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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2002-09-10SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2002 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:10 p.m., Chaired by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, with the following members present: Ms. T. Beaulne, Ms. M. Dunk, Ms. A. McConnell and Mr. P. Doherty. Ms. H. Cullen, Ms. M. Sawa and Messrs. F. Bishop and D. Hoch were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. J. Dean, Ms. S. Adams, Ms. T. Wilkin (MSW Intern) and Ms. L. Korabo. The meeting commenced without a quorum in attendance. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Mr. P. Doherty - it was resolved: "That the minutes of June 4 and August 13, 2002, as mailed to the members, be approved." 2. ONTARIO HEALTHY COMMUNITIES COALITION Councillor B. Vrbanovic introduced Ms. Valerie Gennings, Community Animator, Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition, and requested that she provide a brief presentation to inform of the Coalition's work. Ms. Gennings advised that the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition seeks to achieve social, environmental and economic health and well-being for individuals and communities by bringing together community groups which span social, environmental, economic and political spectrums. She noted that her role as a Community Animator for the Regions of Waterloo, Grey-Bruce, Niagara, Halton and Brant includes working with community groups and assisting them to achieve their various goals and objectives through facilitation and establishing the connections required for success. Mr. F. Bishop entered the meeting. 3. STRATEGIC PLAN Members were circulated with a final draft of the 2002/2003 Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee Work Plan and made suggestions regarding minor changes. It was generally agreed to forward this Work Plan to the Community Services Committee for approval. On motion by Ms. M. Dunk - it was resolved: "That the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee 2002-2003 Work Plan be approved, as revised on September 10, 2002." Ms. M. Sawa entered the meeting. With regard to the approved Work Plan, Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested that each of the four themes be added for discussion at subsequent meetings. This will permit members to work through each of the identified objectives/actions and allow staff an opportunity to define direction. Ms. S. Adams suggested that some of the objectives could be delivered by service areas in the Community Services Department. Ms. T. Beaulne suggested that the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition could possibly provide some input on identified objectives. Councillor Vrbanovic thanked members of the Committee for their effort and input in achieving this document. He commented that this Plan provides an excellent map for future direction and will provide a means of measuring performance standards. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2002 - 23 - CITY OF KITCHENER JUSTICE DINNER Ms. M. Sawa advised that the Annual Justice Dinner was held at Bingeman's on April 26, 2002. The event, sponsored by the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Council, also included a full-day workshop entitled 'Helping Kids Succeed...From Problem Focused to Positive Youth Development'. A package of information distributed at the workshop was circulated. Ms. Sawa spoke highly of this workshop offered by The Search Institute which focused on methods youth may use to identify positive assets. She noted that the YMCA has taken on the management of this program under the name 'Asset Building Movement' as a way to ensure the continuation of the program in the community. Councillor B. Vrbanovic noted that The Search Institute is holding its Annual Conference in November, 2002, and more information may be obtained from their website at www. search- i nstitute.org. PREVENTION SERVICES PROGRAM - KITCHENER MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Mr. P. Doherty, who has been involved with the Kitchener Minor Hockey Association (KMHA) for many years, presented information on a program entitled 'Prevention Services Program' which takes steps to ensure community safety. The program was launched 5 years ago in response to a sexual assault case involving a hockey coach and player which was widely broadcast in the media. At that time, the KMHA convened a meeting and discussed how to deal with these types of issues and ensure that such would not occur in Kitchener. The resulting steps included the completion of a mandatory police check for all volunteers with KMHA. In the five years since the police check procedure was instituted, only one individual has been deemed unsuitable to be involved as a volunteer with minor hockey. In addition to the police check procedure, all volunteers wishing to coach a team must attend a 3½ hour workshop entitled 'Speak Out!'. Mr. Doherty circulated a copy of the participants' workbook as well as a copy of the KMHA's Police Check Request Form. He commented that a police check currently costs $20. but that the KMHA pays the cost on behalf of volunteers. In 2001, this cost amounted to $16,000. The Prevention Services Program also includes the establishment of a panel of 3 individuals designated to handle any complaints which arise. He noted that these individuals work closely with Waterloo Regional Police in attempting to resolve any issues. Mr. Doherty advised that no other minor sport program in Kitchener requests police checks to be completed for its volunteers. In response to a question, Ms. A. McConnell indicated a police check is good for a period of four years and that there are different levels of police checks available, namely: local, federal and occurrences. She noted that it was important that police check forms specifically request the type of check to be done as not all police checks search through the three levels of records available. Ms. S. Adams stated that as not all police departments provide occurrence checks, it was important that a deeper screening for all volunteers be instituted. Mr. Doherty also advised that Kitchener Minor Hockey Association has set up a mentoring program for its coaches volunteering with older children and that the current mentor is the Assistant Coach with the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club. Ms. H. Cullen entered the meeting. Mr. P. Doherty advised that the KMHA has established Codes of Conduct for players, parents and officials. In addition, it was noted that the OHA monitors the types of penalties given to players and issues suspensions if aggressive behaviour is demonstrated. Ms. A. McConnell commended the KMHA for their efforts to maintain safety in minor sports. Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested input from members on how to make the best use of this information. He suggested that the City could look at having future funding contingent upon a prevention program being in place which included mandatory police checks and coaching programs. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2002 - 24 - CITY OF KITCHENER PREVENTION SERVICES PROGRAM - KITCHENER MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION (CONT'D) A brief discussion followed wherein the following points were raised: support of the KMHA initiative should be demonstrated and similar initiatives extended to all minor sports; establishment of a centralized screening and training process which would bring all organized sports together; linking prevention programs to funding; initiating a volunteer screening process for use by the Community Services Department's Corporate Volunteer Resources staff; and, establishment of an evaluation program to monitor long-term statistics of incidents. Mr. P. Doherty suggested that a representative of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) could attend the next Committee meeting to discuss how the Prevention Services Program could be handled and implemented for the benefit of other minor sports organizations in Kitchener and also to discuss what problems are being encountered. Mr. F. Bishop left the meeting. Councillor B. Vrbanovic felt it would be beneficial to hear the OHA representative's presentation and requested that Mr. P. Doherty make arrangements for a representative to attend a subsequent meeting. On motion by Ms. T. Beaulne - it was resolved: "That the Community Services Department work with minor sports groups in the community to investigate the possible implementation of a 'Prevention Services Program'; and, That staff examine the implementation of such a program being linked to future funding of minor sports groups by the City; and further, That the Prevention Services Program include an evaluation component to track long term statistics regarding incidents of aggressive or inappropriate behaviour." MURAL MENTORING PROGRAM Ms. J. Dean requested deferral of this item to the October 1, 2002 meeting. BELL'S LANE LIGHTING UPDATE Ms. J. Dean advised that incorrect lighting had been received for Bell's Lane; however, a new order has now issued and the correct lights will be installed by early October. YOUTH ISSUES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Ms. J. Dean advised that the Youth Issues Grants and Awards Sub-committee had met to discuss implementation of a new grant. The Sub-committee had discussed the establishment of a scholarship for students to assist them to remain in school; however, it was felt this type of scholarship would be too difficult to administer and too difficult to ensure that the monies distributed were used for their intended purpose. Instead, the Sub-committee is proposing that a new grant be established which would be awarded to individuals to assist with items such as the purchase of school supplies and enrolling in recreational opportunities which may not be available to them currently. Ms. Dean noted that the current grant program makes allowances for applications by groups only. It was suggested that the initial group to be considered be those youth identified through the Youth Empowerment for Safety and Support Project (YESS) as requiring financial assistance. Further contact for additional applicants could then be made through school counsellors and youth shelters. For the information of members, Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that funding for the Youth Grants and Awards Program is provided by the proceeds of the Annual 911 Charity Golf Tournament. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2002 - 25 - CITY OF KITCHENER 10. 11. YOUTH ISSUES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (CONT'D) Mr. D. Hoch entered the meeting. After a brief discussion, Ms. J. Dean noted that no definite plans are in place yet and no forms are being suggested for development. She stated that it would be important to ensure that the youth to be targeted for possible grants are not affiliated with any other community agencies. COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION UPDATE The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-02-190 (S. Adams/F. Pizzuto), dated September 3, 2002, recommending that the City endorse a process of allocating internal resources to community mobilization efforts. Mr. D. Hoch provided members with an update on the community mobilization process indicating that certain neighbourhoods have experienced a measure of success with regard to reducing crime. He stated that community mobilization was an important component to get connected with a community which may be fractured and provides an avenue to build confidence within the community as well as providing the tools necessary to problem solve. He noted that the end result is a stronger and safer neighbourhood. Ms. T. Wilkin left the meeting. Ms. T. Beaulne noted concerns with the report and the proposed process specifically: direction concerning local leadership; openness to system change; and, ensuring direct consultation with the Social Planning Council and requested an opportunity for more discussion. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that the report simply provides statistics and information on the process noting that all requests will be funnelled through Ms. S. Adams. Ms. M. Sawa requested that an opportunity be provided for additional discussion on community mobilization at a future meeting. In closing, Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that the Community Services Committee had endorsed the recommendation contained in CSD-02- 190 regarding allocation of internal resources and that this recommendation would be placed before City Council at its meeting on Monday, September 16, 2002. Ms. S. Adams left the meeting. INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee was in receipt of the following information items: · Safe City Co-Ordinator's Report (August and September) · Unfinished Business List · Information flyer on the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition 2002 Conference · Brochure on the upcoming Festival of Neighbourhoods celebration ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator