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HomeMy WebLinkAbout21- Memorandum of Understanding - Bozeman Health, SACC, CASA-GAL, Gallatin County Attorney, & Haven - Gallatin ProjectMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) reflects a collaborative partnership between Haven, City of Bozeman/Bozeman Police Department (BPD), Bozeman Health, Sexual Assault Counseling Center (SACC), Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian Ad Litem program (CASA/GAL), and Gallatin County Attorney’s Office (referred to as “partners” moving forward). The partners have come together to collaborate on an application for funding to the U.S Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women, in response to the OVW Fiscal Year 2021 Rural Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Assistance Program. The partners have agreed to enter into a collaborative agreement in which Haven will be the lead agency and named applicant and the other agencies will be partners in this application. I) DESCRIPTION OF PARTNER AGENCIES The partners involved in this project and agreeing to MOU include: Haven, a non-profit, non-governmental organization serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. City of Bozeman/Bozeman Police Department (BPD), serving the City of Bozeman with sworn law enforcement, prosecution, advocacy services, and sexual assault/domestic violence prosecution. Bozeman Health, providing Bozeman and the surrounding area with primary medical care with specialized focus from forensic nurse examiners and medical care specific to survivors of violence. Sexual Assault Counseling Center (SAAC), a non-profit, non-governmental organization serving survivors of sexual violence and abuse, stalking, trafficking and harassment. Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem program (CASA/GAL), a non-profit organization of volunteer Guardians ad Litem serving as advocates for abused and neglected children. Gallatin County Attorney’s Office, serving Gallatin County with prosecuting all felony crimes committed in the county, and all misdemeanor crimes committed outside of the county’s incorporated cities. The Victim Services program is a department of the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office. The program provides advocacy services to all survivors of violent crime. II) HISTORY OF RELATIONSHIP The Gallatin Project was established in 1997 with the purpose of focusing the collaborative efforts of community agencies and local governments on the unique needs of survivors of domestic violence. In 2008, the Project’s scope expanded to include survivors of sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. This Project’s rural response for protecting child, youth, and adult survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking builds upon the many successes achieved by the Project during the past 24 years, and incorporates lessons learned during these many years of protecting and serving the most vulnerable members of the rural communities. Some examples of where these partnerships have led include: ● Trained full-time domestic violence prosecution ● Enhanced brochures and education materials, including strangulation, bystander information, and dynamics of sexual assaults ● Formation of the Sexual Assault Response Team, the Domestic Violence Response Team, and the High Risk Team, including the establishment of related policies and protocols ● Improved ability to provide safe housing for survivors in crisis ● Improved prosecution of drug-facilitated sexual assaults ● Improved Forensic Nurse Examiner capability with both training and availability to provide exams ● Improved communication, sharing of resources, and sharing of information between all partners ● Improved training of advocates, law enforcement officers, and prosecutors in understanding and addressing the dynamics related to domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and dating violence ● Formation of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and the Child Advocacy Center (CAC). The team is comprised of professionals mandated to respond to reports of child abuse and crimes against children in Gallatin County The partners in this grant have worked together successfully to fulfill previous grant requirements over the lifespan of the Project. Each year and new grants have led to improvements such as those listed above to provide enhanced education to the public, direct services to survivors, and safe environments for survivors. The partners meet quarterly to discuss the project and ensure goals, objectives, and tasks are completed in a timely manner. Changes in collaboration include Haven taking over as the lead applicant and assuming the role of grant administrator, responsible for financial management and preparing and submitting performance reports. Previously, the City of Bozeman, with representatives from the Bozeman Police Department, was lead applicant with Haven as a partner. Partners no longer included in the grant from previous years include Montana State University VOICE Center and Montana State University Police Department. They have been removed from the grant as they have full funding through the University. In addition, the City of Bozeman