Ø Attendees:

Lynda Waggoner	Community
Phil Raines	Gwinnett County Police Department – 911 Center
Latonia Camp	Sheltering Arms
Cameron Blake	Atlanta Family Counseling Svc.
Jennifer Hope	Atlanta Family Counseling Svc.
George Hutchinson	Chief Magistrate Judge
Widline Durena	TAPESTRI
Jerry Conner	Community
Mike Leonard	District Attorney’s Office
Jeanette Handy	Partnership Against Domestic Violence
Mary Hammons	Families First
Patricia Hernandez	Clinic for Education, Treatment and Prevention of Addiction
Julie Mauney	Community

 

Ø The meeting was called to order at 2:12 p.m.

Ø The minutes from the June 20, 2008 task force meeting were read and approved.

Ø Committee Reports

• Accountability.  Phil Raines of GCPD reported statistics on 911 signal-86 calls from January through March 2008. By the end of July, the committee expects to have statistics available through the end of May 2008. Many signal-86 calls turn out not to be situations that conform to the statutory definition of family violence. If no arrest is made, a report is typically not filed. Some agencies are stricter than others in their interpretation of the signal-86. In Gwinnett, a high number of these calls do not meet the statutory definition of family violence battery. Due to the variability in signal 86 calls across agencies, it is difficult to gather and compare statistics. The next meeting of the committee is 7/30/2008 at a time and place to be arranged.
• Education & Prevention. The committee is working on a newsletter. They asked for input from members on content and format. The newsletter will include focus articles, statistics, and other content relevant to domestic violence. Flyers for community workshops will be distributed. The next meeting is scheduled for September.
• Finance & Membership.  Treasurer reported the task has $2860.34 in the bank as of 6/30/2008. Committee is working on a donor letter for cash contributions. Lynda will work with Mike to see if it is possible to add a PayPal Donate button to the web site. The committee is working to identify grant sources and corporate sponsors. Members please forward to Treasurer contact information of any persons or organizations who provide cash or in-kind contributions. This will be used to thank and stay in touch with them and for tax record purposes. Community partners/supporters for 2007/2008 are: A&A Accounting & Tax Services, Inc. of Snellville GA, and Sign-O-Rama of Lawrenceville GA.
• Faith Based – No representatives present.

Ø Other Business

1. Julie reported a positive response to the last episode of The Gwinnett Force on the subject of teen violence. There will soon be a second episode produced on this subject. Larry Beale of B-Moe Positive will be a guest on the next show. The taping date will be announced.

 

2. Julie reminded members to return their nomination forms for the HERO awards by the August 15, 2008 task force meeting.

 

Ø Program Presentation

TAPESTRI– Widline Durena spoke on the subject of human trafficking. There is overlap between victims of domestic violence and victims of human trafficking. Trafficking victims are often sexually victimized in addition to being economically exploited. A network of help is available from local domestic violence shelters such as PADV who partner with the TAPESTRI organization to provide a network of services. Brochures and information in 15 languages on the subject of human trafficking are available free from TAPESTRI. www.tapestri.org

Ø Sign-up sheets for the committees were distributed.

Ø Next meeting of the task force will be on August 15, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. The conference room will be announced.

Ø The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

Ø Attendees:

Julie Mauney	Task Force Co-Chair
Lynda Waggoner	Task Force Treasurer/Community Rep.
Mike Leonard	Task Force Co-Chair/DA’s Office
Patricia Hernandez	Clinic for Education, Treatment and Prevention of Addiction
Lizz Toledo	Clinic for Education, Treatment and Prevention of Addiction
Michele Holstad	Atlanta Family Counseling Center
Megan Knapp	Solicitors Office
Dan Clark	Suwanee Police Dept.
David Clark	Atlanta Intervention
Larry Veal Sr	B-Moe Positive
Widline Dalambert-Durena	Tapestri
Reinette Arnold	Partnership Against Domestic Violence
Sabrina Davis	Partnership Against Domestic Violence
Maya Gupta	Ahimsa House

Ø The meeting was held in conference room A of the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center. 

Ø The meeting was called to order at 2:10 p.m.

Ø      Introductions

 The meeting minutes of the May 20, 2008 Gwinnett County Family Violence Task Force were read and approved.

Ø Chair Julie Mauney talked about the training sponsored by the Georgia Coalition and the Georgia Commission that was held on June 4 2008 and attended by several task force members.  Because of the training, some changes will be implemented in the Fatality Review process.  The Fatality Review Committee of the Gwinnett Circuit will begin producing our own case chronologies, interviewing family members when appropriate, and we will actively begin to recruit new and varied members to join the committee.  The Georgia Commission and the Georgia Coalition will play an advisory role and assist us in this process.  We will keep them informed of our findings and activities. 

