Family Violence Council - May 21, 2014 - Meeting Minutes

Family Violence Council

Minutes

3 - 5 pm, Wednesday, May 21, 2014

San Francisco Superior Court

400 McAllister St., Room 617, San Francisco, CA 94102

Present:

District Attorney, or designee: Maria Bee

Public Defender, or designee: Elizabeth Hilton

Chief of Police, or designee: Captain Joseph McFadden

Chief of Adult Probation, or designee: Andrea Wright

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

Director of Human Services Agency, or designee: Sylvia De Porto

Director of Child Support Services, or designee: Freda Randolph Glenn

Director of Department of Aging and Adult Services, or designee: Jill Neilsen

Director of Domestic Violence Consortium, or designee: Beverly Upton

Director of San Francisco Elder Abuse Forensic Center, or designee: Shawna Reeves

Director of San Francisco Child Abuse Council, or designee: Kathy Baxter

Chair of Batterers Intervention Programs Subcommittee, or designee: Antonio Ramirez

Executive Director of the Department on the Status of Women, or designee: Dr. Emily Murase

Director of Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families, or designee, Jasmine Dawson

 

Absent:

Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, or designee:

Mayor, or designee:

President of the Board of Supervisors, or designee:

Sheriff, or designee:

President of Commission on the Status of Women, or designee:

Chief of Department of Emergency Management, or designee:

Director of Department of Animal Care and Control, or designee:

Superintendent of San Francisco Unified School District, or designee:

 

Other attendees: Marianne Barrett (District Attorney’s Office); Grace Fisher (Department on the Status of Women); Minouche Kandel (Department on the Status of Women); Jim LeeMaster (Department of Public Health); Shelli Rawlings-Fein (First 5); Kristin Snell (Department on the Status of Women); Arati Vasan (Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach); Lt. Trenia Wearing (Police Department).

 

 

 

1. Call to Order/Agenda Changes

 

Kathy Baxter called the meeting to order at 3:13pm. The Council reviewed the agenda. Beverly Upton asked to switch agenda item 6 with item number 5. The agenda was approved with this change. [Kimberg/McFadden/all]

 

2. Introductions

 

Attendees introduced themselves, describing their role and their organization.

 

3. Approval of Minutes

 

The Council reviewed and approved the minutes from the February meeting. [McFadden/Murase/all]

 

4. Elder Abuse Tri-Chair Update

 

Ms. Upton introduced Shawna Reeves, the new Director of Elder Abuse Prevention at the Institute on Aging. Ms. Reeves thanked the Council for inviting her to participate. She reported on the upcoming elder abuse awareness day event on June 13. She will provide more details to the group once it is finalized. Ms. Reeves also invited the Council to the train the trainer events to help older women become ambassadors for elder abuse, which will be held on June 3 and June 10.

 

Ms. Baxter reminded the group that announcements should be sent to Minouche Kandel for distribution to the Council. She thanked Ms. Reeves and is excited to work together on the Council.

 

5. Justice and Courage Transition

 

Ms. Upton informed the Council that the work of Justice and Courage will be transitioning to the Family Violence Council. Dr. Murase provided a brief overview of the history of the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel. Since 2002, the Oversight Panel has made and worked towards completing over 100 recommendations. Since the Family Violence Council has been created, the Council will continue this work to reduce the duplication of efforts. Dr. Murase thanked Ms. Upton for her leadership on the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel and looks forward to continuing work on these issues with the Council.

Ms. Upton thanked the leaders of the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel over the past 12 years. She noted that there is still work that needs to be done, and is excited to continue addressing the recommendations of the Justice and Courage reports through the Council. Ms. Upton and several of the Oversight Panel members plan to continue this work through a subcommittee of the Council.

 

Dr. Murase thanked Grace Fisher and Minouche Kandel for their work on the final evaluation of the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel’s efforts, which will be released this summer. Ms. Upton hopes that the results of the report can be presented to the Council.

 

 

 

6. Reviewing the 2012-2014 Family Violence Council Report

 

Kristin Snell presented a draft of the Council’s fourth Annual Report, which this year covers data from fiscal years 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. For the first time, information from the Sheriff’s Department is included as well as additional data from San Francisco General Hospital, the Department of Public Health, and community-based agencies. The report also includes a new section on family violence related homicides.

