4.5. SR 03-16-1998ity of
River
Item #4.5.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor & City Council
Pat Klaers, City Adn~is~/ator
March 16, 1998 y
Rivers of Hope
Representatives of the Rivers of Hope organization were before the City
Council on March 2 to answer questions the Council had regarding their
organization and their requested $5,000 contribution. A decision on the
contribution was delayed until this meeting so a full Council could be present
for the vote.
This item is not in the 1998 budget. Originally, in the draft budget it was
listed as a line item in the mayor and council department, but this
expenditure was deleted. If this expenditure is approved it would have to
come from the 1998 city council contingency fund. Last year, an identical
$5,000 expenditure for the Rivers of Hope organization came out of the
contingency budget.
The Rivers of Hope is a valuable organization and meets a very important
community need. However, the Rivers of Hope is a social service
organization and funding of these programs is typically not a city
responsibility but more of a county and state responsibility. Much like the
county does not fund youth recreation programs; the city does not fund social
service programs.
It is strictly a City Council decision whether or not it wants to contribute to
this organization. If the Council designates this contribution for a specific
program that benefits Elk River citizens, then the city would be in
comphance with state law that governs local contributions.
The City Council should understand that flit approves this $5,000 request,
then it can anticipate future similar requests from the Rivers of Hope. This is
not a capital request from the Rivers of Hope organization, but an operating
expense request. At the last meeting, representatives of the Rivers of Hope
organization discussed a contribution for services approach, but I have not
seen any information on this financing method. There are many valuable
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
organizations that run important programs for the citizens of Elk River and
this is one of those organizations as is the C.A.E.R. organization, the future
Boys and Girls Club, the Historical Society, Boy/Girl Scouts, etc. The concern
exists as to how we can help fund this program and reject requests from
other worthy organizations in the future.
\\elkriver \sys\shr doc\council\rvrshop e.doc
YOUTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM SUMMARY
Established in 1991, Rivers of Hope's Youth Advocacy Program is a violence prevention and early
intervention program built upon the philosophy that if we educate young women regarding the
dynamics of violence, introduce them to healthy skills and empower them through early intervention,
we can stop the cycle of violence and prevent further victimization of these young women. This
program focuses on increasing their awareness of high dsk situations, decreasing dsk factors and
promoting increased protective factors.
This program provides on-site weekly educational support groups and individual advocacy sessions
to "at-risk" young women in grades 7-12 of the Annandale, Big Lake, Buffalo and Elk River School
Districts throughout the school year. Dudng the 1997-1998 school year Advocates are also providing
services to students of the Elk River School District's ALC Program.
The two (2) Youth Advocates on staff with Rivers of Hope each facilitate four (4) weekly support
groups per week. Young women are referred to this program by teachers, parents, counselors and
administrative staff, as well as self-referral. All teachers are provided with referral slips via their
mailbox to obtain additional names of potential candidates for group and/or individual follow up.
From these referrals the Youth Advocates and school counselors identify potential candidates for
the groups. The candidates then undergo a screening process to determine the suitability of group
for the needs of the individual. Students are told immediately after their screening session whether
or not these groups are suitable for their needs. The student then makes the decision whether or
not to join group.
The support groups utilize a violence prevention based educational curriculum consisting of materials
which have been systematized into packets: These packets are given out to students periodically
at the support group sessions and then discussed. Topics of group discussion include what abuse
is; the cycle of domestic violence and its effect on families and young people; sexual harassment
issues; date rape facts and myths; healthy/unhealthy boundaries; potentially dangerous dating
partners; how to build self-esteem and empower oneself; and how to create an individual support
system.
Group participants complete pedodic evaluations for utilization by the Youth Advocates, school
counselors, and administrative staff to evaluate the program and services provided and to assess
the strengths and weaknesses of the program curriculum. This information is then used to modify
or develop programming which is relevant and necessary for the needs of the young women being
served.
Individual advocacy sessions are open to both male and female students on a year-round basis to
provide crisis intervention services, focus on individual problems, and discuss available options and
resources. The Youth Advocates are available for 2-4 hours after each weekly group session to
address problems and needs of students on an individualized basis and provide necessary follow-up
services. Additionally, Advocates provide individual advocacy sessions to at-risk youth who are
referred by physicians, counselors, the courts and staff of other area schools.
The Advocates use hours spent outside of the weekly support groups and individual advocacy
sessions to compile statistical data for reporting purposes; complete necessary reports, i.e. child
maltreatment and crisis incidents; provide speeches and presentations to area schools and individual
classes; review and expand educational and curriculum items; attend training sessions and
workshops; and for general preparation and scheduling purposes.
AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES
RIVERS OF HOPE
In consideration of the sum of 51000.00 , the receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged, the River~ of Hop~ hereby
agrees to permit those persons.who are residents of Becker
who are qualified for the services administered by said
Rivers of Hope to participate in said services without
discrimination in accordance with the guidelines and policies
of said Rivers of Hope.
