Moving Forward program seeks nearly $35,000 to extend services, plans YASI and Motivational Interviewing training

Mary Campbell Wood reported that she received accounting figures from the Office of Financial Services and obtained approval to request just under $35,000 to extend the Moving Forward reentry program through December 2026.

She said she is coordinating Motivational Interviewing training for Human Services and other staff, and that a meeting was scheduled for March 18 at 1:00 p.m. to review potential training opportunities across counties, including five training sessions offered in April. The minutes note plans to discuss the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI), a research-based tool to assess youth risk and needs and to guide disposition recommendations during juvenile intake.

Campbell Wood said the Pepin County Teen Court Coordinator was invited to support implementation and that grant funding through her office may be used to support training and roll-out. She also briefed the council that a full 2025 report was not available due to health concerns but that preliminary data showed 61 classes offered in 2025 with 191 participants; participation was slightly down, likely because of inmate transfers between facilities.

The council did not record a formal vote on the funding request; minutes indicate Campbell Wood will pursue the funding request and coordinate trainings with county staff.