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DRAFT <br />MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANTsTNG COMMISSION WORK SESSION <br />ON DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTERS HELD ON JANUARY 6, 1995 <br />confederation of 20 Minnesota shelters, which sets their standards for training of volunteers, who <br />makeup the majority of staffing for the shelters. Webber confirmed for Schroeder that the <br />standards for shelters have evolved over 20 years as a result of formal or informal mteraction <br />between people involved with shelters. There is no licensing mvolved with shelters except for <br />the food service aspect. <br />Schroeder asked whether the budget review by the Department of Corrections constituted an <br />informal or "de facto" licensing. Webber was not famUiar with the depth of review provided <br />bv the Department of Corrections in their budget review. She did indicate that a de facto <br />li'censing probably exists when a county or state grant is involved since die contract for the grant <br />specifies conditions. Lindquist requested that information regarding the Department of <br />Corrections review process be provided. Webber acknowledged she would be “ending a <br />seminar and would provide that information after attending. Schroeder reiterated that the <br />Planning Commission is being asked to review an activity for which we have no baselme to <br />compare ±e stmemre or activity happening within, and added that another agency s licensmg <br />guildelines would provide that baseline. <br />Mabusth confirmed that Westonka Intervention is a non-profit charitable organization. Webber <br />confirmed that all e.xisting shelters are non-profit. <br />Schroeder noted that shelters are one option for solving the abuse problem that exists. There <br />may be other wavs such as housing victims in hotels or other tacilities. He requested that <br />Webber describe the relationship between all of the various agencies who are involved m the <br />domestic abuse problem. Mabusth indicated that there are no other local agencies Providing <br />shelter in the area of the 7 cities Westonka Interv'ention serves. Rowlette questioned whether <br />all 7 cities automatically call Westonka Intervention in dealing with domestic abuse situations^ <br />Mabusth replied that her information is that the Orono Police might use Westonka Intemntion <br />or mieht call Sojourner or Home Free, two shelters in neighboring cities to the east, if shelter <br />was needed immediately since Westonka Intervention does not yet have that ability. <br />Rowlette questioned whether she was interpreting correctly that the figures provided <br />people who have wanted to get into shelters have not been able to because of the lack of in <br />Siis^area. Webber commented that that may not be quite accurate, that the Orono <br />a different relationship than some other Westonka cities with Westonka <br />Mound and Minnetrista Police may use Westonka Intervention in most or all caKS wtere^ me <br />Orono Police do not necessarily use them in every case. Webber continued >*“1 Mou^ <br />Minnetrista Police over the last 10 years had never been able to place someone in Sojourner o <br />Home Free due to a lack of available space. She noted that it is possible feat Orono “ <br />as advocates themselves and contacted Sojourner or Home Free on their own uuiiative <br />than involving somebody from Westonka Intervention. <br />Rowlette requested that if possible a representative of the Orono Police Department be asked to <br />come over to the meeting to describe their policies and procedures.