Ø Julie read the memo of understanding sent by the Georgia Commission on Family Violence detailing the actions our Fatality Review Committee will take in order to fulfill the requirements of the Georgia Domestic Violence Fatality Review Project in 2009.

Ø Committee Reports:

·         Education and Prevention committee has four members.  The committee meets in the cafeteria area at the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center on the second Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m.  Their goals are to produce a newsletter and to get the word out to the community about the task force.  They would also like to begin a court watch program and start education programs and seminars in domestic violence. Some of these programs would be targeted to the professional audience and others to general community members.

·         Faith Based Committee - no members present.

·         Accountability Committee - no members present.

·         Accounting & Finance – Treasurer Lynda Waggoner reported that the task force has $2860.34 in the bank account as of 5/30/08.  Julie reported that there is one new volunteer for this committee.

Ø Julie announced that the next episode of the Gwinnett Force would air on Gwinnett TV beginning the week of June 23, 2008.

Ø Program – Former juvenile probation officer, Larry Veale of B-Moe Positive, spoke to the task force members about his company that specializes in school dropout prevention and behavior modification. 

Ø Julie Mauney distributed nomination forms for the second annual Hero Awards.  The award will be presented at a media event on October 11, 2008 during Domestic Violence Awareness month.  At least two people in the community will receive the award.  Julie asked nomination forms be returned to her by the August task force meeting.

Ø PADV members announced the PADV annual Speak-Out will be held again this year in the atrium of the Gwinnett Justice & Administration center.  Media will be invited to attend. The tentative date is October 23.  The planning committee will keep the task force membership informed.

Ø Julie announced that the next meeting will be July 18, 2008 in Conference C.

Ø The meeting adjourned at 3:07 p.m.

Attendees:

• The meeting was called to order at 2:25 p.m.

• Introductions

• The 4/18/2008 Meeting Minutes were read and approved.

·        Program:                                           

Long-time task force member Jerry Connor introduced Lisa Corcoran, of Flying Change, a nonprofit organization that uses interactive experiences with horses to treat children with emotional issues. Attendees take a 6 week course that focuses on communication and problem-solving experiences. Equine Experimental Learning is relatively new form of therapy within the past 10 years. The organization receives referrals from various sources such as private therapists, residential group homes, and the court system. For more information go to www.flyingchange.org

·        Committee Reports:

·        Accountability

The committee is formed and conducting regular meetings. The next meeting is 5/28/2008. The committee will report information to the task force at the next general meeting in June. 

·        Education & Prevention

First meeting was 5/11/2008 at 2:00 p.m. The committee meets the 2^nd Tuesday of each month at the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center. Committee members are reviewing recommendations from the 2007 Georgia Domestic Violence Fatality Review Project annual report to incorporate the recommendations into their programs. They would like to start a court watch program.

·        Fundraising & Membership

This committee is chaired by the Treasurer and has only one member so far. The committee needs volunteers who are interested in 501c3 finances and fundraising. If you have business, PR, grant-writing, or fund raising expertise or interest – we need you. 

·        Faith & Outreach

Penelope Batts of Awake Inc. stated that Perimeter Church will host a desert reception in the near future for Aetna Insurance Co. representatives. The focus of the event is to highlight the issue of insurance discrimination against victims of domestic violence.

• Next Meeting: June 20, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

Please note: Conference room locations are subject to changes by facilities management. We appreciate your patience.

·        The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

L. Waggoner

5/30/2007

Attendees:
Julie Mauney	Task Force Co-Chair
Mike Leonard	Task Force Co-Chair/DA’s Office
Lynda Waggoner	Task Force Treasurer/Community Rep.
Tracy Lee	Task Force Scribe/GC Sheriff’s Dept.
Jason Wood	Sentinal Probation Services
Jenifer Hope	Atlanta Family Counseling
Cameron Blake	Atlanta Family Counseling
Veronica Travis	Professional Probation Services
Natoshia Burney	Gwinnett Police 911
Phil Raines	Gwinnett Police 911
Sabrina Davis	PADV
Jerry Connor	Community Representative
Mary Hammons	Families First
P.J. Padden	Renew Counseling
Iris Padden	Renew Counseling
Valerie Wood	Comprehensive Counseling Svcs.
Mary Williford	Norcross Police Dept.
David Clark	Atlanta Intervention
Dan Clark	Suwanee Police Dept.
Parish Parker	Destiny Road Family Violence Center

Ø      Introductions

Ø      The 3/21/2008 Meeting Minutes were read and approved.

