Present:  Jean Austin, Board Chair; Kerry Ahearn-Brown, Vice-Chair; Bill Clark, Nora Becker, Tricia Biles, Chelsie Crouch, Shakeara Jones, Bill Kerbin, Pam Kuster, John Price, Ron Fithian, William Short, Jeff Troester. LMB Staff: Candy Edwards, Executive Director; Karen Cotton, and Kimberly Crew.

Anticipated Absences: Leon Frison, Joe Newell, Dr.  Barbara Wheeler, Linda Wilson.

Other Absences: Matthew Hash, Rev. Lawrence Purnell and Kreigh Kirby.

Four non-Board members were present.

Welcome and Introductions

Approval of Board Meeting Minutes: Board meeting minutes for February 19, 2009 were reviewed and approved.  Bill Clark made the motion to approve the February minutes with correction in the AdHoc committee report on Stable and Economically Independent Families, from the number of children in foster care which was 14 to the corrected number 11.  Bill Short seconded the motion. Motion recommended by all.

Correspondence

1. Request for reconsideration of YAR funding from SOS, Inc. – Marianne Peltier-Allison, Executive Director with SOS, gave a short presentation of why she felt the LMB should reconsider funding for the YAR program. Jean Austin asked the LMB Board if there were any questions for Marianne Peltier-Allison before going into closed session.  There were none.  Bill Clark moved for the LMB Board to go into closed session at 4:23 p.m. and John Price seconded the motion. Motion recommended by all. Closed session ended at 5:11 p.m. Tricia Biles moved to reopen the meeting and Kerry Ahearn-Brown seconded the motion. Motion recommended by all.
2. Bill Clark moved to uphold the CPA decision and to terminate funds for the YAR program.  Bill Short seconded the motion. Motion recommended by all.
3. Jean Austin, Chair; thanked SOS for bringing their concerns to the table.  She asked that both groups move forward and have a more positive relationship between the two partners in the future.

Committee Reports

1. Executive Committee – As a result of Board Member, Amy Crowding’s resignation in February, 2009, the committee must fill the position of Secretary/Treasurer, per the By-Laws). The Executive Committee meets the first Tuesday of the month at 5:00 pm. Jean Austin went over the responsibilities of this position. Discussion ensued regarding any Board Members who may be interested in volunteering to fulfill this role.  No volunteers came forward.  Candy Edwards presented that Leon Frison, presently absent, had indicated he would be willing to accept the role of Secretary/Treasurer until his term expires on June 30, 2009.  Bill Clark moved that Leon Frison fill the position of Secretary/Treasurer and Pam Kuster seconded the motion. Motion recommended by all.
2. Program Committee – The CEG’s from last quarter are still with GOC. GOC has up to 30 days to make their final decision. There were requests that GOC wasn’t in full agreement with based on concerns that too many similar requests were being repeated, however GOC has made some negotiations with the LMB regarding approvals.  Advertisements for the final CEG opportunity will be in next week’s edition (3/26/09) of the Kent County Newspaper and The Tidewater Trader ads (4/2/09). 
3. Finance Committee – No information to report.  The committee has not met since January 29, 2009.
4. Board Development Committee – Has not met, although there have been discussions on planning the LMB Open House regarding an appropriate time.  Jeff Troester recommends   after May’s Board meeting. Will have more discussion at April’s Board meeting.

Executive Director and LMB Staff Reports

1. GOC Budget Process – Candy Edwards discussed with the Board that she is on the Kent County Commissioners’ agenda for March 31st to provide an annual update for the Commissioners and will be submitting a request for continued funding for FY10.  She also encouraged Board members to attend for their support.  Ms. Edwards has prepared an annual report for the Commissioners to review and Ms. Edwards also made the Commissioners aware of the proposed 20% reduction in administrative budget as well as the possibility of downsizing in one position.  Ms. Edwards discussed with the Board that she, along with Kerry Ahearn-Brown will be meeting with the Children’s Cabinet, GOC and other LMB Directors and Board Chairs on Thursday April 2, 2009 to discuss the budget cuts for FY10 and how it’s going to affect LMBs.  Ms. Edwards also mentioned she will be meeting with all the program vendors on June 3rd, to go over potential budget cuts. Ms. Edwards made mention that funding coming through Rehab Op and CSI programs have been shut down. There is no more funding available for this fiscal year for new cases.

1. Current LMB staffing status:  Becky Lepter will be on maternity leave until June 09.  The LMB staff are picking up her duties while she is on leave.  Any Board Member who would like to come volunteer would be greatly appreciated.

New Business

1. The Local Management Board will be sponsoring 10 Kent County youth for the Maryland Leadership Workshops at Washington College this summer.  The Board Development Committee will review the applications accepted and choose which youth will be eligible for the funding.
2. There will be a Prescription Drug Roundup sponsored by Kent County Sheriff’s Office, Kent County Behavioral Health and Kent County Adolescent Substance Abuse Coalition to dispose of unused/expired prescription/over the counter drugs properly. There will be several locations throughout Kent County where Sheriff Deputies will accept these drugs and dispose of them properly.   The first event will be in Betterton on March 26th.
3. On March 28th, there will be a Child Care training at Chesapeake College
4. On March 24th, Kent County Commissioners will be holding their meeting at the Kent County High School. Karen Cotton will be attending this meeting and will advise the commissioners that there will be no funding available for next year’s Truancy Program.  Ms. Cotton will also make aware to the commissioners how successful this program was for the 08/09 school year.
5. 7:00 tonight (3/19/09) – Dr. Wheeler, Superintendent of KCPS, will be hosting an event at the KCHS for a 21st Century High School.

Bill Clark motioned the meeting adjourn at 6:20 pm and John Price seconded the motion. Motion recommended by all.

Next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16th, 2009 @ 5:00 p.m.