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

GARRETT COUNTY FAMILY VIOLENCE COALITION
Minutes of Meeting January 12, 1999

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

Lisa Thayer Welch called the meeting to order and a brief introduction of new Coalition members followed.

The December 8, minutes were approved as written.

Committee Reports:

Professional Awareness Team:
Lisa reported that the Professional Awareness committee is working to put together a program for the Garrett County Medical Community.  The committee is working in collaboration with Laurie Grant from Garrett County Memorial Hospital.  Dates for the program and specific details are still being solidified.  Lisa asked that Carol, Mary and Sam meet with her for a few minutes after the FVC meeting adjourns.

Public Relations:
Larry Bruch responded to a question from Liz Biser by stating that the Silent Witness exhibit is in storage for the winter and will be refurbished before being put on display in the Spring.  Liz passed copies of the finished FVC slides around for the Coalition members to look at.  These slides can be viewed at the Garrett 8 Cinemas.  Liz stated that funds are still being sought to keep the slides as a year round part of the Garrett 8 preview.  The next Public Awareness meeting will be January 25, 9:00 a.m. at 316 E. Alder Street.

Data Mart Team:
Peggy Nelson distributed an updated copy of the Reporting form.  Peggy has used a check-off style for this form and has received one completed form to date.  Lucia pointed out that on page two, four categories have been added and the use of child victim should be incorporated.  On the front of the form GDMH was changed to GCMH.  A discussion followed dealing with legal issues involved in gathering and using this type of information.  It is imperative that there is no way to discover the identity of the victim.  Lucia, Henry, Peggy and Mark will get together to do the report to the Governor on the first six months of this project.  The Data Mart Team will meet the first Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. at the Sheriff’s Office.

Strategic Planning Team:
The Strategic Planning Team, which is made up of the Executive Committee, Bob Stephens and Lucia Ayers, is scheduling a seminar with Mr. Marc Malec from Frostburg State University.  Mr. Malec has agreed to work with the FVC at no cost to help develop and implement a strategic plan.  Information regarding the by-laws of the GCFVC have been forwarded to Mr. Malec.  Mr. Malec will offer a one-day seminar for interest members.  The GCFVC strategic plan will serve as a jump off point for a variety of other endeavors; such as additional grant applications.  Lisa stated that after the strategic plan is finished the GCFVC should then review our committee structure and our overall mission statement.  Mary VanSickle and Sam Wacther stated they would be interested in taking part in this seminar.

Maryland Network Information:
Elaine Gast stated it was time to write the Garrett County Pro-prosecution report. Elaine distributed a survey to a few members of the Coalition to get input on their reaction to this project.  Elaine stated that two of the top Legislative priorities for 1999 are Dating Relationships to be included in the requirements for a protective order and surrender of firearms at the ExParte stage.  Elaine also stated the 11th Annual Memorial Service commemorating people in Maryland who died as a result of domestic violence would be held February 8, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. on Lawyers Mall in Annapolis.   This year’s theme is Reaffirming the Power of the Community.  Elaine stated she had attended a Domestic Violence Rural Planning Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico in December.  Elaine stated that Maryland Network might be planning a mini-conference for rural Maryland counties in the future, she will keep the Coalition updated.

Continuing Business:

 Shelter Update:
Linda thanked everyone for his or her work and support of the Santa’s Workshop.  The workshop raised $246.  Linda stated that as of Friday, February 8, four families were utilizing the shelter and two additional possibilities.  Linda stated she has received no written confirmation from Maryland Authority for Housing, but has received verbal commitment for $70,000.  This would happen near the end of January or mid-February.  Linda thanked the Garrett County community as a whole stating the shelter has received generous monetary contributions and community support.  Linda also thanked the local newspaper for their support.  Linda stated that the County has offered a $12,000 loan, however Linda is very hopeful that the shelter will not need to take advantage of this loan, because it would place the board members in the position of being responsible for the repayment of the loan should the shelter be unable to make the repayment.  Linda stated that there would be a fundraiser on February 20, for the shelter at Our Town Theatre.

Garrett County Sheriff’s Office:
Larry Gnegy reported that during the month of December the Sheriff’s Office received one domestic complaints, five domestic assaults resulting in four arrests, two arrests for violation of protective orders, and a total of 12 ExParte and protective orders were issued and served.  Larry also reported that there has been a 45% decrease in reported assaults this quarter.  Larry also discussed the advantages of the new “Automated Booking System” being utilized by the Sheriff’s Department.

Maryland State Police:
Jim Hovis reported that the McHenry Barracks has a new command staff, 1st Sargent Randy Rush and Lt. Bill Lucas.  There were four reported cases of domestic assault, four victim referrals and one arrest during the month of December.  For the quarter there were a total of 16 cases with five arrests.  Jim stated that persuading victims to cooperate with police is a major obstacle in Garrett County.  A program to provide cell phones to victims who may not have access to a phone or need to be in a safe location to phone for assistance is being implemented in Maryland.  450 cell phones will be distributed throughout the state.  These phones are programmed for emergency use only.

HotSpot Update:
 No report

Protocol for Batterer’s group re: data collection:
This project is currently on hold but Liz stated she would begin keeping statistics on January 1st.

MOU between LMB and the Coalition:
Bob Stephens reported there is a draft of the Partnership Agreement and it is being worked on.

Legislation support or opposition restrictions:
Henry stated that Coalition members are free to offer whatever individual support they wish to Legislative issues, however it would not be advisable to do so as a Coalition.

New Business:

Caring Kids Campaign:
 Next month

Charge to the Public Relation/Community Relations Team:
April is Child Abuse Awareness and Protection month and a theme will need to be developed.  There will be a State Child Abuse Conference in College Park on April 22nd.
June stated that on April 26 a victim of domestic violence, Angela Brown, would be speaking a Garrett Community College from 1:30p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned.