Latino Community Development Agency

Latino Community Development Agency

LCDA Linkagae Council Meeting

April 25, 2002 @ 3:15 pm

Present: Mario Zamarron, Adolfo Morales, Bonnie Bellah, Cynthia Tobar, Mauro Munoz, Ruth, Saleem, Tim, David, Betty, Sister Elsa. Maria Aymat, Dedric Anderson (OK Office of Minority Health)

Herman called meeting to order. Introductions. Minutes from previous meeting reviewed. Definition selected by Linkage Council for IPV/SV is located on page 3 of the minutes from previous meeting.

Cynthia updated members on focus groups and key informant interviews. Have begun to announce on Latino Radio Station both activities in order to recruit community members for focus groups, and individuals for victim/perpetrator interviews. Hired a consultant, Ivonne Rivera from Washington, DC, to conduct all interviews. Plan to conduct seven focus groups with 10 persons per group who will receive an incentive of $20 Wal-Mart certificate. Key informant interviews will consist of 10 victims and 10 perpetrators who will receive $30 each. Persons interested in participating are asked to call into LCDA for screening to determine eligibility and to schedule them for an interview. Cynthia is confident that LCDA will be able to recruit an adequate number of participants. She asked council members to assist with recruitment by distributing flyers advertising the focus groups and key informant interviews. Adolfo recommended posting flyers at community locations which are frequented by community members such as churches and community health centers. All participants must be 18 yrs or older.

Clarification on recruitment for perpetrators and victims explained by B. Duran. It will be important for the community to encourage others to call Cynthia. Recruitment of perpetrators will primarily occur through the judicial system or individuals who have self identified as perpetrators and have requested assistance from LCDA. Victims will be recruited through police departments, domestic violence shelters, and self referral. Participation is totally voluntary.

Cynthia asked if this announcement was posted in Churches, what does council believe would be the response. Pastor Zamarron said he anticipates it will be positive as many people have identified IPV/SV as a problem. Comment from member stating that focus group flyers being posted in public are OK, but important to post victim & perpetrator posters in bathrooms or areas that are likely to be frequented by them. Concern expressed about the safety of victims if posters are openly displayed.

Community Needs Assessment Protocol: Instrument to be used to guide interviews with service providers. Cynthia distributed a list of potential direct domestic violence providers, as well as in-direct service providers to be interviewed in OKC. Members recommended that the following also be considered for interviews:

Catholic Charities
Community Counseling Center – bi-lingual counselor
Sun Beam Family Services
Baptist Association (Norman) - Pastor Garcia (Pastor Zamarron stated that often pastors will work with members of other congregations in order to protect individual’s privacy and increase members comfort level, also pastors often have contacts for referrals for persons needing help, as well as have a work relationship with police departments). Ruth stated that temporary help is critical, but long-term support services are needed by individuals in crisis and rely on community systems for services and referrals.
Salvation Army

Cynthia advised that one of the objectives is to include some of the direct service providers to participate in the LCDA Linkage Council. Their participation is intended to aide them with making their services more responsive to Latinos, as well as participate in identifying gaps in services. Asked Council when they would want to invite these providers to join the Linkage Council. Members asked when interviews will be completed. Cynthia advised that next Council meeting is for training of council members. The following meeting will be to address Council planning issues. Ruth advised that many of these providers have expressed an interest in joining the Linkage Council and is concerned that if Council waits too long, these providers may loose interest. Sister stated that it is important to extend invitation to join as these providers have resources and knowledge that is beneficial to the Latino community, as well as can share their experience with the Council and support important change to benefit the community.

Member stated an issue is not finding culturally appropriate first step help, but the issue lies when an individual needs culturally appropriate long-term help. Cynthia presented the interview instrument that will be used when interviewing both direct IPV/SV providers and in-direct services providers to determine not only levels of services, but to explore capacity to serve Latinos in OKC for issues related to IPV/SV, as well as essentials of daily living or support services. She asked members to review questions and advise if questions appear to be offensive or inappropriate. Following are suggested changes:

Question # 2/ Ruth recommended that it be reworded to state …policies on staff safety or applicant’s (client, consumer) pending legal issues that would prohibit client access…

Question #3/ How often has your agency assisted victims/perpetrators of IPV/SV.

What is the percentage of families that your agency serves that are affected by IPV?

Question #11/ Member asked if a respondent does not believe there is any difference in incidence of IPV/DV for Latinos and non-Latinos, how can they explain the differences. DELETE the second bullet.

Next meeting is Wednesday, May 8^th - Training will focus on Violence against Women. Need to know legal rights of women. Following meeting is May 30^th and will invite extended community to participate. Asked members to review violence posters on wall and provide feedback. Meeting adjourned at 4:40 pm.