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Home My WebLink AboutPR 23283: MOU WITH THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND GARTH HOUSE MICKEY MEHAFFY CHILDERN'S ADVOCACY PROGRAM, INC. \11 City of urt rtltn� www.Po rtArth u rTx.gov INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date: August 2, 2023 To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Through: Ronald Burton, City Manager tn,, From: Timothy W. Duriso, Chief of Polic - 1° RE: PR 23283—Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Port Arthur and the Garth House Mickey Mehaffy Children's Advocacy Program, Inc. Introduction: The intent of this Agenda Item is to seek the City Council's approval to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Port Arthur and the Port Arthur and the Garth House Mickey Mehaffy Children's Advocacy Program, Inc. Background: 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 institution. Children in our 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. 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. Budget Impact: None Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Port Arthur and the Garth House Mickey Mehaffy Children's Advocacy Program, Inc. "Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur" P.O.Box 1089 X Port Arthur,Texas 77641-1089 X 409.983.8101 X FAX 409.982.6743 P.R. No. 23283 08/02/2023 JLH 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" . Section 3 . That a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council . s.pr21600 P.R. No. 23283 08/02/2023 JLH READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of August, A. D. , 2023, 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 Bartie, Mayor ATTEST: Sherri Bellard City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: /vAt- .)-*(111-kJ k-4-44( al Tiz�no City Attorney APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: Ronald Burton City Manager Timothy W. Duriso Chief of Police s.pr21600 P.R. No. 23283 08/02/2023 JLH EXHIBIT "A" GARTH HOUSE Mickey Mehaffy Children's Advocacy Program, Inc. Memorandum of Understanding 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. Jefferson County *We,the undersigned, have reviewed and hereby accept and endorse the Garth House MOU. Name/Agency Date N/v„.4.1 1161,073 J Br) -Jefferson County Judge la t•-...---- /..., 42._ -7 iiii T. L.1 Keith Giblin-Jefferson County District Attorney Sheriff Zena Stephens-Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Chief James P. Singletary-Beaumont Polic Department e + l Z 3 M s ll Norman Reynolds Jr. - roves Police De artment Chi-"Gary Porter-Nederland Police Department Chief Timothy Duriso-Port Arthur Police Department ?-l7-)J Chief Alton Base-Port A hur ISD Police Department ;3 )4J/ 7- I 77- 3 Chief Cheri Griffith—Aort Neches Police Department r A, , (-;--4_:)).-.._ “-VC;._Q 1°' ' Chie Jos h Maibroug -Beaumont ISs. 'Ake Department .,dp, 4;4 9 1 il i _.1? I e/"L3/1.2 Keith Galles-DFPS Child Protective Investigations Regional Director 5,4_0 C..6,44-Zo� 6/23/2023 Lori Sutton-White/PS Child Protective Services Regional Director (Rose Chumley-Acting RD) 016\-- .. -)I--7 li, 3 Cameron Garza-Deputy DFPS Childcare Investigations Director(Interim) C\nKr\P_S K,e,rsoc\ 7/7/23 Charles McPherson-DFPS Adult Protective Services In-Home Investigations District Director /f7,----------::d 7-1((-?7 Brenda GariWpn-Child Abuse&Forensic Services \kiirit,II\.)111(1'e;/(- i- 1 t .- 3 Misty Cr er-Jefferson County Victim's Assistance Pauli evino-Chief Executive Officer CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System __ 7i 3 Elizabeth ods -Executive Director CASA of S.E. Texas ,,e,.19., - ►l.(z3 Ed Cockrell-Jefferson County Juvenile Probation Juli .. Prudhome, •.A C S—Ci Di or,1 L? 15 r I /213 Ga House, Mickey Mehaffy Children's Advocacy Program,Inc. c Z.D (1 -'41K-Vitie-t,„. 7—/1-- ,3 Marion* !')er-Executive Director, Garth House, Mickey Mehaffy Children's Advocacy Program, Inc. Stephanie (Sam) Digitally signed by Stephanie (Sam) Foster Foster Date: 2023.07.10 09:59:17-05'00' Jefferson County *We,the undersigned,have reviewed and hereby accept and endorse the Garth House Working Protocols. Name/Agency Date (114,4:di, 1 . 180 . 2071 >u. `ilk Bra Jefferson CountyJudge / --_ l/i l z 3 Keith Giblin -Jefferson County District Attorney Sheriff Zena Stephens-Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Chief James P. Singletary-Beaumont Police Department 1 ti123 7\61A4AriXotirAti all Norman Reynolds,Jr. -Gr Police Depa Chie Gary Porter-Nederland Police Department Chief Timothy Duriso-Port Arthur Poll Department Chief Alton Baise Port Arthur ISD Police Department / 7;; Chief Cheri Griffith-Port e hes Police Department Ill1. Ch f Jo ph Ibrough-Beaumont ISD Police Department VZ_3/2-3 Keith Galles-DFPS lid Protective Investigations Regional Director 20 At14 Az A, 6/23/2023 Lori Sutton-Whitec -fePS Child Protective Services Regional Director (Rose Chumley-Acting RD) --) ( ) )11 3 Cameron Garza-Deputy DFPS Childcare Investigations Director(Interim) Stephanie (Sam) Foster DDate:igitaIIysigned2023.07.10byStephanie09:55:55-05' (S00' )Foster am Sam Foster-DFPS Special Investigations Regional Director C\,itkr\t.s vk 6 fs bt\ 7/7/23 Charles McPherson-DFPS Adult Protective Services In-Home Investigations District Director �� --7--/7 3 renda Garison-Child Abuse&Forensic Services lt V 7_(7 . 3 Misty Cra r-Jefferson County Victim's Assistance Paul Trevino-Chief Executive Officer CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System 1, bt)7 A i tr 7_ ��3 Elizabeth tods-Executive Director CASA of S. E. Texas 2":„e„,,,e, 6,,,,,/,.....- 7/(`7/z 2, Ed Cockrell-Jefferson County Juvenile Probation ittiLLA,(3)A A ACthaAl-e)MA IL:keS Julie . Prudhome,M.A.,LPC-S-Clin al Director, Gart ouse, Mickey Mehaffy Children's Adv acy Program, Inc. y ..._ .l ./ ildt-G 7-1/.-c 3 Marion nner-Executive Director, Garth House, Mickey Mehaffy Children's Advocacy Program,Inc. 21 LETTER/STATEMENT OF DESIGNATION Partner Agency Representative on Garth House Board And/or Professional Standards Committee As Chief of Police Department, I am aware that I have a statutory right to serve as a member of the Professional Standards Committee and/or the governing Board of Directors of the Garth House, Mickey Mehaffy Children's Advocacy Program, Inc., as per the Texas Family Code Chapter 264, Subchapter E. I also recognize that, should I so choose, I may authorize a member of my staff to serve in my stead on that committee and/or board. At this time I hereby authorize S 1-4. T odd et i to serve as my agency's representative on the committee and/or board of directors and hereby authorize (him/her) to act on behalf of this agency in all matters pertinent to the Garth House. SIGNATURE: PRINTED NAME: //M u-4 W' V TITLE/POSITION: Chief (4 AGENCY: PC) / A ark DATE: I �� //,f