JOINT TASK FORCE ON CHILDREN’S JUSTICE/CHILD SEXUAL …



JOINT TASK FORCE ON CHILDREN’S JUSTICE/CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

193 POLK AVENUE – NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011–10:00 AM, CDT

MINUTES

Present Affiliation

Bonnie Beneke TN CAC

Thomas Miner 31st Judicial District/ADA

Verna Wyatt You Have the Power

Barber, Susan Department of Health

Beehan, Eileen Catholic Charities

Boshears, Marlene Boshears Attorney/Owner

Brady, Rebecca Brady Attorney at Law

Brooks, Jeanne Children’s Trust Fund

Cecil, Emily TN CAC

Cothron, Lisa Cothron Attorney at Law

Dickey, Pam Childhelp TN

Covington, Judy Montgomery CAC

Cowan, Frankie TDCS

Dickey, Pam Child Help USA

Fallon, Sasha TCCW

Franklin, Rebecca Franklin Attorney at Law

Hart, Marjahna TDCS

Hultman, Cheryl TN CASA

Karnes, Lanis Karnes Legal Services

Leverett, Bobby TDCS

Newcomb, Elvie Admin. Office of Courts

O’Neal, Linda TCCY

Perales, Dr. Marymer East TN Children’s Hospital

Post, Anne Montgomery CAC

Ruffin, Delora TDCS

Seay, Rae Anne Legal Aid Society of Middle TN

Seeman, Larry Volunteer Behavioral Health

Shannon, Randy Benton Co. Career & Technical

Snodgrass, Carla Prevent Child Abuse

Thompson, Jim 26th Judicial District/ADA

Turner, June Nashville Children’s Alliance

Wade, Pat TCCY

Williams, Nancy Memphis CAC

Rory Alley UT SWORPS

Toni Lawal UT SWORPS

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR 2012 TASK FORCE MEETINGS:

➢ March 1,

➢ June 7

➢ September 6

➢ December 6

WELCOME

President Bonnie Beneke thanked everyone for coming and acknowledged those members who had send regrets: Sandra Allen, William Murphy, Jacque Page, Kitty Oliver and Dana Cobb.

Additionally, Beneke commended Rae Anne Seay for recruiting members to her committee (Court Improvement) and reminded the task force that the committees are open to anyone who expresses an interest in providing their expertise.

Afterward, Beneke asked the task force and others present to introduce themselves and to share how long they have served and which committee (s) they serve on.

TASK FORCE CHARGE AND REVIEW

Bonnie Beneke reminded the Task Force of their charge per Tennessee Code Annotated 37-1-603and Children’s Justice Act, 42 U.S.C. 5101 et seq. Beneke reflected on the history of child sexual abuse and the increased reporting and what the state has learned from those early cases when children were being interviewed multiple times (as much as 10 to 12 times). Beneke stated it was then Governor McWherter who appointed the task force and passed legislation that took a comprehensive approach to handling child sexual abuse.

Also, Toni Lawal distributed a handout describing the make-up of the task force, role and responsibilities and mission, upon which Beneke expounded on.

SECOND LOOK COMMISSION DISCUSSION

Bonnie Beneke provided a brief history about the Second Look Commission and discussed how their work and recommendations parallels this task force. Beneke started out by noting that Protect agency of Knoxville, which is headed up by David Keith met with Representative Tindall to share the agency concerns regarding repeat maltreatment cases (indicated abuse and another indicated abuse). Keith also shared that his agency felt a large number of these cases required a second look, and a need for a Commission that included legislators to review these cases. Beneke and Linda O’Neal reported the legislation was passed in 2010 and resources were provided to TCCY to staff and support the Commission. Beneke reported that O’Neal hired Craig Hargrow, former juvenile magistrate in Clarksville to oversee the Second Look Commission. Beneke and O’Neal also discussed the Commission make-up - reporting they are required to have representation from the following: four (4) legislators and to be co-chaired by legislators, representatives from the District Attorney conference, public defender, Administrative Office of the Courts, TCCY, local law enforcement (urban and rural), CACs, private sectors, pediatrician, TBI, DCS, and noted that Linda O’Neal appointed Carlton Lewis, Davidson County juvenile magistrate also to the commission.

