Criminal Justice Advisory Group - CJAG

February 8, 2017

MINUTES

1

HANDOUTS

- Meeting Agenda

- Meeting Minutes – December 14, 2016

- CMPD Diversion Presentation

- CMPD Reach Out Presentation

- Domestic Violence Community Leadership Team Presentation

- Trade-offs for Safety Presentation

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 8:30am

Welcome

Chris Peek called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Approval of December Meeting Minutes

Members approved the December minutes by consensus.

CMPD Youth Diversion/Community Engagement Presentation

Peek introduced Celestine Ratliff and Cara Evans-Patterson as presenters from the Charlotte-

Mecklenburg Police Department. Ratliff shared that she and Evans-Patterson are part of CMPD’s

Youth Diversion Unit that is dedicated to diverting first time offenders ages 6 to 17 from the

traditional Juvenile Justice system for lower level offenses by attending educational life skills

sessions with a guardian in lieu of court involvement and a criminal history. Ratliff shared that

there are multiple benefits to this type of program, including providing services to youth, reducing

system costs, and avoiding the labeling effect. For more details, see the attached presentation:

‘CMPD Diversion.’

Kevin Tully asked if it is possible to get statistics related to the youth who completed the program.

Ratliff said that CMPD keeps a database to track their diversion program and it would be possible

to provide the requested statistics.

Andrew Murray asked what timeframe CMPD uses when determining whether a participant

recidivated. Ratliff shared that CMPD uses a 12-month timeframe to measure recidivism.

Rob Hunter asked if CMPD has any data that would explain an increase in arrests for 14 and 15-

year-olds. Ratliff shared that this increase is associated with the transition to high school and the

reduced structure for these youths when compared to the structured day they had in middle

school.

Sonya Harper asked for clarification regarding Ratliff’s comments that the CMPD Diversion

program had branched out to include Huntersville, Matthews, and Mint Hill. Specifically, Harper

asked if the youth from these towns would receive services in their local communities or if they

would receive programming at Charlotte-based agencies. Ratliff shared that the youth would

participate in services in Charlotte. The parents are responsible but CMPD schedules intake

appointments in these communities and transportation assistance is provided.

CMPD also presented on their Reach Out Program. Reach Out works with youth 16-21 to develop a

partnership which will provide the necessary services, resources and support to effectively and

positively change the lives of participating youthful offenders to equip them to become successful

productive adults. For more details, see the attached presentation: ‘CMPD Reach Out.’

Peek thanked the presenters from CMPD and suggested that CJAG continue to seek opportunities

in the coming year to partner with CMPD to share the success stories from these programs with a

broader audience.

Jeff Estes shared that Chief Putney had hoped to attend but was unable due to another

commitment; however, Estes stressed that CMPD and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office are

Criminal Justice Advisory Group - CJAG

February 8, 2017

MINUTES

2

both committed to giving youthful offenders a second chance through the various diversion

programs.

Domestic Violence Community Leadership Team Presentation

Peek introduced Stacy Lowry to begin the Domestic Violence Community Leadership Team (DVCLT)

presentation. Marie White and Kathryn Sellers began by providing a history of the Domestic

Violence Community Leadership Team. For more details, see the attached presentation: ‘Domestic

Violence Community Leadership Team.’

After a brief overview of the DVCLT, Guest Presenter Lisa Goodman presented on her research on

intimate partner violence. Two major takeaways included: Partner violence is one strand of a

complex web of trauma, poverty, and oppression. Many victims that participated in her study felt

that they had to give up too much to stay safe, with one remarking that she had “lost everything”

to remain safe. The intersecting challenges that survivors must face have been increasing and

agencies struggle to determine what these trade-offs are for survivors. Goodman has begun to see

creative partnerships emerging across the country designed to address this issue, such as the

Victim Informed Prosecution project in Washington DC. For more details about Goodman’s study,

see the attached presentation: ‘Trade-offs for Safety.’

Tully shared that he has noticed Mecklenburg County working to simplify the connection to

services for those in the homeless community and that this same work is necessary for survivors of

domestic violence. Tully applauded efforts to date to create a single location where individuals can

go to connect with services and shared that he hopes this work continues.

Sellers shared the DVCLT’s three new 2017-2020 priorities. These priorities are the following:

1. Adding LAP data to the DV Data Warehouse

2. Improving Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO) Processing

3. Ending Homelessness for Domestic Violence Survivors.

For more details, see the attached presentation: ‘Domestic Violence Community Leadership Team.’

Peek thanked the presenters for sharing their information with the CJAG and suggested that any

additional questions should be directed to Stacy Lowry.

Open Discussion

None.

MEETING ADJOURNED at 10:12am.

Action Items:

None.

Criminal Justice Advisory Group - CJAG

February 8, 2017

MINUTES

3

Name Position/Agency

Yolanda Avery NC Department of Public Safety

Keith Campell NC Department of Public Safety

Elisa Chinn-Gary Clerk of Superior Court's Office

Rodney Collins Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office

Shante' Cotton Domestic Violence Advisory Board

Darius Deese NC Department of Public Safety

Max Diaz District Attorney's Office

Jeff Estes Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

Cara Evans-Patterson Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

Kathryn Firmin-Sellers Safe Alliance

Sonya Harper Criminal Justice Services

Rob Hunter Matthews Police Department

Laura Lawrence Safe Alliance

Stacy Lowry Community Support Services

Hope Marshall Criminal Justice Services Re-entry Services

Kent Matzinger Clerk of Superior Court's Office

Paige McThenia District Court Judge

Regan Miller District Court Judge

Andrew Murray District Attorney's Office

Melissa Neal Criminal Justice Services

Steven Owens Pineville Police Department

Karen Parker Safe Alliance

Chris Peek County Manager's Office

Rose Planer Jamie Kimble Foundation

Mike Plummer Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office

Celestine Ratliff Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

Blaine Tolison WSOC-TV

Kevin Tully Public Defender's Office

Rhonda Walton NC Department of Public Safety

Katrina Watson Magistrate's Office

Tammy Watson Pineville Police Department

Marie White Community Support Services

Stacy Wright Novant Health

Rachel Ziemba CSSP

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police DepartmentYouth Diversion Unit

aWhat is the CMPD Youth Diversion Unit?

Unit dedicated to diverting first time offenders ages 6 to 17 from the traditional Juvenile Justice system for lower level offenses by attending educational life skills sessions with a guardian in lieu of court involvement and a criminal history

What are the Goals?Improve youth’s personal decision-making skills by attending Life skills classes with a guardian

Empowers the families through EducationDirectionGuidance

What are the Benefits?Provide services to youthReduce system costsAvoid labeling affect

Youth Diversion History Due to DMC (Disproportionate Minority Contact), and School toPrison Pipe Line, in 2012 CMPD wrote and presented an RFP toJCPC (Juvenile Crime Prevention Council) to lower the number ofjuvenile arrests in Mecklenburg County.

• July 2012 grant was approved by JCPC • January 2013 Program received first referral• As of January 31, 2017, Diversion has received over 2700

referrals

1. Youth commits first time misdemeanor offense

(must live in Mecklenburg County and be between

the ages 6-17)

2. Officer verifies contact information before

generating a report (out of county residents are not

eligible)

3. Conduct background check in CMPD’s KBCOPS

(Knowledge-Based Community Oriented Policing

System)

4. Notify ALL Parties of Diversion Parents/Guardian,

Victim/Victim Parents (must agree to Diversion)

Youth Diversion Process

Youth Diversion Process cont.5. Supervisor sends non-arrest to Diversion Unit

6. Diversion Specialist is assigned case and sets up intake.

7. During intake: a. assessment is givenb. family is assigned to appropriate groupc. waiver is signed agreeing to complete program in lieu of arrestd. CMS waiver is signed if family agrees

8. Originating officer is notified when the juvenile is admitted, declined and/or has completed their assigned program.

9. Reporting system is updated and a letter is sent to the family.

Public AffraySimple AssaultDisorderly ConductCommunicating ThreatsTrespassingLarcenyDamage to PropertyWeapon Law ViolationAlcohol/Drug Narcotics

We can not mandate restitution for:property damage, unrecovered items, or medical bills

Divertible Lower Level Offenses

FAMILY FIRST– General Life Skills with 14 SRO contactsFUTURE LEADERS – Academic AwarenessURBAN THOUGHTS – Conflict ResolutionANUVIA – Substance AbusePREVENTION– Understanding my potential (Ages 6-11)TEEN COURT- Trial by Peers (Ages 12-17)

www.familyfirstcommunity.comR.I.S.E. Program (Reaching for Inspiration to Strive for Excellence)

