DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
COMMISSION
MINUTES
Wednesday,
October 12,
Commissioners Present:
JoAnn
Allen Francesca Raphael Kathleen Loughlin
Heidi Simonson Linda Byrum Steve Robbins
Linda
Starn Celia Organista JoAnna Goodman
Scott
MacDonald Alan Hiromura
Commissioners
Excused:
Mary
Simoni Jackie Grubelnik D.A. Bob Lee
Dee
O'Brien Irwin Joseph Melissa Berrenge
Commissioners
Unexcused:
Jewel Roberts Kristie Clemens Larry Biggam
Patrick
Meehan Gillian Greensite Charles
Molnar
Others Present:
Jennifer
Pike, SCDAO
1.
Call to Order.
Chair Simonson called the
meeting to order at
2.
Introduction of Members.
Each Commissioner
introduced him/herself and welcomed Sade Williams and Valeria Zerbini, students
from UCSC.
3. Introduction of Guest Speakers.
Scott MacDonald announced
that Linda Perez was going to give a brief presentation to the Commission on a
new grant that provides funding for prevention of teen violence but she was
unable to attend. In her absence, he
provided the following:
There is 8.5 million
dollars available through a new grant to help prevent and provide awareness of
teen violence. This grant provides
funding for law enforcement officers (Watsonville), one probation officer, six
clinicians, five school mentors and sixteen campus supervisors trained in
conflict resolution to help target teen violence. This grant should help address the
issue. Parents involved in domestic
violence groups may also be apart of the program. Law enforcement officers and probation
offices will monitor it.
Chair Simonson questioned
whether the grant would allow for referrals and Commissioner MacDonald
reassured her that the mission is to address kids with needs so he sees no
reason why they can't take referrals
JoAnn Allen added that the
funding is for grades K-12 but they plan to focus on teens in grades 7 -
12. Part of the six elements that the
grant includes is health, safety and mental health as mental health funding is
included in the grant. Seven percent of
the funding is for outside evaluations, as the "federal" eye will be
watching over grant spending.
Commissioner Organista
expressed her concerns with the grant's limitations. Knowing that most school
grants have limitations, how does the Domestic Violence Commission get
involved? Chair Simonson asked whether
or not there would be areas that can be replicated or shared. Commissioner MacDonald responded that it
appears the grant has the components that leave a large margin for creativity.
4.
Consideration
and Approval of Previous Minutes.
Upon review of the
September Minutes, it was noticed that Commissioner Byrum and Commissioner
Allen were both in attendance yet marked unexcused. This raised the questions as to what constitutes
an excused absence. Chair Simonson
stated that oral or written notification to either her or the Secretary would
be considered 'Excused'. Without proper
notification absences will be considered 'Unexcused'. It was determined that Commissioner Byrum and
Commissioner Allen did not sign in, therefore, they were inadvertently marked
'Unexcused'. Page three of the September
Minutes contained a misspelling in the second line. The word 'to' will be replaced with the word
'do' and under New Business, A.
A.G. Task Force will now be spelled out. The September Minutes will be changed.
5.
Additions and deletions to Agenda.
6.
Oral Communications from the Community.
Sade Williams and Valerie
Zerbini, students from UCSC, stated that they are currently enrolled in a
Citizens In Action class and part of the requirements are to attend two
commission meetings to see if the commissions are doing their job and then
report back to their teacher.
7.
Old Business For Further Discussion.
A. DV Statistics Update
Commissioner Hiromura
stated that he did not have the statistical update but would provide them at
the next meeting.
B. Attorney General's Task Force On
Criminal Justice Response to Domestic Violence Update
Chair Simonson commented
that the information provided in the update was informative for subcommittees
and recommended that each commissioner review it. This topic was moved to the next agenda
for further discussion.
8.
New Business.
A. Approval of Annual 2003 DV Commission Report
Due to a lack of quorum
this topic has been moved to next agenda.
B. Approval of Annual 2004 DV Commission Report
Due to a lack of quorum
this topic has been moved to next agenda.
C. Press Conference for Release of Report to the Community
Commissioner Hiromura
reported that he met with the subcommittee to begin work on the 2005 Report to
the Community. Members of the
subcommittee will have logistical information available for a press conference
by April 2006. Chair Simonson asked what
ideas the subcommittee had for the press conference and Commissioner Hiromura
stated that the ideas are generally left for Commissioner Lee. Chair Simonson reported that the Executive
Committee would meet to discuss it.
Commissioner Raphael needed
clarification on how often the SCCLECA meet and review their protocols as
stated in the 2004 Report to the Community.
Commissioner Robbins reported that law enforcement Commander's meet
regularly to discuss protocols and other issues then present any issues or
ideas to the SCCLECA.
Commissioner Starn inquired
as to who reviews medical forms and who addresses those issues. Chair Simonson suggested that subcommittee's
be formed so that they can attend various agency meetings, seek answers to
these types of questions and then report back to the DVC. Commissioner Organista felt that a retreat
was a good idea as you have an opportunity to throw out ideas and put issues on
the table. Subcommittees could be formed
then.
9.
Announcement from Commissioners.
Chair Simonson readdressed
the issue of organizing a retreat. She
put forth the realization that the DVC does not have funding for a retreat;
however, there may be a grant available.
Discussions were held with regards to the forum of their last
retreat. Some felt that the facilitator
was very structured and enlightening.
Others felt that is was too structured and would prefer a more relaxed
atmosphere. Everyone seemed to agree
that there are two purposes to having a retreat one, to determine the
commission's goals and two, to get to know what each other actually do.
Discussions were held with
regards to the awards banquet. Chair
Simonson requested ideas. Commissioner
Raphael stated that she felt the previous banquet at the Posse House was warm
and welcoming. Commissioner Allen stated
that last year's award banquet seemed like the Academy Awards without the after
party. Commissioner Robbins commented
that the Posse House might be booked already as it is a private
organization. Chair Simonson requested
the each Commissioner gather information on the people that they would like to
honor and bring it to the next meeting.
10.
Adjournment.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.