MINUTES - University of Tennessee



Joint Task Force on Children’s Justice/Child Sexual Abuse

Meeting Minutes

September 14, 2017 — 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time (CST), 193 Polk Avenue, Nashville, TN

Attendees

Allen, Sandra

Cobb, Dana

Beckham, Pierce

Boshears, Marlene

Bottoms, Delaine

Bristol, Marjorie

Byars, Kim

Coble, Amy

Conway, Harry

Crawford, Sophia

Dunavant, D. Michael

Ebert, Jon

Etheridge, Stephanie

Farrar, Lynne

Franklin, Rebecca

Gentry, Annette

Gentry, Charles

Green, Betty Adams

Haaga, Rachel

Hart, Marjahna

Janecek, Kim

Karnes, Lanis

Keoph, Marie

Knowles, Catherine

Kurtz, Walter

McGee, Melissa

Miner, Thomas

Paisley, Lori

Pellegrin, Lisa

Randolph, LaShonda

Rector, Kristen

Redman, Jerry

Reed, Kamrie

Seeman, Larry

Smith, Derri

Smith, Rae Anne

Stanback, Kathryn

Talley, Jacqueline

Trudell, Kate

Turner, June

Wilkerson, Jason

Wyatt, Verna

UT Staff

Alley, Rory

Cheatham, JoAnna

Lawal, Toni

Regrets

Beneke, Bonnie

Fiscus, Michelle

Lowen, Deb

Miller, Stacy

Murphy, William

Page, Jacque

O’Neal, Linda

Perales, Marymer

Stallworth, Virginia

Stodghill, Beth

Welcome/Introductions

President Rae Anne Smith called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m. CST, then thanked everyone for coming and conducted the roll call.

Human Trafficking Presentation

Derri Smith, End Slavery of Tennessee (Nashville) founder and CEO, began the presentation by introducing herself and the other presenters to the group – Jerry Redman, Second Life of Chattanooga founder and CEO; Rachel Haaga, Restore Corps of Memphis executive director, and Kate Trudell, Community Coalition against Human Trafficking of Knoxville executive director. These four organizations are Tennessee’s Single Point of Contact providers for human trafficking survivors. According to Ms. Smith, they manage all human trafficking referrals in their designated region, while providing on the ground comprehensive, specialized support for victims and their families.

Following the introductions, Ms. Smith shared a video describing the nature of the problem and survivors’ stories.

Highlights of the presentation

• Mr. Redman shared with the audience how each of the organizations came together to collaborate on this issue. He also briefly talked about their collaboration with Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Additionally, he stated that “Tennessee has seen the highest buy-in and is the top state in the country in its collaborative response.”

• Ms. Haaga reported that Tennessee has passed more human trafficking legislation than any other state, and that Tennessee has consistently been ranked among the best in the nation for its approach to this crime. She also reported that Tennessee penalizes traffickers as well as patrons of sex with minors and provides tools for law enforcement to effectively investigate these cases.

• Ms. Trudell elaborated on the work the four organizations perform as a Single Point of Contact – describing them as a one-stop shop for a whole spectrum of services.

In addition to the presentation, the presenters took questions from the audience. Lynne Farrar, JTF member and TN CASA executive director, shared that her organization has had children to disappear and been unable to locate them, and asked what steps should they take to find them? Jason Wilkerson, TBI special agent, recommended she contact law enforcement in these matters. Walter Kurtz, JTF member and retired judge asked what percentage are recent immigrants and how do you assure victims come forward? Derri Smith reported that 83% of identified traffickers are U.S. citizens, and the rest are immigrants. Ms. Smith also reported they hire survivors to be the first point of contacts.

Larry Seeman, JTF Vice President, asked about the treatment needs that have been identified. Kate Trudell reported that “using survivors of human trafficking has been key – victims feel like if you don’t have the experience, you don’t know what it’s like to have been exploited for a long period of time.” Derri Smith added that studies show that it takes approximately two years for the victim to trust, and also noted that the therapist needs to be specialized. Ms. Smith also told the group if they knew of someone being forced to engage in human trafficking to call the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline number at 855-558-6484 to access help and services.

Delaine Bottoms, JTF member and Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center vice president, asked if there was a national protocol whereby states share information for addressing this problem. Ms. Bottoms reported that the Child Advocacy Centers (CAC) have served children who are non-Tennessee residents, and wondered if other states had similar experiences and wanted to hear the presenters’ thoughts about how to handle these type of cases. Derri Smith stated this concern is being addressed at the state level with plans to take it to the national level. Ms. Bottoms asked if the state could issue an AMBER Alert in instances where human trafficking is suspected. Jason Wilkerson reported that TBI reserves AMBER Alerts for the most serious of missing children cases, in which law enforcement believes that the child is in imminent danger.

In addition, Amy Coble, JTF member and DCS OCS director, reporting that the department is tracking the number of cases being referred and ensuring that the cases are true trafficking. Toni Lawal, JTF coordinator, reported that Margie Quin, TBI special agent, stated she would be willing to attend a future JTF meeting to report on the number of referrals TBI hotline receives and open cases.