Attorney’s Office now has prosecutors trained in domestic violence prosecution who are fully funded by the City. There are no new partners joining the Project. The partners who will either carry out or be responsible for their organization’s role in carrying out the work of this project are: ● Erica Aytes Coyle, Executive Director, Haven ● Aja Osita, Program Director, Haven ● Genesea Meha, Survivor Advocate, Haven ● Dana Kramer, Survivor Advocate, Haven ● Jeff Mihelich, City Manager, City of Bozeman ● Jim Veltkamp, Deputy Chief, Bozeman Police Department ● Keeley Bowman, Forensic Nursing Program Coordinator, Bozeman Health ● Christina Powell, Executive Director, SACC ● Hailey Hogan, Coordinated Community Response Specialist (CCRS), SACC ● Glenda Noyes, Executive Director, CASA/GAL ● Marty Lambert, County Attorney, Gallatin County ● Stacy Wesen, Victim Services Program Director, Gallatin County The partners reserve the right to designate different team members as needed. The team will review the timeline of grant activities set forth in the project narrative, communicate regarding specific tasks and responsibilities associated with grant activities, and meet to discuss project progress and address challenges on a minimum of a quarterly basis. The partners will work together to coordinate the team’s communications. III) DEVELOPMENT OF APPLICATION Haven is the lead applicant for this grant. The other partners on the grant contributed by providing input on the project narrative, communicating with relevant staff about the project, determining the portion of the budget necessary for each party. This application is to be submitted by Haven on or before March 16, 2021 through the appropriate federal online grants system. IV) ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Haven Haven is a non-government, non-profit agency that provides emergency shelter, crisis intervention, on- going support, referrals, and education to reduce the incident and minimize the impact of domestic abuse on individuals and families in the community. Haven has been a partner on the Project since its inception in 1997. This is the first time Haven is applying as the lead agency and named applicant on the grant. Previously, the named applicant was the City of Bozeman with representation and management from the Bozeman Police Department. Haven’s roles and responsibilities include: ● Management of the Project to include financial management and reporting, grant administration, submission of performance reports, and coordinating with all MOU partners to ensure goals, objectives, and tasks are completed in a timely manner ● Prepare for and participate in the Project’s quarterly meetings (Executive Director) ● Participate in or approve staff participation in OVW-sponsored training and technical assistance and serve as ‘trained trainers’ for improving survivor services, providing community outreach, and advocacy specific to domestic violence (Executive Director) ● Assist with review and revision of all survivor services protocols, policies, and procedures and serve as the ‘lead reviewer’ for instruments related to services for survivors of domestic violence (Program Director) ● Assist with project evaluation (Program Director) ● Strengthen survivors’ services provided by Haven based on project outcomes, training, and technical assistance including: o Emergency shelter services o 24/7 support line o Legal advocacy, including assistance in obtaining temporary and permanent orders of protection (process will be expedited and survivor protection increased based on training/technical assistance and outcomes of project) (Executive Director and staff). o Department of Justice – approved limited scope legal services, including filing U visas, T visas and VAWA petitions for immigrant survivors o Improve format and approach for group discussion sessions based on training, technical assistance, and other instruments developed through this project o Continue providing individual counseling for survivors of domestic violence o Continue providing support group services for adult women and children survivors of domestic violence o Discuss safety planning with survivors and offer safety planning resources as needed ● Plan, prepare and conduct community outreach, education, awareness events, professional trainings, and workshops incorporating best practices and approaches developed through OVW training/technical assistance and project activities (Executive Director and staff) ● Recruit, hire, assign work, supervise, and provide administrative support for the Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) Coordinator and Support Line Advocate (Executive Director, Program Director) The resources Haven will contribute include: ● Qualified staff will be assigned as needed for the successful completion of the project consistent with project goals and objectives, specifically in support of training, community outreach, and advocacy ● Office space and administrative capacities ● New shelter facility (scheduled to open in 2022) with office space and meeting rooms to serve as hub for survivor services ● Collaboration with community networks developed during Haven’s many years of service to the community, especially for the planning and presentation