is administered. The training they offer includes rescue breathing, as an overdose suppresses normal breathing in the victim. He also explained that it isn't a "Pulp Fiction" shot to the heart, but a normal injection into muscle. There's a nasal spray that's a bit more effective, but unfortunately more expensive. For anyone interested in the program they can contact the C-UPHD here or via the presenter's e-mail: Joe Trotter.


In other business:

The Champaign County Board renewed funding for the Reentry Council at the last County Board meeting and a presentation of the mid-annual report was given at their Committee of the Whole prior.

The most recent data for March was presented. Next month the jail data will likely be ready with a focus on reentry data only. This could help highlight and address a County Board question on the recidivism impact of the program during the Q & A part of the Committee of the Whole presentation.

Rosecrance and CU Fresh Start are partnering to address the overlap of their programs, e.g. a CU Fresh Start participant who recidivates may fall into services provided by Rosecrance.

An idea for a future presentation from those who work regularly at the jail linking people to services was approved and some housekeeping on the bylaws on keeping the council's membership organized and designating the voting representatives of each was approved.


Program update highlights:

First Followers had an update on their GoMAD (Make A Difference) program in its 11th week (of 19) and their drop-ins picking up with the warmer weather. More on the GoMAD program here.

I mentioned the upcoming City of Champaign's City Council study session on the reentry housing issue (date TBD) and the Sheriff's outreach on Courthouse lockers.

Champaign County Health Care Consumers highlighted problems due to a dispute between the Federal government and some sort of over-payment to the State of Illinois causing problems for local organizations that help people on SNAP benefits (food assistance). The Shriver Center of Poverty Law is apparently trying to fight for those affected. I don't know if this related to ongoing attempts to change SNAP benefit rules or in addition to it. More on Illinois ongoing battles with the federal government at the Chicago Tribune here.

Champaign Community Coalition 3/13

The Champaign County Community Coalition (overview of this organization here) had its March Meeting yesterday. The room was full again and the facilitator, Tracy Parsons, explained that they were outgrowing the space at the Library and there would be more information on that next time. He did say that the April meeting will still be at the same place, however, at the end.

The "good news" highlights included Pius Weibel explaining the success of the Eastern Illinois Foodbank's "prom night" fundraising effort. From the facebook event page:

Abbie Osterbur and Jason Reda were crowned Prom Queen and King of the 2019 Prom Benefit for Eastern Illinois Foodbank! Congratulations to all of the court candidates! Thanks to the court, attendees, and sponsors, we raised more than $141,000. Official results still to come, but we know that translates to hundreds of thousands of meals to feed our neighbors in need.

Tracy Parsons highlighted Maurice Hayes, a local business owner who was formerly incarcerated for murder. He has become involved with the CU Fresh Start program, using his experiences to get through to kids and young men who are on a similar path. More on his story from WCCU here, including his work mentoring youth.

The local police chiefs went through the most recent shooting incidents, development of suspects, and arrests. The Street Crime Task Force was responsible for some of those arrests which included a situation with two juvenile arrests in a situation with multiple guns. Parsons highlighted the fact that no shots were fired and that nobody in the community wins with juveniles getting into shootouts. He also stressed that these are our kids and our families and not isolated cases in Chicago (a possible push back to myths that local violence is due to out of towners at a recent event). Since the last meeting Champaign had two incidents with shootings, Urbana had zero. The U of I police chief explained that "unofficial" St. Patrick's Day celebrations was becoming more of a non-event with a lot of student groups helping on top of continued city regulations. He also later highlighted a youth leadership camp later.

There was a presentation by the Youth Employment Services program supervisor, Jeanine Russell. The News-Gazette coverage of the meeting focused on the YES program in today's paper:

Director of Champaign's youth-employment program shares vision for expansion
Looking to expand on an already-successful initiative, Jeanine Russell shared her vision for Champaign's Youth Employment Services program with local leaders Wednesday.

Since 2011, the program — formerly known as the Summer Youth Employment Program — has provided hands-on work opportunities to Champaign school district students between the ages of 14 and 19. For six weeks during the summer, more than 100 students who qualify for free and reduced lunch are placed in jobs around the community and paid through the program. They're exposed to training, resume-building and workshops in an effort to better prepare them to find jobs outside of school, Russell said...

"As we get a chance to think about these things, we need to remember that their need for money is a whole other level than what we understand," Parsons said. "For a lot of them, in their family dynamics, the need for money is critical. Often, that money can make a difference between the students and their siblings eating or having access to other things. So we must continue thinking about how we strengthen these programs for our youth."

More at the full article here. Parsons mentioned a Summer Youth Employment Program and the Care 4 U program. Apparently there is a job fair coming up in April including opportunities for kids to practice the job interview process. He highlighted Champaign Chamber of Commerce stepping up to work with programs addressing the critical issue of youth employment here and health care providers working with programs for entry level jobs in health care (e.g. housekeeping).

