DHR Domestic Violence Advisory Committee
April 17, 2008 Minutes
SPECIAL REMINDER: Please remember that the next Advisory Committee meeting date has been changed to August 14.
The Advisory Committee voted on this change so shelter representatives could attend the August 21 meeting of the
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council where the new grant allocations will be discussed.
DISTRICT/ SHELTER
DFCS Reg OR AGENCY
1/1
Blue Ridge
AGENCY NAME
COMMITTEE SHELTER REP
ATTENDING
Allocations
Linda Holler
Shawna Ensley
VOTING
Yes/No
Yes
No
Beth Peters
Yes
Amy Weaver
Kathie Hollis
Yes
Suzanne Dow
Yes
Cathy Sitzwohl
Jessica Butler
No
Yes
Cathy Spraetz
Vickie
Stevenson
Yes
Yes
Anna Blau
Cathy Spraetz
Yes
Yes
Teresa Smith
Sonja Strickland
Holly Comer
Marjorie Lacy
Pat Altemus
Tanika Nichols
Martha Boyce
Arlene Mackel
Michele
Bedingfield
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
1/3
1/3
1/1 & 3
Cartersville
Cedartown
Dalton
1/1 & 3
1/3
2/2
2/2
2/2
2/2
2/2
2/2
2/2
Lafayette
Rome
Blairsville
Clayton
Cornelia
Cumming
Dahlonega
Gainesville
Hartwell
N GA Mtn Crisis
Network
Tranquility House
Our House
NW GA Family
Crisis Center
Family Crisis Ctr
Hospitality House
S.A.F.E.
F.A.I.T.H.
Circle of Hope
Family Haven
NOA’s Ark
Gateway House
Hart Haven
3/13
3/5
Atlanta
Conyers
PADV
Project ReNeWal
3/14
Decatur (WRC)
3/14
3/13 & 14
3/17
3/3 & 17
3/16
3/17
3/ 4, 5 , 16
3/16
3/16
4/3 & 4
4/3 & 4
?/4
Decatur (IWH)
Lawrenceville
Canton
Douglasville
Fayetteville
Marietta
McDonough
Morrow
Morrow
Carrollton
Carrollton
LaGrange
Women’s Resource
Center
Int. Women’s House
PADV
Cherokee FV Ctr
S.H.A.R.E. House
Promise Place
YWCA NW Ga
Flint Circuit
Securus House
Securus House
Carroll County
Carroll County
Harmony House
5/5
Athens
Project Safe
Allocations
Allocations
Allocations
Allocations
Allocations
Training
Special Proj.
Training
Training
Planning
Planning
Allocations
1
Linda Holler
Shawna Ensley
Sandra Bruce
Conni Purser
Betty Higgins
Tara Hampton
Lynn Rousseau
Kathie Hollis
Caroline White
Suzanne Dow
Shalon Coffey
Marina Barron
Jessica Butler
Blondie
Willingham
Cathy Spraetz
Vickie
Stevenson
Jean Douglas
Anna Blau
Cathy Spraetz
Meg Rogers
Teresa Smith
Sonja Strickland
Holly Comer
Marjorie Lacy
Pat Altemus
Tanika Nichols
Martha Boyce
Arlene Mackel
Michele
Bedingfield
Joan Prittie
5/5 ,6, & 7
Greensboro
Circle of Love
5/2 & 5
6/6
Winder
Macon
6/6
Warner Robins
7/7
8/8
9/9
9/9
9/9
Augusta
Columbus
Dublin
Jesup
Vidalia
Peace Place
Crisis Line & Safe
House
Salvation Army Safe
House
Safe Homes
Hope Harbour
WINGS
Fair Haven
Refuge DV Shelter
10/8,10,11
10/10,
11/10,11
Albany
Thomasville
Tifton
Liberty House
Halcyon House
Ruth’s Cottage
11/10,11
11/11
Valdosta
Waycross
The Haven
Magnolia House
12/12
12/9,12
12/11,12
12/12
12/7,9,12
12/7,9,12
Brunswick
Hinesville
St. Mary’s
Savannah
Statesboro
Statesboro
GCADV
GCADV
CJCC
CJCC
Amity House
Tri-County
Camden House
SAFE Shelter
Safe Haven
Safe Haven
CJCC
DCA
DHR
DHR
DHR
DHR
DHR
DHR
Visitor
DHR
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
Moultrie
Sharon
Patterson
Charlene Garrett
Julie Steele
Nicole Rosser
Training
Allocations
Planning
Planning
Training
Serenity House
Planning
2
Nicole Rosser
Yes
Diane Sinkule
Yes
Betty Dell
Williams
Silke Deeley
Chris Marsh
Yes
Mandy Rowe
Michelle
Girtman
Mary Hogan
Yes
Yes
Cheryl Branch
Mary Harden
Bryant Bradley
Beck Dunn
Christy Cardina
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Laura
Thompson
No
Phillis Thomas
Kim Washington
Pat Holloway
Tracy Marshall
Shontel Wright
Delores Haynes
Shankeria
Walker
Crystal Barkley
Jennifer Thomas
Jameelah Ferrell
Phillis Thomas
No
Pat Holloway
Tracy Marshall
Shontel Wright
No
No
No
Shankeria
Walker
Crystal Barkley
Jennifer Thomas
Jameelah Ferrell
No
Blue Shaddix
Blue Shaddix
No
Amy Hall
Diane Sinkule
Heather Mullis
Zina Nance
Betty Dell
Williams
Silke Deeley
Chris Marsh
Rosemary
Alexander
Mandy Rowe
Michelle
Girtman
Mary Hogan
Paula Foerstel
Cheryl Fulton
Cheryl Branch
Mary Harden
Bryant Bradley
Beck Dunn
Christy Cardina
Marla Moore
Laura
Thompson
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
1.
