STAFF: Dolores Heredia

The meeting commenced at 12:15 PM. Leg. Noto welcomed the guests and explained that the Task Force wanted to inquire into the status of the new Coordinator and also discuss some issues, which were raised at a previous meeting with Mr. Kenneth Lau, such as tracking, child sex abuse cases, etc.

First Leg. Noto asked Ms. Brown about her background. She explained that she has been a CPS worker for the past 10 years. Prior to that experience, she had casework experience with DSS and homemakers units. Next the Task Force discussed the issues raised at its previous meeting. One issue was that cases are being "indicated" and people are not following through with regards to their treatment. At the previous meeting Mr. Lau noted that Westchester County was unique. He explained that in child sexual abuse matters the County Attorney’s office does not go Family Court, and he is concerned that they are making deals and not following through. In other words, he explained that after a case has been held as "indicated" they are making deals that the perpetrator go for treatment, however this is not being followed through as to whether the treatment was completed. Mrs. Paulin inquired whether it was true that Westchester was unique in it does not go to Family Court as often as other communities; whether there was something missing in Westchester; or is there something else happening at the end of treatment.

With regards to the role of the Coordinator and the CPS caseload, Ms. Brown believes there is still is a lot to be done in this area as well as working with the advocacy centers. Next Leg. Noto inquired into who was coordinating the training of police officers. Lisa Linski

explained that it is the job of the Coordinator, and she noted that a training session was scheduled for the Fall. Also discussed was the computer problem, specifically the lack of compatibility between the Departments. Ms. Brown noted that they do not have access to the new connection system that CPS has had for the last two years. However, Ms. Linski noted that they do have access to CPS’s case load, unless it was not a criminal case. Mrs. Paulin noted that Mr. Lau’s concern was that there are many cases that do not get to the criminal stage. Ms. Brown noted that if someone is concerned they need to then call the registry again and a follow-up report will go through again. Ms. Linski and Ms. Brown also noted that if there is a non-D.A. case it is the responsibility of WJCS to notify them. Ms. Brown will not be able to follow-up with these cases if she is unaware of their existence. They explained that even a tracking system would not indicate the concerns of sexual abuse in a case; therefore, the tracking system is not necessarily the answer. The Task Force inquired into the Westchester County statistics of sexual incest including cases dealing with teenagers. Ms. Brown will look into attaining these numbers. The Task Force asked Ms. Brown to follow-up on some of their suggestions. Mrs. Paulin noted that they Task Force will keep in touch because they are in the process of compiling a report.

The final item for discussion was the minutes of April 13, 1999. Mrs. Paulin moved to approve, seconded by Leg. Noto. All in favor [2-0]. Leg. Noto moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Paulin. All in favor [2-0]. The meeting ended at 1:30 PM.