There were updates by the Race Relations Subcommittee about more discussions in the community about race including youth (such as a Parkland event yesterday evening) and a future presentation in coordination with the woman who runs the African-American Cultural & Genealogical Society of Illinois Museum in Decatur (more on her story in the Decatur Herald & Review here).

The Gun Violence Subcommittee updates included information on the Trauma and Resiliency Initiative's upcoming events and efforts (click to enlarge):

More from the CU Child Abuse Awareness Month facebook page here and the Men, Boys, Violence and Trauma: A Summit eventbrite page.


Information Sharing by local organizations:

Mothers Demand Action highlighted their wear orange events in town and their work with the coalition, Truce and the CU Area Project, to reduce gun violence in the community. 

Kristin Walters from Illinois Public Media highlighted the Democracy in CU event today and stressed their efforts to work with the community to get information about candidates to voters and vice versa. An on-line survey is available for people who were unable to attend tonight's event.

Rattle the Stars highlighted their work in youth suicide prevention. They emphasized that self-destructive paths, such as gun violence, can be driven by the same factors that lead to suicide. Similar to suicide by cop, the phenomenon of "suicide by brother" was described as violent behavior that puts the youth in immediate danger of retaliation. They noted that mass shooters are often found to have had suicidal motivations as well.

The Champaign County Voters Alliance highlighted their efforts to get information out to voters (e.g. their candidate guide) on the current election (for which Early Voting has already begun) and highlighted their easy to remember website names: votecu.org or votechampaign.org. They can use all the help they can get for their non-partisan get out the vote efforts.

The Krannert Center highlighted its "50 years of Krannert" events. More information here.

The Disability Resource Expo was highlighted. Previous Cheat Sheet post on that event here.

A couple last minute highlights:

• A never-before-seen Aretha Franklin movie will be shown at Ebertfest.
• The University of Illinois Police Department highlighted its leadership camp.
• Parsons asked folks to "like" the Community Coalition on facebook.
• And a tutoring program at the Dublin Street Church of Christ in Urbana was mentioned. I wasn't able to hear the details, but I imagine more information is available at their number:     (217) 367-4867.

Champaign County Community Coalition Updates

There were a few updates on the work of the Community Coalition in February. Here are some of the highlights I found in the news heading into their March meeting this Wednesday (more information on that meeting here). WCCU had a quick blurb and a short video segment with highlights of the February meeting here. Excerpt:

Every month Champaign County leaders and concerned citizens gather to discuss community issues.

On Wednesday, the room was packed.

Since the last meeting in January, there have been five shootings in Champaign and six shots fired calls in Urbana.

The police chiefs continue to ask the community for their help in reporting this violence.

The coalition has also created a subcommittee to tackle gun issues — that includes developing a crisis plan when there is a shooting to keep everyone informed.

The blurb and video segment available here. A more detailed explanation of what the Community Coalition is and does at an earlier post here. Tracy Parsons, who facilitates the Community Coalition meetings, spoke later that same week as part of a lecture series at the campus YMCA on building a culture of nonviolence:

As communities across the U.S. grapple with gun violence, data from the city of Champaign suggests part of the problem stems from kids using guns to solve personal conflicts, according to Tracy Parsons, the city's community relations manager.

Parsons leads the Champaign Community Coalition, which brings together organizations and groups working to address local gun violence.

Speaking at the University of Illinois YMCA Friday Forum on February 15, Parsons said most shootings in Champaign-Urbana follow domestic incidents, or when interpersonal conflicts are handled with guns...

To help stop the shootings in Champaign-Urbana, Parsons said the University of Illinois should do more to address its root causes, which include poverty, racism, and lack of access to opportunities for black children...

Parsons said U of I faculty and staff too often swoop into black communities, collect data about kids and social issues, publish research studies, and then move on.

Full WILL article and audio segment here. WAND also had coverage in a short article and video segment on the same here. In the WAND interview he touched on the issues of reentry from the criminal justice system by formerly incarcerated people. Extreme difficulties in housing, employment, and educational opportunities can play a role a significant role in recidivism. For the latest updates on reentry issues, see this post on the most recent Champaign County Reentry Council meetings here.

As far as the crisis plan for shootings incidents, here's the explanation as I understood it from the January Community Coalition meeting:

A crisis plan is being worked on by the gun violence subcommittee of the the Community Coalition. As a community we have plans for fires and tornadoes and other tragedies, but the chaotic aftermath of gun violence still results in uncoordinated needs for trauma care, counseling, up to and including opposing gangs fighting in emergency rooms while health care providers desperately try to save lives. But it also includes a need to interrupt patterns of retaliation and community intervention to tamp down on the multiplicative effect that can have.

