Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center

Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

May 3, 2006

Present: Jan Lutz, Jay Wood, Kim Martinez, Mark Zimmerer, Brenda Nelson, Kathleen Inwood, Amy Russell,

Jane Braun Ben Murray

Date of next call: June 6 11:00 am. To 12 noon CST

Agenda:

NCA Leadership Conference:

-Jane said that there are approximately 50 people from our region registered to attend Leadership conference this year. New this year is that there is actual designated meeting time for each regional during the conference. The Regional meetings will take place on Monday from 1:45-3:15 pm. Discussion at the meeting will be an overview of the Chapter Summit, vision for where we want to be as a region, some discussion of proposed accreditation for chapters (currently Jane does not have any new information, however, the NCA Board will meet the weekend before so there may be more information to share at the conference). Jane will e-mail maps to each of the advisory board members as soon as they are completed and these same maps will be distributed at the meeting. Jane would like to address how states will tackle growth issues.

NCA n.e.t.:

-Kim discussed that we are currently at 45 sites for NCA n.e.t., which is an increase beginning May of this year, after the partial funding grants were awarded. In addition, we have increased education calls this year and are adding an additional forensic interview peer review call for a total of 4 forensic interview peer review calls, 3 medical peer review calls, 1 MDT Case Review and 1-2 education calls every month. Jane also added that all education calls are videotaped and available from our lending library. CEU’s can be obtained if requested in advance and the proper paperwork is completed.

MRCAC Website:

-Kim announced that the Spring newsletter, Job Description/Salary Survey and MRCAC Resource Manual/NCA Accreditation Standards are all now posted on the website for use. Please continue to use the website as your first stop for information at www.childrensmn.org/mrcac

NACA:

-Jane announced that Linda Rasmussesn from NACA will join us for the first 15-20 minutes of our next advisory board call to discuss NACA and how we can work with them.

Medical Training Academy:

-Jane stated that we have just wrapped up our first Basic Medical Training Academy for this year and have another one scheduled for June 15-17. There will be two additional Basic MTA’s this summer, one in Salt Lake City, UT and the other in the Southern Region. There are also two Advanced Medical Training Academies scheduled this Fall on September 28-30 and October 19-21. In addition, due to feedback from the attendees, we are currently developing an additional freestanding training on how to approach the legal system. This is currently addressed in an abbreviated manner in our current medical training academies; however, we have had overwhelming positive responses to this and requests for more. The goal is to host it in MN and have a judge, attorneys, MDT representation and medical and go over the courtroom experience. There are no specifics yet.

-Jane also stated that all Regionals have scholarships available again beginning in August for MTA

State Updates:

Indiana: Jan reported they are developing a website that should be set to go the end of May.

Wisconsin: Brenda reported that they have not met since the Summit; scheduled to meet again in June. Anita O’Conor will be leaving the CPC in Milwaukee, last day May 19.

Missouri: Jay stated that the legislatin session will maintain state funding. They hope for $395,000 or more. The Senate will let them know by end of work day. They have a Prevention Specialist funded by the Health Department statewide. Their chapter website is ready to go. Also, Jay said that Prevent Child Abuse MO has approach the Chapter about coming under their organization. The Chapter is concerned about too much prevention focus; however, this might allow them to access more funds. They are concerned about spreading themselves too thin. He discussed their current state funding and said they are waiting to hear but it appears to be an either/or situation. They have a dedicated tax credit to CACs and have tapped into Youth Oriented dollars where they get 50 cents to every dollar for up to $500,000-$1 million-this bill is currently in the house. They also have a proposal for Safe Care Forensic Medical providers in both the House and Senate. They are looking at other model networks. Ben Murray brought up Stewards of Children and Jay said they are interested in this also. Ben said Anne Fremuth would be a good resource as she is a former CAC Director from Ogden UT and is currently based in Salt Lake City, UT with Prevent Child Abuse, UT.

Kansas: Kathleen reported that they had a meeting the first part of April. She has in her hands a check from the Attorney General’s office for $1,104 to be used by the State Chapter. This year they will use it to incorporate the chapter as that costs $1,000. Next year will be reviewed again and they hope for even more money. Roger McCoolister, ED of KS Legal Services spoke to the chapter about how they have changed from a few offices to statewide and discussed funding issues. Very knowledgeable.

Nebraska: Mark said they have not met yet since the Summit but meet later this week in Kearney. Bill 1113 passed which mandates that all children under 16 yrs of age have their interview conducted at a CAC and that all counties have a mandated MDT; this was attached to a much larger bill. A copy is attached for review. Language was changed so that HHS can decide which CAC will be accessed, which addresses border counties i.e. at times it is closer to be seen in Sioux City than Norfolk, etc.

Ohio: Ben reported things are quiet in OH; meeting later this week. Working on legislation, looking at graphics/logo/etc for chapter. Have selected logo. Now just working on day-to-day activities.

Minnesota: Amy said that MN has not met since the Summit. All 3 CACs will send representatives to the Leadership Conference and so currently they are working on Hill Day issues.

Grant Writing:

Jane reported that Angela Bafile is brilliant on grantwriting and that she has replaced Charnette Sample at NCA. Angela shared with Jane that 70% of grant submission at NCA meets with awards, which is quite high. Jane feels that Angela will be an excellent grant writing resource for our directors. Jane is encouraging everyone to attend or review the videotape from the NCA n.e.t. education call when Angela presents. The date will be announced once it is scheduled.

Miscellaneous:

Jane would like to know the dates for upcoming chapter meetings so that she can try to attend some of them over the next 4 months. Please e-mail upcoming chapter meetings to Jane at: jane.braun@childrensmn.org

Respectfully Submitted,

Kim Martinez

MRCAC