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Pasco County Commission on the Status of Women

Help is available for domestic abuse survivors, experts say

May 15, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

There are resources available to help survivors of domestic abuse, according to a panel of speakers who talked on the theme of “Safety and Access” on May 6 at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library.

The panel discussion was organized by the Pasco County Commission on the Status of Women, and supported by the Pasco County Commission.

Cpl. Gina Yoman-Madden, left, and Det. Danni Murphy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office talked about the law enforcement agency’s efforts to help domestic abuse survivors. (Brian Fernandes)

It was the third in a series of three seminars aimed at empowering Pasco County women.

Representatives from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office explained how that agency seeks to assist abused women.

“I work with victims of intimate-partner domestic violence,” Det. Danni Murphy said.

In investigating abusive households, she works alongside victim advocates, such as Cpl. Gina Yoman-Madden.

As a team, they assist the survivor from the crime scene all the way to the courtroom hearings, providing guidance and referring them to community resources.

The unit now has five victim advocates, who are on call 24/7, Yoman-Madden said.

The advocates serve as liaisons for the survivors and often work alongside state attorneys to seek justice.

The sheriff’s office also has direct contact with offenders, and checks on the top 100 offenders each quarter, Murphy said. “It’s a way for us to be proactive,” she added.

Perpetrators are directed to resources that can help with issues such as substance abuse or anger management.

Some assistance is voluntary. Some offenders, however, must attend court-ordered counseling sessions.

Despite the availability of these services, the law enforcement professionals said there are still obstacles.

One of the biggest obstacles is that domestic violence cases often go unreported, Murphy said.

Some survivors may fail to come forward because they must rely on their abusive partner for financial help or transportation, Yoman-Madden said.

There is a program designed to help with that.

Funded with a grant, victim advocate technicians transport survivors to important engagements, such as court hearings, doctor’s appointments or counseling sessions.

Victim advocates, working out of the sheriff’s office, also help to identify people who are trapped in a cycle of abuse.

The sheriff’s office also partners with other organizations with the goal of helping survivors improve their economic prospects.

Many survivors are referred to the Sunrise of Pasco County Inc. – Domestic & Sexual Violence Center for assistance.

Noelle Polk-Clark, the center’s attorney, was another presenter at the seminar.

She talked about what Sunrise does.

She began her talk by showing a clip from the British documentary “Behind Closed Doors,” — providing an up-close glimpse of domestic violence.

Polk-Clark explained that, like the couple portrayed in the film, the abuser in a relationship often “programs” the target of their abuse to believe that the abuser’s actions are not so bad.

“The grip of control is so profound,” Polk-Clark explained.

Sunrise, which is funded through local, state and federal sources, provides a 40-bed shelter in Dade City.

It has a 24-hour hotline, a case management team, counseling, legal advocacy, support groups and a thrift store.

Polk-Clark oversees the Injunction for Protection Project (IFP).

The project relies on the testimony of the abused in order to form a case and file a request for an injunction – seeking to keep the offender away at a safe distance.

“If an injunction is in place, studies show that the incidents of violence decrease,” Polk-Clark said.

In 2009, Sunrise and the sheriff’s office collaborated to create the Intimate Violence Enhanced Service Team (InVEST).

Working together, the agencies make referrals to each other and keep one another in the loop regarding the status of survivors — aimed at reducing the risk of homicide.

Polk-Clark noted that domestic violence incidents cross economic lines.

But, homeless women are particularly vulnerable, according to Don Anderson, CEO of the Homeless Coalition of Pasco County, another panelist at the seminar.

The Homeless Coalition works with Sunrise and the sheriff’s office to address issues facing the homeless.

Anderson shared some startling statistics.

Ninety-two percent of homeless women have experienced physical assault, Anderson said. Sixty-three percent of those were abused by their own partner, he said.

The Homeless Coalition is supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Florida Department of Children and Families.

With these funds, programs can be implemented like the homeless prevention, to help families on the verge of losing their home.

“We’re working with individuals and families that are in trouble now,” Anderson said. “We do our best to provide back-rent, utility deposits [and] any number of things that ensure they stay in their home.”

It also provides anywhere from 300 to 400 people a month with showers, toiletries, clothes and meals at the New Port Richey office.

For additional information on Sunrise of Pasco County Inc., call (352) 521-3358, or visit SunrisePasco.org.

To learn more on the Homeless Coalition of Pasco County, call (727) 842-8605, or visit PascoHomelessCoalition.org.

Published May 15, 2019

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Danni Murphy, Don Anderson, Florida Department of Children and Families, Gina Yoman-Madden, Homeless Coalition of Pasco County, Land O' Lakes Branch Library, Noelle Polk-Clark, Pasco County Commission on the Status of Women, Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Sunrise of Pasco County, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Seminars aim to empower Pasco women

March 20, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

The first of a three-part series aimed to advance the interests of Pasco County women took place on March 4 at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, on Collier Parkway.

All of the meetings, being presented by the Pasco County Commission on the Status of Women and the Pasco County Commission, are being held at the library, and are free and open to the public.

The theme of the first part of the series was “Health and Wellness.”

Sarah Cobelli, of BayCare Behavioral Health, was one of the speakers who took part in a presentation on ‘Health and Wellness’ hosted by the Pasco County Commission on the Status of Women, on March 4 at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, on Collier Parkway. (Brian Fernandes)

Guest speakers Mike Napier, of the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County, and Sarah Cobelli, of BayCare Behavioral Health, shared pertinent information relating to women’s health issues.

“Virtually everything we do at the health department is in partnership with someone else,” explained Napier, administrator for the Florida Department of Health — Pasco County.