 Additionally, there was an update to the C-U Fresh Start program, now on its 5th call-in. Article and a short audio segment from WILL:

Eleven young men who had been involved in violent, gun-related offenses were offered a choice Thursday night --- stay on a path that could lead to prison or death, or accept an offer of help to turn their lives around. The choice was offered at a “Call-In” session held in downtown Champaign by C-U Fresh Start.

The event at the Illinois Terminal Building was the fifth such Call-In for the Fresh Start program, which was launched in 2016 by the Champaign Community Coalition, in response to a rise in gun violence in the community.

116 shooting incidents, including nine homicides, were reported in Champaign-Urbana in 2018. So far in 2019, there have been at least 16 shootings and one homicide.

The men heard messages from police, ministers, and from Shirley Bailey Phillips of Champaign, who admonished one of the young men to look at her, not at the floor, while she told how her daughter, Erica Cox, was killed by a stray bullet in 2016...

However, all of the participants who were offered help through C-U Fresh Start are 18 or older, on parole or probation, have a prior felony arrest or gun arrest or a violent crime conviction, or have been identified through credible information as having a recent involvement in violent crime.

The eleven participants later went to another room for the second part of the call-in, where they learned about the “Services Pillar” of C-U Fresh Start. This was the help they could receive in completing their parole or probation, educational and job training opportunities and help in finding employment.

More information and details at the full article here. More information about C-U Fresh Start at their webpage here. There are numerous organizations, activist groups, service providers, churches, and government collaborations working on criminal justice and equity issues from prevention to felon rights. A small sampling of organizations I've gotten to understand better are on our Organizations page with links to more information. It is far from an exhaustive list.

Champaign County Community Coalition in 2019

The first meeting of the Champaign County Community Coalition this year had a packed house with representatives from community organizations, local government liaisons, police department chiefs and other representatives all in one place to collaborate on needs and services for the community. Tracy Parsons, the group and meeting facilitator, described the full crowd going into the new year as humbling. He and one of the police chiefs pointed out that there is interest in other Illinois communities to build similar coalitions. Parsons noted that the willingness of local law enforcement agencies to come to the table is a blessing and key to building a coalition.


Police Chiefs Updates:

The Police Chiefs Updates included gun violence events since the last meeting throughout the area as well as a rundown of 2018's final tally including the Christmas Eve shootings and the rest of December. Total gun violence incidents were 116 with 76 in Champaign, 32 in Urbana, 0 on campus and 8 in the surrounding County jurisdiction. Urbana Police broke down their numbers to show that of the 32 shooting events, there were 9 victims, and 2 of those had died. There had also been a shooting event shortly after midnight in the new year which appeared to be "celebratory" gunfire according to a preliminary investigation.

Both police and anti-violence organization members emphasized the need for outreach to and from the community to both prevent violence but also to help solve and prosecute violent crimes. Working through the very real issues of trust and mistrust between the community and law enforcement continues to be central goal of the coalition going forward.


Organization Updates and Presentations:

The CU Trauma and Resiliency Initiative highlighted their "resiliency rocks" project to raise awareness in the community on the need to address trauma and its ripple effect through our lives. They pointed out that "'hurt people' hurt people." The art project involves painting literal rocks that encourage social media sharing and participation to spread awareness. They have a toolkit for groups interested in participating in the project that has already launched and will continue throughout the year. They're also looking for people interested in donating toolkit supplies and volunteers to work on outreach.

CU Fresh Start gave a brief synopsis of the three men they're working with right now in housing transition. She pointed out the extreme hurdles involved with people reentering from the criminal justice system, especially for housing. They're establishing a Resource Committee towards navigating them to that end.

A crisis plan is being worked on by the gun violence subcommittee of the the Community Coalition. As a community we have plans for fires and tornadoes and other tragedies, but the chaotic aftermath of gun violence still results in uncoordinated needs for trauma care, counseling, up to and including opposing gangs fighting in emergency rooms while health care providers desperately try to save lives. But it also includes a need to interrupt patterns of retaliation and community intervention to tamp down on the multiplicative effect that can have.

There's another training for the community Peace Keepers and Violence Interrupters to train to become involved in that process on January 25 and 26th. It appears to be a followup to the December Training led by Tio Hardiman, the former Ceasefire director, that was covered last month here. More details on the upcoming training soon. There was a question about funding from local government, but it was explained that funding isn't the primary hurdle (although more funding would also be helpful), but at issue is the community's will. Another question on ER safety issues elicited an explanation of the National Hospital Interrupter Model being implemented with Carle Hospital and the hope that similar models could be used in Champaign Schools as well.

