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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984 05-16 HRRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION MAY 16, 1984 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairperson Kuhar at 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kuhar, Commissioners Mayleben, Rabine, Stoderl, Misfeldt and Griffin. Also present were Administrative Assistant Tom Bubl.itz and guest speakers Jossie Tilson and Gary Keifenheim. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 14, 1984 - APRIL 11, 1984 There was a motion by Commissioner Mayleben and seconded by Commissioner Rabin to approve the minutes of the March 14, 1984 meeting and April 11, 1984 meeting as submitted. The motion passed. GUEST SPEAKER - JOSSIE TILSON STATE COORDINATOR AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PARENTS ANONYMOUS Chairperson Kuhar introduced Jossie Tilson, the State Coordinator and Executive Director of Parents Anonymous in Minnesota. Ms. Tilson reviewed the History of the Parents Anonymous organization which began in the early seventies and combines a sponsor, a professional who guides the parent chairperson to facil- itate Parents Anonymous meetings. The sponsor also reports any incidents of abuse to the proper authorities. She added that the organization attracted national attention and congress eventually established the National Commitee on Child Abuse. She explained the state office of Parents Anonymous in Minnesota began in 1978 with funding from the National Parents Anonymous organization. Currently, she explained there are twelve chapters of Parents Anonymous in Minnesota. She noted that currently Hennepin County Family and Children's Service coordinates Parents Anonymous in Hennepin County and that beginning in June there will be a bi-monthly newsletter printed. with regard to the costs of the program Ms. Tilson explained, they are between $3,000 to $57000 per year and are used primarily for the cost of child care during group sessions. She added that it amounts to approximately $100 per family and that the total cost, which includes the state office, amounts to approxi- mately $600 per year per family. She noted one of the significant statistics shows that 90% of the parents abusing children were abused themselves as children. Ms. Tilson introduced Gary Keifenheim with the Family and Children's Service of the Northwest Hennepin Area Youth Diversion Project. Mr. Keifenheim explained that he is a sponsor in the Northwest Hennepin Area Parents Anonymous group and he also works for the Family and Children's Service in Osseo where he is a professional child and family counselor. He explained the role of the sponsor in Parents Anonymous is to provide information on what is normal child development, assist the Parents Anonymous parent chairperson in facil- itating.the meeting and also working with issues with parents outside the meetings. Mr. Keifenheim also pointed out that referrals to Parents Anonymous come from Hennepin County Child Protection. He explained that participation in the groups varies with an average length of 1~ years although some parents come and go as needed and some stay for several years. 5-16--84 -1- Chairperson Kuhar stated that the Human Rights Commission's role has typically been one of information to the community. Ms. Tilson replied that this is needed to make parents aware of Parents Anonymous and other resources available to them. She cited as an example the Police Department could develop some. type of handout for parents also posters with pull off phone tabs on the bottom could be helpful. She added that no Parents Anonymous group currently exists in Brooklyn Center and only 8 people from the northwest suburbs partic- ipate in the Osseo group. There were no further questions from Commission members and Chairperson Kuhar thanked Ms. Tilson and Mr. Keifenheim for attending this evenings meeting. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSION MEMBER Chairperson Kuhar introduced the Commission's newest member Evelyn Misfeldt and welcomed her to the Commission. Ms. Misfeldt explained she has twenty years experience in treatment situations and is the lead supervisor at the Opportunity Workshop in Golden Valley. She explained she is very interested in the issue of Child Abuse. Commissioner Trautwein arrived at 8:45 p.m. UPDATE ON DOMESTIC ASSAULT INTERVENTION PROJECT Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained that the funds for the Domestic Assault Intervention Program in Brooklyn Center expires on December 31, 1984. He explained that Ms. Marshall is currently preparing a proposal which she will present to the City requesting funding to continue the program. With regard to the current program Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained that the bottleneck in the program has been at the probation officer level in that there is no follow up for treatment if it has been ordered. He noted that Ms. Marshall and Chief Lindsay talked to the Head of Hennepin"County Probation and it was agreed that if treatment was ordered Ms. Marshall will be doing the follow up to see if the person is in treatment if it is required. She will then report to the probation officer however this program must be approved by the Judges before it can take affect. Administrative Assistant Bublitz noted that he would keep Commission members informed of any changes in the status of the program. CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION ON CHILD ABUSE Chairperson Kuhar discussed the direction of the Commission with regard to the child abuse issue and suggested holding a brainstorming session for the next meeting which will be held on June 13 at 7:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Trautwein and seconded by Commissioner Mayleben to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Chairperson • 5-16-84 -2-