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 February 9, 1999

Attending:  Bob Stephens, GC OCYF; Henry Brown, GCDSS; Edgar Harman, GC Commissioners; Elizabeth Biser, Community Rep.; Barb Smith, P & P Victim Advocate; Donna Shafer, Interested Party; Carol Bass, GCHD-WIC; Tfc. Jim Hovis, MD State Police Family Violence Unit; Linda Spassil, Dove Center; Lisa Thayer Welch, Garrett Co. State’s Attorney’s Office; Larry Gnegy, Garrett Co. Sheriff’s Department; Lucia Ayers, Community Rep.; R. Samuel Wachter, Clergy Community; June Heseslbach, AAoA; Mary VanSickle, GCMH; Misty Sanders, SOWK Student at GCMH; Larry Bruch, GCDSS; Jennifer Kotulak, GCBOE; Peggy Nelson, GCFVC Coordinator; and Phyllis B. Trickett, GCCW, Mark Monahan, Contractor

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be January 12, 1999, at 9:00 a.m. at the Garrett County Department of Social Services.

 Lisa Thayer Welch called the meeting to order.

The November 10, minutes were approved as corrected.  Carolyn Taylor was present at the October 13 meeting.

Committee Reports:

Professional Awareness Team:
Lisa Thayer Welch reported there was no report for this month.  The next Professional Awareness Team meeting will be December 22 at 9 am at the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Public Relations:
Liz Biser stated that the first of the Family Violence slides is being shown at the Garrett 8 Cinemas.  The Team has solicitation letters of the Women’s Civic Club of Oakland, the SFOP and the Legion 99 for financial support for additional months of showing of slides beyond the five months funding is available.  June Heselbach is arranging a speaker in April.  The event will be held at the college.  The poster/essay contest has been postponed indefinitely.

Bob Stevens announced that the Silent Witness display has been retired for winter.  It will be refurbished over the winter.
 

Maryland Network Information:
Elaine Gast was unable to be at the meeting.  Lisa Thayer Welch read her report.  The MNAVDV hosted a Statewide Roundtable Discussion on November 12 regarding the future of the Pro-Prosecution Project – the first meeting of its kind in Maryland.  She asked for feedback regarding how the project went in Garrett County.

At the January’s Family Violence Coalition meeting, Elaine would like to collect data regarding the number of Supplemental Forms filled out from July 1998 to December 31, 1998.  This information will go into Garrett’s Final Report for Pro-Prosecution.

Lisa then reported on the MNADV legislative agenda for 1999.

Data Collection
Peggy Nelson passed out the reformatted data collection report.  There were a few changes suggested by members.  This report will be used for the next three months to get a start on data collection.  The report should be used for individuals and families from out of state seeking services in Garrett County.  We may need to provide training for on line workers in how to use this form. The form does meet Federal guidelines.  Henry Brown will fax a copy of the report to the DHR legal department for approval.  Liz Biser asked if we would have a protocol for batterers’ information in the future.

The next Data Collection Team meeting will be held Tuesday, January 5, 1999 at 11 am at the Sheriff’s office.  At that time they will look at the batterers component.

Feasibility Study
Mark Monohan was introduced as the contractor hired to perform the feasibility study for the FVC data collection.  Mark announced that he met with Bill Flockhart and that he would take a fast run through the prototype of the data collection tool to get hands on experience.

Lucia Ayers asked if there is a draft that the coalition may use amongst coalition agencies instead of an MOU.  Bob Stevens from GCOCYF will draft something for coalition members to read for understanding and clarification.
 

Shelter Usage:
Linda Spassil stated 30 individuals including adults and children utilized the shelter in the last five months.  The shelter offers two support groups held on Fridays from 10 – 11:30 a.m. and Tuesdays from 5:30 – 7 p.m.  One of her staff will come to the next meeting to talk about the ‘Caring Kids” program.

Garrett County Sheriff’s Office:
Larry Gnegy reported that during the month of November the Sheriff’s Office received thirteen reports of abuse. He will mail his report to Peggy Nelson

Maryland State Police:
Jim Hovis reported that his office received 4 reports of domestic violence resulting in 2 arrests.  There are no burning issues in his office.

New Business:

 Shelter Funding
Linda Spassil is waiting to hear from the Maryland Affordable Housing for possible funding. Her board funding from the County Commissioners.  There is a fund raiser scheduled for December 19,1998 from 9 – 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for a “Breakfast with Santa”.  Linda stated that without additional funding starting in January the shelter services would close.

Other
A discussion followed about the meeting time. It was moved and seconded that the meeting would start promptly at 9 a.m.  To facilitate a productive meeting to end by 10 a.m. the chair would limit discussion.

Lucia Ayers repeated that the “Caring Kid’s” curriculum would be presented at the next coalition meeting.  The calendar idea was scraped and a handbook for parents was being discussed.  It was suggested that Lucia contact the Board of Education for handbook input.  Lucia stated she would need help from coalition members.

A discussion followed about the coalition supporting or opposing legislation up coming in the state legislature.  It was moved and seconded that we should support or oppose legislation ns so far as our grants have no restrictions on such actions.  The chair would write a letter on behalf of the coalition.  Then a motion was made and seconded to table the proposed action until coalition members have clarification regarding grant restrictions on such lobbying.  Individuals letters could be written.

Announcements
Liz Biser announced that the Public Relations Team would meet on January 25 at 9 a.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m..