 

Ms. Snell reviewed the data in the report.   Overall, the number of child abuse and neglect referrals made to Child Protective Services increased modestly in both fiscal year 2012 and fiscal year 2013 over previous years (1% and 3%, respectively), and child abuse cases received at the District Attorney’s Office in 2013 increased by 19% over fiscal year 2012. The 19% increase in cases received at the District Attorney’s Office, an upward trend that has continued from fiscal year 2009, can be accounted for by a shift in protocol. Over the past five years, child assault investigators brought cases to the District Attorney’s Office for review and consultation, and many of these types of cases were closed out by the District Attorney’s Office due to lack of evidence. With a protocol shift that was made official in July 2013, cases are now directed to the District Attorney’s Office only if there is probable cause to arrest, and as such, the number of cases received will likely decrease and the ratio of these cases being filed will increase.

 

Calls received by the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center’s TALK Line in fiscal year 2013 decreased by 12% from the prior year. Likewise, the number of clients assisted for child abuse-related cases at the District Attorney’s Office’s Victim Services Division has declined over the past two years, most notably by 20% in fiscal year 2013.

 

Since the launch of the Child Abuse Intervention Program for people convicted of child abuse in late 2012, 12 clients have enrolled, and 11 have completed at least 52 weeks of this mandated treatment program. Of these clients, 7 were male and 4 were female.

 

Ms. Snell then reviewed the statistics related to domestic violence: 911 calls increased by 3% in both fiscal years 2012 and 2013, while the District Attorney’s Office saw a moderate decrease in the number of domestic violence cases received over both of these years. The San Francisco Police Department saw a 15% increase in cases received in fiscal year 2012 over the previous fiscal year, which then dipped back down by 12% in fiscal year 2013. The caseload for the Adult Probation Department remained relatively consistent these past two fiscal years as compared to prior years, however, there has been a 25% increase in probation revocations over the past five fiscal years. Domestic violence crisis lines calls decreased by 3% overall in fiscal year 2012, but the domestic violence shelters the Department on the Status of Women partnered with provided 30% more bed nights to survivors.

 

The Department of Child Support Services experienced a slight decrease in domestic violence cases over both fiscal years. Perhaps the most significant data point was the 32% decrease in average monthly caseload numbers for the domestic violence advocates at the CalWORKS program in fiscal year 2013.

 

One remarkably encouraging note around domestic violence prevention and intervention efforts in recent years can be found in the fact that not a single domestic violence-related homicide occurred in San Francisco between May 2010 and January 2014. This 0% is particularly remarkable given the statewide statistics: 37.5% of female homicides overall in California are domestic-violence related and when limited to cases where the motive is known, it jumps to 47.6%.

 

As for elder abuse, the data indicated an overall increase in the number of elder abuse cases received by city departments between fiscal year 2011 and fiscal year 2012: Adult Protective Services saw a 9% increase in the number of cases received in fiscal year 2013, and a 2% increase in fiscal year 2012; 911 calls regarding elder abuse rose by 30% this past year. Conversely, the District Attorney’s Office saw a modest decrease in the number of cases received in both fiscal years, which also mirrors the Elder Abuse Forensic Center statistics, whose new cases have decreased by approximately 10% in both fiscal years 2012 and 2013.

 

However, the District Attorney’s Office has nearly doubled the number of cases filed, and convictions have increased by 34% from fiscal years 2011 to 2013. Requests for restraining orders in elder abuse cases have also climbed significantly, more than doubling between fiscal years 2011 to 2012, plateauing through fiscal year 2013.

 

Overall, Ms. Snell noted the general trend of community providers receiving roughly three times the number of calls government agencies received, which reinforces the importance of funding community-based agencies. Additionally, Ms. Snell pointed to the pyramid effect between the number of calls to 911, the number of cases at the Police Department and then the number of cases filed by the District Attorney’s Office.