Positive Solutions model based on cognitive thinkingAssist youth in increasing their skills and developing mechanisms to deal more effectively with stressors and/or improve their functioning in all settings by changing the way they think about life and their circumstances

Michiko Dowdy

Business Operation Manager/Owner

Family First Community Services, LLC

3705 Latrobe Drive, Suite 340

Charlotte NC 28211

704-364-3989 (phone) 704-364-3974 (fax)

mdowdy@fam1stcom.com

G. “Dee” Rankin

Founder/Executive Director

704.777.5075

Leading by Example Always Demonstrating Excellence Responsibility and Self-Efficacy

The program was designed to enhance the lives of teens through education, mentoring, college preparation and career identification.

The students are provided with skills and techniques that will help them understand their individual learning style, improve their academic achievements & develop the confidence in their ability to excel.

Conflict Resolution SeriesFocus attention on clients perception of self, community, and environmentEmpower youth on issues that are affecting positive growth on individual and community level

Shante Vines - CEO, LCSW

Urban Thoughts Inc.

(Phone)704-369-9222

www.urbanthoughts.com

www.anuvia.org

Provides compassionate treatment and prevention services for youth ages 12 to 17 who are struggling with or have experimented with substances

Tiffany Martin, MSPHPrevention Specialist

Anuvia Prevention & Recovery Center

704-927-8876 (desk) 704-376-2172 (fax)

Tiffany.Martin@anuvia.org

Adolescent Facility5855 Executive Center Drive Suite 104

Charlotte, NC 28212

Interpersonal skill building is a treatment technique focusing on developing the social skills required for an individual to interact in a positive way with others.

The basic skills model begins with establishing individual's goals, progresses to how these goals should be translated into appropriate and effective social behaviors, and concludes with the impact of behavior on social environment.

Typical training techniques are instruction, modeling of behavior, practice and rehearsal, feedback, reinforcement. May also include training in a set of techniques, such as conflict resolution or decision-making.

Class size - Programs provided to youth referred to the Diversion Unit will be facilitated in small group sessions of up to 15 participants.

Occurrence is at the earliest justice-system decision point as possible and always prior to disposition.

Frequency and intensity of diversion services delivered should be based on the principle that lower-risk youth require a lesser intervention whereas higher-risk youth require greater intervention

Best Practices

2013 2014 2015 2016 TOTALReferrals 705 565 718 698 2686Diverted 507 416 573 605 2101Completed 424 365 504 447 1740Diverted 71.9% 73.6% 79.8% 86.8% 78.2%Completed 83.6% 87.7% 87.9% 73.9% 82.8%

2013 -2016 Comparison

Referred: Cases that have been directed to Diversion.

Diverted: Cases that have agreed to participate in Diversion (Percentage of Referred cases that were Diverted)

Completed: Cases that have met all program’s requirements (Percentage of Diverted cases that completed program)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

2013 2014 2015 2016

Num

ber o

f Cas

es

Year

Referrals

Diverted

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700

2013 2014 2015 2016

Num

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f Cas

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Year

Diverted

Completed

The percentage of cases diverted and completing continues to increase each year

2013-2016 DemographicsRace 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total

African America 549 406 485 458 1,898 70.7%

Caucasian 96 86 121 122 425 15.8%

Hispanic 45 60 100 108 313 11.7%

Asian 11 11 7 8 37 1.4%

Other 4 2 5 2 13 0.5%

Total 705 565 718 698 2,686 100.0%

Sex 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total

Male 443 352 436 412 1,643 61.2%

Female 262 213 282 286 1,043 38.8%

Total 705 565 718 698 2,686 100.0%

2013 -2016 Age ComparisonAge 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total Percent

6 3 1 3 3 10 0.4%7 12 9 3 3 27 1.0%8 15 8 15 6 44 1.6%9 16 10 14 21 61 2.3%

10 21 24 23 20 88 3.3%11 47 31 45 48 171 6.4%12 87 59 88 70 304 11.3%13 128 90 111 103 432 16.1%14 129 113 145 127 514 19.1%15 124 104 155 137 520 19.4%16 83 72 67 84 306 7.8%17 40 44 49 76 209 7.8%

Total 705 565 718 698 2,686 100.0%

In the first 3 years, 90% of 16 and 17 year olds successfully completed the program.

Diversion Programs

Program 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total Total %

YDI 343 89 35 0 467 22.2%

Teen Court 120 108 135 108 471 22.4%

Future Leaders 10 64 93 95 262 12.5%

Urban Thoughts 8 33 100 91 232 11.0%

Anuvia 11 82 48 86 227 10.8%

Family First 0 1 81 136 218 10.4%

Prevention 0 22 77 83 182 8.7%

Other 15 15 1 3 34 1.6%

PAL 0 2 3 1 6 0.3%

REACH 0 0 0 2 2 0.1%Total 507 416 573 605 2,101 100.0%

Total Juvenile Arrest in KBCOPSAGE 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL

6 14 24 8 3 0 2 517 45 42 11 8 8 3 1178 45 45 25 18 4 7 1449 57 50 30 34 16 9 196

10 72 66 42 50 23 29 28211 110 124 70 76 81 61 52212 235 240 151 170 181 118 1,09513 393 367 336 356 350 253 2,05514 654 682 572 534 607 488 3,53715 873 773 927 839 876 771 5,05916 732 712 608 676 621 587 3,93617 877 846 720 690 745 630 4,508

TOTAL 4,107 3,971 3,500 3,454 3,512 2,958 21,502

CMPD Juvenile arrest dropped by 471 in the programs first year and another 554 this past year.

Total School Arrest in KBCOPS

School Type 2015 2016 % Change

Elementary 36 38 5.6%K-8 44 34 -22.7%

Middle 215 136 -36.7%High 361 338 -6.4%

Alternative 42 35 -16.7%Special Needs 86 68 -20.9%

Total 784 649 -17.2%

RecidivismYear 2013 2014 2015 2016 Average

Recidivism % 12.50% 11.78% 12.30% 4.99% 10.39%

RECIDIVISM: Percentage of diverted cases that completed successfully and have obtained an arrest within 12 months of program completion.

0.00%

2.00%

4.00%

6.00%

8.00%

10.00%

12.00%

14.00%

2013 2014 2015 2016

Reci

divi

sm %

Year

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2013 2014 2015 2016

Num

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f Ref

erra

ls

Year

School

Patrol Officer

Referral Source 2013 2014 2015 2016School 78% 66% 67% 61%

Patrol Officer 22% 34% 33% 39%

Referral Source

School Resource Officer’s offered over 1800 juveniles the Diversion option which attributes to CMPD attempting to reduce School to Prison Pipeline.

2013 CMPD dedicated 1 Sworn Officer to Diversion2013 CMPD dedicated 1 Office Assistant2014 CMPD dedicated 1 Diversion Specialist 2015 CMPD received a Governor’s Crime Commission (GCC) Grant to allow surrounding municipalities to participate in Diversion which funds 2 positions. (Diversion Specialist and Diversion Analyst)

Huntersville PD was added December 2015Matthews PD was added September 2016Mint Hill will be added October 2017

CMPD is Invested

VIP - Violence Is Preventable vip@cms.k12.nc.usSHIP - Sexual Harassment Is Preventable ship@cms.k12.nc.usCommunity Service ProgramPOP – Positive Options Program

School Based Diversions

Follow-ups by the School Resource Officer are

made with Diversion participants for 4 quarters

after they have successfully completed the

program.

1. How was your Diversion experience?

2. Are you having or have you had any issues or

concerns you would like to share?

3. If you have any questions or need advice feel free to

come ask me anything.

SRO Quarterly Contacts

Contact Information

Cara Evans-PattersonCMPD Youth Diversion Program Manager

704-574-3186 cevanspatterson@cmpd.org

Reach Out

MissionTo develop a partnership which will provide the necessary services, resources and support to effectively and positively change the lives of participating youthful offenders in an effort to equip them to become successful productive adults.

REACH OUTNot A “POLICE” program, but a program facilitated by the police.

REACH OUTWhy Don’t I know About This Program?