The department works with Moffitt Cancer Center, Premier Community Healthcare Group and other partners.

They work to bring awareness to issues such as cervical and breast cancer, and provide information about treatment options.

The department also receives government funding, which is used to provide screenings.

Efforts also are being made to prevent the spread of Hepatitis A, and the health department is receiving assistance in this effort from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Napier said.

Through this collaboration, vaccinations are offered in the jail system, Napier explained.

“The good news is, it’s almost 97 percent – after you’ve had those shots – that you’ll be immune to any Hepatitis A,” Napier said.

Napier also advocates child vaccination for Hepatitis A and for the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Napier dispelled the notion that HPV is always linked to physical intercourse, stating that the stigma makes parents hesitant about vaccinating their children.

Teenage pregnancy, however, is a reality that the department addresses through its family planning program.

“It’s very difficult when we see moms coming in at 16-17 [and] trying to get them to finish school,” Napier said. “We’ve got to do something about that.”

The program offers testing, counseling and various contraceptive methods.

It also works in conjunction with schools to make sure students are well-educated and have a resource to call for help.

Tobacco use is another area of local concern, Napier pointed out.

“Unfortunately, Pasco County continues to have some of the highest smoking rates in the state,” the administrator said.

As of last year, 21 percent of adult Pasco residents were chronic smokers, according to the health department.

It also noted in a 2013 study that 22 percent of women in the county were smokers – significantly in the 18 to 44 age range.

The health department is working with medical institutions to distribute and collect health surveys.

The effort allows hospitals and other health care facilities to share medical information, and to better identify health trends based on demographics.

“It’s going to be consistent with all the hospitals and the health industry, to be able to say, ‘We all see the same data and now we’re going to try to act on that data,’” Napier stated.

The administrator also noted that providing mental health care to women who need it remains challenging.

Cobelli provided a presentation focused on behavioral health and substance abuse among women.

As a program manager for BayCare, she oversees community-based services for both children and adults.

“One of the newer additions to BayCare – within the last couple of years – is behavioral health integration, that especially females find comfort in,” Cobelli said.

This program is a convenient means for women to see their primary care physician and speak with a mental health counselor within the same office.

Another outreach program allows nurses, with a mobile medical unit, to go outdoors informing the homeless about medical resources and housing that may be available to them.

There’s also outreach to teenage mothers.

With the help of case managers, another state-funded program provides intervention for pregnant or postpartum women struggling with substance abuse.

For the 2018 fiscal year, Cobelli stated: “About 65 percent of the women that are enrolled have a primary diagnosis of an opioid disorder.”

There are also services available to women outside the program to help with essentials, such as car seats, strollers and baby formula.

BayCare encourages women with substance abuse, who are coming out of jail, to attend its group meetings three times a week.

With the Alternatives to Incarceration Pasco program, BayCare works with the Sheriff’s Office to establish special services for those with substance disorders.

The second part of the series, focused on Economic Prosperity, will be held on April 8.

The third part of the series, focused on Safety and Access, will be presented on May 6.

For more information visit, PascoCountyFL.net/2662/Commission-on-Status-of-Women.

Women’s lecture series presented by the Pasco County Commission on the Status of Women and the Pasco County Commission
Where: Land O’ Lakes Library meeting room, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
When: Upcoming sessions are planned on Economic Prosperity on April 8 and Safety & Access on May 6. Both sessions start at 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free to public
Details: A series of presentations from guest speakers will discuss educating and advancing Pasco County women
Info: Visit PascoCountyFL.net/2662/Commission-on-Status-of-Women. 

Published March 20, 2019

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Alternatives to Incarceration Pasco, Baycare Behavioral Health, Collier Parkway, Florida Department of Health, Hepatitis A, HPV, Land O' Lakes Branch Library, Mike Napier, Moffitt Cancer Center, Pasco County Commission, Pasco County Commission on the Status of Women, Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Premier COmmunity HealthCare Group, Sarah Cobelli

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February 23, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

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03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer “Foodie Feast: Apple Pie Bombs” on March 5. Participants can learn how to make tasty, apple pie bombs. Watch the prerecorded video between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., online at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . … [Read More...] about 03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

03/06/2021 – Pancakes and trains

The Grand Concourse Railroad, 11919 Alric Pottberg Road in Shady Hills, will offer a Pancake Breakfast and Unlimited Train Rides event on March 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for kids. For information, visit Grand Concourse Railroad on Facebook. … [Read More...] about 03/06/2021 – Pancakes and trains

03/08/2021 – Tomato garden

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a video on how to grow a tomato garden. Those interested can view the video at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary, all day, on March 8. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email . … [Read More...] about 03/08/2021 – Tomato garden

03/09/2021 – Grilled cheese

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a video on how to make green grilled cheese on March 9 at 4:30 p.m., for grades four to seven. To view the video, visit the Library Cooperative on Facebook or Instagram. … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Grilled cheese

03/09/2021 – Poetry discussion

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a virtual poetry discussion group on “Female Power!” on March 9 at 6:30 p.m., for ages 16 and older, via Zoom. Participants can share a favorite poem or take part in discussions on poems about women or written by women poets. Themed poems will be sent out to help with the session. Registration is required. For information, contact Amaris Papadopoulos at 727-861-3020 or . … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Poetry discussion

03/09/2021 – Technology Tuesday

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a Technology Tuesday: Robots & Machines on March 9, through a curbside pickup activity. The kit will help kids learn more about technology, from robots to coding, through online and hands-on activities. The pickup is limited to 35 participants and must be reserved ahead of time. A book bundle can be included. Kits must be picked up between March 9 at 10 a.m., and March 13 at 5 p.m. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Technology Tuesday

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