SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMMISSION

MINUTES

Wednesday, November 8, 5:30 p.m.

Commissioners Present: (12)

Heidi Simonson Bob Lee Alan Hiromura Charles Molnar

Melissa Berrenge Steve Robbins Linda Starn Patrick Meehan

Todd Mayer Joanna Goodman Kathleen Loughlin

Commissioners Excused:

Irwin Joseph

Commissioners Unexcused:

Dee O'brien Francesca Raphael Gillian Greensite JoAnn Allen

Larry Biggam Mary Simoni Melissa Berrenge Scott MacDonald

Others Present:

Rose George, Fenix Outpatient Services Julie Schneider, SCPD

Jennifer Buesing, Probation

1. Call to Order.

Chair Simonson called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.

2. Roll Call: Introduction of Members.

Each Commissioner introduced him/herself.

3. Additions or Deletions to Agenda.

None.

4. Approval of October Minutes.

The October Minutes were not approved due to a lack of quorum at the time this Item was called. Tabled until next meeting

5. Oral Communications from the Community.

Rose George, Manager of Fenix Outpatient Services, addressed the Commission with a presentation about the services they provide. Fenix operates two different outpatient programs one being AOD Counseling and the other is Domestic Violence. Fenix focuses on discussing issues of violence and non-violence; power and control that help participants identify their inappropriate behavior and learn new behaviors. Their structured format was designed to bring awareness to the participants in what constitutes violence and the consequences of choosing to use violence. Fenix keeps in communication with both the Court and Probation as to the participant's progress. Their program content was developed with the collaboration of the Probation Department, ALTO, Family Services and Penal Code standards. Funding for the Domestic Violence program is by participant fees on a sliding scale. The AOD counseling is supported with County HAS and HRA funding with participants contributing fees on a sliding scale.

Discussions were held with regards to Fenix's services. Commissioner Berrenge commented that through her experience in Family Court this program has not been effective but, rather, has given false hopes. Further, it is difficult to measure if the clients' behavior actually changes. Victim packets are distributed but rarely returned. Commissioner Molnar suggested that a psychologist evaluate clients who are referred by the Court both before and after their treatment to see if it has been effective.

6. Old Business.

a. DV Awards – recap. See Item 7A(4) below.

7. New Business

A. Subcommittee Reports:

1. By-Laws Taskforce

Discussions were held with regards to the amended By-laws. DA Lee reminded the group about the multiple copies of the By-Laws and the minimal discrepancies in the work copies. The Taskforce needs another month to finalize their revisions. Julie Schneider will assist the sub-committee with this project. This item will be revisited on the next agenda. Julie will report then.

Additional question for this Task Force was regarding the location of the last update to the DV L.E. Protocol. The commission would like to update it. Next meeting we will put together a task force for this purpose.

2. Education Subcommittee

Bob Lee reported that he, Mona Smith and Celia Organista conducted trainings at Watsonville Community Hospital and at Dominican Hospital. They did a legal, medical, and cultural component to each presentation. There were about 60 people at Dominican, and fewer at WCH, but all in all, very well received and attended. The Commission would like to continue this training on an annual basis for each hospital, at least. There is DVD of the curriculum/training which we will post on the website.

3. Annual Report Subcommittee

Allen Hiromura reported that several other batterer's programs had been contacted to determine the average daily census of people in their programs and how many people are active in their programs at one time. At this time, they are trying to determine what constitutes termination, excessive absences, incarceration, etc. The sub-committee is looking at collecting data from different treatment programs to compare the percentage of completion and termination. Scott MacDonald stated that he is researching the best possible avenue to retrieve the data accurately.

4. Executive Committee

Chair Simonson reported that the televised DVC Awards Ceremony held on October 24 during the Boards of Supervisor’s October session was very well attended. Although the wait was longer than anticipated, Supervisor Stone was accommodating. Simply Your Best was very appreciative of their award and the local press their program received through the televised presentation.

DV Awareness Month – KUSP requested Celia Organista, Heidi Simonson, and Capt. Eddie Rodriquez participated in a roundtable on air.

Question was presented as to whether the DVC should continue to request the Sentinel post DV stats during the month of October. Commission said yes. For next year, we would like to include nationwide numbers as well, for comparison. DA’s office will continue to facilitate this.

DVC has a volunteer, Patty Boyd, who is putting together Minutes and Notes from several years past. The commission is very grateful.

B. DV Death Review Committee

Chair Simonson reported that the Domestic Violence Commission has been working with Lt. Phil Wowak, SCSO, to put together a current Death Review task force. Chair Simonson announced that the Commission needs a task force or subcommittee to would work to draft a Death Review Protocol and Guidelines. Melissa Berrenge, Kathi Loughlin, Julie Schneider, Joana Goodman volunteered to participate.

8. Announcements.

9. Adjournment.

The meeting was adjourned at 7 p.m.