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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984 03-14 HRRMM1 MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE .,COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION MARCH 14, 1984 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairperson Kuhar at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Kuhar, Commissioners Lemke, Mayleben, Trautwein, Rabine, Keselhorst and Stoderl. Also present were Councilmember Gene Lhotka, Administrative Assistant Tom Bublitz, and guest speaker Janet Cardle. Chairperson Kuhar introduced Donna Stoderl, newly appointed member to the Human Rights Commission. Ms. Stoderl explained that she is currently teaching medical surgical nursing at Anoka-Ramsey College and that she also has experience in psychiatric nursing. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 11, 1984 There was a motion by Commissioner Trautwein and ; seconded by Commis- sioner Mayleben to approve the minutes of the January 11, 1984 meeting of the Human Rights Commission as submitted. The motion passed. GUEST SPEAKER ON CHILD ABUSE - JANET CARDLE Commissioner Lemke introduced Mrs. Cardle to the Commission and explained that she has worked extensively with the Edina school system and the Edina Human Relations Committee in the area of child abuse. She explained that Mrs. Cardle was instrumental in working with the Edina school system to develop written policies and regulations for school staff with regard to child abuse and neglect issues. Mrs. Cardle began her presentation by stating that the lack of public awareness in the issue of child abuse is an area open for nonprofessional involvement. She explained she began her involvement in the Edina school district which included developing in-service training for school staff, developing policies and procedures with regard to child abuse and also resulted in a community mailing to make people aware of these policies. She explained that the school districts in Eden Prairie and Bloomington recently put out similar brochures. Mrs. Cardle then reviewed programs underway in the metropolitan area which are dealing with the issue of child abuse, including the Junior League of Minneapolis which sponsors a crisis nursery. She suggested the first step for any organization is, to gather information on the issue. She pointed out that the Edina Human Relations Commission spon- sored the Illusion Theater's presentation of "TOUCH" for elementary age children. She added that there is another program for high school age students titled "NO EASY ANSWERS." She continued to review the programs in existence dealing with child abuse including one titled "RESPONSES TO END ABUSED CHILDREN" which was a program sponsored by the Hennepin County Medical Center, the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce and the Hennepin County Bar Association. 3-14-84 -1- w Chairperson Kuhar asked Mrs. Cardle how the adult education program started. Mrs. Cardle explaiend that it began with courses through community education departments but she added it is a difficult situation since people do not want to be associated with the topic of child abuse. She noted that the brochure sent out through the Edina school system was done in 1981. She pointed out the difficulty of community involvement in this issue and stated that her approach has been to help develop networks, liaisons and cooperations that evolve among people and organi- zations in the Community. She pointed out it is important to have someone from the Hennepin County Child Protection Agency involved in any community effort. From a national standpoint Mrs. Cardle explained there is a National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Many of these organizations have valuable pamphlets and booklets and literature to educate people on the issue of child abuse and neglect. Chairperson Kuhar reviewed the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission's involvement in the City's Domestic Assault Intervention Project and she suggested discussing with the Brooklyn Center school district what they are doing in the area of in-service training in the area of child abuse. Mrs. Cardle pointed out some other information sources available to the community including a film titled "ABUSED ADOLESCENTS SPEAK OUT" done by the Face to Face Counseling Clinic in St. Paul. She also noted that the Hennepin County Child Protection Department has 16mm films available on child abuse and that the Children's Health Center also has information available to the community. She also noted that the Fridley Police Department publishes a personal safety coloring book for children. Other sources noted were the University of Minnesota Audio Visual Preview Department which has a list of all audio visual materials available for public use. Mrs. Cardle also noted several books in the area of child abuse including ONE CHILD by Hayden, MURPHY'S BOY and SOMEBODY ELSE'S KIDS. As another source of information . Mrs. Cardle also suggested contacting Deborah Anderson of the County Attorney's office who is also Vice President of Response, a non profit group dealing in the area of child abuse. Discussion continued among Commission members regarding Mrs. Cardle's presentation and the Commission requested that for the next meeting the video tape "ABUSED ADOLESCENTS SPEAK OUT" be shown at the Commission meeting and also that a representative from the Police Department be requested to speak at the meeting. REVIEW OF NORTHWEST HENNEPIN HUMAN SERVICE COUNCIL'S 'T'ELEPHONE SURVEY Administrative Assistant Bublitz reviewed the preliminary results of the telephone survey prepared by the Northwest Hennepin Human Service Council. He pointed out that the purpose of the survey was to determine the public's perception of human service problems and issues in the northwest suburban area. He pointed out that the number one concern expressed in the preliminary results was findinig low or moderately priced housing. Other concerns, in descending order of response included single parent families experiencing problems related to parenting, drug or alcohol abuse by youth, families experiencing severe pressures, and the fifth most often mentioned area was joblessness for those who 3-14-84 ' -2- w - have physical or emotional handicaps. Administrative Assistant Bublitz explained that the Human Services Council will continue to conduct the phone surveys until the total number of calls in their sample is reached. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commissioner Lemke and seconded by Commissioner Trautwein to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Chairperson • -3-