CJCC to revise bylaws, seeks member priorities; recovery-court training and staffing needs discussed

At its April 8 meeting, the Sawyer County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council approved minutes for Feb. 11 and March 11, with one participant voicing opposition to each motion; the chair declared both motions carried. The meeting record does not identify who moved or seconded either motion.

The executive committee reported it has begun updating the council bylaws using national standards and guiding principles after a March 27 committee meeting. The committee said it will bring updated bylaws forward when drafting is complete and asked members to submit their top three priorities for the council so the bylaws and metrics can reflect member focus.

Council members also reviewed recovery-court site-visit findings from Jan. 14. Staff summarized the site report and said the recommendations are extensive; they requested funding to send team members to training (registration is $960 and total cost per person may exceed $3,000). Staff asked whether departmental cost-sharing could help cover travel and lodging for up to nine people who requested to attend.

Health and Human Services staff reported behavioral-health and mobile-crisis activity remains significant, and noted information-sharing barriers when clients decline releases of information. Staff also reported that Britney, a peer recovery coach provided through "Americanore" in the transcript, has resigned; the county currently has no peer recovery coaches through its own contracts but can access at least three coaches through Bziki LCO Health Center and one through Justice Point.

Staff invited Carol from Northwoods Tech to present on the jail’s GED/HSED program; the council added the presentation to the June agenda. The next council meeting is scheduled for May 13 at noon.