Annual Report of the San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women, September 23, 2016. Commission Chair Jenni Prisk, Author.
The Commission extends our deep gratitude to the County Board of Supervisors for the CE and NRP Grants awarded to the Commission in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Commissioners:Jenni Prisk (D4) Chair; Sherry Ludwig (D5), Vice Chair; Maria McEneany (D3), Vice Chair; Rachel Cano (D4), Immediate Past President; Leah Goodwin, Diana Schmid (D1); Renae Arabo, Cathy Hilton (D2); Blesila Sanchez- Trott (D3); Tara Jeyaratnam (D5); Rachel Burnett,Sheri Sachs, At Large Commissioners Rachel Weber, Staff Assistant.
Committees:Domestic Violence: Cathy Hilton, Chair; Renae Arabo, Rachel Burnett, Diana Schmid
Homelessness: Sherry Ludwig, Chair; Rachel Cano
Human Trafficking: MariaMcEneany, Chair; Tara Jeyaratnam, Sheri Sachs, Blesila Sanchez- Trott.
Overall Strategy
In 2016, the Commission choseto continue with the three strategic objectives:
1.Services for Homeless Women, particularly seniors:The Commission has invited guest speakers to its monthly meetings to learn more about what is being done to combat homelessness, and where the Commission can shine a light to urge action at the County level. The Committee will be meeting with The Tomorrow Project and Monarch School to identify opportunities.
2.Wraparound care of Domestic Violence Victims:Commissioner Hilton and her committee have partnered with the County of San Diego DA’s Office to develop and publish a booklet on services for victims of Domestic Violence, entitled: It Shouldn’t Hurt to Go Home. This booklet is modeled on a publication produced by the LA County DV Council and the LA County Commission for Women. The booklet will be available in October, 2016 to coincide with DV month.
3.Combating Human Trafficking: The Commission has a very active and knowledgeable representative (Commissioner Maria McEneany) on “The San Diego Violent Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force,” who attends regular meetings and forums to learn more about what can be done at the County level to raise awareness about this issue. Some of these issues include supporting educational campaigns in middle schools to raising awareness about pending legislation regarding prosecution of human traffickers. Through Ms. McEneany the Commission was part The Ugly Truth Campaign.
Events in 2016
1.In January, Commissioners McEneany and Prisk attended the ACCW (Association of California Commissions of Women) Annual Conference in Sacramento. This provided us with essential information for our Initiatives, and also partnering with other Commissions. Jenni Prisk was the closing speaker at the Conference.
2.On February 6, the Commission staged a Symposium on the three Initiatives, at the Joan B.Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice. A panel of expert speakers addressed the issues followed by a Q & A with a very engaged audience. Supervisor Dave Roberts provided opening remarks via video.
February 27, Commissioner McEneany spoke at a Symposium on Human Trafficking to District 4-L6 Lions from San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Also in February, Commissioner Sachs completed FBI training.
3.On March 6, Commissioners attended the Women’s Hall of Fame for which the Commission is a co-host with the Women’s Museum of California,the UCSD Women’s Center; and the SDSU Women’s Studies Department. At the event, six remarkable women were inducted into the San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame as: a trailblazer, empowerer, bridge builder, cultural guardian, activist, and for embodying the “Spirit” of women’s advancement. Vice Chair Sherry Ludwig delivered introductory remarks on behalf of the Commission.
4..On April 5, Commissioner McEneany, as a member of the Regional Human Trafficking & CSEC Advisory Council, participated in the SAFE San DiegoHotel-Motel Human Trafficking Awareness Symposium, bringing together Government, Law Enforcement, Prosecution, Industry Leaders, and experts to further train equip, and develop best practices for San Diego’s Hotels-Motels to recognize and positively respond to the warning signs of Human Trafficking and Child Sex Exploitation. The Forum helped create a safer environment for patrons, employees, victims, and the community at large for year round events in America’s Finest City and County.
On April 12, Commissioners attended the Equal Pay Luncheon, presented by Lawyers Club of San Diego (of which Commissioners Cano, McEneany and Prisk are members.) At our April meeting, Kelly Jenkins-Pulz of the Women’s Bureau delivered a presentation on Equal Pay for Women.
On April 20, Commission McEneany presented a Human Trafficking workshop to the Live Well San Diego Health & Human Services Executive Team at the invitation of Executive Director, Nick Macchione.
On April 28, a Domestic Violence Forum was held at the North Inland Live Well Center, presented by Supervisor Dave Roberts, the North County Business Chamber, and the Commission on the Status of Women. Commissioner McEneany presented.
5.During the year, Commissioners Knowles, Taylor, and Harris resigned. However, we are 12 Commissioners strong and await the confirmation of appointment of At Large Commissioners Burnett and Sachs.
6.At our June meeting, playwright Anita Simons accompanied by Lt. Misty Cedrun discussed her play about Domestic Violence, entitled Silence is Not Golden.
On June 18, the Commission held its Annual Strategic Planning Retreat at the offices of Commissioner Arabo. A report is attached.
On June 25 at the Annual Meeting of the ACCW (Association of California Commissions for Women) Commission Chair Prisk was elected President of ACCW for a term of two years.
7.At the July meeting, Commissioner McEneany proposed that the Commission’s name be changed to: San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. The proposal was accepted. We are awaiting approval from the County Board of Supervisors.
Commissioner Burnett reported on her ongoing updating of the Commission website and her work on redeveloping the Commission brochure.
Commissioner McEneany reported on The Ugly Truth and efforts to combat Human Trafficking at this summer’s All Star Game and Comic-Con, which included distribution of over 10,000 Human Trafficking “Tip Cards.”
Commissioner Hilton joined the San Diego Domestic Violence Taskforce.
In July, Commissioner Prisk attended the meeting of the National Association of Commissions on Women in Hawaii, and co-chaired a session on Community Engagement. She was invited to run for the NACW Board, but declined.
8. In August, Commissioners Ludwig and Burnett reported their work on a technology update for the website.
The Commission was advised of its receipt of a CE Grant of $8,500.
9. At the September meeting, Executive Director Susan Francis of the JFK Foundation that administers the Ophelia Project (for runaway girls who are survivors or witnesses of DV) spoke to the Commission. On October 7 several Commissioners will attend an orientation meeting of the OP, to learn more about this excellent program. There is not an OP in San Diego County.
10. October 26, Commissioner Maria McEneany will discuss Human Trafficking at the Aging & Independence Services Agency, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Workgroup, County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency.
11. On October 4, Commissioners will host their annual Salute to Supervisors luncheon at the County Administration building.
12. On December 5, Commissioners will hold their annual Holiday Party at the Claim Jumper Restaurant, 1355 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101.
13. On April 20, 2017, Commissioners will stage their second annual Symposium featuring expert speakers on the Commission’s three Initiatives.
All Commissioners express their gratitude for the opportunity and honor to represent women in San Diego County, and for the support and guidance of the County Board of Supervisors and their staff.
Respectfully submitted by:
Jenni Prisk
October 2, 2016
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