GARRETT COUNTY FAMILY VIOLENCE COALITION Minutes of Meetings The next FVC meeting will be at 9:00AM at the GC Department of Social Services on May 11, 1999

Attending: Bob Stephens, GC OCYF; Henry Brown, Department of Social Services; Lisa Thayer Welch, Garrett Co. State’s Attorney’s Office; Mary VanSickle, GCMH; Phyllis Trickett, GCCW; Randy Resh, MSP – McHenry Brk; Melissa Hinebaugh, Housing Dept. GCCACD; Peggy Nelson, GCFVC Coordinator; Larry Bruch, Department of Social Services; Lt. Larry Gnegy, Sheriff’s Office; Elaine Gast, MNADV; Lucia Ayers, Community Representative, Geri Jones, BOE; Lyz Biser, Mettle Workers; Rev. Samuel Wachter; Sue Sines, GC Lighthouse, Carol Bass, GCHD; June Heselbach AAoA; Carolyn Taylor; Donna Shafer.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, May 11, 9:00 a.m. at the Garrett County Department of Social Services.

Lisa Thayer Welch called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.  Lyz Biser moved that the minutes be accepted as presented.

Committee Reports:

Professional Awareness Team:

Lisa Welch reported that the Professional Awareness committee grand rounds session for the Garrett County Medical Community with Dr. Michael Weddell from Sacred Heart Hospital in Cumberland scheduled on June 18, 1999 is confirmed.  The community service building has been reserved for the entire morning.  Additional activities may be arranged.  The next Professional Awareness meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 26th at 10:30 a.m. at the State’s Attorney’s Office.

As soon as the Maryland legislative session is completed, the update for “Pathways to Freedom” will be ready for publication.  Copies will be mailed to lawyers in the community.  The committee is investigating another training for clergy in the fall with Marie Fortune.  Mary Alice Arnold, Coordinator for Domestic Violence with the Western Maryland Health Systems will also be invited at that time.

Public Relations:

Lyz Biser reported that she received a check for $150 from University Women, $150 from Mt. Lake/Oakland Lions, and $75 from the Junior Women’s Civic Club to assist with the cost of some of the remaining slides for the Garrett 8 Cinemas.  She also spoke with the Rotary Club.

The committee is recommending the purchase of Marie Fortune’s book entitled “Keeping the Faith” to be given to victims of violence through the Dove Center.  $405 is needed to purchase 100 copies of the book.  Victims tell the Dove Center that the book is very helpful to them.  Lyz already received $150 toward the purchase of the books.

She reported 25 safaris have been scheduled through the end of May.  The next PR committee is scheduled for April 26 at 9 a.m. at Lyz Biser’s office.

Data Mart Team:

Mark Moynahan was not able to meet with the Coalition today.  Peggy Nelson stated that the database is still being worked on.  To date she has received 62 reports.  The next critical step is to hire a programmer to help with the hashing component to assure confidentiality of reports.

Lucia Ayers reported that OCYF is looking at a small feasibility study of the chronic use of services within the caseloads of Burlington Family Services, Family Preservation and Families Now.  Hashing information is the key element for the feasibility study.

Strategic Planning Team:

Lisa Welch asked that the Strategic Planning Committee meet right after the meeting to set a final meeting date to complete the strategic plan within the next week or so.

Maryland Network Information:

Elaine Gast reported that she did not have a full summary of legislation finalized in the last days of the Maryland General Assembly.  She will see that Peggy gets a copy with specifics of the bills that passed.  Elaine also reported that the MNADV hired Clare Ponder in a part time position from a federal grant for $50,000 with the intent to hold seven (7) focus groups in various areas across the state to collect information from one another about domestic violence issues.  MVN hopes to secure a larger grant for next year.  She passed out a list of upcoming conferences on Domestic Violence.

Continuing Business:

Shelter Update:

Carolyn Taylor reported for the Dove Center.  Linda Spassil and an administrative staff moved into a three-room suite at 12978 Garrett Highway, Suite 201 with a new phone number of 301-334-6255 and an additional FAX number of 301-245-4525.

There are two families in shelter at the present time.  The Dove Center will hold the following group sessions: two groups for children from violent homes, a crisis group, a 15 week session for women, an adult survivors group, and a teen group for victims of sexual assault.

Sheriff’s Office:

Larry Gnegy reported three (3) domestic violence complaints, six (6) assault; five (5) Ex Parte order; three (3) protective orders; four (4) arrests for domestic assaults; and three (3) arrests for violation of restraining orders.  A number of firearms were brought to the Sheriff’s Office as a result of a court order to relinquish them under a protective order.

Maryland State Police:

1st Sgt. Resh reported for Jim Hovis that he received three (3) DV complaints resulting in arrests in all three cases.  They made three referrals.  There were two (2) complaints resulting in no arrests and two (2) referrals in Allegheny County.  Lisa Welch, Larry Gnegy, Brenda LeMay and Linda Spassil completed training for State Police officers who had not received Pro-Prosecution training.

Data Collection Report:

Lucia Ayers reported that she and Mark Moynahan had taken a road trip to see the HYDA database.  It is available to us for free.  It has been in operation since 1996 and holds 25,000 case records to date.  The database has secure standards and protocols.  Informed consent is a large part of the protocol.  Presently there are private providers
using the database.  After some discussion, it was agreed upon to order a CD for others to check it out.

Henry Brown expressed concerns that the Coalition and the DataMart should operate with caution as to how we try to operate within someone else’s database.  Carol Bass reported that the Health Department checked with their federal regulators who are concerning about the hashing capability of the database.  Certainly we all should share information about the “bad guys” but a high need to protect the victim.  Lisa Welch asked for a confidence and comfort value vote from members if any introduction of any new databases that may come into play for our own system.
 

 New Business:

Lisa Welch asked for volunteers to serve on a Nominating Committee.  Larry Gnegy, a Social Service representative and Donna Shafer were asked to serve on the Nominating Committee.  They will bring a report to the next meeting on May 11, 1999.

April 26 training at GCC:

It was determined that the Silent Witness Display is in Bob Stephen’s basement.  Carolyn Taylor will make updates to the display as needed before the April 26 training.  There is a need to generate a new location list for the Silent Witness display for 1999.  It was suggested that the display be put inside buildings like churches, agencies and possibly the libraries.  The Display should be placed in the Court House from September 27 through October 4.
 

Announcements:

Lisa Welch announced that a person representing the Commissioners has not been chose.  If anyone has a name, please let Lisa know.

Bob Stephens showed the new posters OCYF just received for Maryland’s Month of the Child.

Jeri Jones informed the Coalition that there is not a formal unit regarding domestic violence within the school’s curriculum.  Date rape and healthy family issues are discussed in the 9th grade Health a P.E. classes.  Nan Gangler would like to have speakers.

Henry Brown announced that Garrett County and the Brandenburg Center have been chosen to pilot training for Domestic Violence in the Workplace focusing on the employee who is the subject of domestic violence.  Training will begin in August or September.

Lucia Ayers announced that artwork from the Caring Kids Program will be displayed at DHR and at GCC on May 22nd.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.