Beneke reported the Commission identified approximately 260 cases from the urban and rural areas, primarily child sexual abuse, and other severe abuse cases to consider for review, via a random sample, and decided to review 25 cases the first year. Beneke and O’Neal reported they have reviewed some but not all, and will be submitting a report (due to legislation at the end of this month). Beneke reported that Craig Hargrow gathered all the records and obtained pertinent information and documentation for the review. Beneke went on to say they [Commission] observed a number of cases where there were numerous prior referrals classified unfounded (unsubstantiated) noting some cases were uncomplicated as well as other concerns such as: workers may not have been well-trained, lack of communication among agencies, law enforcement not contacted, training problems and multiple referrals on families.

Beneke shared some of the Commission recommendations (e.g., comprehensive training, regional training for law enforcement, classify abuse as stated in the law, public service announcements) which are still in draft form and stated she would send a copy of their recommendations to Toni Lawal to forward to the task force once they are finalized. Linda O’Neal added that she would post them on TCCY’s website.

Beneke reported the Commission plans to address a number of issues in the future such as stakeholders’ collaboration, and went on to state the Memphis Child Advocacy Center (MCAC) is a model program for the country. MCAC houses DAs, DCS, and law enforcement. Beneke also stated Knoxville has a family justice center that has proven to be effective in dealing with domestic violence.

Nancy Williams asked Bonnie Beneke what type of response the Commission is expecting? Beneke stated since the Commission’s recommendations parallels the task force; she is hoping they [DCS] will see a need to follow up on the recommendations.

Larry Seeman commented that the Second Look Commission recommendations validated the task force work.

Lisa Cothron asked if the cases the Commission reviewed were coming from multiple referrals or the same person. Beneke was not sure if that information was being captured but thought it was something to consider for future reviews.

DCS UPDATE

Marjahna Hart provided the following updates:

1. Christina Dotson is no longer with DCS and Bobby Leverett of the East Region is assuming the duties of working with CABs and Resource Linkage staff.

2. Policies are being reviewed and updated.

3. In home TN is moving forward and there seems to be much energy as it pertains to the training piece, which allows DCS to identify what’s needed and ensure that staff and providers gets the same training.

Bonnie Beneke asked if DCS had noted an increase in reporting. Hart said yes.

Lanis Karnes expressed concerns when abuse is reported and you (the reporter) are sure that abuse has occurred and then later learn the report was screened out by DCS, and then when the reporter (typically a professional) reports it to law enforcement, the report gets screened in).

Linda O’Neal stated referrals from professionals should get a higher level of attention.

Nancy Williams asked if the director of Central Intake or Central Intake Unit looked at the average length time of call (call drop) and noted that calls have come to MCAC when the reporter couldn’t get through DCS.

Eileen Beehan asked if DCS was following through with their [Training & Education Committee] recommendation to note on the letters sent to the referent/reporter of helpful resources related to child abuse and neglect. Hart stated she was unaware of this. Toni Lawal stated when she met with Carla Aaron and Jeanene Waldrum last May she expressed the committee’s recommendation, and was told they would only include the link to the child abuse mandatory reporting computer-based training.

Carla Snodgrass chimed in and stated persons are contacting them about resources and wanted to know if they should be referring those persons to DCS for the Resource Linkage when PCAT is unable to meet their needs.

Cheryl Hultman also stated CASA also were getting calls stating they [reporters] keep reporting to DCS and nothing is getting done.

Sasha Fallon suggested that the task force invite Jeanene Waldrum to the next meeting to address the concerns.

Committees Report

CPIT – Emily Cecil reported the committee wants to hear more about the revisions DCS plans to make to their policies and wonder if the changes will impact their work. Cecil reported the committee also discussed ways they could support the proposed recommendations from the Second Look Commission, particularly the child safety consultation team, that is, if DCS lacks the in-house support to address this concern. Cecil also reported they were concerned by the lack of participation from DCS staff attendance at trainings and plans to meet with the training coordinators at DCS to make them aware of what’s being offered.