Welcome and Introductions
2.
Minutes--Approved as submitted. Later in the meeting Marjorie Lacy stated that Pat Altemus is now the
Chairperson of the Training Committee.
3.
Treasurer’s report—Marjorie Lacy
Marjorie presented the following Treasurer’s Report:
Beginning Balance
Expenditures for 1/17/08 Meeting and Lunch
Deposits from 11 shelters
Ending Balance
$2,418.32
$ 284.31
$1,100.00
$3,234.01
The Treasurer’s Report was approved as presented.
4.
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Phillis Thomas reported that Bonnie Woods had met with Suzanne Dow at Circle of Hope re: Shelter Plus Care for the north
Georgia area and that Bonnie was also meeting with the Partnership Against Domestic Violence. Phillis also stated that
Lindsey Stillman is looking at information regarding housing support specialists.
5.
Georgia Commission on Family Violence
Jameelah Ferrell introduced Jennifer Thomas, who is the new statewide task force coordinator. Jameelah also stated the
Commission is getting ready for 15th Annual Conference to be held 9/7 – 9/10/08 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Savannah.
Last year the Commission received 78 scholarships from DHR and Jameelah stated she hoped to receive that many again
this year. Registration for the conference will be online.
6.
Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Christy Cardina reported there would be two upcoming trainings:
 April 25 (next Friday) on Danger Assessment and Safety Planning. This training is in Macon, it is already full, but
will be offered again in June in the northern area of the state.
 May 7-9 Frontline Training for Advocates. Training will take place in Macon.
Beck Dunn stated that GCADV has just issued its first newsletter sending it out by email. She stated this is GCADV’s first
attempt; will only get better if you give us some idea of what you want; please let us know. She added that by going
electronic we can make it as big or small as we’d like. Other items discussed by Beck included:
 The Fatality Review Project will have a conference in June with Neil Websdale, Ph.D. We would like to see some
shelter representation, but the conference is by invitation only. Contact Beck for further details.
 Shelley Senterfitt and the legislative committee were able to get $815,000 added to the budget for certified
domestic violence programs. The budget has not been approved by the governor; don’t call ahead, we have
overwhelmed them. The initial increase that was proposed was immediately taken out of the budget and the
inclusion of the $815,000 occurred somewhat by accident; this increase may be the last for a little while.
 GCADV lost funding from the Atlanta Women’s Foundation, which funded Shelley’s salary for lobbying. We don’t
know where we are going to get that money for the future. GNESA also lost the same money from the same
source. We are sending out a fundraising letter; depending on the response, we may have to approach shelters for
3
the difference. If you have a mailing list you are willing to share, we would like it. Question: Do you have any idea
of a dollar figure that might be needed from each shelter. Beck stated probably $500-$700 per shelter. We
currently pay her $28,000 and she works most of the year. Cathy Spraetz stated that eight years ago PADV paid
Elizabeth Appley $20,000 plus in a year to lobby for dv issues. Beck also explained that the Atlanta Women’s
Foundation revised its mission statement last year and now focuses on just metro Atlanta issues and direct
services. Therefore, a number of statewide efforts fell by the wayside.
7.
