The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPR 23796: MOU WITH THE GARTH HOUSE MICKEY MEHAFFY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY PROGRAM, INC. On.of ort rthu Ti'cuc www.PortArthurTx.gov INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date: June 5, 2024 To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Through: Ronald Burton, City Manager (t)).(1), From: Timothy W. Duriso, Chief of Police RE: PR 23796—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 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 I P.R. No. 23796 06/05/2024 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. ; NO FUNDS REQUIRED 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; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, it has assisted over 11, 400 alleged victims over the past years . 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 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: 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 shall be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council . READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of July, A.D. , 2024 , at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote : AYES: P.R. No. 23796 06/05/2024 JLH Mayor: , Councilmembers : , NOES: . Thurman Bill Bartie Mayor ATTEST: Sherri Bellard City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: • f , a . - M. Black . -'rim City Attorney APPROVED • P' NIS ' ON: itt40„ Ronald Burto-" City Mana; -r 1 Ario-- 6 - ;/-- -L-4(1 ,,,fpTimothy f . Duriso Chief of Police P.R. No. 23796 06/05/2024 JLH EXHIBIT "A" DocuSign Envelope ID:63B5723C-B54B-493F-92C2-FB928940C5A3 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. DocuSign Envelope ID:63B5723C-B546-493F-92C2-FB928940C5A3 Jefferson County *We,the undersigned, have reviewed and hereby accept and endorse the Garth House MOU. Name/Agency Date Judge Jeff Branick-Jefferson County Judge Keith Giblin -Jefferson County District Attorney ,—DocuSigned by: Stuf uitzt. Sit, A,S 6/3/2024 \-9A6139041ASE+497.. Sheriff Zena Stephens-Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Chief James P. Singletary-Beaumont Police Department ,—DocuSigned by: . f, !,l- 5/30/2024 "-C3'63"3'"6,g5._ Marshal Chris Robin(Interim)-Groves Po/ice Department rl DocuSigned by: I ILyt1 pQ 5/31/2024 DECOCC`[&G3o4OA.. Chief Gary Porter-Nederland Police Department Chief Timothy Duriso-Port Arthur Police Department �DocuSigned by: t N"OWir'i, St/(Mt, 6/4/2024 6Aro0E3088214DC... Chief Howard Sylve-Port Arthur ISD Police Department e—DocuSigned CLit'f C O„ ,ifl1J. 6/3/2024 877a6rCA cO79a1.. ((�� Chief Cheri Griffith-Port Neches Police Department Chief Joseph Malbrough-Beaumont ISD Police Department 4/12/24 Ke files-DFPS Child Protective Investigations Regional Director 6� 4,00 4/10/24 Lori Sutton-White-DFPS Child Protective Services Regional Director 4euda, 9a.u,,e. 05/07/2024 Aleida Jarvis-DVPS Child Protective Services Regional Director DocuSign Envelope ID:63B5723C-B54B-493F-92C2-FB928940C5A3 (fin-yeZtr- 4/10/24 Cameron Gana-DepuVDDFPS Childcare Investigations Director �Lu4I/UGC/%Q/SeAtr 4/10/24 Charles McPherson-DFPS Adult Protective Services In-Home Investigations District Director bDocuSigned by: yNSotn, 6/1/2024 oo1497100Ar747S.. Brenda Garison-Child Abuse&Forensic Services DocuSigned by: kill U' 5/29/2024 Mi • T -r Jefferson County Victim's Assistance S� ..1a.:1/ o�e i eo by: Chief Executive Officer CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System iiyill iL ( eik 5/29/2024 Elizabeth Woods Executive Director CASA of S.E. Texas DocuSigned by: L P,th 5/30/2024 Ed Cockrell-Jefferson County Juvenile Probation 11.c or4 K Cli m R �.?c-s 5/2,61724- Julie rudhome, M.A.,LPC-S- al Director, Garth House,Mickey Mehaffy Children's dvocacy Program, Inc. c Marion nner-Executive Director, Garth House,Mickey Mehaffy Children's Advocacy Program,Inc.