August, 2009

Click to Empower

 

On July 15, 2009, the Allstate Foundation launched their "Click to Empower" campaign.  The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of domestic violence through social networking venues such as Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace.

The Allstate Foundation invited four non-profit organizations to participate in the campaign, one of which was the Family Justice Center Alliance.  People can vote for one of the four by accessing the Click to Empower campaign website (www.clicktoempower.org).  Links to the campaign's website can be shared with friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace (as discussed above) among others.

However, those who aren't users of Facebook, etc., can still vote.  To vote without a Facebook account, the website requires you to give them your email address, which is used solely for authentication purposes and will not be used by the Allstate Foundation to contact you.

If we can get 5,000 clicks for the Family Justice Center Alliance, the Alliance will receive a $10,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation.  The non-profit that has the most clicks by the end of the 60-day window will receive a $100,000 grant.

If the Alliance wins the $100,000 grant, we will use the money to create a special Emergency Economic Assistance Fund for victims of domestic violence and their children, which could be used to pay for necessities like food and child care, or to help finance a down payment on an apartment.

But we can't do it without your help.  VOTE today and every day for the next 60 days to help the Alliance make the Emergency Economic Assistance Fund a reality!

 

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Your Advocacy is Needed!!!

 

Deposition, arraignment, injunction, trial…the list goes on and on! Imagine being a crime victim; Would you know what all of these terms mean? Would you know what you needed to attend, how long the process would take, and what all of the steps were? For many victims of crime navigating the system can not only be daunting but for some it can be deterring.  Most don’t understand this process, and are already under stress due to their victimization.

 

The Victim Assistance Program at the State Attorney’s Office provides needed advocacy and support for crime victims trying to negotiate the legal system. They assist all types of crime victims, including victims of domestic violence. We need this supportive service for crime victims, but the proposed Hillsborough County budget eliminates this program! This program is vital to the victims we all exist to serve and needs all of our help to stay in place.

 

Please call or write your Hillsborough County Commissioners. Go to www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc, here you can email each Commissioner or find their telephone numbers. Please make your voice be heard!!

 

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Save the Date!

 

The Hillsborough County Domestic Violence Task Force is planning it’s annual Domestic Violence Awareness Conference for October 22, 2009. This will be an all-day conference at the Alfano Conference Center at 11606 McKinley Drive in Tampa. Save the date and stay tuned for more information. Please visit http://www.fjchc.org/public/events.html in about a week to register.

 

 

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Electronic Safety Deposit Boxes for Victims 

The National Family Justice Center Alliance is pleased to announce the Electronic Safety Deposit Box Service, a free technological initiative empowered by the Verizon Foundation, to promote safety in abusive relationships. The Electronic Safety Deposit Box Service will be implemented this month at three Family Justice Centers. The Family Justice Centers piloting this service include the Family Justice Center of Hillsborough County, Florida, the New Orleans Family Justice Center in Louisiana, and the Nampa Family Justice Center in Idaho.

The service allows all Family Justice Center clients to electronically store important documents on a flash drive or through TrustFax, an online fax filing system. Each flash drive and fax filing account is password-protected, ensuring that only the client, and that client alone, will have access to the information stored in it. A client's flash drive or fax filing account becomes a secure method of storing and accessing critical records, such as police reports, birth certificates, medical records and more.

Clients who choose to use the free, password-protected flash drives, will have the option of receiving a single drive to keep at the Center or two duplicate drives, one of which they can take with them. Family Justice Center clients who decide to use the TrustFax fax filing system will be able to fax or upload their documents to their personal online account which is accessible anytime via an Internet connection. If they wish, clients who participate in this service will be able to come to their respective Center and have their documents stored or faxed with the assistance of an FJC staff member or advocate.

The Alliance would like to thank the Verizon Foundation for their continuous support and efforts in providing innovative technology to prevent family violence.

