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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - November 18, 2015 Public CommentsC-20 Receive Annual Americans with Disabilities Act Committee Report (CD) Pulled at the request of staff. C-21 Receive Update on Emergency Condition at White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility Digesters No. 1 and No. 2 (PW) Received update on the emergency condition at White Slough Water Pollution Control Facility Digesters No. 1 and No. 2. D. Comments by the Public on Non -Agenda Items THE TIME ALLOWED PER NON -AGENDA ITEM FOR COMMENTS MADE BY THE PUBLIC IS LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES. Public comment may only be made on matters within the Lodi City Council's jurisdiction (Government Code Section 54954.3, Lodi City Council Protocol Manual Section 6.31). The Council cannot take action or deliberate on items that are not on this agenda unless there is an emergency and the need to take action on that emergency arose after this agenda was posted (Government Code Section 54954.2(b)(2)). All other items may only be referred for review to staff or placement on a future Council agenda. Katie Romanek introduced Suzanne Schultz with the District Attorneys office and project manager of the Family Justice Center of San Joaquin County and expressed support for the creation of this Center, which will greatly benefit the public. Ms. Schultz explained the Family Justice Center would bring together all of the partners and service agencies which victims of domestic violence, child or elder abuse, sexual assult, or human trafficking would need into a single building. Currently, individuals often travel several hours to reach the services they need, and this Center would provide a convenient and efficient location for those in trauma to receive needed assistance. There are 17 Centers in California, and the National Alliance is available to assist with the creation of such a Center in San Joaquin County. Ms. Schultz provided Council with additional information (filed). Mayor Johnson expressed support that other agencies will join with this effort. In response to Council Member Kuehne, Ms. Schultz stated once the new Court House in Stockton is constructed, the Center will move into the vacated building and the hope is that a number of the partners may be able to fill some of the space as well. The group is working with the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, and she was hopeful strategic planning sessions would begin in January. E. Comments by the City Council Members on Non -Agenda Items Council Member Nakanishi shared a comment from a citizen who had a positive experience at the Finance Department and was impressed with the customer service. He asked Deputy City Manager Jordan Ayers to pass that along to his staff. Council Member Kuehne reported that he attended the League of California Cities Legislative Briefing webinar, which reviewed the assembly and senate bills moving through Sacramento legislation. Council Member Mounce reported that she was in Sacramento at the League Leaders event, which is a goal setting session for the upcoming year, and that she too will participate in a legislative update. She stressed the importance of working with legislature to protect local control and interests of the citizens. Council Member Mounce expressed appreciation for being allowed to participate in the Council meeting via teleconference. F. Comments by the City Manager on Non -Agenda Items None. 6 STRATEGIC PLANNING SAVE THE DATE 01_12,116-111113.16 whii9:00AIM - 4:00PM 81101114 1 San Joaquin County Robert 1. Cabral Agricultural Center 2101 E Earlier! Ave, Stockton, CA CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST, LOCK a BEVERAGES PROVIDED PLEASE IOWAN EMAIL TO INTERESTED PARTIES If you have any questions or would like to RSVP to attend the Strategic Planning sessions, you are welcome to contact: Suzanne Schultz, Project Director San Joaquin County Family Justice Center Phone: 468-2437 E-mail: Suzanne.Schultz@sjcda.org OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY TORI VERBER SALAZAR • DISTRICT ATTORNEY f SUZANNE SCHULTZ . i) SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY Irf�r FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER PROJECT DIRECTOR 222 E. Weber Avenue, Room 202, Stockton CA 95202 (209) 468-2437 E-mail: Suzanne,Schultz@sjcda.org FAX: (209) 468-2436 What is a Family Justice Center? Cn ninet it slice System Child Cara Devrtestie Valente Services Rle ,il SuN1ce5 Sexul Assalit Services Public 68neI is Advotacty CNd Advxece Elder Abuse Seneces FIneatiol Assialiii a Civil Legal Services Therauetie Servicers T arim: a t/1Jan IoyemeM Assislance Spirituel Support Soelal Serving CL._ The Need The Family Justice Center model is the co -location of a multi -disciplinary team of professionals who work together, under one roof, to provide coordinated services to victims of family violence. While a Family Justice Center may house many partners, the basic partners include police officers, prosecutors, civil legal service providers, and community-based advocates. The core concept is to provide one place where victims can go to talk to an advocate, plan for their safety, interview with a police officer, meet with a prosecutor, receive medical assistance, receive information on shelter, and get help with transportation. Each year law enforcement agencies around the world respond to alarming incidents of domestic violence. The prevalence of family violence is even more alarming when one considers that experts estimate that only 25 percent of such cases are actually reported. There are many reasons why victims often fail to report domestic violence, including love, fear, religious beliefs, threats to children, lack of money or resources, or simply not knowing that help is available. Most criminal and civil justice systems make it difficult for victims to seek help and unintentionally wear them down. Victims are often required to travel from location to location to seek services that are scattered through a community or region. They have to tell their story over and over again to officials representing numerous agencies. The criminal justice system unintentionally makes it easy for victims to become frustrated and ultimately stop seeking help. The Benefit The Center can provide a combination of services and interventions from one location to