IT’S NOT ABOUT US……

IT’S ABOUT THE KIDS

• Youth 16-21 years of age• Focusing on first time

offenders• Primarily charged with a

non-violent felony• Priority given to

offenders on deferred prosecution

Target Audience

1st Month

2nd Month

3Rd Month

4Th Month

SelectionProcess

Life Skills

Job Skills Mentoring

BoosterSessions

Selection Process

Candidate reviews, interviews, and selection process.

Positive Solutions

20 Hours of Positive Solutions life skills training

Working Smart

16 Hours of Working Smart job readiness training

MentoringMonthly individual and group mentoring sessions for up to 21 months

Booster Sessions

Monthly booster sessions designed to reinforce life skills.

Reach Out Timeline

• Criminal History• Adult & Juvenile

• Case details• Willingness to participate• Family support• Mental health and

substance abuse history

Selection Process

Selection Process

Youth Interview

Family Interview

Selection Process• Selection process

identifies the best candidates

• Selected participants should be honored to have been selected

• Sense of responsibility for being selected

Needs Assessment

Positive Solutions

• Problem solving• Positive communications• Developing Empathy• Anger management• Moral reasoning• Making and choosing positive friends• Effective listening• Peer pressure and decision making

Positive Solutions

Participants receive certificates of completion. Parents and dignitaries are invited to celebrate their

accomplishment.

Working SmartSoft Skills For Workplace Success

Working Smart

• Improve long term employment• Build interview skills• Leverage resources and partnerships• Career identification and development• Resume development• Job search skills

Working Smart

Practice interviews for court involved youth

Knowing how to answer the tough questions

Working Smart

Providing the resources and access to required employment documents

DMV can be a scary place for a teen

Working Smart

• Job Fairs• Career Fairs• Trade opportunities• Military options

Working Smart

Mentoring• One on One• Group

Sessions

Mentoring

Mentoring

Training designed for

court involved youth

Booster Sessions

Partnership

Skills

Resources

• The City of Charlotte• MCSO• CPCC• Area Employers• Family First• CMPD• The Relatives• NC DMV• US Military• NCDCC

• Participation• Employment

• Immediate• Long Term

• Life Skills• Decision Making• Anger Management

• Education• Recidivism

Reach Out

• Long term employment with pending felony

• Educational opportunities with a pending felony

• Felony arrest online• Financial obligation of

Deferred prosecution• Long term probation (2

years)• Expanding availability

February 8, 2017

Welcome (Karen Parker & Stacy Lowry) DVCLT History (Marie White & Kathryn Sellers) Dr. Lisa Goodman, Boston College DVFRT (Marie White) 2017-2020 Priorities◦ Priority One: Marie White, Rob Hunter ◦ Priority Two: Katrina Watson, Laura Lawrence, Kent

Matzinger◦ Priority 3: Stacy Lowry

Q & A Next Steps

We are building a community that does not tolerate domestic violence and stands united to prevent all forms of it.

Domestic violence occurs when one person in an intimate relationship attempts to gain coercive power and control over the other by using physical, emotional/verbal, sexual or material force. This abuse takes place within a system of power and control and is not an isolated incident.

Priority Ranking

Survey Item DVCLT CommunityAccomplishments

1 More shelter beds and transitional housing for victims

New 80 bed shelter opened

2 Heightened public awareness and intolerance for domestic violence

Increased outreach by over 300% without additional resources

3 Prevention/Greater focus on prevention and early intervention

Received over a $1 million in local, state & federal grants for prevention & early intervention programming

4 Community involvement and leadership

Created DVCLT to continue to engageleaders; support to build new DV Shelter and to obtain federal funding to open SVSE; Legislation

5 Shared vision, principles and priorities

Developed by DVCLT in 2007

PriorityRanking

Survey Item DVCLT CommunityAccomplishments

6 Sustainable funding Collaborative to pursuit of federal, state & local grants. Exceeded over $2 million in past 3 years to support services.

