Executive Committee Minutes s1

Executive Committee Minutes 07/16/15

In attendance: Gizane Indart, Linda Loflin Pettit, Irene Blatnick, Scott Snow, Rebecca Gershten, Cathy Phelps, Steve Siegel Excused absence: Mike Johnson

1) Minutes: The June 4, 2015 minutes were approved. Action items were reviewed. Scott has attempted contact with Carolyn Bluhm regarding faith based referrals for VSN and has spoken with Deb Takahara from channel 31. She is interested in being involved though it will be clarified as to what her role will be. The committee discussed the concern about how the media seeks and presents stories. Steve recommended the focus is on story behind the headline: what happens when the camera turns off? Follow up with Mike regarding a contact at St. John’s Cathedral.

2) Quarterly confirmed speakers: Marley Bordovsky will present in August. The Phoenix Center will present in November and Hazel Heckers will present in February. Please submit other ideas/trainers for 2016 to Rebecca.

3) Psychosocial Disaster Planning: Misc.: Scott presented the most recent information regarding the psychosocial disaster efforts. The tri-county presented their current model for disaster relief which is currently being reviewed for Denver. Karri Hobaica (Denver Public Health) led the last meeting which consisted of two scenarios that helped identify the flow and roll out of first responders, organizations and entities as well as the gaps. This new gathering of organizations is proving beneficial as we all learn who the key stakeholders are. Hali Nurnberg completed an assessment which was shared with the committee and will be emailed. The following meetings will be scheduled: Steve, Irene and Linda Ferry will meet to discuss Victim Compensation Steve, Irene, Scott Snow, Linda Loflin Pettit will discuss the role of the DA and CA office. Steve, Irene, Scott Snow and Scott Field (OEM) will meet to discuss where the project is housed best. Currently, the idea is to house the project as a subcommittee of the Denver Health Care Coalition and invite strategic players to the table. 4) Evidence Based Evaluation: Irene informed us that the committee met and will be looking to work with funders (assessing what they are looking for) and looking at standardized surveys and VSN member surveys. The committee will attempt to glean relevant information that can be compiled for use by VSN agencies to enhance data and move forward with evidence based evaluation.

5) New business: Scott announced that Anne DePrince was appointed as the first woman chair of the Psychology Department at DU and will continue with the Traumatic Stress Studies. Irene shared that we will be nominating Anne for a 2016 OVC National Crime Victim Service Award under the Vision 21 Crime Victims Research Award category. Please send letters of recommendation to Rebecca by July 24th.

Linda announced that the pet team will be visiting with her staff at the Van Cise Victim Outreach office and has received more interest from other departments.

There was considerable discussion about the recent case involving and infant.

Gizane informed us that Cathy Wells will be presenting at the DA’s office on July 21 at 12:30. The committee is invited to attend.

ACTION ITEMS: 1) Follow up with Mike regarding a contact at St. John’s Cathedral. 2) Rebecca and Scott will contact Carolyn Bluhm regarding faith based referrals for VSN. 3) Rebecca will email Hali’s final assessment. 4) Submit other ideas/trainers for 2016 to Rebecca 5) Disaster planning meetings – updates 6) Submit letters of recommendation for Anne DePrince to Rebecca by July 24th.

Next EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING(s): No meeting in August, September 3, October 1, December 3 8:30 – 10:00am

Next QUARTERLY LEADERSHIP MEETINGS: 1:30-3:30 | Denver Foundation - August 19, November 18, February 17 (location TBD)