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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-20-2017 Domestic Violence & Family Issues Minutes MEETING MINUTES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & FAMILY ISSUES SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNITY JUSTICE COLLABORATING COUNCIL December 20, 2017 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 Organization Title Status Arrived Name Joan Sprain St. Croix Citizen Member Present County Pam St. Croix Supervisor, Victim Witness Present Bellrichard County Edward Vlack St. Croix Hon. Edward F. Vlack, Branch II, Present County Chair Scott St. Croix Hon. Scott R. Needham, Branch III Excused Needham County Kathleen St. Croix Representative, Bar Association Excused Avoles County Mark Lemke St. Croix Supervisor, Division of Present County Community Corrections Curt St. Croix Faith Based Representative Present Thomassen County Mark Richert St. Croix Representative, Chiefs of Police Present County Tim St. Croix Commissioner, Circuit Court Present Heckmann County Steve Kirt St. Croix Administrator, Behavioral Health Present County Michael St. Croix District Attorney Present Nieskes County Jason Sykora St. Croix Lieutenant, Sheriff's Office Present County Alena Taylor St. Croix Executive Director, Turningpoint Excused County Also present; Susan Capparelli, Chief Craig Yehlik, Hon. R. Michael Waterman, Sarah Yacoub, and Mike O'Keefe. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Domestic Violence & Family Issues Subcommittee of the Community Justice Collaborating Council Regular Meeting November 15, 2017 12:00 PM Minutes were accepted. RESULT: ACCEPTED PUBLIC COMMENT Susan Capparelli, E.D., St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Programs (SCVRJP) discussed the partnership with their Intimate Partner Violence programs. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Domestic Violence Needs Assessment Data Update The Hon. Edward F. Vlack gave an update on the data portion of the DomesticViolence (DV) Needs Assessment completed by the Center for Court Innovation. Judge Vlack stressed the importance of following nationally recognized and recommended standards for dealing with these types of cases. 1.) Specialized assessments, 2.) DV victim services, 3.) Programs for children exposed to domestic violence, 4.) Batterers intervention programs, 5.) Supervised visitation programs, 6.) Court monitoring. RESULT: DISCUSSED 2. Domestic Violence and Family Issues Systems Mapping Discussion was held on the need to to develop a systems map for Domestic Violence cases. The following volunteered to work on this project, Tim Heckmann, Selena Peterson, Sarah Yacoub, and Susan Capparelli. RESULT: DISCUSSED 3. Lethality Assessment Implementation Discussion was held on the lethality assessment that the New Richmond Police Department (NRPD) is using for Domestic Violence (DV) cases. Chief Craig Yehlik indicated they are using an orgranizational assessment, not a lethality assessment. This assessment is a standardized format to interview victims and was put together by his Administrative Assistant in conjunction with guidance from the District Attorney's Office. Michael Nieskes, District Attorney states this is a pilot program with the NRPD and can be expanded to other agencies. Chief Yehlik states this process helps put victims at ease because they ask standardized questions. Selena Peterson, VW Office, states it is a good way to provide information to the victims of DV. Jason Sykora, Lieutenant, St. Croix County Sheriff's Office will contact Chief Yehlik to look at using this process at the County level. Chief Mark Richert, North Hudson Police Department (NHPD) discussed the DV Packet vs lethality assessments. RESULT: DISCUSSED 4. Petitions for Temporary Restraining Orders - Victim Issues Tim Heckmann, Circuit Court Commissioner discussed the need to work together as a system in an effort to better serve victims of Domestic Violence (DV) and families. He states on many cases the victims have no legal or supportive representation in his Court. He went on to state that most victims are overwhelmed by the process and simply don't know what to do, or are back in the cycle of domestic violence and are being manipulated by the perpetrator during the restraining order process. Michael Nieskes, District Attorney, offered assistance from the Victim Witness Office - Selena Peterson. If these cases can be heard on specific days and times that would be helpful, but not always practical. Sarah Yacoub offered her services through her victim advocate business. Mr. Heckmann made a closing comment about this issue and states if we can do nothing else then at least we can attempt to help break the cycle of violence with the children and the next generation. The Hon. R. Michael Waterman discussed bringing the plan to the victim in DV cases and Selena Peterson discussed free counseling which is available in River Falls. Other ideas were brought forward by Curt Thomassen about developing an app that would help victims quickly identify resources. RESULT: DISCUSSED 5. Intimate Partner Violence Assessments - High Risk Scores This agenda item was tabled and a request to move to the next meeting by the Hon. Edward F. Vlack. RESULT: DISCUSSED REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Future agenda items; 1.) Intimate Partner Violence assessments - high risk scores, 2.) Educational seminars for police officers, lawyers, judicial staff, etc. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE ADJOURN DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next Domestic Violence/Family Issues Subcommittee meeting is Wednesday, January 17, 2018, 12:00 p.m., Government Center - room 1216.