Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence

ARKANSAS COMMISSION ON CHILD ABUSE, RAPE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

January 18, 2017

Meeting called to order: 1:40 p.m.

Members Present: Kristin Pawlik, Lisa Channell, Debbie Roark, Laura Abbott, Dr. Karen Worley, Carol Maxwell,Christi McQueen, Robert Parker, Mischa Martin, Judge David Reynolds, Karl Mounger, Dr. Karen Farst, Dr. Sondra Bedwell, Dorinda Edmisten

Members Absent: Lott Rolfe IV, Gracie Gonner, Lt. Corey Sanders, Charles Ellis, Eddie Schmeckenbecher, Larry Combs, Stacey Mckeown, Susan Bradshaw, Susan Waggener

Others Present: (ACCARDV)Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence: Max Snowden, Candy Garland, Stasia Burk-McDonald, Michelle Cline, Sherry Williamson, Sara Rudolph-Pollard, Gwen Johnson

Guests in attendance: Phyllis Bell, Meika Hatcher (Chief Prosecutor Washington County) and New State Crime Lab employees (Stephen Smith/Jasmine Martin)

The meeting was held in the Freeway Medical Building @ 5800 West 10th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, Suite 902.

• Max Snowden read proxies: Robert Combs designated Robert Parker, Susan Waggener designated Debbie Roark and Charles Ellis designated Laura Abbott

• Review of last meeting’s minutes – motion to approve minutes; Carol Maxwell, seconded. Minutes are also available on the Commission’s website (

• Commission Update – Dr. Patricia Scott has relocated to TN to be with family and work with the TN Department of Health. So, she will no longer be active as a Commissioner on ACCARDV.At the next Commission meeting, project coordinators will provide information on new legislation.

• Domestic Violence Report – Sara Rudolph-Pollard

Sara attended various meetings in regard to Domestic Violence and Crime Victims. Domestic Peace and Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) RFP for grant submissions will go out early spring. All 2nd quarter reports have been received and processed. Sara also completed several shelter visits that were successful and quite a joy. Working on 2 projects to fight against domestic violence: Beyond Sunday Morning will train clergy with the skills and knowledge to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence. Leadership Education and Advancement for Professionals (LEAP)/Women of Color Network (WOCN) is designed to build upon and enhance the professional capacity of women of color executive directors, directors and senior managers in anti-violence against women programs. Sara is also consulting with Teresa Mills (Fayetteville Shelter- Peace at Home) to provide fundraising training for shelter directors.

• Child Abuse Project Report – Sherry Williamson

Conducted 2 in-person trainings. Online training is going very successfully. 3,148 participated, including 747 licensed educators. Legislation passed in 2011, requiring all licensed educators to receive training. Traininghas received good feedback. Attended meetings in regard to Child Death Review and Victim’s Rights Rally. Sherry provided a brief legislative update and entertained questions.

• Rape Project Report – Michelle Cline

Providedquarterly reports for Rape Prevention Education Programs (RPE). All programs are meeting or exceeding their goals and doing a great job! Lisa Channell provided a brief report on grant applicants; all 5 programs are funded and doing very good work.The Review Committee met on December 9th to review the grants and make funding recommendations. Lisa Channell called for a motion to approve the recommendation for the funding through the Rape Prevention Education grants (RPE). Dr. Karen Farst offered a motion; Dr. Sondra Bedwell seconded.Crime Victims’ Rights week is April 2 – April 8. Arkansas Victims Assistance Academy is a 40 hour training to be provided July 24 – July 28. Michelle provided a brief legislative update and entertained questions. Laura Abbott provided additional information on the legislation.

• MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) Project – Stasia BurkMcDonald

Provided Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) County updates. Lori Wilson is the new Cross County MDT Coordinator and Tjuana Byrd is the new Lonoke County MDT Coordinator. Both are knowledgeable and equipped to lead those teams. Conducted various MDT meetings; all went well. Child Abuse Conference will be in Hot Springs, Arkansas, September 2017.

• CAC (Child Advocacy Centers) Project – Max Snowden

El Dorado, Arkansas now has a Child Advocacy Center (CAC). It is up and functioning and fully staffed. Stacy Thompson has resigned as Executive Director of the CAC Association. The search for a new CAC Association Director will begin soon.

• Financial Update – Candy Garland

STATE FUNDING UPDATE

2016 – 2017DOMESTIC PEACE FUNDSTATE APPROPRIATION

Since July 1, 2016, we have distributed a total of $283,223 to 32 domestic violence shelters. Each shelter received a total of $8,928.00, with one exception: Safe Passage (Melbourne), closed in October 2016 due to needed repairs. They are currently looking for a new building. It is hoped that we will be able to send the shelters their entire request of $18,164 by June 30, 2017, but will depend on whether there is enough available revenue. The next round of payments is scheduled for April 2017. Total FY17 payout to shelters is estimated at $581,248. Note: Bail Bond funding ($151,660.10) is down $69,813 from previous year.

2016 – 2017DIVISION ON AGING GRANTSTATE DHS

Since July 1, 2016, ACCARDV has dispensed a total of $77,168.94 to 9 of 10domestic violence shelters for client services. Total anticipated payout thruJune 2017 is $144,959.

2017 ACCARDV BUDGET PRESENTATION

Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic/Violence Personnel

Commission staff currently consists of seven (7) professional staff and one administrative support staff.

Current Personnel Budget: $524,549 (salaries/fringe)

FUNDING SOURCES / METHODS

CHILD ABUSE

Children’s Justice Act/U.S. DHHS (2016-2018) - $184,825 – ends 9-30-18

Children’s Justice Act/U.S. DHHS (2015-2017) - $185,267 – ends 9-30-17

Child Welfare Reform Act/State Appropriation (2016-2017) - $274,400 – ends 6/30/17

Social Services Block Grant/State DHS (2016-2017) - $35,000 – ends 6/30/17

TOTAL: $679,492

($303,036 or 45% are “pass through” funds)

RAPE / SEXUAL ASSAULT

Preventive Health Services Block Grant/CDC (2016-2017) - $65,198 – ends 09/30/17

Rape Prevention Education Grant/CDC (2016-2017) - $375,261 – ends 1/31/17

TOTAL: $440,459

($310,541 or 71% are “pass through” funds)

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Division on Aging Grant/State DHS (2016-2017) - $149,253 – ends 6/30/17

*Domestic Peace Fund State Appropriation (2016-2017) - $658,563 – ends 6/30/17

*Includes $151,660 in bail bond funds drawn May 2016

Domestic Violence State Appropriation (2016-2017) - $63,767 – ends 6/30/17

TOTAL: $871,583

($796,022 or 91% are “pass through” funds)

OTHER SERVICES

State Appropriation Children’s Advocacy Ctrs. (2016-2017) - $735,000 – ends 6/30/17

State Appropriation Children’s Safety Centers (2016-2017) - $720,588 – ends 6/30/17

**Tobacco Tax Special Appropriation Carryforward - $3,773,473 – no end date

**Note: We have spent $2,092,630 thru Jan 11, 2017

TOTAL: $5,229,061

($4,982,640 or 95% are “pass through” funds)

COMMISSION BUDGET SUMMARY THROUGH JUNE 30, 2017

TOTAL FUNDS: $7,220,595

PASS THRU FUNDS: $6,392,239 or 89%

• OTHER BUSINESS

Dr. Karen Worley is new vice chair for Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence. Judge David Reynolds motioned, Mischa Martin seconded.

Legislative notices will be posted on the Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence website.

Next quarterly Commission meeting: Wednesday, April 19th, 2017

Meeting adjourned: 3 p.m.