Ø      Julie advised members to contact her regarding obtaining brochures.

Ø      Committee Updates

o       Accountability – Natoshia and Phil are still trying to obtain statistics from each Police Department within Gwinnett County. Julie emphasized that the lack of participation from some Departments will be a big obstacle and encouraged the committee to keep up the great work. The Accountability Committee will meet on the last Friday of the month at Police Headquarters at 10:00am.

o       Fatality Review – Lynda has accepted the position as co-chair of the Fatality Review committee. Her first task as co-chair was to contact Taylor Thompson, Fatality Review Coodinator, with the Georgia Coalition on Domestic Violence. Lynda was advised that Gwinnetts new Coodinator will be Greg Loughlin with the Georgia Commission. Taylor also gave Lynda information on an upcoming training. Greg will be present at the next Fatality Review meeting on May 2^nd.

                        o       Education & Prevention – Nothing to report

o       Fundraising/Membership – Nothing to report

o       Faith/Outreach – Nothing to report

Ø      Treasurer report: There was an expense for the Secretary of State leaving a balance of $2,860.34

Ø      Tracy and Julie discussed the Gwinnett Force talk show and invited member participation. The next filming is tentatively scheduled for May 15^th.

Ø      Committee sign up sheets were passed out again. 

Ø      Julie met with Chief Magistrate Hutchinson and discussed concerns that were brought up at the last meeting.

Ø      Mike Leonard discussed possible changes to website.

Ø      Jerry Connor will be presenting at the next meeting.

Ø      Meeting adjourned @ 3:15 p.m.

Ø      The next Task Force meeting is May 16, 2008 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in Conference A. Conference Rooms are subject to last minute changes.

 T. Lee

4/18/2008

Attendees:

Julie Mauney	Task Force Co-Chair
Mary Loveless	Community Representative
Jennifer Thomas	GCFV
Christina Latty	GCFV
Amy Hlastala	Sentinal Probation Services
Courtney Smith	Sentinal Probation Services
Elizabeth Toledo	CETPA, Inc
Michele Holstad	Atlanta Family Counseling
Jenifer Hope	Atlanta Family Counseling
Cameron Blake	Atlanta Family Counseling
Veronica Travis	Professional Probation Services
Natoshia Burney	Gwinnett Police 911
Phil Raines	Gwinnett Police 911
Jeanette Handy	PADV
Reinette Arnold	PADV
Jessica Reed	PADV
Mikella Procopio	PADV
Jerry Connor	Community Representative
Aparna Bhattacharyya	Raksha

 

Ø      Introductions

Ø      The 2/15/2008 Meeting Minutes were read and approved.

Ø      Julie Mauney asked for assistance in taking down meeting minutes, Elizabeth Toledo accepted. Thank you Liz.

Ø      Julie advised members to contact her regarding obtaining brochures.

Ø      Committee sign up sheets were distributed. Julie emphasized the need for all committees to be active.

Ø      Committee Updates

o       Accountability – Natoshia and Phil are actively pursuing participants from various Law Enforcement Agencies to attend monthly meetings. Discussed issues regarding DV calls to 911. Meetings scheduled for the last Friday of the month.

o       Fatality Review – meets 1^st Friday of every month. The new yearly report came out, Gwinnett was not included in it. Julie contacted Taylor regarding the omission and was told that there were some communication difficulties. Julie read the criteria form that was sent by Taylor.  

o       Education & Prevention – Reinette Arnold has stepped up to chair committee. Julie will meet with Reinette in order to get the committee started.

o       Fundraising/Membership – Chaired by the treasurer.  Tonja Holder has signed up to assist with this committee.

o       Faith/Outreach – Merchant in Gwinnett may be interested in participating.

Ø      Jennifer Thomas with the Georgia Commission on Family Violence spoke about what a Task Force looks like.

Ø      Committee sign up sheets were passed out again. 

Ø      FVIP’s discussed low numbers.

Ø      Discussion about immigrant communities and courtrooms brining up deportation.

Ø      Members had some questions for Chief Magistrate Hutchinson. Julie will set up an appointment to meet with him to discuss issues.

Ø      Meeting adjourned @ 3:30 p.m.

Ø      The next Task Force meeting is April 18, 2008 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in Conference A. Conference Rooms are subject to last minute changes.

E. Toledo

3/21/2008