 

Ms. Snell highlighted the lack of data on ethnicity. The District Attorney’s Office’s Victim Services is the only agency that provides data on ethnicity of its clients. This information is critical for identifying disparities in services for different communities.

 

In assessing the status of the recommendations from the 2011 Annual Report, Ms. Snell reported that five of the seven had been completed. The Council and/or its members have expanded data collection, conducted trainings with 911 dispatchers on family violence, supported multidisciplinary response services to family violence such as the Child Advocacy Center, applied for funding for a victim services program at the Adult Probation Department, and collaborated on trainings for youth. The Council has not developed a family violence factsheet for the San Francisco Unified School District or created a joint outreach campaign on family violence.   Council members suggested these be carried over to the next year

 

Proposals for the upcoming year include:

• Creating a Justice and Courage Committee within the Family Violence Council;
• Amending the Family Violence Council Ordinance to include Public Defender, Juvenile Probation Department, Animal Care and Control, and San Francisco Unified School District as official members;
• Advocating for change in federal tracking data in MDS intake form to capture questions of elder abuse/intimate partner violence;
•  Developing a family violence factsheet for the San Francisco Unified School District (carry over);
• Creating  joint outreach campaign (carry over);

 

Ms. Vasan noted that as of early 2013, the probate court no longer processes restraining orders for elder abuse cases. She is concerned that this change in policy will have negative consequences.

 

Ms. Upton pointed to the alarming increase in the number of armed assailant calls to 911. She asked Captain McFadden for his insights into this trend. Captain McFadden responded that there are more guns in San Francisco. Moreover, callers often misidentify cell phones as guns. The Police Department is working on improving gun registration laws. Ms. Upton suggested that the Council could become more active on this issue, particularly as research has shown that the potential for homicides increases dramatically in domestic violence situations where guns are available.  Dr. Kimberg informed the Council that Futures Without Violence is holding a webinar on gun violence.

 

The Council expressed interest in learning more about the Adult Probation Department GPS program that alerts the Sheriff’s Department when serious offenders go near a restricted location.

 

There was discussion about only one child abuse trial and one elder abuse trial. Marianne Barrett responded that in child abuse, the goal is to resolve the case before going to trial. This prevents further traumatization of the child. She added that due to several factors, such as aging out, it has also been difficult to get a trial to court.

 

Ms. Upton raised the issue of the number of domestic violence offenders in the Sheriff’s Department’s Resolve to Stop the Violence Program (RSVP). She said that the guidelines for the program state that 50% of the participants should be domestic violence offenders. According to the Annual Report data, only 29% are domestic violence offenders. Ms. Upton suggested the Council should address this issue with the Sheriff’s Department.

 

Dr. Kimberg asked that the next report expand data on batterer intervention programs to include the number of participants who complete a program, the recidivism rate, and the number of participants who are not court mandated. She also asked that the report on include unduplicated numbers of clients. However, the Council agreed that this would be impossible for community-based agencies and criminal justice agencies to provide.

 

There was a discussion around a proposal to collect data on ethnicity and the Council decided not to make a recommendation regarding ethnicity data. 

 

Ms. Nielsen noted that the data on elder abuse cases may be misleading as most of the substantiated cases are self-neglect. Ms. Snell will include a footnote in the current report to indicate the number of self-neglect cases.

 

The Council was concerned about the lack of data from the Department of Children, Youth, and their Families and First 5. Ms. Snell informed the Council that she reached out to both organizations but did not receive any information.

 

For next steps, Ms. Baxter asked the Council members to think of recommendations that each department can commit to for the upcoming year, that would be included in the Annual Report. Ms. Snell also encouraged attendees to submit any changes for the draft. Ms. Baxter thanked Ms. Snell for her incredible work on the report.

 

7. Reports
   
   1. Updates from Agencies

 

1. Child Support Services

 

Freda Randolph Glenn provided a brief on the activities of the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS). In March, Ms. Upton gave a presentation on the Family Violence Council at a conference for child support services agencies in Sacramento. Ms. Randolph Glenn thanked Ms. Upton for her incredible presentation. DCSS is partnering with the Riley Center, the Department on the Status of Women, the Sheriff’s Department, and SFWAR to provide training to DCSS staff on domestic violence. The training has been very well received. Ms. Randolph Glenn thanked Minouche Kandel for her invaluable role in creating and leading the training.

 

2. Adult Protective Services

 

Jill Nielsen provided an update on Adult Protective Services (APS). She has met with Chief Suhr and Special Victims Unit to address concerns about elder abuse reports in San Francisco. There are still several cross-reporting glitches to work out.  

 

Ms. Nielsen thanked the Council and the Department on the Status of Women for the APS budget proposal letters of support they submitted.

 

June 15 is elder abuse awareness day. Ms. Nielsen is working with Ms. Reeves to put together a panel presentation. She will send the details of the event to the Council.

 

Ms. Nielsen also added that San Francisco lacks affordable elder care housing. This is a critical gap in services for the elderly population, particularly those with dementia.

 

2. Key Issues in Family Violence
   
   1. Domestic Violence Update – Beverly Upton

 

Ms. Upton described how the murder of Mary Freeman raised the important issue of the intersection between domestic violence and homelessness. As a result, she has been working closely with the HOT team. She also reported that a report on violence against homeless women is being put together.  Due to the recent murder of Ruby Gim, Ms. Upton is collaborating with Lt. Wearing and supporting efforts to improve inter-county response to domestic violence homicides. Ms. Upton reported that she is also working on policies for officer-involved domestic violence cases and CPS involvement in domestic violence cases. She is meeting with the District Attorney’s Office to improve the restitution process and is involved in budget negotiations at City Hall.

 

Arati Vasan expressed concern about the statewide lack of interpreters in courts. Currently, there are no interpreters for civil harassment cases. She hoped that the Council could support efforts to improve access to interpretation in courts.

 

Antonio Ramirez discussed concerns with Batterer Intervention Programs that are increasingly becoming a professional field that does not include community action.

 

 

2. Elder Abuse Update – Various Community Advocates

 

Ms. Reeves reported that the Institute on Aging is working to protect seniors from predators. Increasing financial literacy about financial products for elders is another important goal.

 

3. Child Abuse Update – Kathy Baxter

 

Ms. Baxter reported that April was Child Abuse Prevention Month, which included several exciting community events such as a car wash. The annual luncheon was well attended and raised funds from community participants.  Additionally, she noted that the District Attorney’s Office has asked the Council to create a court watch program for child abuse cases.

 

3. Sentencing Commission Report – Jerel McCrary

 

Jerel McCrary was unable to attend, but he provided a summary for Ms. Upton to provide to the Council. Several representatives from San Francisco will be going to Seattle’s Project Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program. And although the prison reduction goal deadline in California has been extended, San Francisco is already very close to the goal. The Department of Public Health (DPH) gave a presentation outlining the 75 programs that it funds. The Sentencing Commission also heard a presentation on felony filing and sentencing from 1992-2013, which showed a drop in felony filings by almost 50% from 2007-2013. Currently, the majority of felony filings (71%) are Motions To Revoke from the Probation Department. Representatives from the Goldman School of Public Policy also presented on the fiscal implications of violent crime and realignment.

 

8. Old Business
   
   1. Working Committee to Implement Recommendations of the Family Violence Report – Minouche Kandel

 

Ms. Kandel suggested that the subcommittees and their members should be generated once the Family Violence Report recommendations are finalized. The Council agreed.

 

Andrea Wright from the Adult Probation Department asked if the Council had ever recommended creating a certified elder abuse program, similar to a BIP. Ms. Baxter responded that they had not considered this option as programs are based off the penal code. Ms. Neilsen and Ms. Reeves thought this was an excellent suggestion. However, many offenders that are convicted of elder abuse are scammers, which might not fit with the typical approach of a BIP. Ms. Baxter proposed that a recommendation could detail a process for researching best practices in this area. Ms. Nielsen added that San Francisco does not have an Elder Court, which is present in other counties.

 

 

 

9. Public Comment

 

No public comment.

 

10. Adjournment

 

The meeting adjourned at 5:01pm.

 

Next Meeting:

Wednesday, September 3, 2014, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

City Hall room 305

1 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102