Lorean Daniels, Leah Harper, Stephanie Cahill, Roger Fisher, Lisa Heyman, Kerrie Carte, Judi Simon, Dawn Kroh, Mayor Bernard Hohman, Carol Owen, Kathy Leitzy, Cheryl Moreno-Denny, Walt Jinks, Becky Bohn, Judge Brad Culbert, Lynn Tucker-Roberts, Kathy Jentgen, Tammy Gillett

Ms. Cheryl Moreno-Denny welcomed everyone and introductions were made. Minutes from the 01/15/03 meeting were approved as written.

Ms. Gillett handed out the current grant expense report showing how much of the $4000 youth building grant has been spent to date. The balance remains $2072.18. There was discussion regarding where to spend the additional monies. WSOS youth are going to work on getting the information needed to complete the Resource Book. They are currently waiting for a telephone script. Mr. Fisher reported that he is working with Ms. George to complete the tri-fold brochures. There will be a draft ready for the next Youth Council meeting. Mr. Fisher is going to pull youth together to discuss some ideas for other ways this grant money can be useful.

Ms. Gillett stated the State Youth Council meeting was held on 3/12/03 during the State Youth Conference meeting. There will be a Youth Senate Collaborative on 5/19/03 in Columbus. This meeting is for youth and mentors. The goal is to have more youth involvement on the state and local levels. Ms. Harper and her staff will be sending youth and mentors.

Mr. Gordon from the Department of Labor spoke. He stated that 30% of the funds are still not being spent on out-of-school youth statewide. This is a big concern especially since they are discussing requiring that 70% of the funds be spent on out-of-school youth with the reauthorization. He also stated that there is a push to work with youth offenders including those incarcerated in the adult system.

WSOS staff left the room during this discussion.

Ms. Gillett explained that the youth contract expires 6/30/03 and the youth council will need to make a recommendation to the Regional Board. The contract can be rolled for another year with the current provider and terms or requests for proposals can be put out. Sandusky and Seneca County directors and staff met and felt with all the uncertainty at the federal and state levels and to keep some consistency, they would like to roll the contract.

Mayor Hohman recommended rolling over the current youth contracts for one year. Ms. Leitzy seconded the motion. All agreed.

WSOS returned to the room and the decision was announced. The recommendation will be made at the Regional Board meeting.

Ms. Moreno-Denny asked everyone if they have reviewed the draft of the Youth Council By-Laws. She asked if anyone would like to recommend a motion to adopt them or if they were any additional suggestions. Ms. Tucker-Roberts made a motion to accept the By-Laws. Mr. Jinks seconded the motion. All agreed.

Ms. Harper went over the Sandusky and Seneca County reports. She stated that the staff have been attending trainings and have been sharing with other organizations what they do.

Ms. Harper made a request of the Youth Council. She stated that the summer youth program is coming up and she would like to get permission to allow the youth only wanting to do summer employment opportunities to take the SDS (self-directed search assessment) instead of the full PESCO assessment. Parents and schools do not like to release students from school to take the PESCO assessment. It is usually scheduled over 2 to 3 days to accommodate school schedules. This will allow them to get the youth in sooner. Ms. Harper stated if the youth goes on in the program they will require them to take the PESCO assessment. She also stated they have not had a problem scheduling youth in for assessments. They are looking at 10 to 20 youth per county.

Mr. Jinks recommended a motion to utilize the SDS assessment tool for summer employment opportunities instead of the PESCO assessment and then if the youth utilizes program further they will take the PESCO assessment. Judge Culbert seconded the motion. All agreed.

Staff shared what they do with youth. Ms. Heyman shared that she received a call from a homeless older youth the previous Friday. In a few hours they had a place for this youth to sleep, food, hygiene items and medication. This was completed through referrals to FISH, CDJFS and the WSOS Housing Program. They also got the youth a job. Ms. Heyman stated this is an ongoing program in Seneca County.

Ms. Cahill handed out and went over the Seneca County newsletter. Stephanie has been working with the youth in the Fostoria Middle School and High School and Sentinel on basic skills.

Mr. Fisher handed out and went over the Sandusky County newsletter. He stated they are looking into a community service project suggestion. The suggestion is to have the youth place flags in the cemetery for Memorial Day.

Ms. Moreno-Denny stated that we would discuss goals at our next meeting.

Ms. Moreno-Denny asked all members in attendance when the best days and times for meeting are. Everyone agreed Wednesdays at 2 PM.

Mr. Jinks stated that 3/01/03 was the deadline for the camp to be non-residential. They were granted a 3 week extension. WSOS helped the youth find housing and the camp has been picking up the youth in Fremont daily and bringing them out to the camp. WSOS is working on becoming the administrators for the camp. Quilter CCC Camp would no longer be part of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. WSOS is currently trying to get funds through the Department of Labor. They are also looking for federal grants. The camp has been receiving a lot of political support. The goal is to keep it open and make it residential again.

The next meeting will be held the Wednesday before the next Regional Workforce Investment Board meeting. The meeting will be Wed., July 9th, 2003 at 2 PM. Location to be determined.