Fulton County Family Violence Task Force Meeting Minutes
February 17, 2016
New Task Force attendees:
Samantha Altfest, Ahimsa; Val Mims, JCS; Anne Gray Herring, Atlanta Legal Aid; Pam Harris, Connections Family Resource Center; Alina Stelzer, Atlanta Area Psychological Association.
Welcome/Introductions:
Co-chairsAmanda Planchardand Lori Anderson werein attendance.
Guest speaker April Ross, Assistant District Attorney, from Paul Howard’s office was unable to attend. Amanda gave a brief description of April Ross’ position in policy and procedure on gun legislation.
Amanda encouraged everyone to “Like” the task force Facebook page for updates and shared information.
Motion approved to admit minutes from November 18, 2015.
Old Business
Amanda announced the decision to not use Clark Atlanta’s video services for the roll-call training videos due to a miscommunication about the total cost of the project and increase of the original asking price. Samantha Macedo suggested using South Gwinnett High School’s video program and they are ready to start recording in March, after spring break. Additionally, the DA’s program is back on board and moving forward with producing the strangulation video.
NewBusiness
Since the guest speaker was unable to attend, the task force went over four legislations from the current GCADV Legislative Report.
Legislations Covered:
Budget, Funding for state-certified domestic violence centers FY 2016 Amended & FY 2017:the Governor has released his proposed FY 2016 Amended and FY 2017 budgets, both of which include state-level funding for state-certified domestic violence centers and state-funded sexual assault centers.
Recidivist domestic violence offenders:SB 193would ensure that a previous family violence battery conviction against the same victim or any family violence felony conviction against any household member would result in a subsequent family violence battery and would be punished as a felony.
Rape kit processing - the Pursuing Justice for Rape Victims Act: HB 827would establish a protocol for local law enforcement for the handling and submission of rape kits to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for testing.
Flexible sick leave - the Family Care Act:HB 746/SB 242requires employers that offer sick leave to allow employees to use that leave time flexibly in order to care for sick children, spouses, and other family members.
Fatality Review – December 2015
Samantha introduced the case used in the review and gave a brief description of the case.
The Fatality Review committee went over the suggestions made to become more involved in the LGBTQ community. The Fatality Review committee went over the highlighted warning signs, LE involvement, and documentation that occurred up until the victim’s death.
Amanda suggested the task force start making connections to existing groups in the LGBTQ community, by passing out materials at different events.The taskforce agreed to work on making a brochure to reach the LGBTQ community so it is more inclusive while increasing visibility.
Amanda also suggested have a task force training on LGBTQ issues and to invite LE, churches and others organizations to come to the training as a way to increase membership.
Lastly, the task force discussed ways to integrate LGBTQ couples and culture in general into the roll call training videos.
Committee Reports
FVIP committee update:David mentioned being aware of e-filing of TPO cases, asked how the task force can help ease the court process so victims are getting their documentation in a timely matter before they leave the courtroom. The committee will have a guest speaker at the next meeting.
No Community Outreach Committee update.
Announcements
Community Based Domestic Violence Support Group will have an Open House.
PADV’sannual Teen Summit on March 5, 2016.
FVIP committee’s next meeting is April20, 2016.
Next Task Force meeting is May 18th, 2016.