2017-080 CHILD PROTECTION INVESTIGATIONS PROJECT:
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to coordinate services of the Clermont
Police Department and Haven of Lake & Sumter Counties, Inc through partnership and
collaboration. By participating in this agreement, all partners are expressing their commitment
to work as equals within their own unique roles to accomplish their mission, while understanding
that addressing the overall problem of domestic violence and child abuse requires a respectful,
shared response.
I. DESCRIPTION OF PARTNERS
Haven of Lake & Sumter Counties, Inc. (Haven) is the certified provider of comprehensive
services to adult survivors of domestic violence and their children in Lake & Sumter Counties.
Haven's mission is to provide unduplicated services to victims of domestic violence and sexual
assault.
Clermont Police Department represents the Law Enforcement agency in Lake County.
II. HISTORY OF RELATIONSHIP
Haven and Clermont Police Department have demonstrated a history of successful
collaborations since 1977. These agencies have worked together to provide referral and
information services for many years.
III. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Haven and CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT will work together in the CPI Domestic
Violence Advocate Project as indicated:
1. Leadership from CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT will meet initially to develop
protocols for screening, serving, and referring cases involving domestic violence.
CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT will ensure that the appropriate supervisors also
attend the meeting(s) to establish communication procedures and guarantee consistent
messaging with all staff involved with the project.
2. Leadership from CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT will meet, at minimum, on a
quarterly basis to enhance adult and child survivor safety, increase perpetrator
accountability, discuss and resolve barriers to collaboration, and develop strategies to
resolve emerging issues that arise in the CPI Project. The Leadership Team members will
develop the project's mission and vision statements.
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3. Haven Domestic Violence Child Welfare Advocate (DVCW) and supervisor, and a
representative(s) from CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT will participate in ongoing
monthly meetings to discuss successes; address barriers to collaboration; and develop
strategies to resolve emerging issues throughout the project period.
4. Haven and CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT will invite and encourage local
representatives from other agencies to attend the monthly meetings to broaden the
participation in the effort to address the co—occurrence of domestic violence and child
abuse. Upon request, Haven will conduct trainings on issues related to addressing the
co-occurrence of domestic violence and child abuse, understanding batterer behavior,
safety planning, and importance of services for staff members of CLERMONT POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
5. Haven DVCW Advocate will provide support and referral services for survivors of
domestic violence and their children. Haven will offer a range of direct services to the
survivor and the children upon referral including options such as emergency shelter,
outreach counseling, advocacy including with the partners to this agreement and other
types of services as available and determined by the survivor.
6. Haven will share information regarding survivors of domestic violence as permitted by
and in compliance with Florida confidentiality and privilege laws as outlined in Florida
Statutes sections 39.908; 90.5035 and 90.5036, and the Federal Violence Against Women
Act of 2005. Haven agrees to inform the parent whenever CLERMONT POLICE
DEPARTMENT request information. However, communication between Haven and
CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT relating to a parent's confidential information is
at the discretion of and with the written consent of the parent. The center will not utilize
Florida Safe Families Network(FSFN) for information sharing purposes.
7. Haven and CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT will ensure all information released
to community partners adheres to all applicable Florida and Federal confidentiality and
privilege laws, and any protocols agreed to by CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT
and Haven addressing information sharing and cooperation in domestic violence
prevention and investigation.
8. CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT will support the efforts of the child welfare
agencies and the Domestic Violence Center to provide protection to the child and adult
victims of abuse by enforcing all laws pertaining to child abuse and neglect and domestic
violence and through the enforcement of court orders established by the injunctive
process. In addition, CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT will assume a leadership
role with holding the perpetrator accountable through methods including, but not limited
to: arrest and removal of the batterer from the home; thoroughly reviewing domestic
violence reports/cases to ensure the correct charges were placed on the suspect; ensure
written statements were documented from all possible parties; ensure that evidentiary
photos were taken; review the batterer's criminal history, including communication with
any current or past probation officer; determine if there are any other witnesses who
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might provide a statement; determine if there is any other evidence that may be collected
to support or enhance charges; determine if there are injuries that may enhance charges
such as strangulation; follow up with the victim to determine if any injuries or new
bruising is now evident and photograph those injuries to update the evidence for
prosecution; and inquire if the victim has seen a medical provider since the time of the
incident. CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT will provide victims with information
about the certified domestic violence center and connect them with the local 24 hour
domestic violence hotline or the-Florida Domestic Violence Hotline if the victim would
like to speak with a domestic violence advocate.
9. IV. COMMITMENT
By signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the project partners acknowledge their
commitment to achieve the stated purpose of the project. It is further agreed that this MOU can
be amended at any time upon consent of all. This agreement will renew automatically for a
period of three years from the date of signing, unless terminated by either party.
As indicated by my signature, I have read and agree with the Memorandum of Understanding.
Kelly Smallridge, Executive Director Date
Haven of L.' 'umt, ties, Inc
arles :roa.way, Chief of Po ice - Date
Clermont Police Department
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might provide a statement: determine :f there is any of C, evidence that may he collected
to support orrenhance:charges: determine if there are njuries that may enhance charges
such as strangulation: iollow.up with the victim to 'etermine if any injuries or new
bruising is now evident and photograph those inj ies to update the evidence her
prosecution: and inquire if the victim has seen a med cal provider since the time of the
incident. CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT will provide victims with information
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• about the certified domestic violence center and con sect them with the local 24 hour
domestic violence hollinc or the Florida Domestic Vi Icncc ilotline if the victim would
like to speak with a domestic violence advocate.
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9. W. COMMITMENT
'y signing this Memorandum of Understanding. the pr, 'cm partners acknowledge their
ommitmcnt to achieve the stated purpose-of the project. It i further agreed that this MOLT can
.e amended at any time upon consent of all. This agreeme I will renew automatically For a
•period of three years front the date of signing. unless tenninate t by either p>rty.
• s indicated by my signature.] have read and agree with the N emorandum of[. nderstanding.
dice. _ /S.s.: ,/
(env- .al!ri. c:,Exeeut .d.Ditecior" 0` Date
raven of Lak ;t'Sumter Counties, Inc
11a-ries Aroaa-way, Chef cf Poiicef Dale
liennont Police De anment
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