HomeMy WebLinkAbout08_20_2020 SART Meeting MinutesSART ADVISORY BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
August 20, 2020
8:30AM - 10:00AM
Via Zoom
Welcome & Introductions Nisha AbdulCader
A. Approval of Minutes
Minutes Approved
Committee Reports
A. Child Advocacy Center: Lisa Fraser
CAC project continues to develop itself around the accreditation process
to be recognized by the National Alliance for Children which is one of the
goals for this project. The other success is that there have been 2 case
review meetings which had significant moments of discovery. Nisha
shared It was helpful to have the opportunity to share with Law
Enforcement the reasons and parameters for having medical
examinations and how they can be helpful for prosecution and trial. They
are encouraging exams in the non acute setting because they can also
have findings. Tracy added that they found in the last 2 case reviews a lot
of feedback from new investigators. These cases can be used as training
opportunities to better understand the process. Due to this feedback a
training will be set up for one of the next case reviews instead of
reviewing cases they will be talking about the process from beginning to
end giving every entity the opportunity to explain parameters. From the
CAIT aspect they were able to talk about doing minimal facts interviews in
order to reduce retraumatization. Some of these changes have already
been made by patrol officers.
Susan gave an update on the Healing and treatment committee. 6
people attended the meeting.It is difficult to continue connections
with the schools while they are having to put all their energy into
setting up online schooling. This brings additional barriers with
connecting virtual for some families that do not have the
equipment or expertise to connect virtually. There is a New app
that would allow both therapists and community members to see
what therapists have availability and what the criteria are to go to
them. It was good to have a board to discuss challenges and
possible solutions.
Lisa closed the report by sharing that this project will be developing a
brand. We recognize it is time because of where we are in this process. It
will be shared in the next steering meeting- logo, name… when we are
finally at that place in the journey.
B. Case Review: Amy Chastain
Tracy Nix relayed Amy’s message. They have been unable to meet for
case review due to COVID
C. Ongoing SA Cases : Lisa Muscari
Jury trials have started. Courts are now doing 2 cases at a time. One of
the cases is a sex abuse case of 5 young women that will be going on for
several weeks. The process of picking jurors is a lot slower at the most
there can be 18 at a time. Some victims have expressed concerns of
going into court because of COVID-19 so those cases have been pushed
out.
E. Protocol Committee Mark Haley
Have not met to discuss issues with advocates educating survivors on
Restricted SART exams. Plan to meet within the next 30 days and submit
a report for the October meeting
New Business
Racially Equitable Access for Survivors Susan Lamont
There was a meeting on August 7th. Next meeting will be August 31st.
The goal was to determine first steps and it was decided that statistics
need to be gathered for SLO county and determine if there is inequity in
how services are being provided and determine any racial barriers. They
will be looking at the makeup of the race and ethnicity of the county and
the race and ethnicity of the survivors being served and compare the two
and determine if there is a lack of people receiving services. An intern
from RISE will be making phone calls and gathering statistics. This is an
open group if anyone would like to join please inform Susan.
Old Business
A. IPV Exams Buffy Ramirez
RISE interns are working with Buffy to gather out of county medical
Protocols. They’ve received copies of their templates and copies of their
coordinated team response IPV protocols from a hospital in San
Diego. Now that the research has been done it’s time to gather people
from our county and decide what is going to work for SLO county.
B. IPV Task Force Christina Kaviani
We have put together a presentation but have not come together to
discuss logistics. At the moment this is at a stand still. Will reconnect and
will have an update by the next meeting in October.
V. Inter-agency training
ON HOLD
VI. Round Table: Agency updates
RISE shared Wine Women and Shoes is on September 13th at 1pm and
will be held virtually. More information is on the website. RISE is in the
process of hiring a bilingual prevention coordinator. They are still going
out to every SART exam. If a survivor has tested positive for COVID-19
and has not recovered, for now we are planning to provide services by
telephone.
Jenny Taranto added that she is working on putting a policy
together to ensure the proper PPE is available. Policy will be
ready by next meeting to ensure everyone knows what to do.
Victim Witness is allowing victims to “zoom” into the courtrooms to watch
the proceedings. They are also able to send them links to view
proceedings from their homes.
Lisa Muscari added courts are doing live streaming upon approval
by a judge for sentencing if a victim wants to watch from a remote
location. This is up on the court website under live hearings.
Behavioral Health continues to take referrals for new clients if they have
MediCal. Clients are being seen via Zoom unless they are high-risk,
suicidal, homicidal kids or if they do not have access to Zoom.
Tracy Nix shared there was an exposure which slowed things down but
they are back to doing acute exams. They are taking temperatures and
wiping down CAIT rooms. CAITS are still being done in person because
they do not have the ability to do them remotely.
SAFER: Jennifer McMartin shared they are still doing full virtual advocacy
throughout the fall quarter. They are hoping to recruit temporary
advocates. Kara Samaniego will be going on maternity leave. Moving
forward into fall quarter to the end of January, Jennifer will be the primary
point of contact. Her email address is jmacmart@calpoly.edu
BUFFY Ramirez shared they are doing COVID SART’s. Law Enforcement
would like to be present during the event history portion of the exam,
possibly over the phone.
Kirsten Rambo from Stand Strong shared she is leaving Stand Strong at
the end of August. She has accepted a position with a National
Organization that advocates for the rights of immigrant survivors of
Domestic Violence and sexual assault. The board has named an interim
Executive Director-Jenny Adams. She has started part-time and should
be full-time tomorrow. She will represent Stand Strong moving forward.
Nisha AbdulCader shared that a recent report estimated 40,000 fewer
child report cases than would’ve been reported.We need to keep in mind
we are seeing fewer cases for DV and SA.
Adjourn