Laura Weis, from the Champaign Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the upcoming "I Read, I Count" program they're supporting to improve education outcomes in Champaign by helping students become proficient readers. They're looking for volunteers who would work one hour a week with kids for 11 weeks to help kids learn critical skills from a curriculum that may seem basic, but can make a world of difference for struggling kids. She explained that they're starting with four pilot schools on reading skills and hope to expand to more schools and math skills in the future. She pointed out there will be additional information on the Chamber website in the coming days.

The Young Adult Reentry Program at the Regional Planning Commission presented and overview of their new program targeting 18-24 year olds reentering from the criminal justice system in high crime and high poverty areas of Champaign County including Champaign-Urbana, but several surrounding communities. A quick overview is available in a PDF brochure here as well as more information on the grant from the RPC website here.

The Youth Assessment Center through the RPC also gave an update about its new location and an overview of Moral Reconation Therapy which "rewires" the brain to take responsibility for ones actions and to make moral decisions instead of selfish ones. It's common enough that you'll see the MRT acronym thrown around in a lot of programs dealing with reentry and treatment needs in relation to recidivism.

CU One to One Mentoring is looking for mentors to be matched with a large stack of available mentee applications. January is National Mentoring Month and there are upcoming training opporturnities for interested mentors at the end of this month and the beginning of February. There is an additional shortage of male mentors if you know anyone who might be great at it who could use the nudge. This program goes through the school system so the time commitment is during the week on school days and roughly an hour weekly.

There are a full week of Martin Luther King Day events announced including a countywide celebration event and unity breakfast at the Urbana Vineyard church. There are a couple upcoming events at Krannert. There are also other activities like the Day of Service on campus, "walking the talk" campus event on the 23rd (see calendar), and a poverty simulation event.

There was more that I'm sure I missed and endless opportunities to connect and collaborate as usual. If you're looking to get involved in some of the more critical work to make our community a better and safer place for everyone, there are more opportunities than volunteers. Even some of the smallest commitments can change lives for the better when we work together.

CU Moms Demand Action and Truce

The local area Moms Demand Action group is partnering with Truce to raise awareness, funding, and local government support for the intervention program designed to interrupt cycles of violence in communities struggling with gun violence. The two day training was deemed a success by organizers and there will likely be new opportunities to participate in 2019 according to their follow up post via the CU Area Project facebook page. WCIA had a video segment about the recent training here. The News-Gazette also had coverage:

'Violence interrupters' get first training in effort to help curb shootings 
With one of the deadliest years on record about to come to a close, a group of about three dozen community members are taking steps they hope will make Champaign-Urbana a less violent place to call home in 2019.

A month after Champaign City Council members were briefed on disturbing gun violence statistics during an update on the C-U Fresh Start program — 109 shooting incidents and eight homicides in the two cities in the first 10 months of the year alone — another local initiative was launched over the weekend with a similar goal.

Community members were trained on becoming "violence interrupters" — the term used to describe those who detect conflicts before they intensify. One example: If a shooting has occurred, interrupters will reach out to the victim's friends and relatives to try to prevent retaliation.

The local group — which will go through 40 hours of training — took part in two eight-hour sessions over the weekend, covering techniques that included conflict resolution, violence prevention and intervention strategies.

Lots of additional information at the full article here. More information on the CU Area Project and upcoming 2019 Truce training here. More information on Moms Demand Action here. A link to their GoFundMe page is here.

Community Coalition Special Meeting on Gun Violence

I wasn't able to personally attend the meeting Thursday night, but the Champaign Community Coalition highlighted local coverage on their website linked below:

WCIA had a video segment and article available here on their illinoishomepage.net website:

Community meeting focuses on gun violence prevention 

There's been a spike in gun violence in the Champaign-Urbana area this year and many are left wondering why.

Thursday night, there was a special meeting to figure out what the problem is and what can be done to make a change.

There have been four shootings the past two weekends in Champaign and dozens more gun crimes have happened this year. City leaders and people who live in both cities are saying enough is enough.

The meeting focused on three main things: People's concerns about the gun violence increase; the strengths which exist in the community for support; and actions to prevent this from happening again.

People shared their testimonies of losing family and friends and stressed why it's critical people put down the guns. It's been one shooting after another.

Preston James says, "People are scared to let their kids go out and play."

There have been 52 shootings and gun violence crimes in Champaign-Urbana so far this year. That's 18 more than this time last year. But the question remains, how can it be stopped?

Champaign County Chief Deputy Allen Jones says, "They have to go away. They have to put down the guns and stop with that attitude that it will solve our problems. We need to make sure that all of us in the community are working together to say no more."

The Champaign Community Coalition called a special meeting with city leaders, police and people who live in both cities to come up with specific solutions to make this stop. Many said people need to understand the consequences of gun violence, both for the shooter and for the people who get shot. 