Legislative Updates

General D. Michael Dunavant provided updates on legislative activities related to the JTF priority areas and interest. Below are the laws with a public chapter (PC) assignment:

• PC 249 expands the definition of “material” relative to sexual exploitation of children to include any computer image, or computer-generated image, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means.

• PC 292 adds the commission of trafficking for commercial sex act to the definitions of child sexual abuse and severe child abuse; redefines “caregiver” for the purposes of the laws governing the placement and custody of juveniles.

• PC 311 requires courts to require any person who is, on or after July 1, 2017, placed on probation for an offense that would qualify the person as a child rapist or child sexual predator and who does not maintain either a primary or secondary residence, to enroll in a satellite-based monitoring and supervision program for the full extent of the person’s term of probation.

• PC 127 requires the court to give a defendant intending to plead guilty to a domestic violence offense notice of the firearm dispossession consequences of a domestic violence conviction and sets out a procedure for a person convicted of domestic violence to terminate possession of all firearms.

• PC 182 deletes the provision giving an alleged offender the right to have notice of and suspend all action concerning a claim for compensation by the victim under the criminal injuries compensation fund.

• PC 255 creates an exception from open records requests for video taken by a law enforcement body camera that depicts interactions with minors in schools, the interior of a healthcare or mental health facility, or the interior of a private residence where no crime has occurred.

• PC 196 requires an adjudicating court to inform a child of the need to file a motion for expunction of a juvenile record; requires the administrative office of the courts to create a motion that can be completed by a child; requires juvenile court clerks to make the model expunction motion available to all children.

• PC 197 requires expunction of certain juvenile records upon motion; requires an adjudicating court to inform a child of the need to file a motion for expunction of a juvenile record; requires the administrative office of the courts to create a motion that can be completed by a child; requires juvenile court clerks to make the model expunction motion available to all children.

• PC 199 makes various changes to the expunction of juvenile court records, including creating a process for the expunction of juvenile court records for cases in which the juvenile successfully completed pretrial or judicial diversion.

• PC 341 clarifies, for purpose of whether possession of a weapon is allowed or prohibited, when certain property is considered to be “in use” for school purposes.

• PC 419 specifies that in any action for retroactive child support filed on or after July 1, 2017. Retroactive child support may not be awarded for a period more than five years from date the action for support is filed unless the court determines, for good cause shown, that a different award of retroactive child support is in the best interest of justice; creates exceptions and enacts related provisions.

• PC 381 expands the offense of child endangerment to include knowingly exposing a child to or failing to protect a child from abuse or neglect resulting in imminent danger to the child; defines imminent danger as the existence of any condition or practice that could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious bodily injury.

State Child Abuse Prevention Plan

Kristen Rector, JTF Prevention Committee chair, updated the group on the committee’s work goal regarding developing a statewide child abuse prevention plan. Ms. Rector reported the committee is looking at what other states are doing, and shared a presentation of California, Oklahoma, and Texas child abuse prevention plans. She noted that all three plans were similar in regards to the following – embraces a strengthening families approach, uses evidence-based, collaborates with other organizations, integrates cultural competence, engages communities, parents and political figures. She also described the California plan as the most straightforward. Regarding the other two states plans, she reported that the Oklahoma plan contains public stakeholders survey and report, as well as two extensive and thorough appendices with programs identified within primary, secondary and tertiary prevention framework. The state of Texas used Casey Family Programs funding to underwrite extensive public and stakeholders needs assessments, surveys, focus groups to inform strategic process and plan.

In addition, Ms. Rector reported that the committee would be collecting information from the JTF about their knowledge of agencies that are engaging families.

Approval of the Meeting Minutes for June 2017

Vice President Larry Seeman asked if any members had corrections or comments for the June 2017 JTF meeting minutes. The JTF held a vote on whether to approve the minutes and it passed with majority approval, none opposed.

Ad hoc Nomination Committee Appointments

President Rae Anne Smith appointed a three (3) member ad hoc Nomination Committee to solicit and review nominations for Executive Committee positions - Sandra Allen, Thomas Miner and Verna Wyatt. President Smith also reported that the JTF coordinator will support the ad hoc committee.

DCS Updates

Amy Coble, OCS Director of CPS Investigations, provided the following updates:

• Matthew Muenzen, former DCS OCS director of community partnerships is no longer working for the department. His last date with DCS was September 1, 2017.

• In June 2017, DCS exited the Brian A. lawsuit, which was filed in 2000 by Children’s Rights. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of a class of all children in foster care.

• DCS is seeing much success with its drug team in Knoxville, and its partnership with UT Medical Center. This effort is being expanded to East Tennessee Hospital with plans to offer these drug teams in areas such as Smokey and Northeast regions.

• DCS is implementing Infant Court programs in Madison and Knox Counties. This project is modeled after the Zero to Three Safe Babies Court and will address the unique needs of infants, toddlers, and their families with court involvement.

Following Ms. Coble’s report, Toni Lawal, reported on the Children’s Justice Act grantee meeting held in Washington D.C. in August 2017. Ms. Lawal shared that the JTF was highlighted as a model task force, and that Carla Aaron, DCS OCS Executive Director provided a presentation to the audience about the JTF structure, accomplishments and how they overcame challenges.

