Family Violence Council:

Addressing Violence Throughout the Lifespan

 

Minutes

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

 

Members:

Presiding Judge of the Superior Court or designee: Judge Gordon

Mayor or designee: Nicole Lindler

President of the Board of Supervisors or designee: Sam Bennett

District Attorney or designee: Brad Allred, Gena Castro Rodriguez

Chief of Police or designee: Timothy O’Connor

Sheriff or designee: Paul Miyamoto

President of Commission on the Status of Women or designee: Carol Sacco

Executive Director of Domestic Violence Consortium or designee: Beverly Upton

Director of Human Services Agency or designee: Joan Miller

Executive Director of Consortium for Elder Abuse Prevention or designee: Shawna Reeves

Director of San Francisco Child Abuse Council or designee: Jenny Pearlman

Director of the Department of Public Health or designee: Dr. Leigh Kimberg

Director of Department of Aging and Adult Services or designee: Akiles Ceron

Medical Examiner or designee: Dr. Ellen Moffatt

Director of Department of Child Support Services or designee: Karen Roye

Chief of Juvenile Probation or designee: Paula Hernandez

Director of Department of Animal Care and Control or designee: Judy Choy

Superintendent of San Francisco Unified School District or designee: Thea Anderson

Executive Director of First 5 San Francisco or designee: Shelli Rawlings

 

Absent:

Chief of Adult Probation or designee, Executive Director of Department of Emergency Management or designee, Director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing or designee, Director of Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families or designee, Public Defender or designee, Human Resources Director or designee, Chief of the Fire Department or designee

 

Others Present:

Elise Hansell, Department on the Status of Women; Selma Osman, Department on the Status of Women; Linnea Fox, Department on the Status of Women; KellyLou Densmore, Human Rights Commission; Gena Castro Rodriguez, District Attorney’s Office; Elizabeth Newman, Department on the Status of Women; Kari Kientzy, Department of Aging and Adult Services; Glen Fishman, Institute on Aging; Jasmine Smith, Department of Child Support Services; Christian Kropff; Dulce Garcia, Human Rights Commission; Jaime Morin-Arlett

 

I. Call to Order/Agenda Changes

Jenny Pearlman called the meeting to order at 3:06pm

 

Agenda and August 26, 2020 minutes approved (Bennett/ Roye).

II. Key Issues in Family Violence

 

1. Domestic Violence Update

Beverly Upton shared a reminder of how COVID-19 has affected survivors and that we are now seeing more survivors starting to seek help. This increase has led to more court cases and more survivors receiving services. Ms. Upton said that it continues to be a dangerous time for survivors as many continue to live in close quarters with their abusers. The Domestic Violence Consortium is connecting survivors with the District Attorney’s Office through Zoom calls for families and are making sure services are available when court diversions happen. Ms. Upton also shared that the Domestic Violence Consortium are learning about and exploring alternatives to policing.

 

2. Elder Abuse Update

Shawna Reeves shared that the virtual environment has changed the way the Elder Abuse Prevention Program works, however projects continue to move forward. Ms. Reeves continued that not all changes have been negative, that their last online meeting included 88 participants, which is many more participants than they would usually have in person, and that trainings are able to reach individuals from further away. Elder abuse prevention trainings are now virtual, and they have already trained 750 people within the first quarter. Ms. Reeves told the Family Violence Council that elder abuse is up, however difficult to quantify. Ms. Reeves shared that there are more investigations of cases starting to happen in San Francisco, within COVID safety guidelines. There has been a 100% increase in homicides against elders and the Institute on Aging is researching how to work on preventing elder abuse homicides. Ms. Reeves added that the SFPD and Institute on Aging have updated the Elder Abuse Manual and that in their recent Veteran’s Day event, focused on common abuse towards veterans, was very successful.

 

3. Child Abuse Update

Jenny Pearlman shared an update on the child abuse pandemic response and the road to recovery. During COVID-19 there has been a 500% increase in unemployment which has had a significant impact on families, food insecurity has gone up, and families continue to struggle with housing insecurity, which is likely to increase homelessness of families. The Family Resource Centers are working to pivot to support family’s needs in these times and have also started holiday services (toy drives for families). There is extra funding to support the Latinx community, which has been especially affected by COVID-19. Ms. Pearlman shared a bright spot in the work, that there has been an increase in strong partnerships to provide more resources for families and to support each other’s work. Ms. Pearlman also shared an update on racial equity work, which has involved bias trainings within mandated reporter trainings and working on new ways to create a prevention focus within child welfare.

 

Sam Bennett shared that Supervisor Stefani has introduced legislation to strengthen San Francisco’s gun violence restraining order program.  

 

Delia Ginorio shared the challenges that direct service providers are facing as they work to ensure survivor safety amidst a reduction in jail population.

 

Dr. Leigh Kimberg shared concern around the City’s limited shelter capacity amidst an increase in domestic violence and COVID-19 cases. Dr. Kimberg expressed the urgency of housing advocacy and emergency tenant protections.

 

III. Overview of Alternatives to Policing Steering Committee

Ivy Lee, Policy Advisor, Public Safety & Victims Rights for Mayor London Breed

 

Ivy Lee shared an update on the new crisis response team. The steering committee for the crisis response team is made up of 15 individuals, primarily direct service providers (specifically within the mental health field). This steering committee is tasked with developing recommendations for crisis response alternatives. The steering committee will provide recommendations in February. The committee is currently discussing how to create a culture shift, generate new job opportunities, invest in prevention services, and housing.

 

Ms. Lee then went on to introduce the next steps for the street crisis response team, which is to be launched in two weeks. The Department of Public Health is the lead agency with SFPD providing support.  The first crisis response team includes three members, a paramedic (from the fire department), a behavioral health clinician (using a peer support model), and a social worker. Ms. Lee explained that dispatch will send out the crisis response team to calls involving mental health crisis. In instances of violence the crisis response team member will call the police, who are trained in crisis intervention techniques. Ms. Lee shared that by next year they are hoping to have six crisis response teams and be able to cover over 75% of all mental health crisis calls.

 

Members of the FVC thanked Ms. Lee and made comments.       

 

IV. Update on Family Violence Council Recommendations            

Elise Hansell, Policy & Grants Manager, Department on the Status of Women

Selma Osman, Public Policy Fellow, Department on the Status of Women

 

Elise Hansell and Selma Osman updated the Family Violence Council on the progress of the 2021 report. Initial findings will be presented during the February meeting and the final draft report and vote for approval will be scheduled for the May meeting. Ms. Osman thanked those who have responded to her data requests. Ms. Osman then also updated the Family Violence Council on the status of some of the 2020 report recommendations.
                   

V. Presentation on Citywide Racial Equity Framework

Shakirah Simley, Director, Office of Racial Equity

 

Director Simley gave a brief overview of the work of the Office of Racial Equity, the current focus of the Office is on internal City operations, and to support City departments in developing racial equity plans.  Director Simley shared that the Family Violence Council should connect with departments about their racial equity plans. Director Simley highlighted that COVID, like other natural disasters and emergencies has amplified existing racial disparities and is working to ensure City COVID response efforts address racial equity.

 

Members of the Family Violence Council shared thanks and asked Director Simley questions.

VI. Public Comment

No public comment.
 

VII. Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 5:00pm (Upton/Bennett)

Beverly Upton adjourned the meeting in honor of Native American Heritage Month.