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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 24798 COOPERATIVE WORKING AGREEMENT WITH THE RAPE AND SUICIDE CRISIS CENTER OF SETX City of ort mbar www.PortArthurTx.gov INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM Date: February 11, 2026 To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Through: Ronald Burton, CPM, City Manager ,, / 14 � From: Timothy W. Duriso, Chief of Police /� A RE: PR 24798 —Cooperative working agreement with the Rape and Suicide Crisis Center of Southeast Texas to provide services for Sexual Assault victims and other victims of Crime Introduction: The intent of this agenda item is to obtain City Council authorization for the City Manager to enter into a Cooperative Working Agreement with the Rape & Suicide Crisis Center of Southeast Texas, Inc. (Crisis Center of Southeast Texas) for the period 2026-2028. Background: The Crisis Center of Southeast Texas has requested renewal of the Cooperative Working Agreement between the City of Port Arthur Police Department and the Crisis Center for continued coordination of services to sexual assault survivors and other victims of crime. The agreement supports coordination among law enforcement, forensic nursing services (SANE), advocacy organizations, the District Attorney's Office, and related agencies participating in the Southeast Texas Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). The previous agreement covered the 2023-2025 period and was approved by Council. This proposed agreement continues the established interagency collaboration model. Budget Impact: There is no direct fiscal impact to the City associated with execution of this Cooperative Working Agreement. The agreement formalizes interagency cooperation and response protocols. "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 City of. ort rthu _ Texas www.PortArthurTx.gov Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager enter into the Cooperative Working Agreement with the Crisis Center of Southeast Texas for the 2026-2028, as discussed and outlined. "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. 24798 02/11/2026 JLH RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE WORKING AGREEMENT WITH THE RAPE AND SUICIDE CRISIS CENTER OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS AND OTHER VICTIMS OF CRIME FOR THE 2026-2028 TERM. WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur Police Department collaborates with the Crisis Center of Southeast Texas and other agencies in providing coordinated services to victims of sexual assault and related crimes; and WHEREAS, the Cooperative Working Agreement establishes procedures for law enforcement coordination, forensic response, advocacy services, and participation in the Southeast Texas Sexual Assault Response Team (SART); and WHEREAS, continuation of this agreement promotes a structured, multidisciplinary, trauma-informed response for victims within the City of Port Arthur; and WHEREAS, the agreement imposes no fiscal obligation on the City and affirms that each participating entity remains responsible for its own actions and personnel; and WHEREAS, The City Council finds that entering into this Cooperative Working Agreement is in the best interest of the citizens of Port Arthur as shown in "Exhibit A". 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 City Manager to execute a Cooperative Working Agreement with the Rape & Suicide Crisis Center of Southeast Texas for the 2026-2028 term, substantially in the form attached hereto as "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 March, A.D., 2026, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote: AYES: P.R. No. 24798 02/11/2026 JLH Mayor: Councilmembers: NOES: Charlotte M. Moses Mayor ATTEST: Sherri Bellard, TRMC City Secretary P.R. No. 24798 02/11/2026 JLH APPROVED AS TO FORM: Roxann Pais Cotroneo City Attorney APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: kiv Ronal• Bu •n, CPM City Ma ger 267-4c 1/I V(V Timo . Du so Chief o Police P.R. No. 24798 02/11/2026 JLH EXHIBIT 46 ,, CRISIS CENTER OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS N Serving the Community Since 1974 January 8th,2026 Mr. Timothy Duriso, Chief of Police P.O. Box 1089 Port Arthur, TX 77641 Dear Mr. Duriso, The Rape & Suicide Crisis Center would like to thank you for your participation in the administration of the Cooperative Working Agreement as developed by the Attorney General Office's Sexual Assault Prevention & Crisis Services Division. Enclosed you will find a copy of our current Cooperative Working Agreement. Please review the document and make any changes that might be necessary, if no changes are necessary, then sign and return as soon as possible. If changes are needed,we will adjust them upon receipt, to your specifications and they will be sent to you for final signature. Your prompt response to our request will be much appreciated. It is crucial that we have these in place to insure a continuum of services for victims of sexual assault,both primary and secondary. For your convenience,we have enclosed a self-addressed stamped envelope. You may fax this copy along with any revisions to our office at(409) 832-4324 or E-Mail us at crisiscenterofsoutheasttexasinc@gmail.com Again,thank you for your past, current and future services to sexual assault survivors and their families. Sincerely, VS 464k • Rudy Leday, Executive Director RAPE&SUICIDE CRISIS OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS. INC.d/b/a CRISIS CENTER OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS P.O. Box 3208, Beaumont,TX 77704 409-832-6530 1-800-7WE-CARE Cooperative Working Agreement 2026-2028 This working agreement is recognized as a cooperative collaboration between each agency listed below. The purpose is to provide a continuum of services as needed for sexual assault survivors and other victims of crime. The signature of each agency's representatives acknowledges proof of cooperation. The DistrictAttorney's Office of Jefferson, Orange, Tyfer, and 7farrfin Counties individuaffy agree to: • Designate a liaison to serve on the Sexual Assault Response Team(SART)and to serve as the agency's contact person; • Use Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners(SANEs)as witnesses during a sexual assault trial; • Provide reasonable notification of upcoming trials'to the SANE who will be called to testify; • Meet with the SANE prior to a trial to review the case;and • Maintain communication and contact with the SART and other involved agencies,including regular participation at the Southeast Texas Sexual Assault Task Force meetings. 