Latino Linkage Council Meeting

January 17, 2002 @ 3:30 pm

Rainbow Room – Latino Community Development Agency

Present: Dr. David Barney, OU – Centro de Evaluación; Tim Brittingham, OU – Centro de Evaluación; Cynthia Tobar, IPV/SV Project Coordinator, LCDA; Saleem Ahamad, OU – Centro de Evaluación; Betty Duran, OU – Centro de Evaluación; Ruth Barajas-Mazaheri, LCDA; Joanne Klevens, Epidemiologist for CDC; Angela Banks, Project Officer with CDC; Pat Fennell, Ex. Director of LCDA; Anita Martinez, Director of La Puerta de Oro; Nina Gonzales, Director of Child Development Center at LCDA; Joan Yager, TANAF Worker; Sister Elsa, Director of Spanish Ministry for the Archdiocese of OKC; Pastor Jesse Chavez; Margie Solis; Honne Esparza, LCDA staff; Demetro Gutierrez, Director of Office of Minority Health with the OK Health Department; Dr. Claudia Rosavich, physician; Alfonso Redas, community member; Pastor Mario Zamoron; Melanie Boreno works at LCDA; Pastor Jose Megia; Connie (Conchita) Megia; Demesse, LCDA staff; Rosa, LCDA staff; DJ Thompson, LCDA staff

Greeting from Ruth in Spanish – thanked group for giving their time to work with LCDA on the IPV/SV Project. Eight females and five males on community group. Need translator for elder female. One female spoke only English. Asked group to complete survey form. Cynthia was asked to lead meeting. Cynthia stated that many persons present had verbalized to her that the community needs to address domestic violence. Introduced David Barney. His role is to aide LCDA to measure what works best in the community. Dr. Barney described agency web page through the university.

Mr. Martinez said she has heard many grandmothers talk about violence in their families and the impact on their families, especially on grandchildren. Felt parents work too much and children are left home alone. Introduced grandmother who has personal experience. Grandmother has 4-year old granddaughter who is very angry and threatens the grandmother. Also, has another 17-year old granddaughter who also has similar behavior problems.

Pat Fennell, Executive Director of LCDA. She is pleased to see that community members are willing to address the issues of domestic violence by participating on the IPV/SV Linkage Council.

Nina Gonzales, Director of Child Development Center at LCDA. Her agency works with families that experience domestic violence and see its impact on children.

Joan Yager, TANAF Worker – She is learning Spanish to better deal with her clients. Didn’t realize domestic violence was a such a problem until spoke with Cynthia.

Sister Elsa, Director of Spanish Ministry for the Archdiocese of OKC. She is well aware of the problem of domestic violence and has provided as much help as possible through services and spiritually. Sees domestic violence as a family problem. Also, sees LCDA as very responsive to community issues and is pleased to be working with them on IPV/SV Linkage Council.

Joanne Klevens, Epidemiologist for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stated her role is to help LCDA with technical issues related to implementation of IPV/SV project.

Angela Banks, Project Officer at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Jesse Chavez – Pastor and counselor in Spanish community. Sees a need in Spanish community to address the issues of domestic violence.

Margie Solis

Honne Esparza, LCDA staff working with project to look as multiple issues that affect domestic violence in the community.

Demetro Gutierrez, Director of Office of Minority Health with OK Health Department. He is willing to work with group and help in any way.

Dr. Claudia Rosavick - 95% of her patients are Hispanic - has about 15 years experience in working with the problems of the Latino community. Is interested in working on this issue because has seen impact on women. Domestic violence greatly affects children’s reason for leaving school and for the abandonment of children, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, and other problems. “If we don’t respond, then we contribute to the problem by ignoring it.” Population has grown ten folded since she started her practice in OKC.

Alfonso Redas, community member – has also seen community grow as well as the violence. Domestic violence does not only affect women, but has impact on children and others as well. “These are crimes occurring in our homes.” Need to work together.

Mario Zamoron, Pastor (Baptist Church) - Has worked with LCDA, feels he should help more than he has, but this year he has decided to work more with the Hispanic community. Interested in working with persons outside his church community.

Melanie Boreno, works at Riverside Community building – here to learn and help.

Jose Megia, Pastor and his wife Connie (Conchita) – first time at this kind of meeting – interested in working on issues of domestic violence.

Demesse, LCDA staff – 5-yrs work experience working on domestic violence in Brazil which has had a profound impact on her life.

Ruth Messajeri, LCDA Director of IPV/SV Program – wonderful to see concern of participants. Linkage Council will tell us what is the problem and what are the needs, then agency plans to use the information to develop intervention.

Rosa, LCDA staff – experiences the effects of domestic violence each day through the efforts of her services with clients. Referred to domestic violence as a “Silent killer.”

DJ Thompson, LCDA counselor – will work with children of domestic violence.

Definition of IPV/SV as defined by CDC presented by Tim – hand-out of definition by CDC was distributed to all participants - reminded that victims can be either male or female – not limited to heterosexual couples, but may also include same sex couples.