7 Increased batterer accountability

2009-10 Community Service Option, CJAG Home Campaign LAP work, DVFRT system change recommendations

8 Inclusive, culturally-sensitive response/more culturally competent outreach and resources

CSS/Safe Alliance Latinaprevention/outreach efforts, CSS/Time Out Youth partnership

9 Education and training for providers/Increased DV training for multi-disciplinary providers

Love Speaks Out, DV Speaker’s Bureau, Safe Alliance DV in Workplace, Charlotte Housing Authority/CSS By Stander Training, CSE/CSS DV Training, DSS/CSS Domestic Violence/Child Welfare Collaboration

Priority Ranking

Survey Item DVCLT Community Accomplishments

10 Data collection and management

DV Data Warehouse created in 2007 and updated annually

11 System-wide/organizational capacity

Strategic planning & collaboration in service delivery and funding requests

12 Community education DVSB; By-Stander; Latina DVSB; LSO

13 Satellite services LAP in all 7 LE districts; DVSA services co-located within YFS as well as LKN area

14 Naming and measuring success

DV Data Warehouse; Improved outcome measures

15 Advocacy at the state level

DVFRT legislation passed in 2009; Mecklenburg first NC County to have team; Wake, Pitt & Alamance added; Buncombe interested in pursuing

16 Intersection of race, class and poverty

Several DVCLT member agencies are participating in RMJJ.

Supervised Visitation & Safe Exchange (SVSE)

Prevention with Youth Focus

DV perpetrators focus to enhance safety through systems change

Domestic Violence

Community Leadership

TeamDVFRT

DV CLT Task Team

DV CLT Partners

National Best

Practices

Research

Trade-offs for Safety

Lethality Assessment Program data included in DV Data warehouse

Improve Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO) Processing

Rapid Rehousing and domestic violence

2007

•DV Data Warehouse created to house DV related data &

publish the annual DV community report

•http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/CommunitySupportServices/WomensC

ommission/Resources/DV/Pages/DV-Data-Warehouse.aspx

2010

•DV FRT identifies need to focus best practices in offender work

•DV CLT commits to offender focus in 2010-2013 as priority

•DV FRT members visit High Point to learn about the Offender

Focused DV Initiative (OFDVI)

2012

•CSS, Safe Alliance, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and

Huntersville Police partner to train and implement the Lethality

Assessment Program (LAP) within CMPD and Huntersville PD

Rob Hunter, Matthews Police Department &

Marie White, Community Support Services

2015

•High Point Police Department presents OFDVI in Mecklenburg

•CJAG Home campaign task team created

2016

•Law Enforcement (LE) and DV Service Agencies within Mecklenburg

County on the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) and to utilize the

LAP instrument to identify high risk victims and connect them to

services

•LAP use implemented in all 7 LE districts within Mecklenburg County

Current DV Data Warehouse Data Points◦ Law Enforcement (7 Districts)

◦ Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office

◦ 26th Judicial Civil District Court

◦ Department of Social Services/Youth & Family Services

◦ Safe Alliance

◦ Community Support Services

◦ Public Health

Next Step:◦ LAP Data to be included in DV Data Warehouse

7 LE Districts LAP Screened (Total vs. High Risk)

DVSA Disposition of Services

E-filing of DVPO paperwork Electronic transfer of pleadings and Orders:

Judicial Officials, Clerk, Sheriff, and Victim Service

Video conference hearing with Judge or Magistrate for Emergency Protective Order

Automate the DVPO filing process Electronic preparation of DVPO paperwork

Katrina Watson, Magistrate’s Office, Laura Lawrence,

Safe Alliance & Kent Matzinger, Clerk’s Office

Benefits

Makes process less time consuming and burdensome for victims

Facilitates victims filing for DVPO

Reduces paperwork for Court

Keeps victims in a safe place between filing and hearing

Allows for better case management

Speeds the service of DVPO

More effectively and expeditiously addresses domestic violence concerns in our community

Stacy M. Lowry, MSW, LCSW

Mecklenburg County Community Support Services

RAPID RE-HOUSING

FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS

ENDING HOMELESSNESS

February 8, 2017

More than 80% of mothers with children

experiencing homelessness have

previously faced domestic violence.

Domestic Violence & Homelessness

Between 22 and 57% of all homeless women report

that domestic violence was the immediate cause of their homelessness.

Housing

Employment Assistance

Counseling

Safety

Homelessness Programming

Domestic ViolenceProgramming

Rapid Re-housing Core Components

Case

Management

& Services

Financial

Move-in

Assistance

Housing

Identification

Families like Housing First because it gets them into housing faster and they spend less time homeless.

Rapid Re-housing Examples:Families Experiencing Domestic Violence

Stacy M. Lowry

Mecklenburg County Community Support Services

RAPID RE-HOUSING

FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS

ENDING HOMELESSNESS

Seek commitment from Agency/Community Leaders

Develop community task teams to address each priority area

Develop strategic plans to address each priority area, including support needed from community leaders.

DV Fatality Review Team

DV Community Leadership Team

DV Data Warehouse

“I have lost everything”: Trade-offs of seeking safety from

intimate partner violence

Lisa Goodman, Ph.D.Boston College

Study background and significance

Chief aim of our work has always been safety

But increasingly – survivors come in with complex challenges

Partner violence is one strand of a complex web of trauma, poverty, and oppression

Addressing one strand affects entire web

E.g. more violence, financial strain, residential instability, and custody battles

How do survivors understand and weigh these strands in their search for safety?

Research Questions

Q1: To what extent and how does working towards safety affect other domains of survivors’ lives?

Q2: To what extent do survivors anticipate the challenges they face as they pursue safety?

Q3: How do survivors evaluate their safety-seeking efforts in light of retrospective knowledge of the new challenges such efforts produced?

Method

Domestic Violence Program Evaluation and Research Collaborative: 2 researchers, 18 DV programs

Design: Mixed method – qualitative and quantitative

Participants: 301 survivors from 3 states –

Overall focus: How do survivors think about safety

Today’s focus: Trade-offs survivors experience in journey to safety

Method

Trade-offs items (1-5 scale; always true-never true)

I have to give up too much to keep safe

Working to keep safe has created (or will create) new problems for me.

Working to keep safe has created (or will create) new problems for people I care about.

Four open-ended questions:

What kinds of new problems?

Did you expect these?

If you knew then what you now now, what different?

What information do you wish someone had given you?

Study Findings

Q1: Extent of Trade-offs

62%

38%

"I have to give up too much to keep safe” (n=301)

YES

NO

Q1: Seeking Safety and New Problems

48.70%51.30%

"Working to keep safe created, or will create, new

problems for me"

YES

NO 46.50%53.50%

"Working to keep safe created, or will create, new problems for people I care

about"

YES

NO

Q1: New Problems due to Safety Seeking (n=165)

“What were these problems?”

Coded written responses

Overall Theme = Loss

5 categories

Categories of loss

Loss of social support (20.6%)

Religious communities -> sanctity of marriage

Friends and family -> not one more man of color in the system, burnout

Within shelter/TLP

Not a single safe relationship as a result of decision to seek safety

Loss of home and sense of rootedness (19.4%)

I have disappeared from the face of the earth to keep safe, I have lost everything

Categories of Loss (continued)

Loss of financial stability (19.4%) Changing jobs to get away from my abuser meant a pay cut.

Also supporting a complete household of bills & kids by myself is a financial strain. Court dates mean time lost at work and caused me to worry about losing my new job.

Loss of control over parenting (15.8%) Through shelter life

Too few resources

Loss of custody

Abuser manipulation -In my situation, the more I pull or try to stay away

from my abuser the more he keeps my son away from me

Extent of trade-offs: Categories of loss (n=165)

12

Loss of freedom (12.7%) Constrained by …..

Shelter with too few rules or alien culture and absence

of shared language

Social service system that held them down

Fear that the abuser would find them

I can't do the things I want because I always worry

about is he going to find me if I fill out this

application or leave my # at a job or use a credit card

Q2: Expected vs. Unexpected Problems

About half of survivors (50.9%) reported that they had NOT expected at least some the problems they experienced

Q3: What participants would have done differently

Roughly one quarter of survivors (28.2%) who reported problems seeking safety would have done something differently

Avoided, left earlier, or not returned to the relationship

Stayed in the relationship

Avoided formal help

Sought help sooner

Q4: What participants wished for earlier

Advanced information

About DV: warning signs and how it evolves

About what programs and shelters are really like

About custody issues

Advice from others to get help

Advice about what the consequences of their actions would be

More resources to support them in the process

In closing…..

Participants juggled their pursuit of safety within a constellation of other competing demands, with gains in safety leading to losses in other domains

Are you able to learn about client trade-offs?

Are you able to respond to them?

Might your role contribute to them?

How can you learn about and address survivor trade-offs better?