City Hall
New Human Services Director Responds to Council Questions
City human services department director Dannette Smith---who was grilled by the city council earlier this month over her controversial decision
to eliminate a division of the department devoted to preventing domestic violence and sexual assault---responded yesterday to a series of 20 questions posed by the council, nine of them focused on the department's commitment to domestic violence issues going forward. PubliCola obtained a copy of Smith's letter to the council this afternoon.
I've focused on Smith's responses to questions related to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention (most of which boil down to reassurances that the department has no plans to reduce its emphasis on those programs) specifically, but the full letter (pdf) is available here .
Q: Several people have questioned how HSD can eliminate the Domestic Violence Director position and combine its Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Division with other HSD divisions without diminishing the visibility or effectiveness of the City’s domestic violence programs.
... This reorganization appears inconsistent with practices in other cities and the available literature so how do you respond to that? Please provide evidence-based data justifying the move away from best practices. Is there an example of where this reduction in emphasis model has been successful elsewhere?
A: The elimination of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention division will not diminish the importance of, or commitment to, the innovative programs and collaborations developed under the current Division director and staff. HSD is committed to continued leadership, collaboration and support of those efforts. ...
The HSD realignment creates the opportunity and structure to develop new partners to create a continuum of domestic violence and sexual assault resources, supports and services. This approach is consistent with national and local data, research and domestic violence policy recommendations.
Q: A dedicated domestic violence division has been critical to receiving federal and state funding. How can we ensure that this will continue under the contemplated reorganizational structure?
The reorganization will not impact the City’s ability to receive federal and state funding. Our success in the past has been based on strong collaborative efforts with other City departments, criminal justice and law enforcement stakeholders and domestic violence providers. ... The Department will continue to invest in and prioritize domestic violence and sexual assault prevention efforts through the partnership with and leadership of the Domestic Violence Prevention Council to develop, implement and coordinate citywide efforts to reduce and prevent domestic violence. Human Services Department staff will continue to oversee the workings of the council and coordinate the efforts of its member agencies, including identifying potential public and private funding opportunities.
Q: What are the shortcomings of the current structure of HSD’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Division? Why do you think it needs to change?
A: The Department will build on the strong foundation and programs established by the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Prevention division. However, there are numerous opportunities to broaden the work to and leverage other city resources to address the gaps identified in the current system. The focus will be on strengthening community participation and creating community support systems for preventing and addressing domestic violence and sexual abuse to enhance the safety of children and victims of domestic violence.
Q: How will the realignment of HSD divisions improve how victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are served? How will you measure the success of the reorganization with respect to domestic violence prevention and services? Specifically, what are the steps that will be taken to integrate DV, SA, elder abuse, and juvenile prostitution in other areas of HSD? It appears there will need to be a significant injection of resources to make the proposed organizational changes while simultaneously continuing the work of the DV/SA prevention division, let alone continue to develop future projects in DV/SA prevention division. Given proposed changes will there be a request for additional funding?
A: The new structure will bring more staff resources and Department-wide support to staff currently working in the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Prevention division as well as other existing initiatives within the Department. HSD is fortunate to have staff with experience and expertise across the continuum of services and will utilize their expertise to ensure new strategies incorporate and are responsive to their areas.
Q: Please describe how HSD’s domestic violence and sexual assault prevention contracts might be retooled. How would such a retooling help to integrate services and enhance the accessibility and quality of resources that are available to victims? If possible, please cite specific examples.
A: The Department’s new focus on integrated, family-centered services and resulting organizational structure will allow HSD to work more closely with communities and constituents to develop and fund programs that meet their needs. Clients, including those facing issues of domestic violence or sexual assault, usually need to address multiple issues to be safe and eventually self-sufficient. One way in which HSD’s contracts could change to better integrate services for domestic violence survivors is to embed partnerships between systems or flexible funding to allow an early learning provider with a domestic violence client easier access to services.
I've focused on Smith's responses to questions related to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention (most of which boil down to reassurances that the department has no plans to reduce its emphasis on those programs) specifically, but the full letter (pdf) is available here .
Q: Several people have questioned how HSD can eliminate the Domestic Violence Director position and combine its Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Division with other HSD divisions without diminishing the visibility or effectiveness of the City’s domestic violence programs.
... This reorganization appears inconsistent with practices in other cities and the available literature so how do you respond to that? Please provide evidence-based data justifying the move away from best practices. Is there an example of where this reduction in emphasis model has been successful elsewhere?
A: The elimination of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention division will not diminish the importance of, or commitment to, the innovative programs and collaborations developed under the current Division director and staff. HSD is committed to continued leadership, collaboration and support of those efforts. ...
The HSD realignment creates the opportunity and structure to develop new partners to create a continuum of domestic violence and sexual assault resources, supports and services. This approach is consistent with national and local data, research and domestic violence policy recommendations.
Q: A dedicated domestic violence division has been critical to receiving federal and state funding. How can we ensure that this will continue under the contemplated reorganizational structure?
The reorganization will not impact the City’s ability to receive federal and state funding. Our success in the past has been based on strong collaborative efforts with other City departments, criminal justice and law enforcement stakeholders and domestic violence providers. ... The Department will continue to invest in and prioritize domestic violence and sexual assault prevention efforts through the partnership with and leadership of the Domestic Violence Prevention Council to develop, implement and coordinate citywide efforts to reduce and prevent domestic violence. Human Services Department staff will continue to oversee the workings of the council and coordinate the efforts of its member agencies, including identifying potential public and private funding opportunities.
Q: What are the shortcomings of the current structure of HSD’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Division? Why do you think it needs to change?
A: The Department will build on the strong foundation and programs established by the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Prevention division. However, there are numerous opportunities to broaden the work to and leverage other city resources to address the gaps identified in the current system. The focus will be on strengthening community participation and creating community support systems for preventing and addressing domestic violence and sexual abuse to enhance the safety of children and victims of domestic violence.
Q: How will the realignment of HSD divisions improve how victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are served? How will you measure the success of the reorganization with respect to domestic violence prevention and services? Specifically, what are the steps that will be taken to integrate DV, SA, elder abuse, and juvenile prostitution in other areas of HSD? It appears there will need to be a significant injection of resources to make the proposed organizational changes while simultaneously continuing the work of the DV/SA prevention division, let alone continue to develop future projects in DV/SA prevention division. Given proposed changes will there be a request for additional funding?
A: The new structure will bring more staff resources and Department-wide support to staff currently working in the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Prevention division as well as other existing initiatives within the Department. HSD is fortunate to have staff with experience and expertise across the continuum of services and will utilize their expertise to ensure new strategies incorporate and are responsive to their areas.
Q: Please describe how HSD’s domestic violence and sexual assault prevention contracts might be retooled. How would such a retooling help to integrate services and enhance the accessibility and quality of resources that are available to victims? If possible, please cite specific examples.
A: The Department’s new focus on integrated, family-centered services and resulting organizational structure will allow HSD to work more closely with communities and constituents to develop and fund programs that meet their needs. Clients, including those facing issues of domestic violence or sexual assault, usually need to address multiple issues to be safe and eventually self-sufficient. One way in which HSD’s contracts could change to better integrate services for domestic violence survivors is to embed partnerships between systems or flexible funding to allow an early learning provider with a domestic violence client easier access to services.
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