Committees Report Out

The Committee Chairs or their designee reported on the following:

• CPIT Committee: Amy Coble presided over the committee in the absence of Chair Stacy Miller. Ms. Coble reported that the committee continues to discuss the development of a protocol for handing commercial sex trafficking of minors (CSEM) in the jurisdictions and at the local CPIT levels. She stated that Derri Smith of End Slavery Tennessee and Pierce Beckham of DCS OCS participated in the committee discussion of CSEM. The committee discussion included the following:

o How are these cases being presented in CPIT meetings?

o Who is tracking the cases?

o How many cases are reported?

o The assessment of runaways for CSEM (Pierce Beckham agreed to follow up on this issue).

In addition, Ms. Coble reported that Pierce Beckham provided a description of DCS role, current work activities including the collaboration with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Derri Smith shared with the group the types of cases that the NGOs are receiving. The committee also determined that forensic interviewers required more specialized training on CSEM.

• Court Improvement: Chair Lynne Farrar reported that the committee discussion included the following:

o The Infant Court Program role.

o The Extension of Foster Care program, noting that three kids who turned 18 were taken to a homeless shelter facility because they refused services. The committee was concerned by this action and discussed alternative options in these cases.

o Updates about the use of “Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals as Witnesses at Court” curriculum from Sophia Crawford.

o Training for advanced court reporting and issues regarding the notice to attorneys about Foster Care Review Board meetings and responsibilities in terms of who is required to give notice.

In addition, Chair Farrar reported Rae Anne Smith agreed to submit the changes for the “Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals as Witnesses at Court” curriculum to UT SWORPS staff to post on the website.

• Prevention Committee: Chair Kristen Rector reported that the committee had made progress with the creation of a white paper. Chair Rector also reported the committee plans to create an electronic survey to share with JTF members regarding their participation in other task forces and groups involving children and families. Given the upcoming gubernatorial election in 2018, the committee will be crafting questions to submit to the candidates to gain a baseline as to where they stand on issues related to child welfare. Additionally, the committee plans to create a legislative brief to be shared with gubernatorial candidate and legislators during next session regarding child abuse prevention and on how Tennessee compares to other states.

• Training and Education Committee: Chair Catherine Knowles reported that the committee received approximately 15 speakers’ bureau surveys back from JTF members, and that Toni Lawal will compile the information, and share it at the next quarterly JTF meeting in December. Chair Knowles also reported that the committee will send the signs and symptoms document to the JTF members for review prior to the next JTF meeting. Additionally, Chair Knowles reported that the committee discussed the child abuse reporting online computer-based training and noted that child care disciplines are the highest trafficker of the site. The committee also plans to have some discussion with District Attorneys about school districts that have been reported for failure to follow the state’s mandatory reporting law, noting the four recent lawsuits filed in Middle Tennessee (3 in Davidson County; 1 in Williamson County) regarding this issue.

• Treatment Committee: Larry Seeman presided over the committee in the absence of Chair Jon Ebert who had to leave the meeting early. Mr. Seeman reported that the focus of discussion was the committee’s goal pertaining to investigation of best practices of sex trafficking survivors. He also added the committee reviewed group goals and possible end-product based on the committee’s review of literature – what are best practices, if any, and what information can guide identifying and creating good treatment programs. Mr. Seeman reported that Lisa Pellegrin, JTF member and DCS psychologist shared with the committee that DCS could use help identifying program elements that would be part of a scope of services. He also reported that Kamrie Reed, Vanderbilt intern noted that while the group don’t have an evidence-based practice yet established for this population, there are some important things the group do know:

o This may not be a new population.

o Cultural competence will be essential to serving this population.

o Helpful aspects of treatment would be knowledge of trauma, possible domestic violence and attachment.

o Betrayal Bond described in one article was quite common.

o A professional group teaming with supervisors seems to be an element of a good treatment program

o There is a need to establish parameters around survivor volunteers (i.e. how long have they been in recovery).

Larry Seeman also reported that the following experts were suggested to contact or read their literature: Becky Bullard of Tennessee and Roe Sepowitz of Arkansas. The group also feels they may already have adequate information to start developing a helpful product based on existing research and existing programs with clinical expertise. Mr. Seeman also reported that Kamrie Reed recommended the committee consider convening treatment providers in Tennessee in a facilitated phone call to determine what has been learned in the last eight years or so about serving this population.

In addition, the committee determined the following next steps:

o Kamrie Reed will upload information about betrayal bond to Basecamp.

o Bill Murphy and Larry Seeman will continue to review literature uploaded to Basecamp to comment from a scientific standpoint. Recommended articles to read are “Characteristics of Survivors of Juvenile Sex Trafficking” and “The Trauma of Sexual Exploitation.”

o At the next meeting, the group plan to discuss having a large statewide provider call regarding sex trafficking and summarizing information gathered in literature review as related to recommendations.

Closing

President Smith thanked everyone for his or her participation in today’s meeting and closed by noting that the next JTF quarterly meeting will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at UT Nashville, 193 Polk Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee.

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