of community training and advocacy events City of Bozeman/Bozeman Police Department The City of Bozeman is a local government that provides public safety response and related criminal prosecution, with representatives from the Police Department and City Attorney’s Office. The Bozeman Police Department (BPD) serves on several interdisciplinary teams, including the Domestic Violence Response Team, Sexual Assault Response Team, and Domestic Violence and Stalking High Risk Team. The department has 69 sworn officers, many of whom have specialized training in domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking. BPD has been a partner on the Project for approximately 16 years. City of Bozeman and BPD’s roles and responsibilities include: ● Prepare for and participate in the Project’s quarterly meetings (Deputy Chief) ● Attend OVW-sponsored training and technical assistance for developing best practices and improving approaches for the enhanced protection of survivors (at least one police officer as assigned by the Deputy Chief) ● Coordinate development and enhancement of policies, protocols, and procedures among MOU collaborators derived from OVW-training and other resources for the enhanced protection of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking (Law enforcement officers, City Attorney, and Deputy Chief) ● Serve as ‘trained trainers’ to other MOU collaborators, prosecutor staff, local governments, and other community organizations that may potentially benefit from training and outreach, especially organizations serving or supporting survivors (Law enforcement officers) ● Maintain data and identify any gaps in service, over-representation, or under-representation within underserved populations and develop approach for better serving the community (at least one police officer as assigned by Deputy Chief) ● Work closely with all participants to create shared education and tracking brochures and forms, in both English and Spanish (Deputy Chief) ● Serve on various committees, to include the Domestic Violence Response Team, Sexual Assault Response Team, and High Risk Team to improve protocols, safety for survivors, and collaboration with all partners (Deputy Chief, Law Enforcement Officers) ● Provide interpreter services for persons with limited English proficiency or impaired hearing services (Deputy Chief) The resources the City of Bozeman and BPD will contribute include: ● Sworn law enforcement officers and police information specialists ● Office space, communications, computer access, and file management ● Use of vehicles for transportation of survivors and witnesses when necessary and appropriate ● Disposable office supplies, printing, and copying ● LEP telephone interpreter services Bozeman Health Bozeman Health is the primary medical care facility for Gallatin County. Bozeman Health has been a partner on the Project since 2018. Bozeman Health’s roles and responsibilities include: ● Prepare for and participate in the Project’s quarterly meetings (Forensic Nursing Program Coordinator) ● Conduct medical-related care for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, in accordance with the Domestic Violence Response Team and the Sexual Assault Response Team protocols and normal hospital procedures (Forensic Nurse Examiners) ● Participate in or approve staff participation in OVW-sponsored training and technical assistance, as feasible and as funding is available (Forensic Nurse Examiners) ● Assist with review and revision of all survivors’ services protocols, policies, and procedures (Forensic Nursing Program Coordinator) ● Serve on various committees, to include the Domestic Violence Response Team, the Sexual Assault Response Team, and the Multi-Disciplinary Team to improve protocols, safety for survivors, and collaboration with all partners (Forensic Nursing Program Coordinator) The resources Bozeman Health will contribute include: ● Assign qualified staff as needed for the successful completion of the project consistent with project goals and objectives ● Provide medical facility for treatment of survivors ● Provide meeting rooms, as needed Sexual Assault Counseling Center The Sexual Assault Counseling Center (SACC) provides trauma based and trauma informed services including: 24/7/365 access to a trauma trained counselor-advocate, personal, medical, and legal advocacy and outreach, information and referral, case management and direct services, crisis counseling, crisis intervention, and multiple therapies, both short and long term, for survivors of sexual assault. SACC has been a partner on the Project for 10 years. SACC’s roles and responsibilities include: ● Assist with review and revision of all survivor services protocols, policies, and procedures and serve as the ‘lead reviewer’ for instruments related to services for survivors of sexual assault (Executive Director) ● Coordinate and attend the Sexual Assault Response Team and the Child Abuse Multi- Disciplinary Team to ensure collaboration and communication with all community and agency partners (Executive Director, CCRS) ● Supervise and provide administrative support for the CCRS (Executive Director) ● Prepare and use materials for training and education to professionals and the public in areas