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Asheville Buncombe Coalition for Prevention of Family Violence (ABCPFV) MINUTES

WHEN: March 14, 2008

PRESENT
Anne Parker (Allergy Partners of WNC)
Melanie Lovelace (Mission Hospitals – SW)
Jimmy Hare (Win-Win)
Kathleen Balogh (NCCFW/DV Commission)
Steve Snow (Bunc County Health Center)
Julie Klipp Nicholson (Pisgah Legal Service)
Thalia Hoy (Pisgah Legal Services)
John Stewart (Bunc. Co Medical Society, Helpmate)
Carlyle Stewart (ARP/Phoenix)
Val Westlund (Bunc Co Detention Facility)
Ladonna Norton (Mission Hospital-FNE Program)
Alyssa Golden (OUR VOICE)
Jenny Sliker (YWCA – New Choices)
Janice Loggins (Bunc. Co DA's Office)
Lina Herrera (Interlace of AHC)
Cindy Davis-Bryant (Interlace of AHC)
Patience Burdine (Bunc Co Sheriffs Dept)
Rosemary Kuykendall (Bunc Co Sheriffs Dept)
(18 in attendance)

WELCOME
Joining us today are Val Westlund, Director of inmate programs at the Buncombe Co Detention Facility and Cindy Davis-Bryant with Interlace of AHC.

CALENDAR ITEMS

March 25, 2008 4:30 pm – Chairman Nathan Ramsey and the Board of Commissioners will proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Buncombe at the County Commission meeting.

April 2, 2008 (Wednesday) 12:00 pm- Kick Off Tying of Blue Ribbons – Location: Reuters Mission Childrens Clinic. Remarks by Cindy Brown, MD and Gene Austin, Board President of CAPS ( I know the location moved, but that was after the meeting…)

April 4, 2008 (Friday) 7:30 am- 3:30 pm- Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation. Location – Renaissance Asheville Hotel. Visit www.crosscountryeducation.com for more information.

April 4, 2008 (Friday) – Blue Ribbon Night at Asheville Tourist Game – The winner of the student art contest will pin the ribbon on Ted E.

April 8, 2008 (Tuesday) 5:00 pm – Mayor Terry Bellamy and the City Council will proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Asheville at the city council meeting.

April 5, 2008 (Saturday)- Women’s Confidence Day at the YWCA! Cost $5.00 which covers breakfast, lunch and all seminars (SIX to choose from). Childcare included, for up to 20 children. Call Jenny at 254-7206 X 113 to register.

April 10, 2008 (Thursday) 6:30pm – 9:00 pm- With Our Hands, 8th Annual Survivors Art Show and Auction to Benefit OUR VOICE. Location: Pack Place, Tickets $15.00. Call 257-4500 for more information.

April 24, 2008 (Thursday) 5:30 pm-7:30 pm- Child Abuse Prevention Services, Inc. Blue Ribbon Reception and Award ceremony with honoree(s) to be announced. Location: Reuter Mission Children’s Clinic.

April 28, 2008 “Searching for Angela Shelton”, Location: UNCA. Angela Shelton will be there for a discussion

Throughout April the winning poster in the CAPS student art contest will be displayed on a billboard, and at the Asheville Mall. All posters will be on view at the Biltmore Square Mall. In addition to being recognized at the Tourists game, the winner will receive a prize and certificate at the Blue Ribbon Reception.
Other April Child Abuse Prevention Month activities include distribution of blue ribbons at area churches; displays and blue ribbons at area pediatricians; brochures at libraries; and window displays, brochures and blue ribbons at area businesses.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES
Melanie Lovelace (Mission Hospitals – SW)
She passed around a picture of Luther, a pet therapy dog. She is trying to raise money for Paws for Purpose. There will be a 5K walk on April 19, 2008 at Carrier Park. She hopes non-profits will be able to attend.
Rosemary Kuykendall (Bunc Co Sheriffs Dept)
She is now working BOTH domestic violence and sexual assault.
Carlyle Stewart (ARP/Phoenix)
He is resigning from ARP/Phoenix and plans to go into private practice. They (ARP/Phoenix) want to focus on substance abuse. His new telephone number will be 828-337-1805.
Kathleen Balogh (NCCFW/DV Commission)
(1) She attended a Regional Meeting yesterday. They invited Don Herring with Western Highlands because of the increase in number of people with MH and DV issues. She handed out a list of service numbers that include crisis line numbers and help lines for the western counties. There is a consumer number that can be called to get help. He says don’t stop complaining if there is a problem. They do not know if there is no complaint. (This handout will be sent out to everyone soon)
(2) The Center for Child Family Policy has a 21 page report that can be accessed online at http://www.childandfamilypolicy.duke.edu/publications/reports/Medicaid6-06.pdf
(3) NCCFW will be working with three other agencies NCADV, DHHS and NCCASA regarding disability access – What is currently out there and what is needed. Then they hope to go to the legislature and ask for funding to help make the necessary changes to help improve disability access.

APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
Steve wonders if our group has thought about how to integrate CA and SA Awareness months so our organization can be seen in the media and the community. It seems Victims Awareness Week is during April as well.
There are a number of events being held by CAPS and OUR VOICE. Bill McGuire was unable to attend the meeting but sent information regarding his media awareness. Bill is working with John Le and Susan Reinhardt on the student art contest, Leslie Boyd will be doing stories, Susan will be doing a column, and Laurel of Asheville is doing a story. He will also be getting information to Mountain Xpress and Black Mountain News and a few radio stations.
Steve wonders if as an umbrella organization, we can look ahead for upcoming events and their media coverage.

INCORPORATING THE COALITION AS A NON-PROFIT
Our coalition has been meeting now for 14 years. Jenny and Julie have met to discuss this topic but would like more people involved in the conversation. The choices are nonprofit vs 501c vs stay as we are. Someone asked what is the benefit of becoming a nonprofit? Julie states it will make us an “entity” with the ability to have a bank account and an identity. It will be more formalized with a board of directors and bylaws but no tax exempt contributions. It does cost $60.00 for the application fee.
To make it easier to understand the differences between the choices, they will bring back information showing the benefits of each choice to the next meeting.

IMMIGRATION REMEDIES – U-VISA RULES
Thalia explains the U-Visa has been around since 2000. If there is an undocumented immigrant who is a victim of violent crime and they are willing to help in gathering information/data for the crime, then they cannot assist with prosecution of the crime and can apply for a U-Visa. It is a Help Us We’ll Help You situation. It gives allows them to stay and work X 4 years, which includes their children and non-abusive spouses. Thalia’s phone number is 253-0406 at PLS.
A Human Trafficking workshop is in Charlotte. It is hard to prosecute HT because many times the dealing is in cash. There needs to be a proactive approach if someone is identified. There is a T-Visa for people trafficked for work, but it is hard to identify them.

Next meeting is April 11, 2008.

Sincerely
Anne Parker http://www.abcpfv.org/

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