HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 21600: MOU WITH THE GARTH HOUSE MICKEY MEHAFFY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY PROGRAM, INC. P.R. No. 21600
08/25/20 vt
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND
THE GARTH HOUSE MICKEY MEHAFFY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY
PROGRAM, INC.
WHEREAS, the Garth House serves the children of our community and provides
an environment which reflects the physical and emotional atmosphere of a home,
rather than that of clinic or an institution. Children in or community who may have been
sexually or physically abused are referred to the Garth House by law enforcement and
Child Protective Services. It has assisted over 11,400 alleged victims over the past
years. The investigative agencies work as a team. The Garth House provides counseling
for our young victims and their non-offending family members; and
WHEREAS, various agencies including the City of Port Arthur work
collaboratively to assist as advocacy for the children in our community that are affected
by abuse; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the of the citizens of Port Arthur to
continue to work with the Garth House for the betterment of the quality of life and the
protection of the children of our community.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct.
Section 2. That the City Council authorizes the approval of the execution of
the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Port Arthur and the Garth
House by the City Manager as delineated in Exhibit "A".
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Section 3. That a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the
Minutes of the City Council.
READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of , A.D.,
2020, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the
following vote: AYES:
Mayor:
Councilmembers:
•
NOES:
Thurman Bill Bartle, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sherri Bellard
City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Val Tizeno
City Attor -
APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION:
Ronald Burton
City Manager
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EXHIBIT "A"
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GARTH HOUSE
Mickey Mehaffy Children's Advocacy Program, Inc.
Memorandum of Understanding
Jefferson County
We,the undersigned agencies, by and through our supervisory heads and through our designated
representatives, do hereby agree to support the concept of and the philosophy of the Garth House and
to be actively involved in the implementation of its coordinated, multidisciplinary response to child
abuse investigation, intervention and prosecution.
We recognize that this collaborative approach, core to the children's advocacy center model, has a well-
documented record of improving outcomes for(1) child abuse cases in both criminal and child
protection systems;and (2) the lives of children and families impacted by abuse.Therefore, the
undersigned agencies hereby agree to work collaboratively.
• To minimize the re-victimization of children and protective family members as they go through
the investigation, assessment, interventions, and prosecution process; and
• To maintain a cooperative,team approach to facilitate successful outcomes in both the criminal
and child protection systems through shared fact finding and strong, collaborative case
development.
It is expressly understood that each agency will work within its own unique department mandates and
policies. Nothing contained in the investigative protocol supersedes the statutes, rules and regulations,
or policies of each individual agency.
The MOU must be reviewed, revised as needed, and re-executed, at a minimum of every three years,
upon significant changes to the document, or upon a change of authorized partner agency signatories.
All State and Federal confidentiality laws will be followed in connection with this agreement.
This agreement can be terminated by any party without cause by giving written notice to the other
parties.
We, the undersigned, have reviewed and hereby accept and endorse the Garth House MOU.
Jefferson County
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ludgelelfBrwild— Jefferson County Judge
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Bob Warttram- County' 1 Attorney
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Sher?/ena
- County S7rer>ff's Office
Chief_lames P.Snrgktary-BeaumontP ,sae Department
Marshall Norman Reynolds,Jr.-Graves Police Department
ChlefGaryPortar-Nederland Police Aeparbrunt
Chid Timothy Duras°•Port Arthur Police Department
Chief Alton Boise-Port Arthur ISD Police Department
Chief Pau,Lemoyne-Port Nedres Plaice Olepartm- ,
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Ch •--• Ial'brough-• - curt ISO Police', ,. • _ /
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• `,`- - -OFPS .ikI • • ' Investgatrons.Diredor
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Gin y 3L•0 - F . •, ,tectve Services Regional
Director
AshlandSpenccr-Bad-DFP5C7rrfdcare Investigations Drrtcwr
Charles McPherson-DFPS Adult Pie Services In-Home lnvestlgations District Director
Brenda Gansa7-Chifd Abuse a ForennC Services
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Misty Craver-Jefferson County Victim's A sistdnce
Paul Trr-no-C7;,efExect,bre after OIRJ57115 Southeast Teras Health System
Director CASA of S.E Texas
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Ed Cockrell-Jefferson County Juvenile Protadon
Julie H. Prvdhorne,M.A., LFC-S-Clinical Director,
Care;House Mickey Mehafy Oii ren S Advocacy Program, Inc
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Man= res er-Erec>Qve Director,
Garth House. Mickey,+fehafy Children's Advocacy Program, Inc-.