Versión en español a continuación. Commission for Women Meeting Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Commission for Women be held Wednesday, February 3, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Tuesday, February 2, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the February 3, 2021 Commission for Women Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-2597 or april.shaw@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to april.shaw@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Commission for Women Miércoles, Febrero 3, 2021 a 9:00 a.m. La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Martes, Febrero 2, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en (512) 974-2597 or april.shaw@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). …
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Friday, January 8, 2021 SPECIAL CALLED MEETING Friday, January 8, 2021 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MINUTES The Commission for Women convened for a regular meeting on Friday, January 8, 2021 via videoconference. Chair Austen called the Commission Meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Rebecca Austen, Chair Flannery Bope, Vice Chair Tanya Athar-Jogee Julia Cuba Lewis Neva Fernandez Diana Melendez Sarah Tober Commissioners Absent: Juliana Gonzales Amanda Lewis Dyana Limon-Mercado Vacant: District 2 Staff in Attendance: April Shaw, Human Resources Department 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Consider approval of the minutes from the Commission for Women regular meeting on December 2, 2020. The minutes from the regular meeting on December 2, 2020 were approved on Chair Austen’s motion, Commissioner Cuba Lewis second on a vote of 6-0, with Commissioner Fernandez off the dais and Commissioners Gonzales, Lewis, and Limon-Mercado absent. Friday, January 8, 2021 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES 2. OLD BUSINESS groups: i. Economic equity a. Discussion and possible action regarding updated from the following working Discussion was held. No action was taken. ii. Sexual assault, violence prevention, and survivor experience Discussion was held. No action was taken. iii. Access to quality and affordable healthcare Discussion was held. No action was taken. iv. Women’s Hall of Fame Discussion was held. No action was taken. b. Discussion and possible action regarding updates from the Joint Inclusion c. Discussion and possible action regarding the recommendation for the City of Austin d. Discussion and possible action regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Committee. Discussion was held. No action was taken. FY2021 budget. Discussion was held. No action was taken. Austin’s women and girls. Discussion was held. No action was taken. anti-racism. Discussion was held. No action was taken. e. Discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to the City Council on COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Friday, January 8, 2021 f. Discussion and possible action regarding Commission for Women Working Groups. The 2021 Commission for Women Working Groups were approved on Chair Austen’s motion, Commissioner Athar-Jogee’s second on a vote of 7-0, with Commissioners Gonzales, Lewis, and Limon-Mercado absent. g. Discussion and possible action regarding the Commission Charter. Updates to the Commission for Women Charter were approved on Chair Austen’s motion, Vice Chair Bope’s second on a vote of 7-0, with Commissioners Gonzales, Lewis, and Limon-Mercado absent. h. Discussion and possible action regarding childcare …
Commission for Women Working Group Membership Updated January 2021 Homelessness Tanya Athar-Jogee Rebecca Austen Flannery Bope Sarah Tober Safety Health Neva Fernandez Juliana Gonzales Amanda Lewis Tanya Athar-Jogee Flannery Bope Juliana Gonzales Diana Melendez Recognition of Equity for Women and Girls Julia Cuba Lewis Dyana Limon-Mercado Diana Melendez Sarah Tober