help victims and offenders break the cycle of violence and develop healthy relationships. A collaborative effort provides more support to victims and children involved in family violence through improved case management and a more fluid exchange of information and resources. Bridging existing gaps increases a victim's access to services and resources and makes the entire process of reporting a domestic violence incident much less overwhelming for the victims and children involved. Family Justice Center Alliance. Family Justice Center Alliance website. www.familyjusticecenter.org/ (Jun 20, 2013) The Plan for the San Joaquin County Family Justice Center WC) A single location located in downtown Stockton, in close proximity to the courthouse where a victim of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, elder abuse, or human trafficking can go for services and support. When a victim arrives, they will be made to feel safe. They will be greeted by a receptionist who will connect the victim with a Service Navigator. The Service Navigator will interview the victim to find out what their needs are. Whether the needs include shelter, clothing, food, financial, counseling for themselves and their children, assistance with a restraining order and child custody, photographs of injuries, interview by law enforcement, or understanding what may happen to the abuser in the criminal justice system, all their needs can be met without having to leave the building. Currently, in San Joaquin County these services are provided, but a victim may have to travel to 15 different locations to obtain them. The justice system unintentionally makes it difficult for victims to seek help. Often, they are required to travel from location to location to seek services that are scattered through the region. They tell their story over and again to staff members representing multiple agencies, such as law enforcement, courts, civil legal, medical, transportation, housing, social services, mental health, rehabilitation, financial assistance and more. Victims become frustrated and ultimately stop seeking help. Faced with so many obstacles, they often return to their abuser rather than obtaining necessary services.1 By co -locating and coordinating the services of the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, law enforcement, non-profit community-based services, social services, mental health, shelter, and civil legal services, resources can be delivered in a more timely manner, resulting in better, more efficient service to victims. The governance plan is a Public/Private partnership. A non-profit fund-raising arm was established to provide funding for the Family Justice Center staff and overhead costs. The goal is to have the doors open to serve our community by the end of 2016. The San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office is the leading agency on this project. The anticipated location would be the current courthouse located at 222 E. Weber Avenue, Stockton. After the court vacates the premises to move into their new courthouse, the only remaining tenant in the current courthouse will be the District Attorney's Office. We will seek to request the vacant space left by the courts be utilized to house our Family Justice Center partners. The plan is to start small to meet the basic needs of the victims of crime. Over time, exit interviews of the Family Justice Center clients will help to determine what other services are needed. It is anticipated that expansion of services may include educational services, job placement, financial skills, and personal development. 1Family Justice Center Alliance, Welcome to the Family Justice Center Alliance, p. 9. 1 Suzanne Schultz of the District Attorney's Office is the Project Director for the San Joaquin County Family Justice Center Program. She can be reached at (209)468-2437. Current Status of the development of the San Joaquin County FJC — September 2015 1. Conference calls with the National Family Justice Center Alliance (NFJCA) The NFJCA has overseen the development and opening of over 80 FJCs across the U.S. and in foreign countries. Monthly conference calls to assist with the development process have been established. 2. Established the San Joaquin County FJC Foundation 501(c)(3) non-profit Establishment of the 501(c)(3) fund-raising arm of the San Joaquin County FJC was done in March 2015. A sub -committee responsible for fund-raising has begun working on an event slated for January 2016. Currently we are seeking individuals to sit on our board that would be willing to be active fundraisers. 3. San Joaquin County Family Justice Center Foundation — Facebook page created To provide information about the current activities of our work, we created a Facebook page. In addition to our FJC progress, we also share information about our participation in Camp HOPE for children of San Joaquin County who have experienced trauma 4. Study Tour Conducted In August 2015 the NFJCA came to San Joaquin County to conduct a study tour. A meeting seeking the buy -in and support of key stakeholders, community service organizations, political leaders, private donors, and citizens of San Joaquin County was held at the DA's Office. 5. Creation of the VOICES Committee A committee comprised of survivors has been created to ensure that we create a Family Justice Center that contains the services and support that victims need, not what WE think they may need. 6. Strategic Planning Strategic planning will begin January 2016. The key stakeholders and anticipated partners in the San Joaquin County FJC will participate in the strategic planning process. 7. Fundraising Events Fundraising events are currently being planned to obtain funding for the Strategic Planning process, to create marketing materials to share with potential partners, to cover unforeseen, necessary expenses during the planning process, and begin our building transformation. September 2015 2 San Joaquin County Family Justice Center Partnership Pledge `per 3TRIc� R 4^' ot:,1, o rg y On behalf of myself and/or my agency, I pledge support for the Family Justice Center of San Joaquin County in the following way(s): ❑ Partnership ❑ On-site services ❑ Hosting Fundraising Events ❑ Volunteerism ❑ Tutoring ❑ Mentoring ❑ Child care ❑ Working Fundraisers ❑ Advocacy ❑ Outreach ❑ Grant Writing ❑ Marketing ❑ Other: Print Name: Agency (if applicable): Contact phone: Email: Signature: