Fruita City Council Minutes 1 April 3, 2012 5RUITA ... - City of Fruita

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Fruita City Council Minutes 2 April 3, 2012for a long time. She also acknowledged Holly Jacobson, Director of the Mesa County Partnershipfor Children & Families, Shari Zen, Head of the Western Slope Center for Children and a formerpolice officer, Nancy Ketchum, Head of Court Appointed Special Advocates.Ms. Bennett stated that the Pinwheels for Prevention Campaign has been going on for three years.The Pinwheel Garden for this year will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 starting at 9:30 a.m.at the DHS building in Fruita, where a snack is provided to the kids before they are allowed to picktheir own pinwheel. She encouraged everyone to attend.Ms. Bennett continued that she had a $150 check from her dentist Dr. Poovey that she was going togive to Holland Longstreet, who is the Director of the Partnership for Children and Families. Shesaid that Councilor Moss has consistently supported the Pinwheel event, but added that it is onlythrough the donations that her organization receives from the community that ensure that as manychildren as possible get a pinwheel.Ms. Bennett gave each of the Council members and the Mayor “Pinwheels for Prevention” pins forthem to wear.Nancy Ketchum thanked the Council for recognizing April as a child abuse awareness month;adding that it serves as a reminder that everyone needs to work together to prevent childmaltreatment and strengthen Mesa County families.She continued that Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a local non-profit organizationthat has been in the community since 1997. CASA’s responsibility is to serve the children of MesaCounty by providing people who act as advocates for the children who are involved in abuse andneglect cases. These advocates gather information, meet with the children and their families, andreport directly to the Court. They become the voice in court for children who have entered theunknown world of foster care. These children have entered a system that although designed toprotect them, does not have the ability to consider their individual needs.Ms. Ketchum stated that the CASA Advocates are essentially very dedicated Mesa County citizenswho volunteer their time. They go through rigorous interviews, background checks, and a 35-hourtraining program. In 2011, CASA served 276 children with 69 volunteers, but they continue to havea need for more volunteers to serve the children assigned to the program. Ms. Ketchum encouragedeveryone to become involved in any way they can to protect Mesa County’s children.Mayor Henry asked Ms. Ketchum where the funding for CASA comes from. Ms. Ketchumresponded that 5% of the funding is from the government, while the rest comes from donations andfundraisers in the community.Councilor Mascarenas asked Ms. Ketchum how many volunteers she currently has and Ms.Ketchum answered that there are about 60 active volunteers at the moment. She added that there isabout a two-year span where volunteers are active but then they need a break due to the emotionaland difficult work that is involved. She said the advocates are dedicated and stay on a case until itis closed, which means a child achieves permanency and either goes home or is adopted. Thesevolunteers also take on more than one case at a time. There are also three full-time staff memberswho work with the children as well.
Fruita City Council Minutes 3 April 3, 2012Shari Zen stated that she appreciates the Council’s support and acknowledgement of “Child AbusePrevention Month.” She said a national initiative is beginning to inform people about child abuse,teach them how to recognize the signs of it, and get involved by reporting it. If someone suspectschild abuse is occurring, they can call the Child Prevention Hotline and remain anonymous.Councilor Mascarenas noted that Karen Martsolf was also present in the audience; noting that shehas helped coordinate many things behind the scenes. She recalled that about a year or two ago, theDepartment of Human Services (DHS) provided a service to the community regarding child abuseawareness at the Fruita Community Center and it was packed. People who attended looked at thestatistics and were astonished. Councilor Mascarenas said that Fruita is not exempt from childabuse and offered Ms. Bennett’s infamous quote that “child abuse is a community problem thatrequires a community response.”Ms. Bennett noted that Councilor Mascarenas had taken over the Pinwheel Campaign for this yearand is also one of the co-chairs for “How Are the Children.” She said she was proud to call her afriend and cohort.Ms. Bennett stated that the County Commissioners have a section on their agenda called “How Arethe Children” where a variety of agencies speak to what they are doing on a regular basis. Sheasked the Fruita City Council to consider doing something similar because the number of services,groups, and collaboratives that exist in Mesa County is truly astounding.Ms. Bennett also mentioned that she chairs the School Equity Advisory Committee, which focuseson the anti-bullying movement. She also sits on the Steering Committee for the Teen HomelessShelter, which hopes to open May 2, 2012.Mayor Henry presented the National Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation to the group andthanked them for all their efforts.C. PROCLAMATION – PROCLAIMING MAY 3, 2012 AS “A DAY OF PRAYER” INTHE CITY OF FRUITA (ADDED TO THE AGENDA BY MAYOR HENRY)Mayor Henry read the Proclamation. Linda Roush was present to accept the Proclamation. Shestated that three years ago an event started in Fruita at Circle Park to provide an opportunity for thecommunity to come together to pray, regardless of religious affiliations. They pray for all levels ofgovernment, education, first responders, and the military. The event lasts for about an hour and Ms.Roush asked that people attend and pray on May 3, 2012 at 11:00 at Circle Park. The focus is onprayer and not a meal or big program, as is sometimes done in other communities.Ms. Roush said it was a real honor to receive the Proclamation for the “Day of Prayer” from theFruita City Council.5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATIONMr. Tim Merris stated that there has been a change in personnel at the Fruita Times. Editor DebbieRoberts moved to Alabama to get married, and Mr. Merris said he would be taking over as GeneralManager. The Fruita Times has hired Ellen Miller as news editor and the paper’s photographer is
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Fruita City Council Minutes 1 April 3, 2012 5RUITA ... - City of Fruita

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