HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-16-2009 - 4aaORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 16, 2009
Action Agenda
Item No. ¢ - Gjq
SUBJECT: Commission for Women -Domestic Violence Shelter Work Group Char e
DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shoshannah Sayers, Director, Human
Rights and Relations, 960-3877
Jenny Galassi, HRR Staff Liaison, CFW
Jenn Frye, Chair, CFW
Shannon Jackson, Vice Chair, CFW
PURPOSE: To establish the charge to the Commission for Women (CFW) -Domestic Violence
(DV) Shelter Work Group as follow up to the May 5, 2009 BOCC discussion.
BACKGROUND: Staff provided an update on service needs and issues related to the
incidence of DV in Orange County, particularly concern for the lack of a DV shelter within the
county, at the BOCC meeting on May 5, 2009. The CFW had come before the BOCC with
concerns regarding the lack of a shelter location in Orange County during 2008.
The BOCC also heard comments and concerns from CFW members and other representatives
from the DV advocacy and non-profit community. As a result the BOCC endorsed a proposal for
the CFW acting under the Office of Human Rights and Relations to convene a work group of
partners to explore and evaluate more fully the potential for developing acommunity-directed
DV shelter in Orange County.
Human Rights and Relations staff has worked with the CFW to craft a purpose, goals, and
timeline for the DV work group endeavors, as shown in the proposed charge below:
CHARGE:
The CFW will:
• Serve as a facilitator/convener of the Work Group, with guidance and support from the
Human Rights & Relations Office
• Contact nonprofits and other stakeholders and serve as central point of contact in
bringing them to the table to discuss the .potential for a DV shelter
• Serve as intermediary between DV Work Group and the BOCC
• Provide update on Work Group activities related to the charge to the BOCC in December
2009
• Assist in determining the best use of $1,200 seed money
Proposed Partners and Work Group Participants:
• Human Rights & Relations staff
• Orange County Commission for Women (we will have a DV Committee)
• Orange County Board of Commissioners (as least one Representative)
• Family Violence Prevention Center
• The Women's Center
• The Carolina Women's Center
• The Orange County Rape Crisis Center
• NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Southern Coalition for Social Justice
• The Inter-Faith Council
• The Beacon Program (UNC Hospitals)
• Planned Parenthood
• Chapel Hill Police Department
• UNC School of Government
• Orange County Health Department
• Orange County DSS/Child Protective Services
• UNC Law School
• Habitat for Humanity (for housing)
• Mental Health Association
• Piedmont Health Services
• NCCASA (Coalition Against Sexual Assault)
• Interpersonal Violence Prevention Coordinator for UNC
• DV Survivors
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with engaging Human Rights and
Relations, the CFW and Partner Work Group other than general administrative and staff costs.
The BOCC confirmed the use of the $1,200 "seed money" set aside in 2007 by the Human
Services Advisory Commission for furthering DV-related activities.
Owning or operating a domestic violence shelter is not a core function of county governments.
Typically domestic violence shelters are administered by strong non-profit organizations
positioned to provide not only secure physical space but the necessary surrounding support
services. Both space and service require substantial funds to acquire, develop, and sustain.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board adopt the proposed Charge to
the Commission for Women and Proposed Partners for a Domestic Violence Shelter Work
Group with the understanding this action does not obligate the County to assume ownership or
financial support of such an enterprise.