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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-08-2016 Domestic Violence & Family Issues Minutes MEETING MINUTES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & FAMILY ISSUES SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNITY JUSTICE COLLABORATING COUNCIL November 8, 2016 12:00 PM Room 1216 Government Center St. Croix County Goverment Center - Room 1216 - 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Joan Sprain St. Croix County Family Living Agent Excused Pam Bellrichard St. Croix County Coordinator Present Scott Needham St. Croix County Judge Present Kathleen Avoles St. Croix County Bar Association Excused Curt Thomassen St. Croix County Faith Based Representative Excused Mark Richert St. Croix County Police Chief Representative Present Tim Heckmann St. Croix County Court Commissioner Present Edward Vlack St. Croix County Judge Present Also present; Susan Capparelli, Steve Kirt, Selena Peterson, Dan Hansen, Sarah Yacoub, & Mike O'Keefe. APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC COMMENT BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Domestic Violence Needs Assessment Update - St. Croix County Judge Vlack discussed the proposed domestic violence needs assessment for St. Croix County. The needs assessment will be paid for by a grant from the Office of Court Operations - STOP Grant and funds from the Court Budget. Discussion was held on training needs for law enforcement with respect to domestic violence situations. Ms. Yacoub asked about the use of lethality assessments and if the results are made available to the defendant. A motion was made by Judge Needham, second by Mark Richert, to pursue the needs assessment for St. Croix County. Motion passed by unanimous vote. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Pam Bellrichard, Scott Needham, Mark Richert, Tim Heckmann, Edward Vlack EXCUSED: Joan Sprain, Kathleen Avoles, Curt Thomassen 2. Domestic Violence Compliance Court - St. Croix County - Update Judge Needham gave background on the potential for a domestic violence compliance court in St. Croix County. This type of court would not need additional staff, but would rely on Probation & Parole to provide input. Any of these dedicated court proceedings would be for defendants with domestic violence convictions and currently under community supervision. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Lethality Assessments - Law Enforcement Discussion was held on the use of lethality assessments by law enforcement in St. Croix County. Currently no law enforcement agencies in St. Croix County use this assessment. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. WI Batterers Treatment Providers Association Discussion was held on the availability of batterers' treatment groups in this area. The only certified treatment group in the area is with Midwest Psychological Services and uses a 21 week psychoeducational format - Duluth Model. Discussions have been held with Health & Human Services to determine if they could provide a batterer's treatment group in St. Croix County. Dan Hansen asked about the cost of this type of treatment group and Steve Kirt discussed Badgercare and potential billing issues. Mr. Kirt has experience with the Duluth Model but will look into the Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Domestic Violence cognitive based treatment group model. Discussed the current treatment provider that Probation and Parole currently uses, Bob Kelly, St. Paul, MN. Judge Vlack stated that we would need buy in from the local P&P Office and defense counsel if we want to pursue a DV compliance court. As it stands now Judge Vlack does conduct probation review hearings. RESULT: DISCUSSED 5. Victim Services Pam Bellrichard, Victim/Witness Supervisor, discussed victim issues and wait times for services. Ms. Bellrichard stated their office would like to be part of this process and she emphasized the need for law enforcement training. Selena Peterson, Victim/Witness Legal Advocate, discussed victim issues and the need to continually improve in this area. Discussion was also held about the Pierce-St. Croix County's Coordinated Community Response Team. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Follow Items for next meeting; 1.) Police Chief's meeting - lethality assessments, 2.) Data Collection, 3.) Talk to Amber Peterson about what is required for needs assessment. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The date and time of the next meeting is January 10, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. - Government Center - Room - TBD.