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Laura Thompson stated that CJCC hasn’t heard yet what our VOCA/VAWA allocation will be. She felt that VAWA will be up
about $150,000. CJCC will have an open solicitation for both VOCA and VAWA grants. There will be one RFP that will talk
about both grants within one document. Information will be included if you decide to switch from one funding source to the
other. The RFP should be out about May 1st and will have a June deadline. The Crime Victims Committee will make
recommendations around Aug. 15. Question: if an agency is currently doing well with its grant, will that be considered?
You will have an opportunity to state your experience in the grant application. Agencies can apply for both. Grant years
will remain the same. VOCA starts on 10/01; VAWA will apply to calendar year. Law enforcement and prosecution agencies
will have to comply with the four-year rule. Programs must still adhere to the federal guidelines. The full CJCC Council
Meeting has been set for 8/21 which conflicts with the DHR Advisory Meeting. Council will meet in southern Atlanta. Chris
Marsh stated that the DHR Advisory Committee could change their meeting date if the members wish to change the date to
be able to attend the CJCC Meeting.
Other information shared by CJCC representatives included:





Certifications that needed to be in place to meet VAWA guidelines got passed by the Georgia legislature (that
victims don’t have to pay for rape exam and/or cooperate with law enforcement investigation.) Victims of sexual
assault can not be forced to take a polygraph exam as criteria for continuing the investigation. A copy of HB 1297
is attached for your review.
5% re-certifications must be in by April 30. Bryant Bradley asked that CJCC send something out that says agencies
won’t get something back until the end of May. She stated Statesboro had received a letter from one of its counties
stating the Board of Commissioners would hold issuing 5% funds until the re-certifications are received.
CJCC will hold its 15th Annual Victims Training Conference May 20-22 at the Renaissance in Atlanta. Can register
online.
The Victims Assistance Academy has been revamped. The next Academy will be 8/24-27; attendees will complete
VAT online and then go to this at the Ga. Center in Athens; details are still being ironed out.
Performance measures reporting, for quarter, has been entered online; some problems in entering it due to
technical problems. Question: How does an agency know if it was received? Response: If the home page comes
up it has been submitted. We are trying to get something installed that will send you a response. Mandy Rowe
stated that her agency’s information printed out with someone else’s name on it.
Question: Can you give an update on reimbursement delays? Response: VOCA funds have been received from the feds,
but VAWA funds are still running late. The problems were at the federal level with the feds not releasing the money.
Question: Who can submit a VOCA or VAWA application? Response: Agencies must be 5% re-certified to get VOCA or
VAWA funds.
4
Chris Marsh asked for a motion to change the 8/21 DHR Advisory Meeting to 8/14. Motion made, seconded, and approved.
Chris will make the necessary changes with the Forsyth Holiday Inn. Bryant Bradley stated she will be on vacation in Alaska
and someone else will have to take minutes.
8.
Committee Reports
Special Projects: Anna Blau
Talked about a mentor manual for new directors; also can include things for older directors. Some of the suggested ideas
were rules, such as curfews; what works, what doesn’t; what do you do if someone comes in drunk; interesting to see what
shelters do in other situations; we’ve laughed at situations; sometimes tongue in cheek. Short stories that you may want to
share, at what point do we try to over control victims. The Committee will be soliciting this information by email.
Planning:
Martha Boyce
In order for us to look at priority areas, we need something more than the map which shows the DHR regions. We
specifically need statistics that show what services are being provided by counties and by shelters. We also need to be in
conversation with the Allocations Committee because what we may recommend could impact on the formula that
Allocations may be proposing. This work may include swapping counties between shelters to better serve victims and
reduce travel costs. We would like to have our work completed by the fall and possibly consider any changes before the
next contract year. Additionally, we also need to know the Judicial Circuit considerations as they impact each shelter.
Training:
Pat Altemus
It is the responsibility of the Training Committee to recommend the number of scholarships that shelters should received to
attend the Commission Conference and the committee’s recommendation is that each shelter will receive two full paid
scholarships that can be used by any staff person (Executive Director, frontline staff, or anyone). Pat Hollaway stated that
there is not enough money for each shelter to get two. She stated DHR has contracted for a set amount of money.and the
registration fees have increased from year to year. Pat Altemus stated that last year we received in writing that each shelter
would receive two scholarships, but there weren’t two due to money limitations. Pat Holloway stated that we have never had
enough demand to give out all the scholarships; we talked with the Commission about a drop dead date and after the
deadline we opened it up to sexual assault, task forces, DFCS, etc. Some agencies received more than one additional
scholarship. These are FVSP funds. Cathy Spraetz stated that each shelter has two available to them, then after a certain
period of time, they are opened up to other shelters. Last year there were 78, but we are unsure how many went to DHR
shelters. Pat Holloway stated that money is included in the Commission contract, then that amount is divided by the cost of
the conference. The Training Committee’s recommendation is two slots per shelter; if not enough shelters register, then
pass the remaining slots on to other shelters.