Community Partners – Carla Snodgrass reported the committee plans to review what the Community Advisory Boards (CABs) are doing and that Bobby Leverett will request CABs minutes to share with the committee. In addition, the committee plans to review the policies and legislation regarding the CABs roles and responsibilities and required membership. Snodgrass also reported the committee discussed the following:

➢ offering Steward of Children training to Resource Linkage staff,

➢ investigating if they could use CABs to review child abuse prevention grant and

➢ having a dialogue with school health regarding child sexual prevention.

Court Improvement - Rae Anne Seay began her report with welcoming the 6 new attorneys. Seay stated the committee would like to schedule a conference call with DCS General Counsel Doug Dimond and Executive Director of Safety Carla Aaron regarding the handling of drug exposed cases. Seay also reported the committee will be working on the dependent/neglect pro se form for replication and distribution and plan to talk with AOC about training for clerks regarding pro se litigants.

Other information discussed per the committee notes:

➢ Completed projects (e.g., phone forums with TN Bar Assn and DCS, child friendly materials provided to courts, training on talking to kids for judges, attorney, juvenile court staff and involvement in planning TN Bar Assn. Juvenile Children’s Section

➢ Current projects – previous DCS Commissioner asked the committee to look at problem/time to adjudication (currently on hold until data can be obtained); Adam Walsh legislation – plan to look at what TBI has done and maybe conducting training on new legislation, and having a conference call with Magistrate Carlton Lewis regarding juvenile registration

➢ Balancing minimizing allegations of CSA by juveniles

➢ Forensic Interview Statute – CPIT committee is gathering protocols for documenting and sharing interviews and looking at and making recommendations regarding best practices

➢ Helping professionals with training regarding testifying – was developed and piloted in Memphis - training for therapists and others working with children who are not regularly in courts

➢ Other project ideas/issues:

1. training for DCS/JJ workers regarding Adam Walsh,

2. training regarding cases dealing with sexually reactive children (talk with treatment committee),

3. Drug-exposed children at birth – concerns about the move toward Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) because case law find it to be severe abuse (even if parent has completed the plan),

4. uneven application of TPR policy depending on worker/family dynamics,

5. differences in case progression in rural vs. urban community,

6. review DCS policy/monitoring of application of severe abuse definition/adjudication and progression toward TPR (particularly in drug-exposed infant cases)

7. DCS administrative appeals – formal appeal hearing only offered to persons who work with children – may need to review regulations regarding administrative appeal, rights and notifications.

Bonnie Beneke shared that she had some information regarding Texas child-friendly courts rooms to forward Rae Anne Seay for her committee to review.

Training & Education - Sasha Fallon provided an update on courses – stating revisions had been made to CBTs and that the child sexual abuse curriculum for professionals will be piloted again with a day care agency. Fallon reported the curriculum on the understanding of child sexual abuse behaviors (a partnership with COEs) has been piloted in Memphis twice and that if anyone was interested in seeing the evaluation feedback, to provide her with their name and contact information. Fallon also reported the committee sent information to home school education associations about resources on TCCW and the Task Force websites in an effort to increase the community’s knowledge of child sexual abuse prevention and intervention strategies. In addition, Fallon reported that the committee discussed using social media to promote child abuse prevention month (April) by doing Youtube Education project and embed it on facebook.

The Committee plans to meet on January 9, 2012 (1:00 pm) at UT SWORPS, Nashville office to further discuss the child abuse prevention project and will invite the following persons to attend: Carla Snodgrass, Jeanne Brooks, Maggie McClain, Nicole Cobb and Mary Bufwack.

Treatment – Larry Seeman reported the committee has completed the final draft of the survey to assess DCS workers level of knowledge and ability to make decisions about treatment, and the next step is to meet with Carla Aaron or Marjahna Hart to discuss administering the survey.

Meeting adjourned at 2:00 pm CST.

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