of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and dating violence (CCRS) ● Assist with project evaluation (Executive Director) ● Prepare for and participate in the Project’s quarterly meetings (Executive Director) ● Design and conduct community outreach, education, awareness events, and trainings utilizing trauma-informed best practices developed through OVW-sponsored training and LSOC training (Executive Director, CCRS) ● Create, implement, and maintain case tracking protocols to ensure a trauma-informed, responsive approach to adult survivors of sexual assault, stalking, and harassment (Executive Director, CCRS) The resources SACC will contribute include: ● Professionally trained, qualified staff ● Access to community and statewide support services ● Access to 24/7/365 sexual violence specific trauma trained counselor-advocate providing expertise in both emergency advocacy and mental health response ● 24/7/365 access to resource and referral information through the 211 database of health and human services ● 24/7/365 crisis lines ● 24/7/365 access to transportation and accompaniment to medical support services ● Coordination and access to the Gallatin County Child Advocacy Center Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian Ad Litem program Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian Ad Litem program (CASA/GAL) consists of trained advocates for children that investigate the facts constituting sexual and physical abuse and neglect of children to include conducting interviews, reviewing related documents, making reports to the court, and appearing and participating in court proceedings to aid the child. CASA/GAL has been a partner on the Project for 2012 years. CASA/GAL’s roles and responsibilities include: ● Prepare for and participate in quarterly meetings of the Project (Executive Director) ● Attend training and assist with development and presentation of training materials specifically related to child and youth survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, either as primary or secondary survivors (Executive Director) ● Serve as a ‘trained trainer’ exporting best practices and improved approaches for serving children and youth survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to the 85 trained CASA/GAL volunteers donating time to CASA/GAL (Executive Director) ● Assist with community outreach and advocacy (Executive Director) ● Provide statistical data of services provided to assist in establishing baseline and monitoring levels of service through this project (Executive Director) ● Assist with review and revision of all survivors’ service protocols, policies, and procedures (Executive Director) ● Assist with project evaluation (Executive Director) The resources CASA/GAL will contribute include: ● Qualified personnel to provide CASA/GAL advocacy services, training, and community outreach and education ● 85 trained volunteers able to assist with community outreach and education Gallatin County Attorney’s Office Gallatin County Attorney’s Office is a government organization which includes prosecutors and survivor advocates. The Victim Services program is a department of the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office. Gallatin County Attorney’s Office has been a partner on the Project for 24 years. Gallatin County Attorney’s Office’s roles and responsibilities include: ● Prepare for and participate in quarterly meetings of the Project (Victim Services Program Director) ● Coordinate services to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence (Victim Services Program Director) ● Compile and maintain database of all project activities and outcomes (Victim Witness Advocates) ● Apply best practices and increased services to survivors as identified and developed through OVW training/technical assistance resources and commitment of grant resources such as counseling, emergency lodging, cell phones, transportation, etc. (Victim Witness Advocates) ● Serve on various committees, to include the Domestic Violence Response Team, Sexual Assault Response Team, Multi-Disciplinary Team, and High Risk Team to improve protocols, safety for survivors and collaboration with all partners. (Prosecutors, Victim Witness Advocates) ● Discuss safety planning with survivors and offer safety planning resources as needed (Victim Witness Advocates) The resources Gallatin County Attorney’s Office will contribute include: ● Qualified staff ● County-wide sworn law enforcement ● Prosecution of violent crimes against women ● Office space, communications, computer access, and file management V) TIMELINE The roles and responsibilities described above are contingent on Haven receiving funds requested for the project described in the OVW grant application. Responsibilities under this MOU would coincide with the grant period, anticipated to be 10/01/2021 through 09/30/2024. VI) COMMITMENT TO PARTNERSHIP By signing below, Haven, City of Bozeman/BPD, Bozeman Health, SACC, CASA/GAL, and Gallatin County Attorney’s Office signify their approval of this MOU, the Proposal Narrative, and the Budget Narrative that have been provided for their review. By signing below, each entity signifies approval of this collaboration, including the proposed budget request for each partner.