Christy Cardiner (GCADV) stated that based on past recommendations of Training Committee and a survey of directors, the
GCADV training calendar is set through September of this year. We will be doing four other advanced topic trainings: late
June; Conflict Resolution in Shelters; Balancing Empowerment and Shelter Rules; also Children’s Program Advocacy. We
will continue to offer the 3-day training in Savannah in August on basic training.
Allocations
Suzanne Dow
Suzanne explained that the allocations formula is based on figures from last year. State and FVSP funds are divided equally
among the certified shelters and programs. TANF funds are divided based on the following formula, which is the same
formula as last year:
25% Bednights (2007)
25% Services (2007)
25% Population Below Poverty Level in Counties Served
5
12.5% Square Mileage of Counties Served
12.5% Population of Counties Served
Cap funding on increases and decreases. Cap on increase $13,728; cap on decrease--$0.
These dollar figures are assuming what the governor gave us last year. Additionally, Beck Dunn stated that if the $815,000
is approved by the Governor as new money this year, that the negotiations for this money required that LaGrange and
Fayetteville would come up to full status. So their money would come off the top before any remaining funds are distributed.
Suzanne stated that next year we want to revisit how TANF funds are distributed to shelters. There is concern about how
counties are defined as primary and secondary counties. Kim is attending a FVSP meeting in May and will inquire how
other states distributed FVSP funds. Beck will also survey other states regarding their distribution plans. The Allocations
Committee will meet on June 11 at 9 a.m. before the Coalition meeting. New members can join allocations at that time;
9.
DHR Reports
Pat Holloway stated that several shelters have called about the new fingerprinting guidelines. I’m not clear enough on this
to answer the questions; we will get that information clarified. Cathy Spraetz stated that disability groups go outside DHR to
get fingerprints. This is getting expensive. Choicepoint does it cheaper than DHR. Mandy Rowe stated that we followed
the process this week and we had problems with it. Pat said she would have to get back to her the end of next week. If you
have questions, email Pat Holloway, especially with problems.
Other items covered by Pat were:
 Pat stated that Kim asked me to discuss site visits: we are more than halfway through; focusing on safety and
hazard concerns, but also policies and written procedures; once we finish those, we are going to start on our checkins. We are committing to be out in the shelters more. We really want to focus on statistics; allocations—need two
years to get the definitions fully understood. The statistics are almost finished for January through March. There is
still one little glitch. So agencies will be entering Jan-Mar.

Pat distributed a handout: Appendix B: The Documenting Our Work Forms. These forms are available online at
the FVPSA Outcomes Project website: http://pubs.pcadv.net/FVPSA_Outome The User Name and Password are
both: outcomes. “I know more ways to plan for our safety” and “I know more community resources” are the only
mandated questions related to the two outcomes. The document contains other information for evaluation
purposes. DHR is only looking at the first two. Christy Cardiner (GCADV) stated that Georgia offered to be a pilot
for the FVSPA Project and may be able to get more support through FVSPA.

ALICE—Mark will complete that as soon as we finalize what we want; if you are having problems with ALICE,
contact Mark, not DHR. If shelters purchased ALICE before the state contracted for ALICE, Kim said they would
get reimbursed for what we paid for the other certified shelters. Send receipts into DHR. Question: What if the
amount we paid is more? Response: Shelters will only be reimbursed at the rate that we paid for each shelter and
that may not be the full amount that a particular shelter paid. Other ALICE information included:
o Suzanne Dow stated the May update is being customized to what DHR wants.
o All shelters have one year of technical support as a part of the DHR purchase.
o Options for use of this technical support: some shelters did a conference call; got everyone in the room and
turned on the speaker phone;
o Question: if there is an option for after the first year, can we get a group rate?
o Question: if we had something customized, will the DHR update wipe it out? Response: Mark said the
customized info would stay.
6
o Question from Cheryl Branch: Has anyone had problems connecting their outreach offices?
10.
Miscellaneous
 Cathy Spraetz stated that a week from today, PADV will sponsor a workshop: When DV Goes To Work.
Speaker will be Victor Bova. He addressed the Virginia Tech shootings. Date 4/24; $35 registration; also
please let employers know. Brochure on padv.org website.

Next DHR Advisory Committee Meeting 8/14. (Bryant Bradley will not be attending the meeting and asked
that someone take minutes.)
7