More information, including the video segment, at the full article here. Fox Illinois WCCU's coverage touched on some other issues and perspectives:

CU to approach increase in gun violence as a "crisis"

...
Some concerns focused on legislative and structural faults.

"It starts at the top,” said NAACP Champaign County Branch President, Minnie Pearson. “Violence starts at the top, and we are here at the bottom trying to solve the problem.”

Others, like a mother who lost her son to gun violence in the community, appealed to people’s emotions.

“A lot of them out there shooting, I don't think they know how the parent feels when the parent loses a loved one,” she said. “How the ripple effect go all the way down like a domino. How I feel every day, and you never lose the feeling of losing a loved one."

Next, strategy was put in place.

"We have a resource-rich community, we have the University of Illinois here, we have a lot of resources,” Donté Lotts said. “But why aren't we connecting those resources to the people that need them the most?"

The group brainstormed ways to use the community’s strengths to outweigh its weaknesses.

More information along with another video segment at the full WCCU article here. Friday's News-Gazette article also listed additional ideas raised at the meeting:

Among the other action plans pitched by the group:

— Taking stock of local social services programs and making efforts to avoid duplicating them.

— Having people with a gun-violence history persuade others to avoid the activity, as opposed to people who don't come from that background.

— Encouraging the University of Illinois to provide awards or incentives to employees who integrate themselves and their work in areas outside of campus.

— Advocating for a higher minimum wage that can support a family.

— Getting youth more involved with the effort and asking for their ideas.

— Making room in schools for social service programs to be provided during school time.

More News-Gazette coverage of the meeting and additional information at the full article here. Information about CU Fresh Start at their webpage here and an overview on the Cheat Sheet here.

Housing Authority 6/28 Meeting

 The June Board of Commissioners meeting was an overwhelmingly positive affair (agenda here). First, a couple highlights: Apparently these meetings are being broadcast on Urbana TV (website here, live streaming here). I haven't found any previous videos on-line, but I'll update if there are any on demand options available.

The Executive Director reiterated his commitment to improving housing opportunities for those reentering the community from the criminal justice system and working with local organizations and government towards that end. He mentioned specifically meeting with Esther Patt of the CU Tenants Union on the subject. She had a letter to the editor explaining her concerns in the News-Gazette yesterday as well. Previous post on the City of Champaign rule here.


Meeting Write-Up

Commissioners Adair and Rose were absent. Commissioner Walker arrived a couple minutes after the 3 o'clock start. The agenda was approved and public comment on agenda items was offered with no takers. I didn't quite follow what was going on with the minutes, but the agenda had a note that they'd be approved next month.

New Business
There was a vote moved until after closed session (5.a. of New Business on the agenda) to allow the full board to vote on the motion with additional information from conversations the new Executive Director had with some of the players involved in those sale and lease agreements.

The land swap with the Atkins group had a last minute change from the verbal agreement to after it was approved by their committee. The additional cost was described as shocking and upsetting, but still within the realm of being a positive deal for the Housing Authority. From the memo (on page 23 of the agenda packet file):

After the April board meeting we confirmed with the Atkins Group that we were in agreement with their request for the land  swap, exchanging the Newton Drive site for the Interstate Drive site. Jean Kenol has been working with their attorney since that time.

On Tuesday, we received an e-mail indicating that they would only proceed with the swap for additional compensation. Needless to say, we were shocked, that at the last hour, they presented a different deal than what they had previously resented and that we had been working on finalizing for weeks.

We really have no alternative at this point, we have  ompleted all site design, financing applications and HUD applications based on the  Interstate Drive site and we have to meet critical deadlines with HUD and for the sale of Skelton. In  looking  at this  more  calmly,  even  with  the additional compensation, it is still a good deal for HACC.

Northern agreed with that assessment. Commissioners Turnbull and Henry advised caution in the future and to consider ways to avoid sending a signal that sellers can pull stunts like this in the future. The swap was approved unanimously. All votes today appeared to be by roll call and unanimous as far as I could tell. Everything on the agenda passed prior to the closed session. I don't know how the resolution moved to after that fared.

Additional work on one of their RAD construction projects was approved for improvements not in the original plan and some added expenses while having to work around tenants being moved around.

A revenue generating project at Oakfield Place in Henry, IL was discussed with benefits and risks and guarantees of operating expenses if there are losses. It fills a demonstrated need in an area without its own Housing Authority and will provide funds for HACC projects. The resolution passed moves forward on the project by authorizing the ratification of an agreement and a payment of a reservation fee, etc.

An intergovernmental agreement with Urbana was passed for supportive housing for people with special needs in Urbana and working with the City of Urbana. Danielle Chynoweth thanked the Board and staff for its work with the City on this issue and explained a specific housing crisis and barriers between disability benefits and affordable housing available. An additional resolution to option the property involved in that agreement also passed.

