CCCJB Highlights and Accomplishments
There are several specific achievements our Colonial Community Criminal Justice Board (CCCJB) has accomplished since its inception. Some of the highlights and accomplishments are included below:
Criminal Justice Planner
Due to the vast purpose and responsibilities of our CCCJB, the members decided that they had a need for a Criminal Justice Planner to act as staff to the Board. The Criminal Justice Planner position serves to assist the CCCJB in its planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of any activities it embarks on. Although our CCCJB is state-mandated, our CCCJB is not funded by the Commonwealth. Any endeavors undertaken by our CCCJB must be paid for by the localities served or via grant funding. Therefore, included in the Planner's duties is finding grant funds for CCCJB initiated projects.
The Criminal Justice Planner position was originally funded through an Edward Byrne Memorial Grant in 1996 for a four-year term. Beginning July 1, 2000, the six localities served by our CCCJB (James City County, Charles City County, City of Poquoson, City of Williamsburg, New Kent County, and York County) will fund the Criminal Justice Planner position.
The initiatives and achievements of the CCCJB are continuous and therefore, the following is only a sample of the many.
Law Enforcement Training
On May 4, 2005, CCCJB members from the Williamsburg Police Department and the Colonial Services Board teamed up with a representative from the Williamsburg Alliance for the Mentally Ill to provide a one-day training for law enforcement officers from the Board’s six localities. The training was entitled, “Techniques for Understanding and Handling Individuals with Mental Health Disorders: A Training Pilot for Law Enforcement.” At the end of the day, participants were asked to give feedback on each of the training segments presented. Feedback was also gathered on what specific issues law enforcement personnel would like to receive more training, regarding individuals who suffer from mental health and substance abuse disorders, also known as co-occurring disorders.
Mental Health Education Grant
This 3 year, Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Accredited and free Training Program initially provided first responders such as law enforcement personnel with effective strategies for understanding and handling individuals with mental health or mental health and substance abuse (co-occurring) disorders, who come in contact with the criminal justice system. In June 2005, the Criminal Justice Planner wrote and submitted a grant to the Williamsburg Community Health Foundation, requesting funding for a this initiative entitled, “Mental Health Education for First Responders.” Planner Griffith has submitted the 2007 Final Report along with another Letter of Intent for the continued funding of this training. This funding provides an expanded comprehensive training for first responders in the CCCJB's six localities. Williamsburg Community Health Foundation has provided a total of $8960 in grant awards.
This training program is a collaborative effort between the CCCJB, Colonial Services Board, Henrico Services Board, City of Poquoson Police Department, James City County Police Department, James City County Sheriff Department and the City of Williamsburg Police Department. The 2008 Training is currently being planned and is scheduled for November 12-14 at the James City County Williamsburg Community Center on Longhill Rd. in Williamsburg Va. The training programs core focus has expanded. It now includes the understanding of mental health and law enforcement timelines, policies and responsibilities and how they relate to one another. The training is still highly focused on the “Community First Responder” such as the Law Enforcement Officer in gaining knowledge and the ability to recognize characteristics of impairments and crisis behavior as well as signs and symptoms of mental illness and the co-occurring disorders of mental illness and substance abuse. It is also focused on providing effective strategies to the First Responder for understanding and handling these community members suffering from such disorders in appropriate, effective and constructive manners when they come in contact with the criminal justice system. This training will also focus on building a more positive and understanding relationship between the first responder (Law Enforcement Agent) and the crisis responder (Mental Health Professional).
Additionally, 2 one day seminars (October 3 or 10, 2008 and March 2009) are being planned for the “office first responder” such as Probation Officers, School Teachers, Administrators, Social Workers, Mental Health Professionals and etc. These seminars will be led by Tim Webb, M.A.Ed.,LPC,. These seminars are designed to assist these professionals with how to identify, evaluate, de-escalate and intervene in appropriate and effective manners regarding mental health and substance abuse disorders along with suicidal, homicidal and violent tendencies in the office setting.
School Mediation Actively Reduces Truancy (SMART) Program Recognized
The CCCJB's Juvenile Justice Committee members worked collaboratively to develop this Program to address truancy needs in the Williamsburg/James City County school system. This Program, which is supported by the Supreme Court with funding for mediation regarding truancy, was developed to offer families an alternative process to solve a student’s school attendance problem without judicial involvement. Since its’ inception in 2002, the program has grown to include all schools, including high schools, middle and elementary, within the school district. In June 2005, SMART received the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) Achievement Award for Outstanding County Program for 2005. Just recently, approval was received for other types of cases to receive mediation funding such as delinquency cases.
GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training)
GREAT stands for Gang Resistance Education and Training: James City County Police Department was awarded the GREAT Grant in 2007 and the City of Poquoson Police Department was awarded the GREAT Grant just recently in 2008. James City County Police Dept. sent 7 School Resource Officers and the City of Poquoson sent 1 officer to Philadelphia PA for a week long GREAT Training Course.
Currently, the JCC GREAT officers are working at Toano, Stonehouse and Jamestown Elementary with the After School Programs which is being initiated thru referrals. Another exciting advance is that the JCC GREAT Officers met with Middle School Principals and the GREAT Program will be implemented into the WJCC Middle Schools 6th Grade Health and PE Curriculum as of the 2008 and 2009 School Year. It will be 1 day a week for 13 weeks. The official website for information pertaining to GREAT is www.great-online.org
Legislative Breakfasts
On October 29, 2004, the CCCJB hosted it’s third annual Legislative Breakfast for State Senators and Delegates who represent the six localities on our Board. The breakfast theme was “Who is Responsible for Public Safety in Our Communities?” There were over 80 invitees, including State Legislators, local government officials and civic group members. The meeting provided CCCJB members an opportunity to communicate the Board’s concerns regarding state funding for public safety offices and programs to our Legislative Representatives. Based on recommendations made by the representatives in attendance at the Breakfast, the Board developed a focused list of priorities for the 2005 General Assembly Session. Our 2005 priorities focused on the critical issues of mental health care, alternatives for technical probation violators, and juvenile justice facilities.
Collaborative Lunch and Learn Sessions
Since 2005, the CCCJB's Sub-committees have partnered with many agencies such as the Colonial Services Board, the Historic Triangle Substance Abuse Coalition (HTSAC), Supreme Court Program Coordinators, and many more pertinent agencies to provided Lunch and Learn sessions for local Law Enforcement, Commonwealth Attorneys, Defense Attorneys, participating Localities, Judges and Probation and Parole personnel. Each session includes either a speaker or video presentation and focuses on various topics or issues pertinent to these service agencies. The first educational session was held on November 9, 2005. The topic was Methamphetamine Use and Abuse, and a DEA agent presented information to the 20-plus participants, which included what to look for when investigating a Meth lab and recognizing the signs and symptoms of Methamphetamine use. The most recent session, Evidence Based Practices was held on March 3, 2008. This session was established to educate the local Defense Attorneys regarding the progress of this 3 year implementation of Evidence Based Practices.
Better Ways Program Receives Continuation Grant
CCC has contracted services with a licensed professional counselor who oversees the In-house substance abuse program known as “Better Ways”. This program partners with the center for Therapeutic Justice and other Community agencies to provide quality therapeutic and transitional services with a focus on reducing alcohol and drug abuse among the under-served, under insured (healthcare), probation and ex-inmate populations in the 6 localities. Additionally, Better Ways assists in filling critical gaps in some substance abuse services as define by the goals of HTSAC. Better Ways has received the continuation of funding from the Williamsburg Community Health Foundation.
|