Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Dave Pine, District 1
Supervisor Carole Groom, District 2
Subject: Appointments to the San Mateo County Domestic Violence Council
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for appointments to the San Mateo County Domestic Violence Council, each for an initial full term effective January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026:
A) Rose Mukhar, Executive Director of Justice At Last, representing Nonprofit providing services to domestic violence survivors; and
B) Keri Kirby, Executive Director of the Sitike Counseling Center, representing Agency providing treatment services to domestic violence perpetrators; and
C) Kathryn Anderson, represents a Member At-Large; and
D) Sean Frost, represents a Member At-Large; and
E) Lori Smiley-Klingler, represents a Member At-Large.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo County Domestic Violence Council is responsible for establishing policies to reduce and prevent domestic violence and enhance victim’s services.
Members of the Domestic Violence Council evaluate, make recommendations and initiate activities regarding: current response of law enforcement, the judicial system, health care services and community resources; local government efforts to reduce domestic and family violence; public awareness and public education necessary to state and local laws; and the need for services for those who are victims of domestic and family violence. The Council develops an annual work plan and submits an annual report to the Board of Supervisors.
The resolutions governing the composition of the membership of the Domestic Violence Council (e.g., Resolution No. 076190) use outdated terminology when referring to domestic violence survivors and perpetrators, including the terms “battered women” and “batterers.” In the new year, amendments will be proposed to update the governing resolution to incorporate more inclusive language, as reflected in the recommendation set forth in this memorandum.
DISCUSSION:
Rose Mukhar currently serves on the Domestic Violence Council representing Member At-Large, and is being recommended to vacate that seat to serve representing a nonprofit providing services to domestic violence survivors upon approval of this appointment for an initial full term. Sean Frost is being recommended to serve a Member At-Large seat which opens with Rose Mukhar vacating the seat to instead represent the nonprofit seat upon approval of these appointments.
Rose Mukhar is a social justice, human rights and crime victims' rights attorney with experience in cases involving children, women, refugees, and survivors of domestic violence, torture, and human trafficking. She represents Justice At Last.
Keri Kirby is the Executive Director of Sitike Counseling Center and has extensive volunteer experience with social welfare in San Mateo County. Sitike Counseling Center provides community-based counseling and education in a safe and healing environment that embraces the cultural and emotional needs of every client and helps people find hope, resiliency and life-affirming change.
Kathryn Anderson started her career in law enforcement with Redwood City Police Department. She then went on to CORA as their Law Enforcement Liaison and then to the Keller Center. She has extensive experience with domestic violence training and is now retired, looking to volunteer as a Member At-Large.
Sean Frost is a Lieutenant in the San Francisco Police Department and a resident of Redwood City. He is interested in using his professional experience with domestic violence as a Member At-Large for the County of San Mateo.
Lori Smiley-Klingler is a former member of the Domestic Violence Council before she retired from the County’s Probation Department. As a clinician with extensive professional experience with domestic violence issues, she is interested in continuing to help with domestic violence prevention as a Member At-Large.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.