Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center

Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

April 1, 2008

Present: Jan Lutz, Monica Maurer, Paula Condol, Tom Frost, Ivy Riveland, Amy Boydston, Billie Larkin, Jerre Corey, Kim Martinez, Jane Braun

Date of Next call: Tuesday May 6, 2008 11 am CST

Agenda:

- Hospital Based Summit: The MRCAC will host a Hospital based summit in Aug 2009 in Milwaukee WI. We have been unable to attach ourselves to a snappy locale like Waikiki so will have to pretend on the shores of Lake Michigan.

- Forensic Interview Training: NCAC is offering the possibility of regional forensic interview training. Chapters felt that travel and time savings for attendees would be good and that for several of the states it takes 3 planes to get to Huntsville so this would be a major help. They would love to see it offered regionally.

- Streaming: Jane discussed her hopes for streaming technology for centers and her disappointment at initial figures for attendees. The Chapters all said they are very enthusiastic over the technology and feel the directors are hanging back due to the newness, They all agreed to go to their next chapter meeting and do a demo on the technology because they feel so strongly that it would be wonderful for their centers. Jane stated how much she appreciated their input and offer to do a demo, what a great idea on their part.

- Leadership Conference: Jane said that MRCAC will pay for one representative from each state to the NCA Leadership conference.

State Updates:

Ohio: the posting for the chapter coordinator has been posted on the NCA listserv, please apply if interested.

Illinois: the State of IL is sponsoring a walk through IL ending at the Chicago CAC. Teresa Huizar from NCA and Jane Braun will be joining Billie on this walk.

Indiana: things are status quo, working with Children’s Justice Act committee to get funding for CACs. Jan is working with seven developing CACs; trying to get a CAC in each region. Region XVI had a community meeting with over 200 people; they are interested in pursuing a CAC.

South Dakota: busy. Child’s Voice is putting on a conference that the chapter is helping to sponsor with Victor Vieth coming; over 200 people coming. The chapter is planning on another retreat in May to work on goals/objectives for the state.

North Dakota: chapter working on a website and brochure. Had a media campaign across the state. Has a large training approaching that the chapter is sponsoring. Sending a number of teams to APSAC conference this summer. Having a chapter retreat for strategic planning this summer.

Minnesota: chapter retreat April 18^th with a consultant for strategic planning. The consultants are focused on collaboration, may be a good resource for other states. They also do a lot of legislative consulting.

Nebraska: working on grants, website, getting info out to Health and Human Services. Just finished annual report and working on training and surveying teams (hopefully more on a regular basis) to see training needs around the state.

Kansas: will not know until end of legislative session if they will get an increase or not in funding to centers, but current have one million. Have a website. Have 7 developing centers. Feels overextended and not able to provide the degree of technical assistance that she would like to. Next month will be convening board. Have hired a facilitator for strategic planning for the state chapter. Julie Pape, CAC council (all program directors) will be there. Julie will be neutral facilitator to develop a statewide growth plan. Have centers anywhere from very tiny area with small amount of children serviced to very large centers that are expanding.

Michigan: President and Vice President resigned recently, so no chapter representation. Executive Committee meeting April 14^th and 21^st all of the directors at state chapter level meeting. Four major cities with no director: Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Flint. Not sure why directors are dropping like flies. Have two new centers developing in Port Huron and Midland. Economically the state is doing poorly. They have legislative committee with a consultant trying to look at the issue of funding. Up for chapter accreditation next year. Jerre got on the call for the call but is the former director, not acting director. Jeanie Colella would be the most likely person to take over.