 

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FJC Partner Council Spotlight

The FJC Partner Council/Partner Agency Spotlight for the month of August was the Elder Justice center.  The Elder Justice Center (EJC) is a court program that helps persons age sixty (60) or older who are involved in the court system because of guardianship, criminal, family or other matters. Given the rapid growth of the aging population and the needs for improving access to the courts for our senior citizens, the Administrative Office of the Courts established the first Elder Justice Center in the nation. The 13th Judicial Circuit’s EJC was included as a “model for judicial response to complex issues presented when elders interact with the courts.” It was noted that Centers “address the inevitable fear, confusion, uncertainty, lack of confidence experienced by many elders confronting the courts for perhaps the first time, especially those with dementia or mental health issues.”

 

The goals of the program include:

·  Providing a designated facility and coordinating access to existing agencies for other service needs outside of the judicial system.

·  Providing assistance to senior victims of abuse and/or exploitation and provide short term case management throughout the court process.

 

Presentations  given at senior expos and other community forums about the services at the Elder Justice Center are presented to assist with guardianship avoidance and the prevention of crime victimization. In addition, the Elder Justice Court Counselors are dedicated to reviewing cases from the Guardianship Division to provide recommendations to the judge for court action when deemed appropriate.

 

The client spotlight for the month of August is of a client originally referred to the Elder Justice Center in May 2006. A 75 year-old Hillsborough County resident petitioned the Court to obtain a restraining order against the respondent, her mentally-impaired adult daughter, who had for years harassed, stalked and threatened our client. The Victim Advocate at the Elder Justice Center originally assisted the client in filing the appropriate paperwork, provided referrals to legal services and counseling. The Victim Advocate accompanied the client, recently widowed and isolated from her family and friends, to the original hearing. The restraining order was granted. Due to the circumstances surrounding the case, the Court ordered the permanent restraining order to remain in effect until 2020, well beyond the usual year’s duration.

 

Numerous court hearings were held in regard to the continued violations against the respondent, for which the respondent was arrested twice. The most recent arrest in June 2008 resulted in the Court imposing a 5 month 29 day sentence for the respondent; the maximum sentence allowed in this type of proceeding. The respondent was released after serving 29 days, only when through her public defender, she offered to leave the state indefinitely if released from jail. Since July 2008, the client has not been contacted by the respondent. The client has stated on many occasions, including to representatives from the National Center of Aging and Abuse that she believed without the assistance and ongoing support and guidance of the Elder Justice Center, she “truly would not have survived”.

 

We thank you, Elder Justice Center for all of the work that you do! You make a difference everyday.

 



 

 

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Early Childhood Council 

of Hillsborough County, Inc.

 

In conjunction with the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health

 

Presents it’s 2009 Annual Conference

 

Meeting the Needs of Young Children and Families:

“Every Moment Matters”

 

November 18 –20th 2009

 

Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay

2900 Bayport Drive

Tampa, Florida 33607

 

For more information or to register, please click the link below

 

 

http://www.ecctampabay.org/info/index.php?view=details&id=13%3A2009+ECC+Conference&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=45

 

 

 

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New York State

Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence

Summer 2009 OPDV Bulletin

 

 

LGBT Legal Issues and Domestic Violence

 

LGBT – lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender – individuals who are victims of intimate partner violence face many of the same challenges as other marginalized communities, and these are coupled with legal difficulties directly related to their sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity. LGBT victims may face overt or subtle discrimination at the hands of law enforcement, courts, attorneys, or domestic violence or other service providers as they reach out for supportive services or legal assistance. In addition to discrimination and lack of understanding, many LGBT victims

of intimate partner violence are challenged by the ambiguity of state and federal law and case law around the legal status of their relationships. This ever-changing area of law is complex and can be hard to navigate for victims, attorneys, and service providers, but understanding its nuances is key to ensuring an LGBT victim is offered all legal options available to them while seeking help and attempting to access safety.

 

Q&A LGBT Legal Issues and Intimate Partner Violence

 

What are some of the unique legal challenges facing LGBT victims of intimate partner violence?

