2016-83 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 rolesto accomplish their mission, while understanding that addressing the overall
problem of domestic violence and child abuse requires a respectful,shared response.
L 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.
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
s
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 903036, 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 otherwitnesses who might provide a statement;determine if there is any other evidence
that may becollected 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.
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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 parties and will require renewal one year from the date of signing.
As indic• --d by my signature, I have read and agree with the Memorandum of Understanding.
`70Qe.p %�
K= y Sma ridge, Executive Director Date
Haven-of ake& Sumter Co ies, Inc
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Charles Broadway,Chief of Police Date
Clermont Police Department
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