A resolution approving the financial closing of the Bristol Place property passed. This covers all the needed resolutions and authorizations to finish the deal now that the City of Champaign Council approved what needed to be done on their end.

Reports
The Executive report was introduced by the Chair who took a moment to thank the new Executive Director for hitting the ground running. Northern played a promotional video for a senior housing project in Mahomet (available on the HACC YouTube channel here). It attempted to address both the need for more senior living options as well as concerns that arise in many communities by the ideas they may have about public housing.

Northern then discussed many of the meetings he has had since starting as the new director, from local police, community meetings, the CU Tenants Union, and so on. He described a major initiative to reach out and build relationships with the community. When discussing working with the U of I he mentioned a recent project with their Fab Lab Summer Camp he thought might be a good match for some of their communities.

He talked about needing to use the tools available for transparency to address community concerns. He also discussed constituent services to address concerns and complaints from tenants in a more organized way. In response to questions by Chynoweth he said this wouldn't be a new office, but part of the duties of the executive office.

He mentioned that he was going to check out the CU Fresh Start program at a meeting tonight (latest on their Call-ins here). He said to all those listening that if he hadn't met with you already, you're on the list. He'll be meeting everyone.

He also brought up a Lifetime Achievement Award from Lake County for his 24 years working in housing. Turnbull mentioned positive mentions about the new director from their communities. He spoke of setting aside vouchers and working on other ideas for reentry in response to Chair Lewis asking for his thoughts. He pointed out he's focused on the subject and working with the Reentry Council. He pointed to the problem with stigma and explained that we're all human and we all know people who've been through the system. He described this board as being on board and him being on board to improve opportunity for reentry. Turnbull suggested looking at all parts of reentry with the Housing Authority again to look for solutions and options.

The departments then gave their reports. Some highlights included a discussion about the time it takes to move people through emergency shelters to supportive units which are permanent housing. One issue is power and water bills that have to be in the resident's name and requires past delinquencies to be resolved through payment or relevant programs. How to start that process earlier was being looked at to avoid unnecessary delays.

Issues of vacancies and difficulties for those on extended waiting lists to maintain paperwork, contact information, etc over a two year period were discussed as well as intern possibilities through the U of I and Human Service Council. Training for job skills and retention were discussed with Turnbull recommending an option for professionalism training. Facilitating appointments more, as opposed to just sending folks out who may get overwhelmed or fail to connect to the services they need was mentioned as a strategy going forward.

Bed bug eradication and prevention was discussed. Screening for new furniture and protocols for tenants being moved due to construction were described. Orken has "bed bug smelling dogs" that can identify infected units without disruption to target those and neighboring units for treatment. Unfortunately there appeared to be a general dismay at how pervasive they are. One person said he no longer buys upholstered furniture, the director talked about special suits he had to wear in the past, and one staff member said the Housing Authority may never get rid of them altogether.

In an update on the audit, it was reported that the folks performing it will be finishing it up tomorrow and that there will be a presentation in July. The audit is due in September.

Wrap-Up
Northern pointed out that they're still looking a buyer for the HACC building (the one we were sitting in for the meeting on Park) and he thanked his assistant. The general public comment appeared to be introducing a new employee.

The board then went into closed session. I wasn't able to stick around for the vote afterward.

CU Fresh Start Call-Ins

A local program that tries to help those most at risk to be part of gun violence down a different path has started it's latest "call-in." More on the CU Fresh Start program from their website here, or a Cheat Sheet overview here. From the News-Gazette last week:

CU Fresh Start's fourth 'call-in' group has six members
At the community's fourth CU Fresh Start "call-in" intervention to stop local gun violence, facilitator Tracy Parsons acknowledged that the program continues trying to find its footing.

At Thursday night's event, part of a broad initiative to curb a spate of shootings locally, a group of six black men heard stern messages from local law enforcement, government and community members. The men were encouraged to put their guns down in exchange for resources that can help rebuild their lives.

The men — selected by law enforcement — are all at least 18 years old, on probation or parole, connected with a recent violent crime and have a prior felony arrest, gun arrest or violent crime conviction...

Those who commit to Fresh Start will work with community liaison Donte Lotts. He transports them to job interviews and help them get in touch with new opportunities. But he said it isn't easy to work around employers who won't hire those with conviction records, or temp agencies that don't help with finding sustained employment.

"It's a community decision on how supportive we're going to be of these men," Lotts said. "If they're staying away from guns, then what will the benefits be?"

More at the full article here. A previous story on the last call-in here.

Champaign Community Coalition

This post explains what the Champaign Community Coalition is and does. For the 3/14/2018 meeting notes scroll down or click here to jump to them.

