03/15/2007: "CC Accepts Grant For "Strengthening Families""

SJC has received an additional grant from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse to provide a Spanish language version of a program designed to "provide Best Practice parent education",

At the County Council (CC) staff meeting on Monday (3-12-07), Councilman Gene Knapp (a former two term SJC Prosecutor) asked that approval by the CC of the state grant be removed from the Consent Agenda, and placed on the Action Agenda, so that the CC might have an explanation and a discussion prior to making a decision on the request for approval of the program.

Knapp explained that to the council that one of the things that he had always respected about Spanish families was their strong family values, and so was curious why the grant was singling out these families. He also said that an expenditure of over six thousand dollars should not be placed on a consent agenda until there had been discussion by the Council, and a decision made in public session.

The stated goal of the grant is to achieve a 10% increase in "positive family change in at least three areas". The determination of the success of the program will result "from pre and post survey" of the five families that will take part in the program, The cost for the program is $6,708.00. The money will be used for "4 Facilitators: $3,200.00; Facilitator/coordinator: $800.00; Training for 3 new Facilitators: $2,608.00; and 1 Translator $100".

Items placed on a consent agenda are simply approved without comment or discussion at the time of approval. The intent is to speed up the administrative process for non-controversial actions and items. Appointments to boards and committees are examples, as well as the final votes on previously discussed items. Items are moved from the consent agenda to the action agenda if any council member so requests.

A presentation and explanation of the grant was made at the regular Tuesday meeting when John Manning of the SJC Health and Community Services explained the program, and answered a number of questions from Knapp and Councilman Rich Peterson. Manning explained the program was designed to reach "high risks" groups, and the grant in question was tailored to ethnic groups.

Councilman Peterson asked "are their five families identify for the program"? Manning responded that "No. One of the hardest things to do is recruit the five families for thisp. Peterson wondered "if this is a solution looking for a problem"? Councilman Ranker stated "the families exist, there is a drug problem".

San Juan Island Family Resource Center Director Joyce Sobel also addressed the council, and made it clear she was not happy to have to take time to justify the program; but did explain the program in detail, and told the council that there were on-going enrolled groups, and the grant is one designed for additional families.

Knapp thanked Manning and Sobel for explaining the program. The Council moved to accept the grant.