SCVAN Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes taken by Shannon Geary

Start Time: 10:40am

Brett MacGargle:

Called meeting to order

Laura will review December minutes, edit and have posted on website.

Brett Macgargle:

Need to vote on additional ex-officio member.

Suggested Board members: Jennifer Wells, Alice Rembert, Tracy Tisdale, Advocate/Tommy Pope’s office.

Need Solicitor Advocate representation on Board. Teri Porcel was formerly nominated by Board. Board voted to ask Teri to serve.

Board discussed future meetings. Supposed to meet in April but, due to VRW, will meet May 13.

Laura Hudson:

Victim focus group meeting for SVAA was well attended and enlightening.

Facilitator was shocked to hear victims weren’t receiving services that should be provided by victim advocates.
Sought to discover what kind of training victims felt advocates needed.
Victims believe advocate knowledge of CJ system is poor.
Advocates not preparing victims properly for facing court system.

Don Zelenka has power point presentation re appeals process if needed during VRW. Presentation can also be posted on SCVAN website for online training.

Larry Bergmann is providing trauma response training to Coroners.

Laura has been involved in Attorney General’s new federal grant

Rural enforcement of CDV and children’s issues that come out of CDV.
$900,000 for 2 years.
Vicki Bourus wrote most of grant.
3 attorneys / 3 advocates
Southern Baptist Convention is a partner.
Mandate all ministers to get educated.
Entire delegation of House and Senate signed on.
Should know about approval of grant in October.

Laura Hudson-Legislation

Olsen Case (Mary Lynn’s Law)

Bill introduced by Murrell Smith

No stalking cases can go into diversionary (probate/mental health) court

No electronic notification can take place on stalking and harassment cases, victims will be notified directly by court advocate.

Notification must be prior to release and transfers

Attending Child Fatality Review Committee

Committee voted to create local councils so confidentiality would be in statute.

Gary Watts would like coroners to chair committees

Would like coroners to have certain education, certification

Funding would come from a raise in death certificate fees (DHEC did not like this idea)

Legislation does not supplement what counties are giving coroners

Would give extra $25,000 for each county

Grade 14-high school plus 2 years education

Numerous ACT 141 inquiries
Numerous complaints from law enforcement about definition of household member in new CDV law. Law Enforcement would like to see children added back into law (17 and under) who are living in the home.
Upstate case involving date rape drug. Controlled substance §44-53-370 not included in sex offender registry offenses. Has to go in both statutes.
Judge Guedalia chaired Sexually Violent Predator Act review committee.

John Ozmint would like to get rid of program, and put offenders back in general population.

§ Senator Fair is working on a Bill to combine adult and juvenile parole boards. Have complete FOIA on all electronic votes and wants cumulative votes on all Parole Board members. Full committee needs to review felonies. Will have grid of offenses. William Bilton will look over Bill. Bill has not been introduced but will be in a couple of days.

§ Proviso Information:

o SOVA has pulled operational support for SCVAN, unless established through General Assembly.

o Proviso has been renegotiated.

o SCVAN will provide services mandated in §16-3-1410

Larry Bergmann asked Laura to keep an eye on Workers Compensation Issues.

Veronica Swain:

VRW - SOVA has renegotiated the way VRW is funded.

Program is complete

TTAC will be requested for 2 presenters.

Will review program to see if Don Zelenka’s presentation can fit into Wednesday’s schedule

Immigrant Victim Task Force

Human Trafficking Training will take place on March 22 at Criminal Justice Academy and four satellite sites statewide.

FBI, US Attorney, ICE, Chief Jackie Swindler (Newberry) and Detective David Watson (N. Charleston) will present

Brochure developed and mailed

12:30pm - Break for Lunch

1:30pm- Back in session

Veronica Swain:

Progress with Crime Victim Legal Network

Dr. Crooks Case update

Renee Middleton case update

Shannon Geary (Clinic Coordinator): Update on recruitment efforts

Update from John Newcomb Tennis Tournament – $2,100.00.

Anonymous benefactor donation of $20,000

Veronica will serve on Children’s Trust Fund Advisory Council and Richland County Domestic Violence Council

Ritchie Tidwell (Financial Reports):

Net is $5,000 over expenses

Fundraising goal: $75,000 to cover 90 days of SCVAN expenses

Need to evaluate fundraising efforts

2005-2006 Budget approved.

VRW Auction:

Each board member is requested to provide a quality donation.

2:35pm - Board Meeting adjourned

President: Brett Macgargle

February 11, 2005

Present

Absent