Victim Services Division Manager (Kachina Clark) Crisis Team Investigation Support Team Austin Police Department Victim Services Division Investigation Team counselor assignments Homicide (1) Sex Crimes (5) Child Abuse (3) Domestic Violence (6) DV/Crisis Team (1) DV/Hate Crimes (1) DV/Vehicular Homicide (1) Robbery (1) Aggravated Assault (1) LE Counseling (1) Supervisors (2) Lead Counselors (3) Supervisors (3) Counselors (22) Counselors (14) Student Interns (7) 1 lead counselor position (Crisis Team) is vacant 2 counselor positions (Crisis Team) are vacant 1 counselor position (DV) is vacant Capacity Building With COA Commission for Women and Austin City Council support, APD Victim Services Division capacity has increased over the last three years to include: Nine new positions $30,000 for social work stipends ($2,500 flat rate per intern) $15,000 for basic victim needs EMDR o EMDR-trained counselors continue to provide pro-bono work (one client at any given time) to complete their commitment of 50 sessions. Capacity is stretched thin. For example, only fifteen counselors have the ability to accept new clients at this time. o One of the Investigations Team supervisors now oversees the APD EMDR program. Ideally, we need an EMDR coordinator (part-time position) and will include a request for the position with the next VOCA grant application. Our preference is that the position be included with the City’s operating budget. o We will soon fold the therapists managed by the SARRT EMDR committee into the APD EMDR program o Funding from previous budgets is exhausted.* The need for EMDR continues to grow and we cannot meet community expectations. For program sustainability, we recommend ongoing annual funding to train local therapists in EMDR. *EMDR funding was not included with the FY20-21 operating budget Unmet Needs Long-term fiscal planning Grant-funded positions Market study to potentially adjust compensation and reclassify positions
CAPACITY CREATION FOR DVSA VICTIMS THE HOTEL SAFETY NET SURVIVORS ARE FACING DISPLACEMENT AND HOMELESSNESS IN TEXAS Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault are being displaced and becoming homeless due to the lack of capacity and beds at local emergency shelters. Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, shelters were turning away close to 48% of the victims coming to them and long waitlists. In March of 2020, that percentage skyrocketed to more than 90% according to the HHSE report presented by the Texas Council on Family Violence. The "shelter In place" order traps many victims in their homes, without an outlet to make an outcry. Virus or violence? HOTEL SAFETY NET SURVIVE2THRIVEFOUNDATION QUICK STATS 1 IN 3 WOMEN...1 IN 7 MEN... HAVE EXPERIENCED INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AT LEAST ONCE IN THEIR LIFETIME. 13% OF AUSTIN'S HOMELESS COMMUNITY, SELF IDENTIFY AS VICTIMS OF SOME SORT OF DOMESTIC ABUSE. IN 2019, MORE THAN 12,000 VICTIMS A MONTH ARE TURNED AWAY FROM LOCAL SHELTERS IN TEXAS* *14TH ANNUAL NNEDV SNAPSHOT CENSUS 2019 HOTEL SAFETY NET SURVIVE2THRIVEFOUNDATION THE COMMUNITY NEED - MORE IMMEDIATE HOUSING CAPACITY FOR FLEEING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE. - MORE RESOURCE AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY . - A MECHANISM FOR THE QUICK PLACEMENT OF VICTIMS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. - VICTIM-FACING TECHNOLOGY FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING AND RESTABILIZATION. SOME SUCCESSFUL COVID-19 OUTCOMES $935,000+ in Indirect and Indirect financial assistance to victims. $29,000+ in resources dispersed via our Seed A Survivor rent/utility/food assistance program (es. August 1, 2020) for housing costs and food insecurity. $14,000+ in Back-to-School supplies, clothes, and backpacks to the children in our SANCTUARY Program via S2T case management. 20,125 calls logged to COVID-19 hotline. 573+ families placed in our Hotel Safety Net in hotels across Austin in 2020; 1,039 men, women, and children of diverse backgrounds including COCs and the LGBTQ community. 205 successful interactions with law enforcement resulting in rapid placement most happening in under one (1) hour. The opening of the SANCTUARY Gardens Empowerment & Recovery Center for survivor immersion in South Austin. HOTEL SAFETY NET SURVIVE2THRIVEFOUNDATION WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY. WE HAVE A SURVIVOR BOARD AND OUR CARE IS CLIENT AND TRAUMA INFORMED. WE LOVE OUR PARTNERS AND COLLABORATE...A LOT. WE USE TECHNOLOGY TO CONNECT SERVICE PROVIDERS AND VICTIMS TO RESOURCES. HOTEL SAFETY NET SURVIVE2THRIVEFOUNDATION COMMUNITY AND TECH PARTNERS APD VICTIM SERVICES The SANCTUARY web platform gives immediate access to hotel rooms. Reduces victim placement time and places …
