Domestic/Family Violence Committee

 

 

The focus of the Domestic and Family Violence Committee has been to increase the membership of the committee and to continue to respond to the concerns and interests of those officers who are dealing with the issues of domestic and family violence in their caseloads.  A brochure was designed and distributed to all the counties, outlining the purpose and history, and listing all the workshops that have been sponsored at conferences since the committee was formed.

At the meeting on 4-18-07, several new counties were represented by six officers.  The focus of discussion was on the experiences with specific domestic or family violence case assignments and how the problems of family violence affect clients in other caseloads.  Vernie Beorkrem from the Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Councils joined the meeting, and there was discussion on how the IFVCC and the DV/FV Committee can work together.  Ideas were discussed, such as co-sponsoring workshops and exploring ways to coordinate services in local councils.

A proposal for a workshop for the fall conference is being developed, addressing the complex issue of domestic violence and juvenile offenders.  The committee will continue discussing the topic of the LSI-R and trailer tools for DV/FV caseloads as probation departments statewide continue to implement this assessment.   Collaboration and coordination with IFVCC and the Department of Human Services will also be explored as state, county, and local agencies deal with shrinking budgets and increasing responsibilities.

Boyd Presley of Madison County is the new co-chair of the committee, joining Linda Hart of Cook-Social.  The next meeting of the committee will be Tuesday, July 31, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Government Center, 115 Front Street, Room 100 in Bloomington.  For further information about the committee, please contact Linda Hart via e-mail at lihart@cookcountygov.com or phone at 773-869-6056 or Boyd Presley via e-mail at bbpresley@co.madison.il.us or phone at 618-451-2047 x203. 

Substance Abuse

Committee

 

The Substance Abuse Committee has had another great year.  Membership has remained steady and growing.  Active participation is up and we look forward to continuing this trend.  By the time you are reading this we will have attended our annual outing at Starved Rock.  This took place on June 22nd and it looks to be the largest outing to date.  We meet at Starved Rock and have a cookout, play games and have the opportunity to informally talk about our various programs and what works in our areas.  It is a great time and much good information is passed on.  Oh! Yes.  Intermixed in there somewhere is a committee meeting.  Don’t miss out on next year!!

We sponsored two trainings in Bloomington and are looking into the possibility of two trainings in Collinsville.  Mike Carey, and Andy Ceresa are getting together to put on a drug testing training.  You all may know Mike and attended his previous trainings.  He has provided training to various organizations throughout the state for many years and is well respected in this area.   They will touch on methodology, collection, and adulteration.  However, the focus of this one will be interpreting the results, confronting, and dealing with the excuses.  Drug testing has become a mandatory part of probation and Drug Court.  It is imperative we stay abreast of advancements in technology as well as efforts to defeat the technology.

We are also looking into the PRISM training put on by the Illinois State Police.  This training relates to impaired driving and encompasses both classroom training as well as hands on driving while wearing those crazy impairment goggles.  So practice your driving skills and attend.   This training is not yet carved in stone but we are working on it.

We invite you to join our committee and support the IPCSA.  Committees are an important part of our organization and help to further specific ideas of individual members with knowledge and expertise in areas of importance to our profession.  The Substance Abuse Committee helps bring information, training, and new ideas in the area of drugs, alcohol, and addictions to the IPCSA members.  We also have some fun doing it, too.  If your area involves drugs, alcohol, and addictions or you are just interested in this area, talk to a committee member or just attend a meeting.  It doesn’t matter if your caseload is Drug Court or Domestic Violence, drugs and alcohol affect it.  We invite you to join and take an active part in the IPCSA.

Attendance at all meetings is not a requirement.  The level of involvement is up to you.  We just encourage you to take advantage of the information, contacts, and friendships offered as a benefit of membership in the Substance Abuse Committee.  Please consider joining.

If you need more information speak to Co-Chairs Tracy Burke (Bureau County 815/872-8951), Judi Nystrom (A.O.I.C. 217/785-0413) or any committee member