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PRESS RELEASE and VIDEO. From the San Mateo County Supervisor’s meeting on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024 at 9:00am as a hybrid meeting. Agenda Item #2 Proclamation and. and Agenda Item #24. Press Release.
Click for 10/08/2024 Video
Agenda Item #2 starts at 1:01:46
Proclamation designating October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
District 2 Supervisor Noelia Corzo introduces the agenda item.
Presentation by Karen A Ferguson, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse) and Keri Kirby Executive Director at Sitike Counseling Center
Click for 10/08/2024 Video
Agenda Item #24 starts at 4:01:40
Adopt a resolution establishing a Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team.
BACKGROUND:
Domestic violence remains a significant and pervasive issue within San Mateo County, causing substantial physical, emotional, and financial harm to individuals, families, and the community at large. Effective intervention in high-risk domestic violence cases necessitates a coordinated approach from multiple disciplines, including community-based organizations, health and human services, legal services, and law enforcement agencies.
State law, under Penal Code section 13752, authorizes counties to form multidisciplinary teams to address domestic violence. These teams are permitted to share and disclose confidential information under specific conditions to enhance the effectiveness of their interventions. The establishment of a Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team in San Mateo County aims to integrate resources and provide focused interventions for high-risk cases, thus enhancing the safety and well-being of survivors.
DISCUSSION:
The creation of a Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team is an essential strategy to improve the County’s response to domestic violence. High-risk cases often require immediate and specialized attention, which can be challenging to coordinate across different agencies and organizations. By forming a Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team, the County will be better positioned to offer high-risk domestic violence survivors timely and comprehensive support from a cohesive team of professionals.
The Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team will be composed of representatives from key sectors including domestic violence advocacy organizations, health and human services, law enforcement, legal aid, and other relevant stakeholders. This diverse composition will enable the team to address the multifaceted needs of survivors through a holistic approach. Regular meetings at least quarterly and communication among team members will facilitate the sharing of critical information, in strict compliance with all applicable laws, and the development of coordinated intervention plans.
Moreover, the Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team will establish detailed protocols and procedures for handling high-risk cases, ensuring consistency and effectiveness in the response. The team will also focus on continuous training and education for its members, keeping them updated on best practices and evolving trends in domestic violence intervention. This commitment to professional development is crucial for maintaining a high standard of care and support for survivors.
By monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, the Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team will be able to make data-driven adjustments to improve outcomes continually. Additionally, the team will identify service gaps and policy issues, reporting to the Domestic Violence Council at a minimum of semi-annually, advocating for necessary changes to enhance survivor safety and well-being.
Overall, the establishment of the Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team represents a proactive and collaborative effort to address domestic violence in San Mateo County, offering survivors who are at high risk of harm or death the comprehensive and coordinated support they need.
EQUITY IMPACT:
The Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team is designed to address the needs of domestic violence survivors who are at the highest risk and who may otherwise not receive adequate support due to systemic barriers, which include, but are not limited to, language access, immigration status, substance abuse, access to affordable housing, and childcare responsibilities. By fostering a multidisciplinary approach, the Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team will be better positioned to offer equitable access to services and interventions, particularly for marginalized and underserved communities. This initiative aligns with the County’s commitment to being the safety net for residents who are in most need of support to thrive.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The formation and operation of the Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team will require allocation of resources for staffing, training, and administrative support. These resources are essential to ensure the team operates effectively and achieves its objectives. Funding requirements will be met through reallocation of existing budgets within relevant departments and potential grant opportunities. A detailed budget and resource allocation plan will be developed by the Chief Executive Officer in collaboration with appropriate County departments.
As Domestic Abuse Spikes, Supervisors Create Team to Support Survivors at Highest Risk
October 9th, 2024
Redwood City – Survivors of domestic abuse have a new ally.
San Mateo County supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to create a specialized team to offer high-risk domestic violence survivors with urgent and coordinated interventions.
The Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team will consist of survivor advocates, health professionals, legal aid professionals and law enforcement.
“The High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team will provide immediate and specialized attention and offer survivors of domestic violence the coordinated support they need to find safety and thrive,” said Supervisor Noelia Corzo, who co-sponsored the resolution.
“This is one of the many initiatives to come out of the Domestic Violence Task Force we formed last year as we continue to coordinate efforts across agencies and implement best practices we’re learning from other counties. We believe this team will literally save lives,” Corzo said.
A grim reality prompted formation of the team: In 2023, five people were killed in San Mateo County as a result of domestic violence, and officials attribute two suicides to domestic violence, according to a report to the San Mateo County Domestic Violence Council. In 2024, all five homicides in the city of San Mateo alone were domestic violence incidents.
“Sadly, many high risk DV cases also involve firearms,” said Supervisor Dave Pine, a cosponsor of the item. “It is my hope that the MDT will allow for early identification of perpetrators who also have access to firearms and prevent some volatile and violent situations.”
When individuals are prohibited from possessing firearms due to a restraining order, the San Mateo County Gun Violence Prevention Program can step in and remove the firearms, for example.
The team will be tasked with developing protocols and procedures for handling high-risk cases. Additional duties will include:
- Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.
- Using data to adjust response to improve outcomes.
- Identify service gaps.
- Reporting to the Domestic Violence Council at a minimum of semi-annually, advocating for necessary changes to enhance survivor safety and well-being.
High-risk cases often require immediate and focused attention, which can be challenging to coordinate quickly across different agencies and organizations. The Domestic Violence High-Risk Case Multidisciplinary Team will be better positioned to offer survivors timely and comprehensive support.
“Research has shown that intimate partner domestic violence homicides are often predictable,” said Elisa Kuhl, victims services program manager for the District Attorney’s Office. “And if they’re predictable, they’re preventable.”
2024 Election
The 2024 Board of Supervisors, from left: Ray Mueller (D3), Noelia Corzo (D2), Warren Slocum (D4, BOS President), David J. Canepa (D5, BOS Vice President) and Dave Pine (D1, outgoing BOS President).
Author: Coastside Buzz
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