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 3, 2021 REGULER MEETING Wednesday, February 3, 2021 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MINUTES The Commission for Women convened for a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 via videoconference. Chair Austen called the Commission Meeting to order at 9:19 a.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Rebecca Austen, Chair Flannery Bope, Vice Chair Amanda Lewis Neva Fernandez Diana Melendez Sarah Tober Commissioners Absent: Tanya Athar-Jogee Julia Cuba Lewis Juliana Gonzales Vacant: District 2 Staff in Attendance: April Shaw, Human Resources Department 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Consider approval of the minutes from the Commission for Women special called meeting on January 8, 2021. The minutes from the special called meeting on January 8, 2021 were approved on Chair Austen’s motion, Commissioner Fernandez’ second on a vote of 6-0, with Commissioners Athar-Jogee, Cuba Lewis, and Gonzales absent. 2. OLD BUSINESS COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 3, 2021 a. Discussion and possible action regarding updated from the following working groups: i. Homelessness Discussion was held. No action was taken. Discussion was held. No action was taken. ii. Safety iii. Health Discussion was held. No action was taken. iv. Recognition of Equity for Women and Girls Discussion was held. No action was taken. Committee. Discussion was held. No action was taken. FY2021 budget. Discussion was held. No action was taken. Discussion was held. No action was taken. b. Discussion and possible action regarding updates from the Joint Inclusion c. Discussion and possible action regarding the recommendation for the City of Austin d. Discussion and possible action regarding Commission for Women Working Groups. 3. BRIEFINGS a. Presentation from Austin Police Department Victim Services by Kachina Clark regarding victim services and budget priorities and needs. Kachina Clark provided a presentation to the Commission regarding victim services and budget priorities and needs. b. Presentation from Survive2Thrive by Courtney Santana regarding displacement of domestic violence victims, homelessness prevention, and budget priorities and needs. COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Courtney Santana provided a presentation to the Commission regarding displacement of domestic violence victims, homelessness prevention, and budget priorities and needs. 4. NEW BUSINESS needs. a. Discussion and possible action regarding victim services and budget and priority Discussion was held. No action was taken. b. Discussion and possible action regarding displacement of domestic violence victims, homelessness prevention, and budget and priority needs. Discussion was held. The motion to endorse the …
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN RECOMMENDATION 20210203-04b Date: February 3, 2021 Subject: Continued Funding for the Hotel Safety Net for Survivors Motioned By: Rebecca Austen Seconded By: Sarah Tober Recommendation to Council WHEREAS, the Commission for Women (“Commission”) of the City of Austin (“City”) serves as an advisory body that advocates for and inspires the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager to prioritize women’s quality of life, so that Austin becomes the most equitable city in the nation for women and girls; and WHEREAS, on April 17, 2020, the Commission passed Recommendation 20200417-03C: COVID-19 Responses for Women and Girls, including a recommendation to provide adequate safe shelter options and services that address the specific needs of women and children experiencing abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence, sex trafficking and homelessness, in partnership with organizations that provide these programs and services, and increase awareness of hotlines and related resources; and WHEREAS, on October 26, 2020 the Human Rights Commission passed Recommendation 20201026-002a: Continued Funding for the Hotel Safety Net for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Commission reinforces the recommendation of the Human Rights Commission to: • Continue funding the hotel safety net and resources for victims experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The funding for this essential program going forward will nurture the trust and relationship between law enforcement, referring agencies, and victims. The program provides revenue to local hotels, which helps offset the losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. • Direct the City Manager to diversify the funding to organizations that support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, to address their unique needs. 1 Date of Approval: February 3, 2021 Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 6-0 vote, with three commissioners absent, and one district vacant. Attest: April E. Shaw April Shaw, Staff Liaison 2
