Acting Presiding Commi-ssioner Harland Mieser called the July 19, meeting to order with Commissioner Gil Rector present. Commissi-oner Jim Strodtman was absent for personal reasons.

The morning began with D.J. Davis, president of Lafayette County Children’s Services Board announcing a $25,000 grant to the 15th Judicial Circuit-CASA for their Lafayette County Program. There to receive the grant was Robin McGinnity Connelly, executive director for 15th Judicial Circuit Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Attending with her were several CASA staff and volunteers. In addition, Children’s Services Board members were also present.

CASA program staff train and motivate citizen volunteers from all walks of life to be the “voice of the child” in court. They act as the eyes and ears of the judge by visiting children in their placements on at least a monthly basis. CASA’s mission is to help every child suffering from abuse or neglect to find a safe, stable and permanent home after they have become wards of the state.

While children are in the foster care system, CASA volunteers monitor their safety and well being and work to implement court ordered mental health services. CASA volunteers also submit relevant fact-based recommendations to the judge at each hearing, reporting if appropriate services have been given, and are working to benefit a child’s life.

A large portion of the grant will specifically be used for the 32-hour training that is required of each court appointed special advocate.

Davis and Rector noted that they feel this is a final piece needed to implement mental health programs that will reach nearly all children in the county.

Previously grants have been awarded to a consortium of all school districts in the county to provide mental health services.

Most children will be reached there. Next a grant to Pathways for mental health services to those unable to afford them and then a grant to Juvenile Services Department for children in that system.

The money for these projects comes mainly from a one-eighth cent sales tax passed by the voters. Davis remarked that it is a fine example of a local area taking care of itself.

Child Support Agreement

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Terrance Messonnier came by commission room for a signature on a renewal of the State Child Support agreement.

He noted that changes in the agreement would require more reporting work for the county and that the state is developing criteria to determine if a county would be eligible for additional staff because of the workload.

That criteria is in the draft stage.

Appeal filed by county

Messonnier also provided commissioners with copies of an appeal brief filed by him on July 18 in regard to a long on-going lawsuit with Lucky Gash. The dispute centers on a zoning decision and whether or not Gash was damaged by the decision and is entitled to compensation because of it.

A hearing is scheduled before the Missouri Supreme Court in October or November.

RPC interview

Mieser reported that he would be absent from Monday’s session due to a scheduling conflict. He will be in Warrensburg for a follow-up interview with a candidate for the position of executive director of the Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission. After that, he will be attending a Highway 13 Coalition meeting that afternoon.