'The Crime Victim'sAssistance Centers of Jefferson, Orange and Mardin County agree to: • Refer sexual assault patients to the CHRISTUS St.Elizabeth Hospital SANE Team,Child Abuse& Forensic Services,Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas Beaumont or HSA Port Arthur,LLC. SANE Team,as appropriate; • Demonstrate an average of 60 minutes response time from the time the call is received to time advocate arrives in the emergency department,on scene,or at location with victim; • Follow established protocols with CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital,Child Abuse& Forensic Services, Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas Beaumont or HSA Port Arthur,LLC. for advocates in the examining room; • Be available for survivors of all ages.their family members and friends,as requested; • Maintain communication and contact with involved agencies, including,but not limited to law enforcement,County or District courts,Justice of the Peace,the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services,and the Garth House. • Refer victims/survivors to nearest appropriate agencies for additional services as needed. The Jefferson, Orange, Tyfer,Jasper,and.7fardin County Sheriff's Offices az Police Departments of Beaumont, Groves, Nederland, Tort Arthur, Vidor, Orange, Bridge City, and Wort Neches individually agree to: • Designate a liaison to serve on the SART and to serve as the agency's contact person; • Refer sexual assault patients to the CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital SANE Team,Child Abuse& Forensic Services,Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas Beaumont or HSA Port Arthur,LLC. as appropriate; • Follow established protocol to notify SANE team that a sexual assault survivor is being transported; • Provide a case or incident report number; • Receive forensic evidence that has been collected from the survivor and/or perpetrator; • Follow law enforcement established protocol regarding evidence collection and storage;and • Maintain communication and contact with the SART and other involved agencies,including regular participation at the Southeast Texas Sexual Assault Task Force meetings. Rape e Suicide Crisis of Southeast'Texas, Inc. agrees to: • Designate a liaison to serve on the SART and to serve as the agency's contact person; • Refer sexual assault survivors at CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital SANE Team,Child Abuse& Forensic Services, Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas Beaumont or HSA Port Arthur,LLC. SANE Team,as appropriate; • Demonstrate an average 60 minute response time from time call is received to time advocate arrives in the emergency department; • Follow established protocols with CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital,Child Abuse& Forensic Services,Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas Beaumont or HSA Port Arthur,LLC. for advocates in the examining room; • Be available for survivors of all ages,their family members and friends; • Maintain communication and contact with SART and other involved agencies, including regular participation at the Southeast Texas Sexual Assault Task Force meetings. 'The Garth Mouse agrees to: • Designate a liaison to serve on the SART and to serve as the agency's contact person; • Refer child survivors of sexual assault to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital SANE Team,Child Abuse &Forensic Services,Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas Beaumont or the HSA Port Arthur, LLC. SANE Team as appropriate; • Demonstrate an average 60 minute response time from time is received to time advocate arrives in the emergency department; • Follow established protocols with CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital,Child Abuse& Forensic Services,Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas Beaumont or the HSA Port Arthur,LLC. for advocates in the examining room; • Be available for survivors of all ages,their family members and friends; • Maintain communication with the SART and other involved agencies,including regular participation at the Southeast Texas Sexual Assault Task Force meetings. 'The Texas(Department of Family and Protective Services(CP1S/A(PS)agrees to: • Designate a liaison for the SART to contact; • Refer child survivors of sexual assault to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital SANE team,Child Abuse &Forensic Services,Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas Beaumont or HSA Port Arthur,LLC. SANE team as appropriate; • Contact Court Appointed Special Advocates liaison if child is in foster care system; • Maintain communications and contact with the SART and other involved agencies, including regular participation at the Southeast Texas Assault Task Force Meeting. ChildA6use eZ Forensic Services agrees to: • Designate a liaison to serve on the SART and to serve as the agency's contact person; • Demonstrate an average sixty(60)minute response from the time of call received to time SANE arrives in Emergency Department; • Notify Rape&Suicide Crisis of Southeast Texas, Inc. that a survivor is being transported/has arrived; • Provide Rape&Suicide Crisis of Southeast Texas, Inc.the opportunity to establish a relationship with the survivor(s), if survivor agrees. This includes survivors of all ages,their family members,and friends; • Provide consistency in the sexual assault examination of survivors; • Provide consistency in the evidence collection from perpetrators; • Have sexual assault evidence collection kit available; • SANEs will provide a copy of evidence collection and/or all other documentation