October 16^th, 2019

Meeting called to order –  1:35 p.m.

INTRODUCTION – New Commission members and ACCARDV staff (Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence)

MEMBERS PRESENT – Dr. Karen Worley, Debbie Roark, Dorinda Edmisten, Dr. Karen Farst, Lisa Channell, Mischa Martin, Carol Maxwell, Laura Abbott, Cristy Sellers, Judge Batson, Suzanne Ritter-Lumpkin, Mischa Martin, Judge Threet, William Jones, Tess Fletcher, Jimmy Turnbow, Nathan Smith, Elizabeth Pulley, Courtney Leach, Dr. Sufna, Major Drew, Melanie Mata

MEMBERS ABSENT –  Sheriff Scott Sawyer, Gracie Giles-Gonner

OTHERS PRESENT – Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence staff: Michelle Cline, Candy Garland, Ashley Lichtle, Myca Grant-Hunthrop, Nancy Chambers, Sherry Williamson, Sara Rudolph-Pollard, Gwendolyn Johnson

PROXIES – Laura Abbott representing Gracie Giles-Gonner, Toss Worthington representing Dr. Karen Farst

GUESTS in ATTENDANCE – Phyllis Bell, Stasia Burke-McDonald, Heather McKim

LOCATION – The meeting was held in the Freeway Medical Building @ 5800 West 10^th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, Room 906     

Review of Minutes from Last Meeting – motion to approve minutes; Mischa Martin, Dorinda Edmisten seconded. Minutes are also available on the Commission’s website (www.accardv.uams.edu)

• Child Abuse Project Report – Presented by Sherry Williamson

Sherry provided a quarterly report for April 1^st – September 30^th, 2019. There were 615 participants present at in-person trainings. Online trainings consisted of 15,976; with 13,936 individuals being trained with Arkansas Mandated Reporter Training and 2,040 licensed educators being trained with Arkansas IDEAS Educator Training, total trained 16,591. Provided brief overview of meetings attended; great participation! The Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence will conduct the next Child Abuse meeting on November 13^th, 2019 @ 9 a.m. The address is: 2102 Riverfront, Suite 102, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202. 

• Rape Project Report – Presented by Myca Grant-Hunthrop

Myca provided a brief overview of the RPE (Rape Prevention Education) grant. The RPE five-year cooperative agreement has completed the first year. The current grantees will reapply and be reviewed for performance, adherence to the program specifications, and the availability of funding.  The Rape Committee has maintained the sexual assault treatment flowchart for emergency departments. The 2020 Hospital Sexual Assault Hospital Protocol Conference will be held May 11^th – May 13^th, Crowne Plaza, Little Rock, Arkanasas

• Domestic Violence Report – Presented by Sara Rudolph-Pollard 

Sara presented a brief summary of meetings/trainings conducted and  victim’s rights vigil and recognition ceremony in the last quarter. On-going training for Sara is C.A.R.E. (Central Arkansas Reentry Coalition) and the CDC (Chancellor’s Diversity Committee) meetings. The SSBG (Social Service Block Grant) and awarded 9 shelters. The Domestic Peace Fund awarded funding of $16,130 to 31 shelters. The Arkansas Conference on Child Abuse & Neglect was held October 10^th, 2019 in Hot Springs, Arkansas; was very informative and productive. 

• MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) Project – Presented by Nancy Chambers

Nancy’s presentation included an MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) coordinator update of new coordinators and trainings. The new MDT contract year began July 1^st, 2019. Currently, there are 67 multi-disciplinary teams and 39 coordinators. There were 3 regional trainings conducted; April 23^rd, 27^th and 29^th. All coordinators participated and the primary focus was the new website/database system. July 2020 will be next coordinator training. All trainings attended were informative.

• CAC (Child Advocacy Centers) Project – Presented by Ashley Lichtle

Ashley’s provided a brief summary of CAC (Child Advocacy Centers) updates, including conferences, meetings and trainings attended. They were all successful.  The MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) statewide survey response has been great! She concluded by presenting a 2020 and 2021 summary projection chart of funds available and entertained questions. The dollar amounts listed were estimates and subject to change. 

Financial Update – Candy Garland

Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence

Financial Update

Funding listed below reflects financial activity since the April17, 2019 meeting:

STATE FUNDING UPDATE

Old Business

2018-2019       DIVISION ON AGING GRANT                                    STATE DHS

Since July 1, 2018, ACCARDV dispensed a total of $144,959 to 10 domestic violence shelters for client services. EffectiveJuly 1, 2019, we have a total of 9 shelters eligible for client services funding. There was only one applicant from Region IV. See attachment 1 for a current list of shelters and amounts.

                                   New Business

2019-2020       DOMESTIC PEACE FUND                                 STATE APPROPRIATION

Since July 1, we have distributed a total of $245,982.50 to 30 domestic violence shelters across the state. Each shelter received atotal of $8,065.00 with the exception of Anna’s Place, in Forrest City, which closed on October 1, 2019. Total estimated payout is$487,932.50 provided all shelters remain in compliance. See attachment 2 for a current list of shelters and amounts.

2019–2020       CHILD SAFETY CENTER                                   STATE APPROPRIATION

Since July 1, 2019, we have distributed a total of $1,255,000 to 17 active Children’s Advocacy Centers. In addition, we have senta total of $315,000 to seven Child Safety Satellite Centers across the state for a total payout of $1,570,000. See attachment 3for a current list of CACs and amounts.

New Funding Available July l, 2019

2019 – 2020   CHILD SAFETY CENTER                                     STATE APPROPRIATION

Effective July 1, 2019, ACCARDV received $1,455,588 for our Child Safety Center Appropriation.  Funds will be used to support17 active Child Safety Centers across the state along with 7 Child Safety Satellite Centers and 68 multi­disciplinary teams(MDTs). Funds will also be used to support the Child First Training component, as well as operations expenses of ACCARDV andsalary/staff expenses of personnel involved in this project.

2019-2020     CHILD WELFARE                                          STATE APPROPRIATION

Effective July 1, 2019, ACCARDV received $274,400 from our Child Welfare State Appropriation, for payment of contractualservices provided by MDT Coordinators to review and process child abuse allegations, July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.

2019–2020     DOMESTIC VIOLENCE                                STATE APPROPRIATION

Effective July 1, 2019, ACCARDV received $63,767 from our Domestic Violence State Appropriation . These funds willbe used to pay a portion of salaries and fringe of office staff, along with operations expenses, July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.

FEDERAL FUNDING UPDATE

New Funding Available Oct 1, 2019

2019–2022      CHILDREN ‘S JUSTICE ACT GRANT                      FEDERAL DHHS

On Sept 16, 2019, ACCARDV received notice of award for $184,592, for our 2019-2022 CJA Grant. Funds will be used toprovide additional training to help professionals on recognizing and reporting of child maltreatment, along with MDT scholarshipsfor training. Additionally, funds will be used for operations expenses associated with this grant, along with salaries and fringe ofoffice staff.

2019–2020       PREVENTIVE HEALTH BLOCK GRANT              FEDERAL CDC

On Oct 3, 2019, ACCARDV received official notification from ADH that our 2019-2020 Preventive Health Block Grant badbeen approved for $65,198. Funds will be used for a portion of the Rape Prevention Project Coordinator’ s salary and fringe alongwith supporting rape prevention and education program activities such as: SANE scholarship awards, in-state trainings, purchase of curricula as well as purchase of sexual assault evidence collection kits for the State Crime Lab.

• OTHER BUSINESS

After years of committed service, Commission member Lisa Channell is retiring from the Arkansas Crime Lab!

Debbie Roark; acknowledged and thanked for her many years of dedicated service! 

Next quarterly Commission meeting: Wednesday, January 15^th, 2020

Meeting Adjourned –  2:30 p.m.