It is understood and agreed that said political unit shall
have no authority nor control over said Rivers of Hope, nor
shall said political unit be liable for any damages or causes
of action arising out of the operation and conduct of said
Rivers of Hope.
This agreement shall remain in force for a period of one year
following the date of its approval by said political unit.
DATED:
Rivers of Hope
Title ~a~ ,~
Attest:
(C~k or Administ~ol~%
by
RIVERS OF HOPE
PROPOSED STATEMENT OF INCOME & EXPENSE FOR FISCAL 1998
JULY 1, 1997 -JUNE 30, 1998
COMMUNITY ADVOCACy PROGRAM
RECEIPTS; SHERBURNE CO, WRIGHT CO,
United Way $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00
Social/Human Services 27,500.00 22,250.00
MN Dept. of Corrections 38,000.O0 38,000.00
MN Dept. of Economic Security --.-
County Fine Money 3,000.00
Area Churches 750.00 750100
Community/Service Organizations 500.00 1,875.00
Businesses 300.00 3,750.00
Individuals 365.00 2,000.00
Other Foundations/Grants --,- 8,250.00
TOTALRECEIPTS: $ 75,415.00 $ 81,875.00
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
INTERVENTION pROGRAM
SHERBURNE CO,
$ 1,000.00
1,880.00
27,000.00
750.00
1,875.00
3,750.00
2,000.00
$ 38,255.00
YOUTH ADVOCACY
pROGRAM
SHERBURNE & WRIGHT
$ 6,500.00
870.00
43,000.00
75O.O0
3,250.00
7,200.00
3,635.00
12,670.0,0
$ 77,875.00
TOTAL BUDGET
ALL PROGRAMS
$ 17,500.00
52,500.00
103,000.00
43,000.00
3,0oo.oo
3,000.00
7,5O0.OO
15,00Om00
8,000.00
20,920.00
$273,420.00
DISBURSEMENTS;
Salaries $ 54,275.00 $ 56,875.00
Payroll TaxesANorkmen's Comp 5,125.00 5,370.00
Health Insurance 1,010.00 500.00
Travel 1,975.00 1,875.00
Publicity/Advertising 125.00 125.00
Office Expenses 580.00 580.00
Legal & Accounting Services 1,495.00 1,495.00
Contracted Services 125.00 125.00
Conference & Education 250.00 250.00
Dues & Subscriptions 7000 70.00
Equipment Lease 300.00 320.00
Equipment Purchase 250.00 250.00
Meals 70.00 70.00
Insurance 1,375.00 1,375.00
Maintenance - Eqpt. 65.00 65.00
Resource Materials 245.00 245.00
Postage 400.00 400.00
Printing 300.00 300.00
Rent 5,235.00 8,715.00
Telephone 2,08000 2,805.00
Misc. Expenses 65.00 65.00
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS: $ 75,415.00 $ 81,875.00
$ 25,92500
2,450.00
1,275.00
125.00
260.00
1,495.00
125.00
250.00
70.00
300.00
250.00
70.00
1,375.00
65.00
245.00
400.00
300.00
2,245.00
965.00
65,00
$ 38,255,00
$ 51,960.00
4,900.00
990.00
3,575.00
125.00
580.00
1,495.00
125.00
250.00
70.00
620.00
250.00
70.00
1,375.00
65.00
245.00
400.00
300.00
7,695.00
2,720.00
65,00
$ 77,875.00
$189,035.00
17,845.00
2,500.00
8,700.00
500.00
2,000.00
5,980.00
500.00
1,000.00
280.00
1,540.00
1,000.00
280.00
5,500.00
260.00
980.00
1,600.00
1,200.00
23,890.00
8,570.00
260.00
$273,420.00
ADULTS
Anoka County
Benton County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Meeker County
Mille Lacs County
Ramsey County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Stearns County
Wright County
Miscellaneous Counties
TOTALADULTSSERVED
NUMBER OFINDIVIDUALS SERVED BY RIVERS OF HOPE
(Denoted by Counties)
Jan 1,1994- Jan 1,1995- Jan 1,1996- Jan 1,1997-
Dec 31,1994 Dec 31,1995 De; 31,1996 Dec 3111997
10 9 18 24
2 0 1 0
7 12 25 12
3 1 4 2
0 0 4 2
0 5 4 3
0 0 4 4
0 3 1 0
217 332 384 424
2 2 2 2
273 316 378 472
3 1 2 39
617 681 827 984
JUVENILES
Anoka County 1 4 5 3
Hennepin County 1 3 4 0
McLeod County 0 '1 3 1
Meeker County 0 9 28 17
Morrison County 0 0 1 0
Sherburne County 35 158 134 129
Stearns County 0 1 4 6
Wright County 2 49 116 153
TOTALJUVENILESSERVED
39 225 295 309
TOTAL INDIVIDUALS SERVED 556
906 1122 1293
(**These figuresdo n~include ~oseindMduals who remained anonymous when requesting refe~alservices~nformation oraffending
suppo~grou~