ORDINANCE NO. BL2015-1125

ORDINANCE NO. BL2015-1125

An ordinance establishing the Metropolitan Government Office of Family Safety as a department of the Metropolitan Government.

WHEREAS, from 2011 to 2013, the Mayor’s Office conducted a study, Closing Safety Gaps for Domestic Violence Victims, Nashville and Davidson County’s Domestic Violence Safety and Accountability Assessment, regarding domestic violence and related services provided to the citizens of Davidson County; and,

WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Domestic Violence Executive Committee was created to guide the implementation of the recommendations contained in this assessment and the creation of the Jean Crowe Advocacy Center; and,

WHEREAS, in 2014, the Jean Crowe Advocacy Center opened and serves victims and witnesses of domestic violence and their families; and,

WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Domestic Violence Executive Committee is comprised from, but not limited to, the Chief of Police, Sheriff, Director of Law, District Attorney General, General Sessions and Circuit Court Judges who handle domestic violence cases, and leaders from the Mayor’s Office, Department of Finance, and the Jean Crowe Advocacy Center; and,

WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Domestic Violence Executive Committee has determined there is a need for an additional Metropolitan Government department to oversee the Jean Crowe Advocacy Center and any future Davidson County Family Justice or Safety Center; and,

WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Domestic Violence Executive Committee has determined there is a need for an additional Metropolitan Government department to coordinate the services being provided to domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and elder abuse victims and their families, by the Metropolitan Government and partner non-profits.

WHEREAS, upon creation of the Metropolitan Government Office of Family Safety, the Mayor’s Domestic Violence Executive Committee will become the Office of Family Safety Advisory Board, and the employees of the Jean Crowe Advocacy Center will become employees of the Metropolitan Government Office of Family Safety; and,

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government Office of Family Safety has been funded in the budget ordinance for fiscal year 2015.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. There is hereby created the Metropolitan Government Office of Family Safety, a department of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. The Metropolitan Government Office of Family Safety shall consist of a department head, who is an unclassified service employee and appointed by the Mayor, as well as such other employees as may be deemed necessary, who shall also be unclassified service employees. In addition, the employees of the Jean Crowe Advocacy Center shall become employees of the department and will remain in the unclassified service.

Section 2. The mission and purpose of the Metropolitan Government Office of Family Safety is to:

A) Facilitate and guide the comprehensive multi-disciplinary team approach to domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and elder abuse victims; and,
B) Provide and oversee locations that are safe, private, and supportive for domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and elder abuse victims to access services; and,
C) Provide and coordinate services that operate in partnership with criminal justice, civil-legal, law enforcement, and social service agencies that strive to reduce the level of trauma and risk experienced by victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and elder abuse victims and their families.

Section 3. The powers and duties of the Metropolitan Government Office of Family Safety shall be as follows:

A) Oversee the implementation of the recommendations and associated committees contained in Closing Safety Gaps for Domestic Violence Victims, Nashville and Davidson County’s Domestic Violence Safety and Accountability Assessment, ongoing recommendations of the Domestic Abuse Death Review Team, and any future Safety and Accountability Assessments performed by the Metropolitan Government on domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and elder abuse; and,
B) Advise the Metropolitan Government on policies and procedures that affect domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and elder abuse victims and their families; and,
C) Maintain Office of Family Safety data pertaining to client demographics, services provided, and outcomes, to use for future projections and policy decisions; and,
D) Create an annual report for the Mayor and Vice Mayor on the Office of Family Safety regarding the services provided by the Victim Advocacy Center(s), system-wide accomplishments, and policy recommendations; and,
E) Oversee and manage the coordination and collaboration of all partner Metropolitan Government departments and private non-profit agencies, in furtherance of the Metropolitan Government’s coordinated community response to domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and elder abuse victims and their families; and,
F) Establish and annually review agreements with partner non-profit agencies and Metropolitan Government departments that provide services to domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and elder abuse victims and their families; and,
G) Work to provide Metropolitan Government Victim Advocacy Center facilities that are safe and victim-sensitive in an effort to reduce risk and victim trauma; and,
H) Oversee the staff, volunteers, and partner agencies working for or with the Metropolitan Government Victim Advocacy Center facilities.
I) Provide education and training for Metropolitan Government employees and the public on domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and elder abuse; and,
J) Establish departmental regulations and procedures; and,
K) Seek grant funding to aid in accomplishing departmental objectives, and oversee the implementation and budget of awarded grants.

Section 4. That this Ordinance shall take effect from and after its final passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	May 19, 2015
Passed First Reading:	May 19, 2015
Referred to:	Budget & Finance Committee Public Safety Committee
Passed Second Reading:	June 2, 2015
Passed Third Reading:	June 16, 2015
Approved:	June 17, 2015
By: