SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMMISSION

 

MINUTES

 

 

Wednesday, January 10, 2007, 5:30 p.m.

NetCom

 

Commissioners Present:

 

                   Francesca Raphael          Charles Molnar

                   Heidi Simonson                         Laura Segura        

                   Linda Starn                               JoAnna Goodman

                   Scott MacDonald                                

                   Gillian Greensite                                 

Dee O'Brien                                       

 

Commissioners Excused:

 

                   Alan Hiromura

                   Irwin Joseph

                   Melissa Berrenge

                   Todd Meyer

                  

Commissioners Unexcused:

 

                   (needs correction)

                                                                  

Others Present:

 

Nancy de la Pena (for Larry Biggam, Pub. Def.)      

Julie Schneider

Lt. Phil Wowak, SCSO (for Steve Robbins)    

Barbara Rice (Dominican Hospital)

         

 

1.                  Call to Order.

 

Chair Simonson called the meeting to order at 5:50 p.m.  There is not a quorum.

 

2.                  Introduction of Members.

 

Each Commissioner introduced him/herself.  New Commissioner and guests introduced themselves.

 

3.          Additions/Deletions to Agenda.

 

No additions or deletions were made.

 

 

4.           Approval of October and November Minutes .   No quorum present to do so – tabled to next meeting.  Francesca will submit corrections to attendees (to Heidi).

 

 

5.                  Oral Communications from the Community.

 

Barbara Rice from Dominican was involved in creating/revising the DV Medical Protocol in 1996 and would like to know if they will be updated.  She indicated she has master copies of them.

Laura Segura from DdM-WCS introduced herself, began her position recently, worked previously for First Five.

 

6.          Old Business.

 

Julie Schneider is reviewing the Bylaws and indicated she will complete it by the next meeting.  The Commission will need to vote on them, and then send to Supervisors for approval.  Will meet with Heidi before next meeting so that we can bring it to a vote.  Copy of the proposed new bylaws were sent out before, and will be sent again, when ready to be reviewed by Commission.  We are anxious to review the proxy item in particular.

 

No other old business discussed.

 

7.                  New  Business.  (Subcommittee Reports)

 

A.        Bylaws

This topic was discussed in Old Business.

 

B.        Education

Gillian reported that the subcommittee has not met since they did their trainings at hospitals.  She will update us at next meeting regarding further meetings..

 

C.        Batterers’ Programs Report

Scott MacDonald reported that they are working on their presentation of materials to the Commission.  There are two sections left, next meeting will have at least one.  The committee is recommending revising outcomes for the report, and will need the consensus of all the providers to do so.  Two programs left to present are Alto and PTA.

 

D.        Executive Committee

Heidi reported for the Committee.  Last year this time we had our annual retreat.  WE discussed what to do this year.  WE discussed a half day (also 2-3 hours?) retreat, perhaps in April when we do not have a regular meeting, APRIL 11 was discussed.  We would like to review and recap our goals of last year and revise them appropriately.  Executive Committee to meet and discuss agenda and specifics of this “retreat/recap”.

 

Annual Report to Board is due.  Heidi is to begin writing.

 

 

E.        Vacancies/Resignations.

Laura is new to WCS and Commission – has submitted her letter.

HRA is looking for a replacement.

There was some discussion about Women’s Commission (formerly Gillian, who was not reappointed) and County Mental Health needing to be at the table.  Scott M. indicated he would contact Rhama Khalsa.

 

Chair needs to check with Board about recruitment. Dee indicated she would seek possibles for GLBT, Latino, and Survivor seats.

 

F.         Death Review Protocol/Guidelines. 

a.         There is a DOJ-sponsored retreat Feb 9 in Alameda.  Chair asked for volunteers to go.  We have reserved 8 spots.  Recommended we go to begin the work  of putting this team back together to review the recent (18 mos) deaths in our community.  Emphasis in this training is teen death.  There was discussion about this sub-group.

b.         Discussion regarding ongoing DV Death review committee.

 

            G.        Medical Protocol.

                        It is time to review and revise the Medical protocol. Interested parties are Barbara Rice, Dr. Laughlin? (not present), Dr Meehan (not present), DA’s office should be on the team, Dominican, Joanna Goodman.  Need to find a chair for this subcommittee and will discuss at next meeting.

 

            H.        Law Enforcement Protocol.

                        Julie Schneider volunteered to chair. This protocol has not been updated for several years, and needs review and legal updates.  Committee members are Francesca, Phil, Scott, Todd, Heidi.

 

 

8.                  Announcement from Commissioners

a.         Dee announce the Center’s construction and temporary move to 900 High Street.

b.         Heidi requested volunteer for representative to HRA’s 2007 Child welfare services system improvement steering committee. Dee volunteered.

 

 

9.                  Adjournment.

 

                        The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.  Linda Starn was thanked for writing the minutes.