May Minutes

Minutes

San Saba Domestic Violence Task Force

May 12, 2009

The TaskForce met at noon at the Dove Project. In attendance were Brenna Troncoso, Charles Carter, Danna Smith, Lexie Wiley, Sabrina Maultsby, Georgia Harris, Melissa Switzer, and Adella.

Minutes of the April meeting were read by Adella. Brenna made a motion to approve and Charles seconded.

Old Business – A brief discussion of the Community Plan and the involvement of the Task Force in future Planning meetings.

Georgia stated that she will be working on a short term housing grant to serve victims of domestic violence through the Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs. She also stated the Dove Project was in a financial crisis right now. Sabrina’s position has not been funded for 6 months and Georgia’s funding ends on Jun 30. However, the Attorney General’s office through whom we receive VOCA funding has asked all DV Projects to extend their funding for 2 months and in exchange they would only pay for 40% of our expenses. Georgia and Sabrina will be meeting with Stan Weik, City Manager on Friday to determine whether the Dove Project will remain open until new funding is received. Regardless, Georgia stated that the Dove Project would try to maintain a volunteer base and some core services.

Discussion was had of the evolution of the Task Force toward a more inclusive, broader-based community approach to providing services to families. The idea of having a tri-county, quarterly interagency meeting was also discussed, either under the auspices of the SSDVTF or in some other form. It was generally agreed that this might be a good idea. Georgia noted that the Dove Project has been providing services predominately to domestic violence victims but that it is also mandated by the Governor’s Office Criminal Justice Division to provide a wholistic approach to restoring the victim to a full mental, emotional, and physical state, which implies services broader than those having to do directly with domestic violence.

Danna had contacted the school about a presentation about Teen Dating Violence. Georgia met with Ms. Pannell at the High School and a program will be presented on Monday morning at 8 a.m. in the new gymnasium.

A back to school Children’s Health and Safety Fair is planned for July 31 at the Civic Center. Georgia handed out a draft of a request for sponsors and booths. After discussion and input from Melissa and others, it was determined that we should look for and find a primary/main sponsor for the fair rather than set a specific amount for a number of smaller sponsors. Georgia will meet with the Chamber of Commerce first to get a list of potential supporters. Adella and Danna will work with Georgia in the planning of the fair. It was suggested that we also get out a notice to all service providers about having a booth and to students by May 28.

Future Meetings:

June:

Nancy Watson, Regional Director, Congressman K. Michael Conaway

July (11:00 AM - 1 PM, San Saba Civic Center):

Free Sexual Assault PO, EPO, PO, & Neurobiology of Trauma Training - TCLEOSE and CEU's available

August:

Legal Advocates Network training on legislative updates, etc.

The May meeting ran late and adjourned about 1:45 PM.