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Findings 25 findings
F1
Leadership in both organizations is stable.
F2
Both organizations are well entrenched within the community, are efficiently run, and provide valuable services to the community.
F3
Both organizations maintain a degree of transparency with information readily available through current web site access, printed materials, and media exposure.
F4
Many grass roots service agencies in the county rely on yearly funding from United Way. However, it is difficult for a new organization to become one of the thirty-three organizations selected for annual funding.
F5
Since funding by United Way is for a three-year cycle, it is important that evaluations yield accurate information. Scheduled one-hour site evaluations may not provide an accurate assessment.
F6
The Community Foundation provides an important source of financial assistance to local, stable, 501(c) 3 nonprofits seeking funds for specific projects. It is difficult for young organizations or established non-501 (c) 3 agencies that have no funding source, such as Battered Women’s Task Force, to receive small grant consideration.
F7
The United Way produces the annual Community Assessment Project (CAP) that provides a broad range of trended and comparative data for the community. In relation to this Grand Jury report, the areas of crime and domestic violence are of import. It is a valuable resource for county organizations and residents.
F8
The 2005 Santa Cruz County Nonprofit Landscape study underwritten by the Community Foundation is a valuable point-in-time resource that serves the community.
F9
The broad variety of programs and projects offered by the Community Foundation reflects its philanthropic goal of outreach to the community.
F10
An overall picture of domestic violence-related funding in a single-source funding document would be useful to the DVC in meeting its goals. Domestic Violence in Santa Cruz County: - 25 Funding
F11
In an environment of continuing countywide budget constraints, and the continuing growth in the numbers of nonprofits, a study of duplicated services and administrative costs by nonprofit agencies within the county has not occurred. Representatives from the United Way and the Community Foundation would be likely leaders to initiate and/or participate in such a study.
F12
With no funding source, BWTF is limited in its production of materials.
F13
Survivors are currently dependent on counselors and/or facilitators to express their concerns, frustrations, and needs. Counselors and/or facilitators may or may not be able to advocate for or have access to other appropriate agencies.
F14
Representatives of WCS-DdM, WAWC, and BWTF are approved commissioners on the DVC. As providers of direct services to those experiencing domestic violence, their attendance and participation is vital in assisting other DVC commissioners to meet the mandated goals.
F15
Familia Center is an established, well organized agency that provides a broad array of services for low-income families.
F16
As an agency trusted by its clients, Familia Center could serve as a referring agency to those needing domestic violence-related services. With no employee training or intake screening tool, an opportunity to screen applicants for domestic violence concerns is missing. Without such a tool, employees may not readily recognize the need for a domestic violence-related referral.
F17
Parenting classes and childcare centers, provided by Familia Center, are well attended and are strategically located to appeal to clients considering or receiving other domestic violence-related services.
F18
Offering related services (such as parenting classes) within other established agencies promotes utilization of services, efficient use of space, and is cost-effective by reducing overhead costs.
F19
The organizations providing direct services to victims of domestic violence rely on volunteers to assist with accomplishing their goals. Domestic Violence in Santa Cruz County: - 37 Direct Services to Survivors
F20
WCS-DdM, WAWC, BWTF, and Familia Center have a history of collaborating with other community agencies to accomplish their goals and may partner with a specific agency for focused projects.
F21
It would serve the community if WCS-DdM, WAWC, BWTF, and Familia Center met several times each year to share program offerings, assess programs, discuss potential collaborations, and determine duplicative efforts and costs.
F22
When interviewing law enforcement agencies, a concern was raised as to differences in restraining orders issued on the same case in both criminal court and family court. The protected person may have exceptions contained in a family law-issued restraining order that would not be reflected in the criminal restraining order due to child visitation outlines. When children are involved, the CLETS Order After Hearing (Form DV-130) has a provision that alerts the responding officer that there is a child visitation agreement out of family court.
F23
Representatives from the District Attorney’s Office and the Probation Department state that these offices have excellent communication and are working closely to ensure that batterers complete the requirements of Batterers’ Intervention Programs.
F24
According to the Probation Department, lack of resources to help domestic violence offenders make improvements in their lives is a continuing concern. Children who have witnessed violence in the home can become victims or violent themselves.
F25
The State Attorney General’s Task Force Report on Domestic Violence (2005) emphasizes the importance of holding batterers accountable. Conclusions
Recommendations 24
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R1CPVAW should address issues of domestic violence so that efforts are equal to those expended on sexual assault.
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R2CPVAW volunteers are to be commended for their dedication and accomplishments in increasing awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault in the City of Santa Cruz.
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R3CPVAW should continue to serve the City of Santa Cruz and its citizens by maintaining all current programs and by publicizing the activities of CPVAW in a timely and organized manner.
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R4CPVAW is to be commended for providing information on domestic violence in Spanish.
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R5CPVAW should continue to conduct ongoing education about the Safe Place Network with downtown business employees.
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R6The District Attorney’s Office should report sexual assault and domestic violence case dispositions to CPVAW and DVC regularly rather than requiring a request.
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R7The 2006-2007 Grand Jury should consider investigating the crime of rape and sexual assault in Santa Cruz County. DVC Recommendations
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R8DVC volunteers are to be commended for recognizing problems with commission function and organization and taking preliminary steps to remedy them.
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R9The DVC should establish clear and focused goals and strategies at the beginning of each year and submit them to the Board of Supervisors annually. These goals and objectives should be published on the DVC web site.
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R10The Board of Supervisors should hold established commissions responsible for achieving goals and objectives and for following their bylaws.
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R11The DVC should post the annual report to the Board of Supervisors on the county web site along with goals, agendas, and minutes. The DVC should base its annual report to the Board of Supervisors on the achievement of previously stated goals. The web site should be updated with these items in a timely manner. - 18 Domestic Violence in Santa Cruz County: Advisory Commissions
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R12The DVC should continue to publish the annual Domestic Violence Commission Report to the Community. The 2005-2006 Grand Jury Final Report is a beginning step in evaluating batterers’ intervention programs. The DVC can build on this research to evaluate batterer accountability throughout the legal system. In addition, the report should identify cities making felony and misdemeanor arrests as does the 2003 report rather than just giving totals for the county.
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R13The Board of Supervisors should guarantee funding for the annual DVC report to the community.
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R14Domestic violence advisory groups should make sure their literature is in both Spanish and English.
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R15Individual members of the DVC should insist on compliance with bylaws concerning monthly meetings and attendance. With established goals and productivity as the highest concern, bylaws could be amended if necessary.
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R16The DVC should consider changing its bylaws to shorten and stagger terms of office to infuse the DVC with fresh ideas and energy.
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R17The DVC should consider re-establishing an executive committee and identifying these members on the DVC web site. It should also consider increasing the number of officers to share responsibilities.
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R18The DVC should fill its vacancies and remedy the attendance problem.
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R19The DVC should consider amending its bylaws to increase the chair’s term of office.
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R20The DVC should develop an orientation process for new members.
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R21The DVC should require each member to give an annual presentation on the organization he or she represents to update the commission as a whole.
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R22Individual members of the DVC should take full advantage of networking opportunities to collaborate, problem solve, and determine whether unaddressed needs of survivors exist.
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R23The DVC should include information about its subcommittees on the county web site. It should also include progress reports on projects.
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R24DVC volunteers are to be commended for increasing awareness of domestic violence in Santa Cruz County. Domestic Violence in Santa Cruz County: - 19 Advisory Commissions