The Champaign Community Coalition is a county organization of organizations that includes:

...local government; law enforcement; juvenile justice; behavioral health; education; child welfare; and community based service providers. This network is designed to identify critical community issues that impact the lives of youth and their families. Effective Systems of Care are family-driven, youth-guided, strength-based, culturally competent, and trauma informed in its philosophy and operation.

The Executive Committee of the CCCC provides overall leadership, determines priorities, oversight on activities and facilitates community conversations. Staff support for the project and to the Executive Committee is housed at the Champaign County Mental Health Board.

To promote, inform and facilitate the priorities of the CCCC, three working sections are organized to coordinate activities. These three sections are: Healthy Youth and Families; Community Justice; Education and Youth Development. The sections are the pathways to drive the work of the CCCC. Core priorities, goals and initiatives are identified through monthly community-wide meetings. Each of the three sections, have section leaders to facilitate meeting communication and organization.

A major focus in the CCCC philosophy is to identify, support and expand effective strengths based programs that exist throughout the community. Where that is not possible, new opportunities may be created. We don’t need to recreate what we already have in place.

What they do can be quickly understood from their latest priorities:

Police Community Relations

1. Promote and support and encourage
2. Police/law enforcement leadership, engagement with officers

Mutual Advocacy

1. Support racial justice initiatives
2. Homelessness
3. Trauma-informed community
4. Youth Assessment Center
5. Support mental health awareness

Community Engagement

1. Walk As One events
2. Racial Taboo
3. Promote Coalition activities
4. Targeted neighborhoods – support specific activities

Youth Development

1. Summer jobs
2. Arts/Recreational activities
3. Educational initiatives (truancy discipline)
4. Initiatives: 18-26 population
5. Academic achievement

Community Violence

1. CU Fresh Start
2. School-based violence
3. Trauma-based trainings
4. Community-targeted Neighborhood Activities

Long story short it is an organization that many people thinking of good ideas for our community sometimes doesn't know already exists. Here are the meeting notes from 3/14/2018 if you want to get a feel for what their community wide meetings are like.


Meeting Notes: 3/14/2018: Champaign Public Library 3:30pm

Today's meeting was at the Champaign Public Library. Meeting agenda printouts, additional information from various organizations and sign-up sheets were on the back tables.

Introductions. They mean everybody. Tracy Parsons led the meeting and introduced himself as the facilitator of the meeting before handing the microphone to the audience. All (rough guess) 60 audience members stated their name and the organization they were with, including a few who just stated "Urbana citizen" or similar if they weren't with an organization.

From area law enforcement agencies, government, social activist groups, faith based organizations, groups for mental health and other services in the area and related agencies... there were too many representatives from throughout the community to even really keep track of them all. Parsons started by remarking on how remarkable it is to have a community group like this and not to take it for granted.

"Good news" was next on the agenda where they announce good news. Today was a birth announcement.

Representatives of the area policing agencies gave updates on local crime, shootings, and Urbana's burglary rate declining after recent arrests of suspected repeat offenders from an average of one robbery a day to less than one a week. There has been a dramatic start to firearm homicides and shootings in the area noted by both Champaign and Urbana representatives who laid out active investigations and where a suspect was identified.

Unofficial criminal activity appeared to be much lower this year as there were fewer out of town revelers causing trouble and more local University kids celebrating more sensibly.

They plugged the City of Champaign "Youth Police Academy" and various are law enforcement "Citizens Police Academy" events (Cheat Sheet post here).

Anti-Immigrant cards encouraging people to report on suspected "illegals" in the area have been turning up regularly and re-appearing quickly at locations where they are removed. It's causing some fear and concern throughout the community. The police representatives didn't have any information on this and it may not be a police matter due to the nature of the cards not promoting any criminal activity.

A question was asked if there'd be child care at the police academy event for adults and it did not sound like there would be. Another person asked if previous participant evaluations of the program were available for new people to read, but the feedback sounded like it was only for internal improvement use at this time.

The next meeting will have more on Latinx issues and ICE in the community.


Coalition Priorities:

CU Fresh Start explained the process by which they call in those at risk of perpetrating and being victims of gun violence and the difficult odds they face to teach organizational skills, ensure they make it to appointments, evaluate and connect them with services and training, etc. They asked that those with resources to offer get in touch with them on everything from housing to employment. Everything takes resources.

A recent Racial Taboo screening event was discussed. 120 community members stayed for the conversations organized afterward and 83 evaluations were submitted. Organizers highlighted some feedback on what people took away from the experience. The noted an upcoming "Waking Up White" screening about white privilege and how to recognize it even while in the midst of it.