Cynthia reviews role of Linkage Council: Core voice of Latino community that will identify needs of IPV/SV. Discussion has indicated that services exist in community, but more bi-lingual staff are need to address Latino needs. Group was asked to identify issues that affect IPV/SV access to services. The following list is a result of comments made by the participants:

NEEDS:

1. Language
2. Afraid of Immigration status - deportation
3. Education on domestic violence (what is abuse)
4. Mental Illness as result of a generation of abuse resulting in depression – stigma attached to seeking mental health services
5. Machismo is attacked if man seeks help – Men fight back beating received as children
6. Economics - money
7. Intimidation Control – if you say something it will come back to you

· Police shoot at Hispanic first – then take to jail – instills fear in families

· Police seldom report cases as domestic violence

· Criminalization of any activity by Hispanics – need to train law enforcement on cultural sensitivity

· Bread winner is jailed, leaving women helpless, thus they hesitate to report

8. Manipulation
9. Misunderstanding
10. Legal Access
11. Medical Access
12. Cultural Sensitivity
13. Need for 1-800 number in Spanish for crisis intervention
14. Training to support self
15. Lack of intervention program
16. Lack of bi-lingual staff in shelters – forces victim to return to abuser because unable to obtain help through shelter due to lack of communication
17. Volunteers
18. Transportation
19. No Green Card
20. No medical means – lack of insurance
21. Barriers to medical care – no social security number
• Dr. Rosavich stated that many perps are delusional and need mental health services.
• Pastor Chavez said silence is a serious problem – believes there is a need for education for victims to let them know that there is help.
22. more communication between parents and children – in family – includes churches – extended family needs to provide more support
23. More activities for children
• Lady said children are raising children – grandmothers are being abused by their grandchildren
24. Loss of traditional values when leave native country – loss of respect – wrong concept by children as to what is it to be American and what is it to be Latin American. Need to adapt to both cultures. Need to teach children to be proud of both cultures. Identity crisis.
25. Irrational poverty
26. Irrational work – workers rights on hrs worked, workmen comp, etc
27. Education on legal issues
• Pastor Jesse – church was a place for spiritual healing but it is a place where we are afraid to open up because we are ashamed, afraid of exposing ourselves and our needs. This also happens in our work setting. Need to work as community to address family issues. Suggested use of churches for education of IPV/SV.
28. Fear of personal disclosure
29. Personal Pride
30. Sexual education with youth
• Lack of education of parents about programs in community – need to be encouraged to reach out to agencies to seek help – would benefit from resource guide that churches can use to refer parishioners to services.
31. educate on services
32. lack of referrals services
33. publicity of information
• Ruth reminded purpose of Linkage Council is to identify needs in the community – then use that information to develop an intervention. Sister said prevention could be beneficial versus waiting until the problem arises. Need more role models.
34. Awareness
35. Coordinate efforts with churches and school
36. Need to define abuse and discipline so that children will be aware of differences

• Dr. Rosavich state #1 priority is to empower program to educate on domestic violence – define standards for services
36. professional skills
37. involve community

mm. positive reinforcement with children

David addressed availability of alcohol (literature) – use of alcohol is a problem because it is abused – for children raises a concern about safe houses that are bilingual where they can go if they are in a situation where family violence is a result of alcohol. Dr. Rosavich said that for Hispanic children, beer is not perceived as alcohol. Also when asked if ever abuse drugs, to which children will state no but when questioned will say only do marijuana not drugs. Rosa stated that alcohol leads to infidelity in families.

How about stress? Dr. Rosavich said Hispanics do not think about stress otherwise would not be here. Their experiences in their native country was much worse. Pastor said that many people do not know what stress means. Ruth said often when an inventory is taken of clients they report very positive, but after an educational unit, the positive score drops. Clients then state that it is because they didn’t know this before. A year latter another measure will indicate a measure that shows actual change in stress levels.

Crime in neighborhood: Drugs, hit man, failure of police response, shootings, prostitution

Standard of the school is also a concern. Cleanliness, texts, teaching - Parents are not motivated to be involved – need programs on how to help one another - Deal with peer influence – street lighting in poor communities – discrimination –

Declining respect for human life? Some responded yes. Failure of public representatives/agencies to respond to poor communities. Allow for children to live in poverty.

Top 10 needs that may impede access to IPV/SV services: Group were asked to review the list of issues identified and select those top 10 issues they feel are most important. Group was asked to list in order of importance, with #1 being most important. List should be turned into Cynthia.

Advised that LCDA will conduct a needs assessment; conduct focus groups with community, victims, perps, youth; and conduct a service assessment. This information will be used to develop an intervention to address the issues.

Educate people on what is abuse. Clear definition of abuse.

Cynthia asked group to turn in their lists to her. She will compile and provide feedback to members. She will keep all lists on file. Asked members to complete survey, special attention to complete whether or now willing to have personal information with other members. Pastor suggested group meet at least twice a month. Ruth said whole council will meet at least once a month, but committee appointed may meet more often. Minutes will be provided to all council members for their information. Dr. Rosavich asked if City Council could also be asked to participate in Linkage Council meetings, especially counselor for SW area. One member asked for meetings be held after regular work hours. She also suggested police also be included. Dr. Rosavich added that incest is also a community issue that may be a result of domestic violence. Described 15 year old who was pregnant but would not report because she wanted her cincenerra, the day after her party, the aunt bought her into the Dr. Rosavich who diagnosed the teenager as being 8-months pregnant. She then reported she had been raped by Uncle and did not tell grandma because it was her favorite son.

Meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.