pertaining to sexual assault exam to law enforcement agency; • Maintain chain of forensic evidence and hand off to law enforcement agent; • Properly prepare for upcoming hearings; • Meet with District Attorney to review the case; • Maintain contact with the District Attorney's office; • Notify the District Attorney's office of address and/or telephone number changes;and • Maintain communication and contact with the SART and other involved agencies,including regular participation at the Southeast Texas Sexual Assault Task Force meetings ` rte Sane'ream of pf2ZIS`I'US.7(ospitatAgrees to: • Designate a liaison to serve on the SART and to serve as the agency's contact person; • Notify Rape&Suicide Crisis of Southeast Texas,Inc.that a survivor is being transported/has arrived; • Demonstrate an average sixty(60)minute response from the time of call received to time SANE arrives in Emergency Department; • If a child survivor has Court Appointed Special Advocate CHRISTUS Hospital agrees to notify Court Appointed Special Advocates of child arrival; • Provide Rape&Suicide Crisis of Southeast Texas,Inc.the opportunity to establish a relationship with the survivor(s),if survivor agrees. This includes survivors of all ages,their family members,and friends; • Provide consistency in the sexual assault examination of survivors; • Provide consistency in the evidence collection from perpetrators; • Have sexual assault evidence collection kit available; • CHRISTUS Hospital will provide a copy of evidence collection and/or all other documentation pertaining to sexual assault exam to law enforcement agency; • Maintain chain of forensic evidence and hand off to law enforcement agent; • Properly prepare for upcoming hearings; • Meet with District Attorney to review the case; • Maintain contact with the District Attorney's office; • Notify the District Attorney's office of address and/or telephone number changes;and • Maintain communication and contact with the SART and other involved agencies,including regular participation at the Southeast Texas Sexual Assault Task Force meetings. Court AppointedSpecial-Advocates agree to: • Designate a liaison for the Southeast Texas Sexual Assault Task Force to contact. • Demonstrate a thirty-minute response from time of call received to time advocate arrives in emergency room. (Call is to liaison.) • Follow established protocol regarding SETX Sexual Assault Task Force for advocates in the examining room. • Be available for survivor's ages 0-17 who are already in the custody of CPS and CASA is already appointed by the courts. • The advocate arrives as soon as possible and assists the victim throughout the medical and police procedures. • With the advocate present to provide support, the forensic examiner and police will briefly confer to coordinate their questioning and reduce repetition. • Advocate will remain in the room to provide support during the exam as well, at the discretion of the patient. • The advocate will make arrangements to contact the victim for follow-up support,and legal advocacy. gaA.BortArthur,LLC, • Designate a liaison to serve on the SART and to serve as the agency's contact person; • Notify Rape&Suicide Crisis of Southeast Texas,Inc.that a survivor is being transported/has arrived; • If a child survivor has a court appointed special advocate HSA Port Arthur,LLC agrees to notify Court Appointed Special Advocates of child arrival; • Provide Rape&Suicide Crisis of Southeast Texas,Inc.the opportunity to establish a relationship with the survivor(s),if survivor agrees. This includes survivors of all ages,their family members,and friends; • Provide consistency in the sexual assault examination of survivors; • Provide consistency in the evidence collection from perpetrators; • Have sexual assault evidence collection kit available; • Medical Center of Southeast Texas will provide a copy of evidence collection and/or all other documentation pertaining to sexual assault exam to law enforcement agency; • Maintain chain of forensic evidence and hand off to law enforcement agent; • Properly prepare for upcoming hearings; • Meet with District Attorney to review the case; • Maintain contact with the District Attorney's office; • Notify the District Attorney's office of address and/or telephone number changes;and • Maintain communication and contact with the SART and other involved agencies,including regular participation at the Southeast Texas Sexual Assault Task Force meetings. Baptist Jfospita(of Southeast'revs Beaumont • Designate a liaison to serve on the SART and to serve as the agency's contact person; • Notify Rape&Suicide Crisis of Southeast Texas,Inc.that a survivor is being transported/has arrived; • If a child survivor has court appointed special advocate Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas Beaumont agrees to notify Court Appointed Special Advocates of child arrival; • Provide Rape&Suicide Crisis of Southeast Texas,Inc.the opportunity to establish a relationship with the survivor(s),if survivor agrees. This includes survivors of all ages,their family members,and friends; • Provide consistency in the sexual assault examination of survivors; • Provide consistency in the evidence collection from perpetrators; • Have sexual assault evidence collection kit available; • Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas Beaumont will provide a copy of evidence collection and/or all other documentation pertaining to sexual assault exam to law enforcement agency; • Maintain chain of forensic evidence and hand off to law enforcement agent; • Properly prepare for upcoming hearings; • Meet with District Attorney to review the case; • Maintain contact with the District Attorney's office; • Notify the District Attorney's office of address and/or telephone number changes;and • Maintain communication and contact with the SART and other involved agencies,including regular participation at the Southeast Texas Sexual Assault Task Force meetings. Cooperative Working Agreement Signature Page /2J d: /-8- 20 24 Ruby Leday.ExecutWrector Date Rape&Suicide Crisis of S.E.Texas Timothy Duriso,Chief of Police Date Port Arthur Police Department