|
|
Attending: Fred Herath, GCHD Addictions Services; 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; Jodi Finkelstein, MNADV;
Elaine Gast, MNADV; 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; Kellie Warnick,
GCCAC; Larry Bruch, GCDSS; Wilda Massi, GCBOE; Peggy Nelson, GCFVC Coordinator;
and Phyllis B. Trickett, GCCW
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be December 8, 8:30 a.m. at the Garrett County Department of Social Services.
Lisa Thayer Welch called the meeting to order.
The October 13, minutes were approved as written.
Peggy Nelson was introduced to the Coalition. Peggy was recently hired as the Coordinator for the Garrett County Family Violence Coalition and will be maintaining her office at GCDSS.
Committee Reports:
Professional Awareness Team:
Lisa reported that the “Helping Faith Communities Respond to Domestic
Violence” seminar was held November 4, 1998 at Garrett Community College.
There were 17 people who attended the seminar and received certificates
and 10 presenters. Lisa stated she was very pleased to see members
of the Amish and Mennonite communities represented at the seminar.
Mary VanSickle stated that she attended the afternoon session of the Seminar
as a presenter and felt the information was very well received.
Lisa brought leftover handouts from the seminar to the meeting. Anyone interested in any of the handouts was invited to take them.
Lisa stated that a letter is being drafted to invite the legal community to participate in a similar seminar.
Public Relations:
Liz Bizer stated that the first of the Family Violence slides is ready
to go to Garrett 8 Cinemas. Liz stated the slide has a halo effect
around the casket and she has asked McClarran and Williams to remove this.
At present the Coalition has funding to have slides shown for five months,
the long-term goal is to acquire funding for one year. Liz stated
the Public Relations committee would meet on the fourth Monday of each
month at 316 East Alder Street at 8:30 a.m.
Data Mart Team:
Linda Spassil gave a sub-committee report regarding the collection
of data on spousal abuse.
There will be a short Data Mart Team meeting today at 10:00 a.m.
Maryland Network Information:
Elaine Gast distributed victim information cards and a brochure “What
to do when home isn’t safe.” Elaine also reported the bi-annual conference
that was held October 16 & 17 was a success and was attended by over
150 people. There will be a round table discussion Thursday, November
12th in Arnold, MD. The topic of the discussion will be the future
of the pro-prosecution network. Elaine also stated that the Maryland
Network purple ribbon campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence
was a success.
Continuing Business:
Copies of the FVC by-laws and meeting minutes (June – August) were
made available to new members.
Shelter Update:
Linda Spassil stated that 1 family is currently in shelter and on Monday,
November 9, five clients contacted the shelter for services. Linda
also stated that on November 13,from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. she will be
doing a workshop along with Liz Bizer and Michael Dennis on Domestic Violence.
The workshop will be for the staff of GCDSS at GCDSS and the afternoon
session will be a panel discussion. Henry Brown reported that CEU’s
have been applied for and Agency staff will receive them for their attendance.
Liz reported that plans are being made to do a similar workshop for the
community at large in April. Linda reported that she and Liz Bizer
met with Judge Barnett to remind him of available domestic violence services
and provide him with a purple ribbon for his bench.
HotSpot Update:
Lisa reported that all of the requested monies have been received.
These monies directly impact the after-school program that features tutoring
and mentoring for area children. This after-school program is housed
in the Grantsville Elementary School.
Lisa reported the Multi Agency Group has been discontinued due to a lack of response. This program may be re-evaluated and re-instated at a later date.
Strategic Plan:
No report.
Garrett County Sheriff’s Office:
Larry Gnegy reported that during the month of October the Sheriff’s
Office received two domestic complaints, four domestic assaults resulting
in two arrests, one arrest for a violation of a protective order, and a
total of 18 exparte and protective orders were issued and served.
Maryland State Police:
Jim Hovis reported that prior to his arrival, the State Police Barrack
at McHenry received approximately four reports of domestic violence per
month. Jim stated that during the month of October that number has
doubled with eight cases of abuse being reported resulting in two arrests.
Jim stated that one problem he faces is the reluctance of victims to pursue
prosecution of their abusers. Mary VanSickle ask if anyone geographic
area of the County had a higher incidence of abuse, Jim stated that there
is no centralized area rather. Incidents are spread throughout the
County.
Larry Bruch stated that Jim is working with Erica Mowbray regarding the effect on children who witness domestic violence. At least 75% of children who are witness to domestic violence are likely themselves to be abused. Jim also stated that elder abuse is a growing but unreported problem.
AaoA:
June Heseslbach reported that the October 20, “Hot Line Day” received
six calls. This event was considered a success and will be repeated.
June also stated that the area BPW wore purple ribbons in support of domestic
violence awareness. The BPW chose a silhouette of a woman who was
a victim of domestic violence as their woman of the year. June stated
that she would like to bring a speaker who survived domestic violence to
GCC. Her story is extremely moving.
Caring Kids Campaign:
Bob Stephens stated that the budget will need to be resubmitted to
DHR because of the need to allocate twenty cents that was missed in the
original budget submission. Instead of giving the money up-front
DHR has asked that invoices be submitted. This request creates a
problem for the Dove Center they don’t really have the funds to operate
in this way. Bob stated that with the approval of the LMB Chairperson
the Dove Center would be given a percentage of the money in advance.
Henry Brown, Chairperson for the LMB stated that he felt that would be
a good idea. Bob stated we are on the way to implementation and Lucia
added that curriculum is being developed.
Lucia Ayers stated that the Data Management Committee would be meeting following the FVC meeting today.
Lisa relinquished her role as Chair in order to raise an issue that was brought to her attention. Linda Spassil Vice-Chair took charge of the meeting. Lisa stated that members of the committee have concerns about the collection of data, stating perhaps we have lost our focus and the scope of the project has become too large. Lucia stated that the large group meeting was a one time meeting and was intended to get everyone on the same page as far as a common intake form. Lucia is in the process of creating this common intake form. Lisa asked if where we are in relationship to current grant timelines. Lucia answered we are behind on the original timelines. Henry Brown stated it is very important that we submit initial data to DHR. Lucia stated that this information will serve as the seed kernel. Following the discussion Lisa took over as chairperson.
Linda Spassil expressed a concern about obtaining numbers of abuse incidents for use in Grant writing. Linda reported that numbers do not match making it difficult to pull information together. Henry Brown asked when the data management system would be in place. Lucia stated that she is currently working on a collection form. Mary VanSickle asked whom should information be given to when it is collected. Henry stated a PC and software will be made available for use by Peggy Nelson at GCDSS.
New Business:
DSS VOCA Funds:
Henry stated that GCDSS has received partial grant funding for a therapist
position which will be split between working with Garrett WORKS customers
and victims of child abuse and neglect. Larry Bruch stated the position
has been advertised and we are hoping to interview in early December.
Henry stated we will collaborate with the Dove Center and that services
will not be duplicated. Henry will provide supervision for the therapist
and all services provided by the therapist will be at no cost to the customer.
Jodi Finkelstein wished the GCFVC continued success. Jodi will be leaving MNADV and taking a new position.
The meeting was adjourned.
.
Back
to the About FVC Page
BACK
to Zero Tolerance Home Page