 

Because of evolving or unequal state and federal law, and negative or unsettled case law relating to family formation and relationship recognition, some legal remedies available to heterosexual victims may be difficult to access for LGBT people. Examples

include:

• Non-citizen LGBT victims in valid same-sex marriages with their abusers may be unable to access immigration status protections afforded by the federal Violence Against Women Act, such as battered spouse waiver or self petition, because federal law does not recognize same-sex marriages.

• A transgender female may be improperly denied access to domestic violence shelter because of the program’s unwillingness to support her gender identity and expression.

 

What can an LGBT victim do to ensure they are getting the most

up-to-date information about these and other legal issues?

 

LGBT victims should consult an attorney well informed about both LGBT and domestic violence law. However, because these attorneys are rare, an attorney with background in domestic violence

law or LGBT law would be helpful where that attorney consults with an expert in the other field. Domestic violence and LGBT service programs are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about these issues and may also be able to provide support, advocacy, and direction.

 

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FJC Volunteer Program

 

Are you interested in volunteering at the Family Justice Center? The Family Justice Center is always looking for people who are willing to share their time and service to help us to provide a safe and comfortable environment for all those we serve. For more information Please contact the Outreach Coordinator at 813.935.2015 or outreachcoord@fjchc.org .

 

 

 

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The Family Justice Center Training Academy

 

Nuts and Bolts:

  The Basics of Domestic Violence

Advocacy Training

August 3rd and 4th and August 31st

and September 1st, 2009        

8:30am to 5:00pm

FJC

***12 CEU’s***

***14.5 FREE General  CLE’s***

 

Nuts and Bolts is a four part (FJC 101, 201, 301, 401), 2-day training offered to advocates, volunteers, interns, clergy, and other community based providers who work with victims of domestic violence. Topics include, dynamics of domestic violence, safety planning, lethality  assessment, confidentiality, boundaries, working with diverse populations, dating  violence, and effects of domestic violence on children and adolescents. 

 

 

Children with Sexual Acting Out Behaviors

August 11th, 2009 from 9:00am to 11:00am

FJC

*** 2 CEU’s***

 

An introductory course for professionals working with children, sponsored by the Sexual Abuse Intervention Network.  This course enables participants to distinguish between normal and problematic sexual behaviors in children.  Topics including characteristics of sexually abusive youth, defining childhood sexual abuse, strategies for preventing further victimization and the legal process in Hillsborough County are also covered in this course.

 

 

FJC Orientation for new On-Site Partners

 August 17th, 2009 from 9:00 am to 12:30pm

FJC

 

Basic operational procedures of the FJC, and vital safety policies

 and   procedures, equipment, and scheduling procedures between agencies.

 

 

The Child Welfare Domestic Violence

Cross-System Training Series Presents:

 

Understanding Batterers and Batters Intervention Programs

August 12th, 12pm to 4pm, August 28th, 9am to 12pm

FJC

***3 CEU’s***

Facilitator:  Daniel Hersey

 

This training will focus on understanding the model used in

psycho-educational treatment and the learning how to increase communication between BIP providers and child welfare professionals. Additionally, participants will look at how domestic violence impacts our society as a whole.

 

 

 

Please Register for All Trainings at

http://www.fjchc.org/public/events.html

 

 

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Hillsborough County Sexual Abuse Intervention Network

 

Presents:

 

“A Developmental Approach to the Assessment of Children with Sexual Behavior Problems”

 

Presenter:  Craig Latham, Ph.D., Latham Consulting Group, LLC.

 

Friday, September 4, 2009

8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Family Justice Center

9309 N. Florida Avenue

Tampa, Florida

 

Register for this free training at www.fjchc.org/public/events.html

 

Who should attend?  This FREE training is funded for professionals working in Hillsborough County.  Persons who do not work in Hillsborough County can email Renee Ristow at rristow@fjchc.org to put their name on a space available list.  This training is designed for psychologists, therapists, juvenile probation, juvenile diversion program staff and other professionals working with youth with sexual behavior problems

 

About the presenter:  Dr. Latham has worked with violent and emotionally disturbed adolescents since 1980.  He was the Sr. Forensic Child Psychologist for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and served as a consultant to the United States Secret Service.  In 1990, Dr. Latham left state service for private practice.  Dr. Latham currently remains in private practice and continues to serve as a consultant to various local, state and federal agencies. He is active in many professional and advocacy organizations including the Massachusetts Adolescent Sexual Offender Coalition; Massachusetts Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers; and is an adjunct faculty member at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, where he teaches the Forensic Specialty track.

 

About the workshop:  This workshop will focus on a threat assessment approach to assessing treatment needs and risk in children that is similar to the model used by the U.S. Secret Service in analyzing the potential for violence of sources and incorporating it into a developmentally sophisticated assessment.  This workshop will also provide an overview of legal and ethical  issues that arise in the assessment of children; data gathering techniques, including structured interviewing, self report inventories, offender specific psychological tests, generic psychological tests etc; psychological, actuarial and interview techniques as well as suggestions about report writing for the courts and treatment providers.  For more information visit www.fjchc.org/public/events.html.

 

Licensed mental health providers (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT), psychologists and school psychologists can receive 6 Continuing Education Credits at no cost through the Family Justice Center of Hillsborough County- Provider #50-7820 (expires 3/2011).

                                        

 

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Child Welfare and Domestic Violence

Cross-System Training Series

Upcoming Trainings

 

 

Compassion Fatigue – This class focuses on how exposure to family violence affects those in the helping professions.  Discussion will consist of coping and adapting measures to assist in the prevention of burn-out.***3 CEU’s***

September 9, 2009 from1pm to 4pm, September 25 from 9am to noon

 

The Child Welfare/Domestic Violence Training series is designed for all staff who works in the child welfare and/or domestic violence systems. It is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of issues facing families impacted by child welfare and domestic violence issues. The goal is to help all professionals understand the complex issues of both child welfare and domestic violence advocates, and begin to develop a common understanding and language.

 

Most training will be posted on www.centerforchildwelfare.org 

for viewing after the last training in the month is offered. This is to allow as many staff as possible to benefit from this series.

 

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Community Meetings

 

­ FJC Partner Council

 Meetings are held the last Wednesday of every month.   The next meeting will be on August 26th, 2009 at 9 am at the Family Justice Center.

­ Sexual Abuse Intervention Network (SAIN)

 Meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month. The next meeting will be on August 19th, 2009 at 9 am at the Family Justice Center. Contact Renee Ristow at: rristow@fjchc.org with any questions.

­ Sexual Violence Task Force

The Sexual Violence Task Force is currently planning events for Sexual Violence Awareness Month for April, 2010.  For more information or to participate please attend the next task force meeting.

Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.  The next meeting will be on August 26nd, 2009 at Noon. Contact Barbara McCormick at:

bmccormick@crisiscenter.com  with any questions.

 

 

    Hillsborough County Domestic Violence Task Force Committee  Meetings:

­ Domestic Violence Task Force

September 10th, 2009 at 10:30a at the Crisis Center

 

­ Fatality Review Planning Committee

( Formerly Project L.A.U.R.A)

 TBA at the Family Justice Center. Contact  Roseanne Cupoli at: rocupoli@thespring.org or 813-247-5433 ext. 309.

 

 

­    Public Policy Committee

(working on DV and Child Welfare project). September 15th, 2009 at 3:00pm at the Family Justice Center. Contact Nikki Daniels at: ndaniels@fjchc.org or 813-490-9401.

 

 

­   Community Education & Awareness Committee

August 20th, 2009 at 9:00am at The Family Justice Center.  Contact Donna Vento at: dmvento@thespring.org or

813-247-5433 ext. 315

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                

 

 

 

 

The Family Justice Center of Hillsborough County

9309 North Florida Avenue

Suite 109

Tampa, Florida 33612

 

 

The FJC Training Academy is made possible by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County.

 

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