The Youth Assessment Center announced that it is moving to its new location April 2nd and will be having an open house probably in early May. More information on that on the Cheat Sheet here. A basic description (also a fact sheet here):

The Youth Assessment Center staff screen at-risk juveniles and link them and their families with the community’s support and restorative services. Law enforcement personnel typically make referrals to the Youth Assessment Center as an alternative to prosecution and to prevent further delinquent activities. Case managers consider station-adjustment charges, police officer or school official recommendations, family input, and restorative justice methods. (from their website)

Peace and Resiliency Champions (formerly CU Neighborhood Champions) explained their name change and explained some of their training programs for organizations and providers who help people who have experienced trauma.  More under Upcoming Trauma Training Events on their page here.

Youth Engagement: they are looking for creative collaborative ideas for youth engagement as we approach the warm summer months where idle hands with free time can be deadly. They're seeking ideas from organizations and individuals.

They especially thanked the Champaign County Mental Health Board that has provided the seed money for almost all of the projects and efforts being discussed here today.


Information Sharing:

The Youth and Family Peer Support Alliance explained what they are and what they do for families with children with mental illness. They detailed numerous support activities and connections to services. More information at their website here.

National Youth Gun Walkout Activities. A local counselor spoke on the children she's talked to about the issue locally. There is fear every day right here in our community. It's an everyday fear.  Children are feeling unsupported by adults with authority and in power. They are dealing with an endless parade of naysayers telling them they're just kids and they don't know what they're talking about on these issues. They want to see action across systems, not just on staying safe from gun violence, but they want better government results across the board.

The March For Our Lives event is coming up March 24th and organized by local students. They are seeking support from the community:

If you are interested in speaking or performing contact uhanif@illinois.edu. If you are press and would like more information contact aghoganson@gmail.com. If your social justice oriented organization would like to be a community partner contact esinger@illinois.edu.

 With a few comments and questions the meeting wrapped up.

C-U Fresh Start "Call-Ins" Begin

The News-Gazette had an update on the C-U Fresh Start program today. More on CU Fresh Start on this earlier post.

Focus returns to ‘call-ins’
As it begins its second year, the CU Fresh Start program to curb gun violence will refocus on “call-in” interventions and social services...

Thursday’s nine “call-in” participants were at least 18 years old and on probation or parole, had a prior felony arrest, prior gun arrest or violent crime conviction and were connected with a recent violent crime based on credible information.

At the Illinois Terminal, the group heard from local government and police officials, community members impacted by gun violence and faith leaders. Their message: Commit to leaving gun violence behind and receive services to rebuild your life. If not, expect harsh and swift consequences.

The participants have a week to decide if they’ll commit to the program. If they do, they’ll receive help from Donte Lotts, the program’s community liaison, for things ranging from job searches to finding mental-health services or resuming education...

 “Building trust and confidence in these guys that they can be successful is very difficult,” Parsons said. “Then there’s the reality that employment is very difficult for a person with a felony.”

Thanks to funding from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Parsons said Fresh Start can improve its rehabilitation offerings to committed “callin” participants. He noted how mental health plays a major factor in the lead up to a shooting, whether it has been diagnosed or not...

This week’s “call-in” happened a day after Champaign’s first homicide of 2018. A 26-year-old Chicago man was shot around midday Wednesday in the 1300 block of Sunset Drive.

Full article here. Related article today with an update on Champaign's first murder of the year:  Suspect, 39, sought in fatal shooting: Police confirm alleged shooter knew victim, 26

CU Fresh Start Interventions

CU Fresh Start is a local crime prevention program (more information here: "What is CU Fresh Start?") that's one of the many programs and organizations that are intertwined with the local criminal justice system in Champaign County. The News-Gazette points out that they will be stepping up interventions again soon:

CU Fresh Start to resume 'call-in' interventions March 8
The CU Fresh Start program to curb violence will return to conducting "call-in" interventions next month, with one scheduled for March 8.

That will be the third call-in, after others conducted in October 2016 and March 2017. Vivian Gray, Fresh Start's project specialist, said the event will again be held at the Illinois Terminal.

Call-ins are for residents who meet police criteria to indicate that they're susceptible to gun violence. They meet with city and state authorities who tell them to leave gun violence behind in exchange for resources to rebuild their lives...

More at the original article. A snapshot of just some of the criminal justice programs and organizations is on our Racial Justice Task Force page and below:

Groups and Organizations: related to or possibly key to implementing RJTF recommendations.

Click on chart for clickable links or go directly to the criminal justice subgroups: Before Contact, Contact, Incarceration, and Re-Entry:

PATH Printable Champaign County Community Resource Guide

Two groups that would implement and oversee the recommendations are still in the process of being created:

• Restorative and Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (implementation)
• Community Engagement Oversight Commission

This is a work in progress and I apologize for any errors. Corrections and more updates and links will be posted here as they are created and information is available on them. I hope to have pages on each subgroup with more information on how they interact with government bodies and law enforcement to better understand the full picture of Champaign County's criminal justice programs and organizations.